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This particular bird may not be right for you. Based on the
description, it probably needs an experienced bird person. However,
consider going to see it anyway, and be sure to take the four-year old
and your husband with you to see how it responds to everyone in the
family. (Taking everyone is probably a good idea in selecting a bird,
anyway.)
As far as proper environment, diet, etc. - there is lots of material in
this notesfile. Read through some of the notes, and also pick up a
book on parrots and their care at a petshop. An annual publication
called BirdWorld, published by the editors of BirdTalk magazine, is
geared towards new bird owners, as well. See if you can find a copy at
your local petshop.
Now, about children...
*Many* birds are suprisingly gentle with children. I have a stepson,
age three, who was introduced to my pet birds when he was 2. I have a
grey cheek parakeet who *LOVES* children (was raised with them), but
Carl (my stepson) finds the little, fast & active bird scarey. On the
other hand, he adores my huge white umbrella cockatoo. He has far less
fear of her than many adults do(!) and I think that helps. She is very
good with him. She has been known to nip at adults who displease her
(not hard, but enough to get their attention) but is always amazingly
gentle with children. My other cockatoo, a citron, is also wonderful
with children. My whitefront amazon, who typically *hates* everyone
but me, plays with Carl and shares his Fisher Price (tm) toys.
If you are looking for a smaller bird, consider a cockatiel, a
greycheek parakeet, or a budgie. Look for breeders (ask in here, you
can probably get some recommendations) and GET A HANDFED BIRD. ( <----
always a good idea, but, IMO, critical if you have children.)
If you have your heart set on a larger bird, consider a (smaller)
handfed cockatoo such as a citron, lesser sulpher, or goffin. I would
avoid most amazons if I were in your position - they can get really
nippy in breeding season.
Handfed pionus parrots are also reputed to be very good with children,
and may be a good choice for you. They are a medium size (like a small
amazon) and are quiet and sweet.
In any case: ALWAYS SUPERVIZE ALL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN YOUR CHILD AND
YOUR BIRD!
You may be pleasantly surprised. You may find your baby and the bird
crawling on the floor, playing with the same toys, and talking to each
other in a language that both of them understand - and which leaves you
totally in the dark!
/Rita
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| Tracey,
Birds are magnificant pets, however they can be much work. The larger
the bird, the more intelligent is (in most cases), and therefore the
more attention it requires. I have over 35 birds but only two large
birds presently. The large ones (a yellow naped amazon, a close
relative of the Tucaman Amazon and a Mollucan Cockatoo) are both great
pets and entertaining, however they are similar to having a 2-3 year
old child around the house. Especially the Cockatoo, who is very
spoiled and requires your undivided attention when you are with her.
the Amazon is an independent bird and does not like to be cuddled but
will talk and sing. On the other hand, the Cockatoo does not talk
but loves to be cuddled and played with, and is quite demanding ..
not to mention destructive if she gets out of her cage without
supervision.
If you are interested in birds, I would suggest that you start with
a smaller bird such as a cockatiel (handfed baby). That is how I
made the plunge. I read extensively about birds, especially the
cockatiels prior to purchasing one, to ensure that I knew what I
was getting into and how to properly care for it. After I had it
for awhile (mine was not hand tame and we never really bonded),
I happened to meet a yellow nape amazon at a pet store and was amazed
at its talking abilities. I read up on amazons and decided that
it was the bird for me. Only once I purchased my handfed baby,
it immediately bonded with my husband...but that's another story.
Since you are going to have a child soon, I would wait until the
baby was born before deciding on a bird, so that the bird would
come into the house with the full understanding of the complete
family. Birds can become bonded to a person and become very
jealous when an intruder arrives...Especially a larger bird!
They are very territorial and possessive. And not very good
pets for small children as a rule.
Hope that this helps you out. Shop around and read. Thats the
best way!
Best of luck!!
Regards,
Denise B.
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| Hi Tracey,
A comment on new babies and big birds...not from personal experience,
but indirectly: I have several birds that came from loving homes that
had a bird for (in most cases) several years, then came along a baby.
The bird was used to being the baby. The bird had to go. I agree with
Denise in waiting until after the baby has been born and you are
settled in with that new role, then choose a new bird as a family.
As Rita has commented here, many birds that won't get along with or
tolerate adults are very gentle with small children. Only exceptions
I have heard of are when the bird was there first....then be *very*
careful to supervise any interaction, especially with an African grey
or an Amazon. Handfed cockatiels are wonderful first pets, as Denise
observed. They are also a lot more reasonable in price than most
larger birds (don't be drawn to the low price tag on an imported bird--
avoid unless you want to take on a major challenge in taming or intend
to breed the bird, not own it as a pet). You can spend more money on
a great big cage for the cockatiel instead!! :') I think budgies are
often too fragile to be handled by very small children, although school
age children and budgies (parakeets) have been together as pals in many
people's lives, as children themselves or their children owned (own) the
birds. Grey cheek parakeets often bond very tightly with one person,
so keep that in mind. (When a bird bonds to you, it tends to nip others
who approach you when it is being held by you, and will nip you as well
to keep you 'in line and out of danger' as its surrogate mate!)
Lovebirds are tough little guys and very comical to watch, but must be
worked with almost daily to remain tame (again, only buy a handfed baby
and get one that is **young**=6-10 weeks of age if possible).
Birds are wonderful pets, but they are more work than most people
realize, and demand a lot of attention - the bigger the bird, often
thmore attention. But any bird is worth your time if you enjoy
their grace and beauty and special nature!!
Good luck in your search.
Linda
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