Parrot Parenting. Carol Frischmann

For this reason, I recommend budgerigars, green-cheeked conures, cockatiels, and perhaps a pionus or a lovebird for first-time keepers. In addition, although I have no hands-on experience with them, lineolated parakeets are recommended as first-time birds by many experts.

      These birds are relatively inexpensive, require small to moderate-sized cages and furnishings, and have dispositions that tend to make them easy to handle during the time you and your family are developing your bird-handling skills.

      For apartment dwellers, small birds have served as cheerful pets for centuries. Many people I know believe that the best pet for someone who wants a bird is a budgerigar (commonly called a parakeet or a budgie). Beginning with a shorter-lived and less demanding member of the psittacine family gives you much of the pleasure of a larger bird without many of the more difficult problems. For those who question whether smaller birds can be satisfactory as pets who can learn to speak, I direct you to YouTube videos of Bingo, the parakeet with his own channel. As every bird-savvy person will tell you, no one can tell whether an individual bird will learn to talk or not. However, this is one of the benefits of adopting an older bird—you’ll likely know if he can speak or not.

      Bird specialty stores are often good places to find a pet parrot as well as a lot of information about them.

      Locating a Reliable Source for Your Bird

      Finding a good source for a lifelong companion requires searching and patience. Because excellent health, temperament, and socialization are the qualities you want in your companion parrot, the most promising sources are small-scale breeders of birds for the pet trade, specialized exotic bird stores, and parrot rescue networks that have fostering and educational programs. Although you will find birds for sale in newspapers, on Craig’s List, and from Internet suppliers, you take a significant risk that your new pet will be unhealthy, unsocialized, or unsuitable as a companion. Furthermore, if you purchase a bird from one of these sources, you have very little recourse if the bird is not as advertised. Think of it this way: would you choose a partner of twenty years based on the recommendation of someone you don’t know? That’s what you’re doing when you purchase a bird from those sources.

      An even worse way to acquire a bird is because someone else doesn’t want it. If you want to acquire your bird from a rescue, that’s a commendable aim. Have the owner relinquish the bird to the rescue organization. Most rescue organizations will do at least some health and behavioral assessment and help you acquire the skills you need to be successful with your new companion. The online advertisers’ interest is making money, not in successful lifelong placements.

      Breeders

      The best bird breeders raise a small number of birds, specialize in a few species, breed for ideal pet characteristics, and sell only fully weaned birds either directly to clients or through small specialty stores. These breeders spend a good deal of time educating potential buyers about the species’ needs, as well as about the needs of the individual birds. The best breeders, generally members of associations such as the American Federation of Aviculture, may have received certifications for their breeding operations and aviaries, attesting to the quality of their breeding program and the health conditions of their birds. Breeders become experts in their species, understanding their natural history and the dietary requirements of their particular birds and in providing the amenities that a particular species of parrot needs.

      Because their birds were raised with care, these breeders want families to take good care of their new companions. Some breeders will ask you to return your bird at any point in his lifetime if you need to give him up for any reason. Again, this is because of their concern for the welfare of their individual birds.

      Visiting a breeder or two who specializes in the sort of bird you are considering is an excellent step to take in the process of finding the right parrot for you. Most breeders are happy to share their knowledge if you contact them and make an appointment to see or speak with them. Many breeders maintain websites with extensive information about their species’ natural history, suitability as a companion bird, and requirements for well-being as a lifelong companion.

      You will need to do some work to find these breeders, but they can be located with a little research and some telephone calls. A good place to begin is the American Federation of Aviculture (AFA), a local bird club, or national bird group, such as the American Cockatiel Society (ACS). Even if a breeder of your species of interest is not listed for your local area, try corresponding with representative from your region. People from your region are more likely to know others with the same species who live near you. Explain your situation: you want to meet with a local breeder who raises a small number of your chosen species as pets.

      Visiting a breeder of the species that interests you allows you to meet several different birds and pick the breeder’s brain.

      Pet Shops

      Many pet shops in North America have rethought how they provide their buyers with access to healthy and happy animals. Both local and chain pet stores have partnered with humane societies and animal welfare groups to feature animals that need new homes. For the most part, pet shops feature only small mammals and small birds, including parakeets (called budgerigars outside the United States), finches, and a few of the smaller conures. Despite hard work on the part of these stores to educate their staff and screen birds taken in for sale, the fact remains that the care of the birds is uneven, and some staff members are not able to distinguish when a bird is not at his best. Bringing together birds from various suppliers means the opportunity for disease introduction is significant, despite best efforts. However, many stores work hard to create a well-informed staff that can provide high-quality care for their animals and for the companions who purchase them.

      The advantages of spending time in pet shops, especially those that specialize in birds, is that you will have the opportunity to see a variety of species, observe the care provided to the birds, and gain some feeling about what will be required to care for your bird.

      Exotic Bird Stores

      Although many pet stores sell birds, few have staff members who are extremely knowledgeable about birds. However, you can learn a great deal about your chosen species at one of the few remaining stores that specialize in exotic birds. You can sometimes find these in major metropolitan areas. Locate these stores by using your online search skills and by talking with other parrot people you meet through your research. Even if the store is several hours away, the effort of making a weekend trip and visiting several times over the course of a couple of days will be a worthwhile experience.

      Equipped with a knowledgeable staff, exotic bird stores are more likely to have time to work with you and your prospective bird, especially if you call ahead to make an appointment to visit on one of their less busy days and times. Not only will you be able to see a variety of species, but you can spend time observing the staff, the birds, and the various chores associated with keeping a parrot. In fact, you can learn quite a bit about bird handling and caretaking simply by watching.

      One caution about an exotic bird store as a source is the possibility that a particular bird might not be as healthy as you would like. Although specialty stores do their best to protect their investment in the birds who pass through their shop, the birds are brought together from many different breeders. Whenever this happens, the potential for disease is higher than it is when you acquire your bird from a small breeder. However, like every reputable breeder, most specialty stores offer a health guarantee. If the store is unwilling to do this, don’t take the chance.

      Another caution is that once the birds come to the store, staff may have little time to continue each bird’s socialization. As a result, each individual may not receive the attention he needs to support his emotional growth. You will be able to observe the staff in the store and the attention that each bird receives. This is a good reason to visit the store several times, even if you have to stay overnight. Nevertheless, most exotic bird stores do their best to create good matches and to provide you with the information and training you need to be successful with your bird.