Pet birds?

[figment3258]

Hi all I was thinking about getting a pet bird. I have 2 girls 8 and4 and we are looking for a pet. We are thinking of a cockatoo does anyone have pro and cons? Any info would be helpful.thanks

 

[rie'smom]

Noise is the number one problem with owning many birds. We had a conure that almost drove us insane and we ended up giving it to our nephews. At this time we have a parrotlet. It only chirps when it wants something. You can get them to climb on you, they are the tiniest breed of parrot and they are very sweet.

 

[tvguy]

The good news is they can live 60 to 70 years, so less risk of your kids hearts being broken when the pet leaves this planet.

The bad news is they can live 60 to 70 years, so you may have to include a provision in your will for their care after you die! And your KIDS may need to make provisions in THEIR wills for the birds care after THEY die.

 

[wdwmom2]

I had a cockatoo. They can be very loving and entertaining. They also need ALOT of attention and interaction. They love to chew and can break welds on the bars of their cages. Need a VERY strong cage. Oh, and they can pick the lock out of the door on their cage. Cockatoos are dusty birds. They have this natural powder that gets EVERYWHERE. They are noisy, but can learn to talk. Hand-raised birds are the way to go, but they can still get attached to a single family member.

They can break out of their cage while you are away at work, take the batteries out of all the remote controls and proceed to chew them until they are unrecognizable. After that, they will find a bottle of BBW lotion, bite it sooo hard that the top pops open and the lotion squirts clear across your living room carpet. Then proceed to find the potpourri and scatter it all through the lotion. Meanwhile, your Golden Retriever sits frightened out of her mind by the back door praying for someone to come home and rescue her. Once said hubby comes home, he finds the cockatoo sitting innocently on the play area on top of the cage. Next, it takes a pair of welding gloves to get the sweetie pie back in the cage (remember, they can get attached to a single family member, who happens to not be said hubby). Razzle found a new home with someone that had experience with cockatoos and had all day long to give him the attention he loved.

I am not trying to convince you not to get a cockatoo, I just want you to realize exactly what you are getting yourself into. And I DON'T mean that in a negative way, I truly do not. They just require more time and attention that most people can give.

 

[meliss8599]

Cockatoos are also notoriously messy and can cause themselves bodily harm if not stimulated enough.

Girls of yours' ages may be frightened by a large, noisy bird with a beak that can literally break broomsticks.

Have you thought about something easier to take care of w/o such a long-term commitment? Guinea pigs perhaps.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Hi all I was thinking about getting a pet bird. I have 2 girls 8 and4 and we are looking for a pet. We are thinking of a cockatoo does anyone have pro and cons? Any info would be helpful.thanks

If you have not owned speciality birds before, I say no. They are a HUGE commitment.

My brother has had a few and ended up having to give them away. Sun Conure (very beautiful) and a couple of other ones, I can't remember.

They are worse than dogs with wanting your 100% attention. Plus you have the whole vacation thing. You have to find someone who actually knows and handles your bird to care for it otherwise it might make itself sick.

As PP posters said they are very attached to their owners.

Also my brother got salmonella from them once and he was very, very careful as a handler. He was almost hospitalized he was so bad.

8 and 4 is just too young unless you are an experienced handler for a speciality bird.

Now a parakeet or a finch or something like that would be ok as a "first bird". We have a beta fish, 2 dogs, and a hamster. I know my dh would love a parakeet. He had them as a kid. He recalls the tales of "Chirpy" all the time.

And I know his mom would "babysit" the bird for us.

 

[MushyMushy]

Are you sure you don't mean a cockatiel? That might be a great first bird to have. They're super friendly and trainable. Live about 18 years (ours died at 3 and we still don't know why). If you just own one, they tend to be really attached to people, but if you have two, they're a little more into each other instead.

Great birds. I would love to have another cockatiel.

 

[scrdofbugs]

We don't have a Cockatoo but we do have a Cockatiel (did I spell that right?). Anyhoo, They are smaller than the Cockatoos. We had 2 but 1 died about a year ago. We have had them about 15 years old. We were worried about the 1 after her friend died but she has been fine. They say that you should have them in pairs but she is thriving and seems extremely happy. They are nosy and messy. My hubby and I were just talking today that we would probably have NEVER gotten them if we knew then that they live this long. It is a HUGE committment. When we first got them they were hand raised so we could get them out and play with them. Then about 11 yrs ago we had our house built and our old house sold in 2 weeks. We had to move in with my in laws. We were there 9 months while the house was built. We were unable to get them out. They were not as easy to work with out. As our lives got busy we got them out less and less. Now we can't get her out at all. So my advise is to think hard and realize it is a committment for at least 15 years. Also cleaning the cage, cleaning up seeds, feathers, etc. I would consider a Parakeet. I don't think they live as long.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We have a cockatiel.

Pros:

They're pretty.
Little no to vet bills.
Food is inexpensive.
They're loving and fun.
They can mimic songs and some can "say" words.

Cons:

Cages can be a pain to clean (we often buy new perches rather than try to clean them).
They're noisy.
Area around cage needs to be vacuumed daily.

Pro/Con:
They can live up to twenty years.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Cockatoos are also notoriously messy and can cause themselves bodily harm if not stimulated enough.

Girls of yours' ages may be frightened by a large, noisy bird with a beak that can literally break broomsticks.

Have you thought about something easier to take care of w/o such a long-term commitment? Guinea pigs perhaps.

A cockatiel would be a nice compromise.

 

[scrdofbugs]

We don't have a Cockatoo but we do have a Cockatiel (did I spell that right?). Anyhoo, They are smaller than the Cockatoos. We had 2 but 1 died about a year ago. We have had them about 15 years old. We were worried about the 1 after her friend died but she has been fine. They say that you should have them in pairs but she is thriving and seems extremely happy. They are nosy and messy. My hubby and I were just talking today that we would probably have NEVER gotten them if we knew then that they live this long. It is a HUGE committment. When we first got them they were hand raised so we could get them out and play with them. Then about 11 yrs ago we had our house built and our old house sold in 2 weeks. We had to move in with my in laws. We were there 9 months while the house was built. We were unable to get them out. They were not as easy to work with out. As our lives got busy we got them out less and less. Now we can't get her out at all. So my advise is to think hard and realize it is a committment for at least 15 years. Also cleaning the cage, cleaning up seeds, feathers, etc. I would consider a Parakeet. I don't think they live as long.

 

[minkydog]

Another vote for something other than an exotic bird. Your children are far to young to be actively involved in the care of a bird. They're gonna balk at cleaning the cage and probably will not want to do the vacuuming every day of their life until they go off to college. Get a bird if YOU want a bird and can be commited for the long haul. Personally, i would not. the thought of having a pet that could live for 20+ years would feel like a prison sentence.

Have you considered small pets? My DD17 had gerbils from the time she was 5--they last one died last year. Gerbils are fairly clean and easy to care for. They like being handled gently. AND they live no more than 3 or 4 years, with good care. That way, if the kids lose interest you're not saddled with a "pet for life." Just a thought, anyway...

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Birds are a HUGE committment. They can live very long. I have a small quaker parrot who is 16, she is brilliant, knows what things mean, goes "potty" on command, has a huge vocabulary, but is very very LOUD. If you do get a bird, make sure you have places to keep it where you can get away from the noise at times, BUT that doesn't mean to isolate the bird. Birds are very intelligent animals and if not taken care of correctly they can get emotional mental issues. I personally would start off with a cockatiel or even a parakeet. Parakeets are actually really nice birds and can be very well trained. Your children are a good age for a parakeet or a cockatiel. I like them better than gerbils. Make sure u have a mirror for it if you get one so it doesn't get lonely. They are easier to tame with one bird. I also had a cockatiel and she was very sweet, not too loud also. If u get a cockatiel I recommend a male. My female began laying eggs for no reason and ended up with female issues and I had to take her to vet, etc. oh boy and it cost me quite a bit and then she passed anyway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Another vote for something other than an exotic bird. Your children are far to young to be actively involved in the care of a bird. They're gonna balk at cleaning the cage and probably will not want to do the vacuuming every day of their life until they go off to college. Get a bird if YOU want a bird and can be commited for the long haul. Personally, i would not. the thought of having a pet that could live for 20+ years would feel like a prison sentence.

Have you considered small pets? My DD17 had gerbils from the time she was 5--they last one died last year. Gerbils are fairly clean and easy to care for. They like being handled gently. AND they live no more than 3 or 4 years, with good care. That way, if the kids lose interest you're not saddled with a "pet for life." Just a thought, anyway...

A cockatoo can live up to 120yrs.

 

[figment3258]

Thank you all for you thoughts. It is very helpful. I am thinking now maybe a hamster for my oldest is the way to go.

 

[RUDisney]

As I type this, Bloo is singing and Igor is quiet. Bloo started making noise tonight by repeating the things that he knows how to say, "You're such a pretty bird; pretty, pretty, pretty; I love you pretty bird; you're so sweet; etc. then he went into his singing. I love listening to him chirp.

Bloo is our parakeet. He is about 5 years old now and because I spend so much time with him, and talk to him every time I pass his cage, he has a large vocabulary. Really, a large one for a parakeet.

Igor is our jenday conure. He doesn't chirp, he screams. He screams if I go to the basement or if I go out onto our deck. He believes that he should be with me always. He is attached to me and my DS. He hates everyone else. When DS comes home from school and Igor hears his voice, he starts screaming until Ivan goes to talk to him. If Ivan and I are talking, he screams because we're talking to each other and not to him.

Having said that, the screaming doesn't bother me at all. It is not excessive and I expected it going into this relationship. Igor is about 3 now. He can say, "Give me a kiss; come here; get out; Puggles (our former dog's name) and what?" Conures are not known for their ability to speak, so I think he's doing pretty well.

I can't wait to find another bird for our house. Each bird will have his own cage. If Bloo was allowed to get close to Igor, I'm afraid he would find his demise. Remember, Igor hates everyone but Ivan and I. That includes Bloo and our pug. I already have a cage for our new addition because my Mom found a $300 cage, almost new, at a yard sale for $15 and bought it for me. I want a larger parrot, probably from a rescue when I get it.

Bloo can fly and is let out when Igor is covered up. Igor cannot fly and sits on the deck with me in the summer as I read. He knows that when he has to poop, he climbs to the back of the chair and does what he needs to do before he climbs back onto my chest.

Bottom line is that you're either a bird person or your not. When we go away, my parents watch our birds. I watch theirs when they travel. For not liking anyone, Igor acquiesces and likes my Mom while we're gone. But, as soon as we're home again, he doesn't like her anymore.

 

[minkydog]

A cockatoo can live up to 120yrs.

Holy cow! So, your great-great-grandchildren will be caring for this bird?

 

[*JoGo*]

This past summer I asked on here about parakeets for my 10yr old son. My MIL had one and didn't want it. We ended up taking it. At first we had it in his room, but he didn't interact w/ it enough, so I put it in our dining room. I'd talk to it and take care of it.

It was still timid/afraid of us if we opened the cage, but it loved to tease our cat! It was hilarious! When he would see the cat, he'd fly around the front of his cage to get her attention, then when she would sit by his cage (she couldn't get to it, it was on a stand) he'd fly to the back of the cage and sit... until she would get bored and start to walk away. Then he'd start making a ruckus again until she came back!

Then one day we woke up and he was dead. He was fine the night before, during dinner he was having a grand time showing off for us. It really bothers me that we don't know why he died. He never appeared sick.

We won't be getting another, but he was a nice bird.

 

[RUDisney]

This past summer I asked on here about parakeets for my 10yr old son. My MIL had one and didn't want it. We ended up taking it. At first we had it in his room, but he didn't interact w/ it enough, so I put it in our dining room. I'd talk to it and take care of it.

It was still timid/afraid of us if we opened the cage, but it loved to tease our cat! It was hilarious! When he would see the cat, he'd fly around the front of his cage to get her attention, then when she would sit by his cage (she couldn't get to it, it was on a stand) he'd fly to the back of the cage and sit... until she would get bored and start to walk away. Then he'd start making a ruckus again until she came back!

Then one day we woke up and he was dead. He was fine the night before, during dinner he was having a grand time showing off for us. It really bothers me that we don't know why he died. He never appeared sick.

We won't be getting another, but he was a nice bird.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[manning]

Ever try to house break a bird? ........you can't.