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Posted by featherface on February 12, 2003 at 17:06:42:
In Reply to: not new to avians, but would like to get my first large bird posted by 4_loki_my_baby on February 12, 2003 at 01:43:15:
Hi,
Well as far as mess goes.. the bigger the bird.. the bigger the mess. I cant think of any that arent messy!
Toos are very much like children. This is the reason they are called "velcro" birds. They are extremely demanding and very intelligent.They usually bond with one person and really attach to that person. If they do not get the attention they require, along with an appropriate cockatoo cage, MANY toys (indestructible and destructible) that are replaced and rotated very frequently.. they can become biters, screamers and self mutilators. I spent about 75-100 per month on toys for my umbrella too. A cockatoo screaming can be heard for miles. If you are willing to spend many hours a day, every day for the rest of its/or your life with this bird and care for its needs, cook for it, remain very patient, accept the fact that toos call out and scream simply because they can.. at least 2 or 3 times per day minimum, tolerate the mess and destruction they cause... then a too is a wonderful bird.
B&G Macaws are great birds as well. Not quite as loud as a too, but very loud anyway. They are also quite demanding and need an exceptionally large, well made cage along with many toys and attention daily from you as well as out of cage time.. just like a cockatoo. Young macaws can adapt fairly well.. but also like toos, if they become used to a certain amt of attention they need and depend on that for the rest of their lives. They can become screamers, biters and mutilators as well if not given what they need.
Have you considered something a bit smaller? I am not sure how large a bird you have cared for in your home on a daily basis. African greys are great birds. They do not care for change and any changes in the home can become stressful for them which causes problems like plucking or screaming. This isnt a rule for all greys.. there are exceptions. Not as loud as a too or b/g.. but still can be fairly loud. They arent normally screamers, especially if they are kept happy with lots of attention and toys. They are extremely intelligent birds, do need out of cage time every day and one on one interaction with you as well.
Basically when you are looking at larger companion parrots.. you are dealing with a very intelligent bird that has the emotions and attitude of a spoiled two year old child ... for the next 50-80 yrs.
Dont get me wrong.. I work with a rescue.. taking in unwanted birds of any and all sizes. I have kept birds for 14 yrs and love them more every day. I do think that a person should start smaller with a parrot.. say a tiel. Then.. possibly move on up to a quaker if they are legal where you live. Quakers have big bird personality in a small package and are demanding.. but not nearly as much as a too or b/g.
My recommendation is for you to get as much info as you can about all species. Really study into it and narrow it down. Think about the lifespan.. and where you will be in 15 or 20 yrs as well. Then probe further, contact a good reputatble breeder preferrably one that can provide references along with experience and go from there. Normally I say adopt from a rescue.. but rescue birds have very special needs and alot of baggage.. which in my opinion are better in a home that already has large bird experience and knows what to expect and how to deal with it.
I hope this helps you out a bit and good luck on your search.
:i have looked mostly at sulfer crested cockatoos and blue and gold macaws, but any suggestions are welcome. i know that most larger birds can make a good deal of noise, be it talking, screaming or otherwise (one of my good friends has a blue and gold macaw that i have sat for her, and he makes movie death screams sounds like children singing!), but i would like one that isnt as prone to scream as others. i dont have any problems with being bitten, since i have worked with smaller raptors (mostly periguine falcons) and larger monitors (i am getting a black roughneck this summer), and i own a snake, two cats, and two dogs (1 of which is an australian shepard that stands 27" at the withers and weighs 73 lbs!). i would also prefer a bird that isnt too messy. any advice and info you can give me would be great! thanks in advance!
:~nicole