Cockatoos?

[sundial]

Bambu, what birds do you have? What is the personality of an African gray?

[tulip]

I agree with Bambu. Cockatoos are difficult creatures with the most experienced bird people. Not for a beginner.

The big thing with parrots is to realize that they live A LONG TIME. It's not like a dog or a cat--you in it for at least 25 years and much, much longer for many birds. I liken it to having a 2-year old--delightful, cute, jealous, prone to tantrums, and very demanding. They are also very social. You can't fairly leave them in a cage while you are at work all day.

I would suggest finding a reputable bird group or club so that you can get to know different species and get to know the intricacies of life with a parrot. You may decide that hanging out with other people's birds is enough. Or you might find that bird people are a strange lot and change your mind .

I had a Senegal parrot for 10 years. Their life expectancy is about 25 years. When I got him, I wasn't planning on getting divorced, but life throws these things at you. I couldn't keep him, the ex did. It wasn't fair to the bird because we were his flock--all he knew and all he had. This happens to too many birds in my opinion. Families break up, people get tired of the demands of the parrot, children come along, etc.

Adopting other people's cast-off parrots is not a good idea for beginners. Many of these birds have serious psychological problems, bite, self-mutilate, and are more than most people can handle. Again, they are not like dogs and cats, which are generally much more adaptable.

I have chosen not to have another pet bird. I have gotten very interested in watching wild birds. They are allowed to fly.

[mimitabby]

oh brother, my cousin has a cockatoo. Her daughter bought it, acquired a boyfriend, and promptly dumped the bird on mom and dad. the bird bonded to my cousin, but it is hysterical and jealous of ANYONE that gets near her, including her kind gentle husband.
This bird shrieks and carries on even when she's on the phone.
They can put its cover on and tell it it's bedtime, but you can't fool that bird.

I am not sure why anyone would want to take this bird out of its natural environment.

[sundial]

Tulip, I knew these birds live a long time so I won't be making any hasty decisions. Actually, I don't think I'll be owning one after reading the threads on the too forum. The only reason I was thinking about it was a local pet store is about to close it's doors and I was afraid I'd have to rescue the too and the African gray parrot and foster them until I got them into a rescue. Fortunately they found a home.

Mimi, here's a clip for your delight:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JRnLPDcLGHs

[mimitabby]

Mimi, here's a clip for your delight:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JRnLPDcLGHs

oh, thanks now I can skip visiting my cousin for another year.

[sundial]

Lol!

[bambu101]

Sundial,

A lot of people in the bird world feel that cockatoos should not be kept in captivity, and consequently suffer a lot of behavioral problems such as plucking, screaming, biting, etc.

I had little birds for years, like finches, parakeets, and canaries. Our first parrot (Bambu, a Senegal parrot), was purchased as a baby a little over 10 years ago, and he can be unpredictable, and bites hard without warning. He usually loves me, but bites my DH at every opportunity. His bites are far more painful than our Blue & Gold macaw, BeeGee! She was adopted from a rescue in Philadelphia last summer, and was turned into them after being confiscated from a police raid on a crack house. She had been kept in a dark basement, and fed a crappy diet of peanuts and sunflower seeds. Now she is a beautiful girl in perfect health, and a sweet, loving, goofy character. We also have a moustached parakeet (Moe Green) that we adopted from a friend's family where the couple both died of cancer in their 40s. There is also a canary and one parakeet in our current flock.

As you can tell, I am pretty passionate about birds and avian rescue and adoption. There are just far too many people who buy a baby bird on impulse, and then don't want to deal with it after the first few months. It is indeed like having a perpetual 3-year-old in your house that never grows up. But there is also a strong bond of unconditional love, constant entertainment (and messes), and I cannot imagine a life without birds!

I don't know where you are located, but there are number of bird rescue and adoption facilities throughout the country, and most are full to capacity with birds that have lost their homes for various reasons like family illness or changing financial circumstances. If you contact them, and go to visit with an open mind and heart, you might just fall in love with a new, feathered family member. If you want some recommendations, please PM me, and I'll try to point you to a rescue in your area.

Wendy