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My 9 year old daughter has always wanted a pet bird and we've finally decided that maybe we would let her get one. I've done a lot of research on different types of birds and it looks like a budgie may be the best choice for our family. The most important thing she is looking for is a bird that will talk, and sit on her finger and shoulder. I was thinking that we should look for an older bird (maybe around 6 months to a year) that is already doing those things so she won't end up disappointed by a baby that won't ever learn to talk. Does this sound like a good idea? Is there another type of bird that would be better suited for us? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I've had hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, fish and rabbits, but never a bird before! Thank you very much!

RoAnne

Adopting an older bird is an excellent idea, RoAnne! Not only for the reasons you have in mind, but because so very many birds are being relinquished now because their owners have lost their jobs and homes and can't afford to feed them, much less provide vet care. If you adopt from an avian rescue organization, the bird will have been vetted to ensure no dread disease comes home with her. This is especially beneficial with a 9yo because Chlamydia, one of the more common diseases in budgies, is communicable to humans, particularly those with weak or immature immune systems. You'll want to tell your pediatrician about having a bird if your daughter shows any respiratory symptoms that don't resolve as quickly as a normal cold or flu.

Remember that budgies can be expected to live maybe a dozen years. When your daughter becomes a teenager, she might lose her interest in birds. Please develop your own bond with the new bird and stay involved so you'll always be able to pick up the involvement if your daughter's lapses. Birds have very social creatures with deep feelings and should not be left alone. Keep her cage in the room your family spends the most time in and have a spot to move it to in your daughter's room, so the bird can move with the action. Except after dark! She'll need to get to sleep in a quiet, dark room hours before your daughter does, so you'll want a third spot where her cage can be set after dark.

Have you already found a good avian vet in your area? If not, tell us where you live and we can help. You'll want to have a vet handy from Day 1 just in case. Unlike dogs and cats, birds hide signs of illness until they're seriously ill. You can never delay getting a sick bird to a vet.

Good luck!

Thank you very much for your response. I'm glad I'm on the right track! I have not found an avian vet yet or a rescue organization, but what a great idea! I live in the Bangor, Maine area. I'm sure there must be avian vets nearby; not so sure about a rescue organization, but we can travel if necessary. (We got our rabbits from a shelter about 3 hours away.) I'll do some research and see if I can find one. If you know of one too, that would be great. Thanks a lot!

RoAnne wrote:... I have not found an avian vet yet or a rescue organization...

Hope you're having better luck than I am. Google tells me there are no avian vets in Maine And no bird clubs for parrot people. But there was one in 2007 that had been doing guided tours for years. You could phone the folks named in this article and ask if they know an avian vet in Bangor: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-14655277.html You might also ask anyone selling birds who they use. And ask a dog&cat vet if s/he knows an avian vet in your area.

Good luck!

I've found a vet! She's the same one who I used to take my guinea pigs too. Now I just need to find a bird. . . There are a lot out there, but I want one that can already talk and is friendly. Should I keep looking or just get a baby and hope we can teach it to talk? Is it rare for them to never learn? Also, I've read about females not being very friendly and not able to talk as well as well as a male and they can also have problems laying eggs. Is that true?

Just found this on craigs list! (hope the link works!)

http://maine.craigslist.org/pet/1317280089.html

This bird would be perfect for us! I e-mailed the people and will hopefully hear back soon!

There is not much chance of finding a tame, talking budgie that needs to find a new home !
Most of the babies tame easily, but most do not acquire human speech, and their owners
would hardly be willing to give them up. I hope that your find on craigslist works out.