Parrots
TomsI strongly urge you to spend 15 minutes and read the following regarding having a parrot as a pet. It is a wide ranging study with a lot of information.
http://www.fosterparrots.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Overpopulation-of-Parrots-The-Unwanted-Parrot-Problem.pdf
Greg I've have a sun conure 18 years now. While I care greatly for her, I would never get a bird again.
You're taking away their natural instinct to fly. And many pet birds mentally suffer because of that, which displays as behavioral issues, repetitive movements, or picking their feathers out. Who can blame them though.
I no longer clip my birds wings or keep her caged, but she is a small parrot.
That would be difficult to do with an amazon. If you still opt to get a bird, please adopt one, instead of buying from a pet store or breeder.
There are so many forgotten birds that are in need of homes. Amazons live 80+ years. People don't consider the long term commitment of attention and care that they require.
Lk Greg. I just read the article you posted. I knew it was bad, didn't realize just how bad.
I had one when I was a child. One vivid memory is that he would often call out in response to bird calls outside. It was ear-shattering. After having him for a few years my mother could not stand the noise anymore and she found a Zoo that was able to take him.
A parrot is a massive commitment. They live 50+ years. This is a pet, that when acquired in adulthood, has a chance of outliving you, possibly by decades. That's something that really needs to be taken into consideration.
PenningsLandscaping We have had an Amazon for about 30 years and really love her. She is usually very happy and talking all the time. The people at the vet's office love it when we bring her in for check ups. But you do have to plan on caring for a parrot for a long time. If you adopt you may want to check a rescue in Blairstown.
http://ahelpingwing.org/
There is a bird rescue group in Blairstown called 'A Helping Wing'.
Has mostly larger birds.
http://ahelpingwing.org
I hope you are able to give one of them a great home.
I visied the rescue many have been abused with major issues. That is not what I prefer. Quite a negative response here. I am wondering if there are any owners who love their pets.
We have a parrot. He is well over 30. We are his THIRD family. He is an absolute handful to say the absolute least lol. Parrots are a large adjustment in lifestyle. Absolutely NO smoking, candles, air fresheners, non stick cookware, self cleaning ovens or oven cleaner. That being said, my boy can be really sweet and funny when he wants to be. Our "love song " is the theme song from Sanford and Son and we love to listen to Simon and Garfunkel :)
weebiekins I love my bird, which is why I discourage against buying one.
That's awful that so many of the birds at that rescue group have been abused.
There has to be other rescue groups that have birds that people just decided to surrender.
If you don't have parrot experience..... try a small breed first. After hours of screaming for attention , feathers everywhere, stalactites of "doody" hanging all over the perches, cage and toys. They throw food everywhere. Then you have to deal with little moths that hatch in the food and fly around. They are just like a 2-5 year old child. very smart, needs lots of attention and mental stimulation. The upswing is the singing, talking fun to play with. We had our first experience with a Senegal parrot. They live about 20 yrs...... the larger ones can live 50-80 yrs. Can you handle a " little kid " for the next few decades? Learn to use your t. v. remote with all the buttons missing and enjoy and love your new birdie:)
terry page I will contact the avian specialist we see. They should be able to give recommendations for bird rescue
I love my bird, which is why I discourage against buying one. Then how did you get yours? Rescue?
I have a chronic illness that causes me to experience sensory overload. It is a very difficult task to live with my parrot, but I do, because I love him and he is ours. How dare you. Don't judge what you don't know.
My Daughter had an African Grey she got from a former employer that became sick. When my Daughter passed away, her sister took it. Edger has been in the family for at least 20 years. Then that daughters friend had a Avery in their home and had to move. She took their African Grey in. I don't know how old Mickey is, but I am sure My grand children would take them on if need be.
I never had pets growing up. Just chickens and rabbits, and they were for eating. Pets came into my life with the "I DO". My wife and her sister brought home dogs found on the way home from school and kept them. Most all their pets over the years were Rescue's. My sister in law, in her 80's is still is involved with seeing eye dogs.taking in a breeder till they they have their pups. Then gets her back again. This way if something happens to her they take the dog back. It's in the family's genes..
Old Gent 
bowie I would not recommend, its a long term commitment and you don't know what you're going to get. Maybe start with a smaller bird first such as a cockatiel to see how you like it.
I was given a blue front Amazon as a pet in my early 20's by my husband to be. We lived in San Diego at the time, I worked at Sea World there for several years and handled many parrots, including a sweet and gorgeous hyacinth macaw named Jake. When we came back here, where I was raised, we brought the amazon with us. They have to be kept warm in winter which is harder here in NJ.
At first all was well, but the amazon parrot turned out to be a female and she loved my husband but started to be aggressive toward me. Parrot bites can cause tetanus. She screamed all the time if not covered or let out of her cage to roam and so we had poops all over, a constant task to keep that cleaned up.
Once we had our first child and she was getting ready to crawl we had to give the parrot away, I was not going to risk her hurting our daughter or allow my baby to crawl on a floor that dirty. We found a good home for her with a lady down near Flemington.
hktownie Good point hktownie, There is no turning the heat down when you go out for a few days or to work.
Your story was better Old Gent.. your family was more responsible and consistent than we were back then. But I know she went to a good home with other parrots for company.
maja I suggest going to the parrot store in Chester. They have many types of birds. We went many times there to see the parrots nd asked many questions. They told us what each breed required. We knew we wanted a Concurs. My DH did lots of research. We got Mr Conrad in Allentown PA. They require lots of time and attention. They make a huge mess. Mr Conrad likes to rip newspaper a couple of times a day. Think ahead for vacation time and overnight trips. Would you have a support system. If you are in the Hackettstown area, there is Jim at Hackettstown Pets. We left Mr Conrad there many times when we were away. We also bought his food there. Jim is a great resource of information. We moved to south Jersey 6 months ago. Thank goodness we have .my father in law to babysit. Vets and medical care are very expensive. 4 months ago we were told .Mr Conrad was very ill. But any testing could kill him. He is doing fine so far. It's a huge commitment. But so worth it to us. He is loved and a fun time everyday. Do your research.
Conrad's Mom Thank you. Through this someone asked me to take their macaw. Blue/Gold so I am looking again for comments. I am going later to check it out. Anyone have one?
Other than what people said regarding long-term commitment, large parrots also simply require a lot of attention. The behavioral issues like feather picking often stem out of boredom, discontentment, etc. Are you willing (or even able to) spend time with the parrot everyday? More than just giving food and water? They can be awesome pets. But there is certainly a real level of commitment and time.
mohepinoke hey Toms, post on an avian forum if you don't like the honest, concerned, experienced answers you're getting from people in Hackettstown who clearly care for their birds and are trying to make sure you will be fully committed before you adopt one.
whoa...kepa.I do appreciate all comments. Hope you can rid yourself of your stress sonehow.whoa...
It's the internet, friend. Polarized opinions required!
parrotlife.com would be a bit more helpful I bet ya
Don't ask for opinions if you don't want to hear them. But I do second the shop in Chester. Great resource. But you probably don't care about that.
CraftBeerBob Another vote for the shop in Chester, they've been there a very long time. Blue and gold macaw is not a starter bird IMHO. I haven't owned one but have handled them.
They are big, big beak, long tail. All parrots use their beaks to climb around. The bigger bird will need more territory. Do you have the room? They also need lots of attention, they want to be around you.
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