upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Hi all,
My name is Erin and I am a long time pet owner who in the last five years has developed severe allergies to all fur-bearing creatures (dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, sugar gliders, ferrets, chinchillas). I used to volunteer at an animal shelter and work at an animal boarding facility.
My family had parakeets when I was much younger, and I learned how to care for them, but I never really bonded with them because I spent most time with my dogs.
I am moving into my own apartment in NYC this year.
I had hoped to get chinchillas, but I am allergic.

So I started researching birds instead.
My wishlist is for a bird:
(1) will not bother my neighbors with its noise,
(2) is cuddly and affectionate with humans, and
(3) would like to spend a lot of time interacting with me when I am home after work each night and on the weekends, but would be ok if I occasionally have to work until 8 or 10 pm (most days home at 7pm).
I am used to spending a lot of time training and bonding with my pets when not at work and I would like a pet with whom I could continue to do this.

I have previously built large enclosures for my animals and price should be less than $5000 for first cage and for purchase of the bird and initial vet care. The bird is my present to myself for graduating law school and my one splurge, so the money for its purchase, cage, and care have been saved by me and my parents in advance.

Suggestions for birds to learn more about would be great! Thanks.

Hi Erin:

I would suggest you volunteer at a bird rescue and get a feel for the birds that are there. There are thousands and thousands of birds dumped in rescues every year so you would have access to all kinds and birds tend to pick people instead of the other way around.

I would also suggest adopting a rehomed bird as there are so many out there who need good homes. Birds are very complicated and nothing like any of the animals you mentioned. I have 3 rehomed birds and one I got as a baby and the one I got as a baby is the one I have the most trouble with.

Bev

Since you have severe allergies, I would visit several kinds of birds, and handle them. Many people with allergies find that they cannot be aroud birds, especially the dusty ones like cockatiels and cockatoos.

What kind of situation do you live in? Apartment? House? Rent or own?? How close are your neighbors? These things will help us narrow down what birds you should be looking at.

I personally woudn't go with anything bigger than a medium sized parrot, just because of the noise that the larger birds can put out. Not to say that all small birds are quieter, conures are some of the loudest ones out there!!

Also, I wouldn't build an enclosure for a hookbill. They love to chew wood and will eventually destroy the enclosure. I would look at large powdercoated or stainless steel cages. Remember to look for ones that do not have scroll work, fancy designs, V shapes that can catch toes, and know what size of bar spacing you need for the birds you are looking at. Also, look for ones that do not have doors that slide up, birds learn quickly how to open those!!

I would also reccomend one with stainless steel or ceramic crocks for food and water. Plastic eventually cracks and needs to be replaced.

Great ideas! I think that volunteering at a bird rescue is a wonderful idea. I am going to try and find one to work at for a while.

To answer the question:
I currently live in a large house but will be moving to a 2 bedroom apartment in September.

Some birds I initially liked were the pionus parrot, eclectus parrot, and the lovebird. But I think that working at a rescue for a while to meet different birds it the best idea.

It really is the best way. Then you learn the different temperments of the birds and if you fall in love with one, you will know more about it before hand.

Just remember, some apartments don't allow birds, so be up front with them before you rent. It is horrible when someone is stuck in a contract for a place to live and has to give up their bird because of it.

I actually have two of the birds you have mentioned.....a blueheaded pionus and a lovebird. Lovebirds can be bitey and tend to be independent in personality....unless you get one that was a hand fed baby and was raised right, then you could very well end up with one that doesn't like hands.....mine does NOT like hands! but they are cute as can be though and smart little stinkers! If you do decide on a lovie, a male is a better choice for alot of reasons......one of which is that it will be much easier if you decide to get another one as a friend for the first one. Lovebirds don't do well left alone in a cage all day either.....these little guys want OUT! they are very active.....I call mine the energizer birdie! They are very social and love attention and company.
I know with pionus, they say they're not the most cuddly type of bird, but my Ivy is very affectionate and wants to be on me all the time! They also say that pionus tend to be quiet birds......mine screams and can be VERY noisey! She is a great bird though....not very social, terrified of strangers, but she REALLY loves me! and I don't mind the noise most of the time....some days can get bad, but we deal ok with it and don't have close neighbors who will be annoyed with it. I love my Pi so much though and would do it all again! I have such an awesome relationship with her and a close bond.
I definitely would try to check these birds out in person that you are chosing from too....even if it's a neighbor's bird. Good luck with your decision!

African Greys, cockatoos, and cockatiels are not a good choice because they prodduce a lot of powder. After I had a parakeet, I decided I wanted a larger pet bird and so I got a cockatiel. After a weekend of sneezing, I took this beautiful little bird back and luckily the breeder that me exchange her for a parrotlet. Jasmine was wonderful, but I lost her in a moving accident 3 years later.

If you are looking for an "apartment" bird, you need to be very conscious of noise. I would suggest a green cheeked conure or a parrotlet. Green cheeks are renowned for their affectionate natures. Lovebirds emit a constant high pitched squeak which would drive me crazy.

AND when it comes to birds, TWO is not better than one, at least in the same cage. They will bond to each other and in most instances, not to you.

I suggest that you read about the species that you are interested in and then visit some breeders.

I also love the Avian Adventures bird cages. I have had 3 of them and they are wonderful. imho

Good luck with your search.

Check out the NY bird club, go to the meetings and speak with the members. Since it is in the city, I'll bet the majority of them are apartment dwellers. I'm sure you will find someone who would share their experience and opinion on which bird would be appropriate for city life. I know they have a website, you could even start contacting them now to open a dialogue with the officers or senior members.

Good luck with your new city and pet!!

Jo - a former New Yorker!

Thanks!
I will check into the NY club. I also sent my application in to volunteer at a rescue and will be speaking to someone this week.

I think you should get a budgie. budgies are very playful and fun to play with.If you spend alot of time with your budgie it will get used to you and will sit on your shoulder and stuff.if you leave the budgie alone for along timethen it will get lonely.if you get a budgie and its is alone al the time when you are not home then you should get 2 budgies so then your budgie wont get bored.he will have someone to play with.

May I suggest a colony rather than a single bird?

Colony birds entertain themselves and with minimal effort you can maintain your aviary like those that have fish tanks.

Good colony birds (birds that can live together in harmony) offer different color and appeal in their own right. Also offspring from the colony can be used to create other colonies in nursing homes and retirement villages that you can donate them to. This can satisfy not only your love of birds in general but also in fostering career goals in a beneficial & benevolent nature. In other words a hobby that can "give back to those in need."

A colony bird I would suggest is the Diamond Dove. They are available in pairs already and can be purchased for about 25 each or 50 for a pair. They get along nicely with finches and others. The color choices are endless and their personality is not only comical but also soothing with their sounds.

With the kind of money you have saved my suggestion would be a custom made "walk in" aviary built to your specifications when you arrive in your new abode. For the time being you could consider an octagonal aviary that can be taken apart and moved easy enough.

In the future should you donate newly hatched products from this colony the cage (your temporary octagonal) might be used again in the aforesaid nursing home (and tax write off credited.)

There are cleaning and feeding services (companies which offer this) available in the yellow pages, so if your busy and can't care for them on any particular week just pick up the phone and call. But the best part of this arrangement is that constant care (on a daily basis) is not needed and the aviary can go several days without attention, a good thing for a young professional on the go in a city full of activities and things to do just starting out her career.

Maybe when you get to the point in your life where you feel secure enough to purchase a home then larger parrots might be the answer.