upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Hello!

I recently joined this board because I am trying to do research on several different species of parrots in hopes of deciding which one would most easily mesh with my family. Currently I have a Senegal named Dana, whom I adore. She is coming up on her second birthday this October. I know she's still young, but so far I can't say enough good things about her or her species... she's friendly, quiet (for a bird), and beautiful. I've had her since she was just weaned, and only once has she ever bitten me. She willingly flies to other people when the mood strikes her, but she certainly loves me best. If her cage door is open and I leave the room, she'll happily follow me around the house and keep me company. I realize the teenage years are coming and everything might change then, but... I'm enjoying the early years while the last.

We used to have an African Gray that we took in from a family who couldn't keep her. She'd lived with them for sixteen years (the woman, anyway), but their youngest child was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. They tried to keep her for about a year after that, but had to keep her confined in her cage most of the time. When she started plucking, they decided to rehome her. Peaches did very well with us, but bonded like glue with my husband's father while we were staying with them for several months. It actually worked out perfectly, as the man is also sick (kidney failure) and can't work anymore. Both bird and man have blossomed with this arrangement, since he now has something to occupy him (she screams at him until he does whatever she wants him to do, which usually involves muffins), and she's so happy to have him that she doesn't pluck at all anymore.

She's happier with them, but I still miss her. She's only sixteen, so we know the day will come when my husband's parents can't take care of her anymore, and then she'll be coming back to live with us.

I've read somewhere that the dust from a gray can irritate the respiratory systems of some other birds. Is this true? If so, I'll need to take that in consideration when I choose my next companion.

I look forward to getting to know all of you better. Thank you for allowing me to share this board with you, and hopefully I won't become too annoying with all my questions.

-Rebecca

Welcome to Up At Six Rebecca! I've heard that Macaws' respiratory systems can be bothered by Cockatoo dander. I think Grey dander is pretty close to Cockatoo dander. At least my two Greys seem to put out as much dander as either of my two Cockatoos, a Rose Breasted and a Ducorps. I've heard of other bird owners living with both Greys and Macaws or with both Cockatoos and Macaws though. Showers for the birds, regular cleaning, and an air purifier help.

Welcome! Good qx re avian respiratory systems. VERY little is known yet about allergic reactions among captive birds. For lack of hard data, we're forced to look at human reaction patterns, a relatively few avian experiences, and make assumptions re other birds.

Humans differ greatly, one to another. I might be very sensitive to mold, while you might have little or no reaction. Similarly, one B&G macaw might be unable to live in the same room with a particular gray, while others might be happy, healthy roommates for years. I had a B&G, CAG, and M2 in the same room for 5 yrs with no problems. The room was 16x23', with an air cleaner at each end of the room and several other birds.

You would need to experiment with individual birds to know if any would have a bad reaction, but as a rule, the dusty birds -- cockatiels, grays, and cockatoos -- are the most likely to cause reactions, and B&G macaws have shown an alarming pattern of sometimes responding poorly. So glad you're asking questions. I've had many types of birds and feel, at the moment , that if I could have but two, they would be a male Quaker and a female lilac-crowned 'zon. I've had no experience with a Senegal and am delighted that Dana has been such a pleasure for you.

Thank you so much for the warm welcome!

I think this will be a wonderful learning experience for me. I love to read and have devoured almost every bird related book I can find, but its not the same as actually getting to handle and work with the birds themselves. I used to work in the pet care department of a Petsmart (which is where the whole thing started, for me), and have been obsessed ever since. At work and for fun at other stores I've had the joy of working with Grays, a handful of 'Toos, many differnt kinds of conures, lovebirds, and Quakers. I've successfully hand fed and weaned all of those species, though its not something I wish to do for my own pets... I'd prefer to let the breeder handle that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and it was rewarding, but bringing home a new baby parrot is enough work without adding handfeeding to it. I've also held and played with baby eclectus and several macaws as well. Again, though, handling a baby in a store is still not the same as knowing what to expect from an adult bird.

My family is quiet and boring by our own nature, but we really don't mind noise. We live in a large house in the country. Someone is always home (unless we're out grocery shopping or watching the occasional movie), since my husband and I work opposite schedules. We have two daughters, ages six (in November) and eight. They like to talk, sing, and read to Dana, but they're fairly hands off with her. I keep her fully flighted and am just really careful when she's out. She doesn't really love the kids and will cheerfully fly away and scold them from the top of the curtain rod if they come too close when she's out.

I really want the challenge of taking care of one of the larger parrots. Right now we're trying to decide between another Gray, a B&G (hence my worry about respiratory issues down the road), or a Citron Crested Cockatoo. Maybe an eckie. Of course, I'm drawn to all of these birds for completely different reasons, which makes it hard to decide! I love everything about the macaws, but worry that a bird of that size would be inappropriate in a house with younger kids, like mine. Cockatoos I like for the challenge and their silliness. Grays I just love from experience... they're so smart and packed with personality. The stories I could tell about Peaches! The eckies kind of seem to be a combination of most of these traits, though the first three hold the most appeal. I don't know. I'm completely torn.

So we'll see. Any input would be most heartily welcomed.