I don't have either ,but if i was you, i would look at smaller birds. Those big birds are not only really expensive to buy but cost a lot to keep. They also have beaks that can take a finger off or break a arm.   Birds like that are better left to people that have a lot of experience in bird handling.  JMO.

Please be patient. Many of our members have jobs and can only drop by in the evenings. If you need to bring your message to the top, just hit Reply and type something, then click Send Message at the bottom. That'll take it right back to the top of the list.

Annie

I have one big macaw and one little macaw, and I have to agree with Dunduey that you should look at smaller birds first.  My average monthly bill for mine runs close to $200 just for food, that's a lot of money and something to consider.  The other big thing to consider is what if you go away to college?  A smaller bird like a budgie or cockatiel might be acceptable where a bigger bird most definitely won't be.  And...would your parents be willing to take care of it while you're away?  Even if you go on a vacation for a week or two?  I have four bunnies that aren't mine, they belong to my daughter who has gone off to work in another state.  They're not my bunnies so I can't re-home them (I've asked before) and she can't have them where she lives.  So for the next 8 or 10 years I'm bunnymom too.   Good thing I like bunnies.  And I am jealous of the cockatiel and parrotlet and budgie owners who share stories and pictures of their birds cuddling under their chins, or on their shoulders or just being held close.  Do some research on the smaller parrots too and I'll bet you find they're more fun than the big guys.

Me and my mom plan on it being our bird but you all have given me aloto to think about. Time and money is not an issue but thanks. I have alot to consider now. I'm glad I asked people with birds before I got one.

Please don't think we're being hard on you by trying to talk you out of a large bird right now, but there are many of us here who have the larger amazons and macaws and cockatoos that were previously owned by people who just got overwhelmed with their care and had to rehome them.  Some of us here have birds who were neglected for whatever reason and through boredom or lonliness or stress have pulled their feathers out until they look like plucked chickens, and some will always look that way.  It's great that you and your mom want to get a bird because having the whole family support the decision makes it a lot less stressful for everyone.  A macaw is a large responsibility, and even though I'd had medium sized birds for a few years, when I got my rehomed B&G I found out quickly that I was in over my head.  Thankfully I have a friend close by that has had macaws for years and helped me learn how to handle her, or it would have been a short and unhappy relationship. 

 

I love conures.  My best friend in the whole world is my sun conure, and he's no bigger than a cockatiel.  He's an aratinga conure, which means "little macaw" and I would have to say that if you're a conure person you will be a macaw person too.  Lots of personality in a small package, and another point to remember about the big macaws vs a smaller bird:  a smaller bird will entertain themselves by chewing on popsicle sticks.  A large macaw will entertain himself by chewing on your windowsill, antique coffee table, door frame....   A smaller bird will try to chew the buttons off your shirt while a large macaw will chew the buttons off your TV, stereo, remove the letters from your keyboard, etc.  They are like 2 year old children who have to be watched constantly to keep them out of mischief, and I really don't think that "my bird ate my homework" will be a valid excuse.  Now I'm being silly, but hopefully you know where I'm coming from. 

 

Anyway, just wanted to say that I think you're going in the right direction by getting all the information you can on birds before you actually bring one home.  We need more younger people like you that love animals and birds and want to share your home with them.  After all, it's not unusual for an amazon or macaw (or cockatoo) to live 70 years and in about 25 years I'll be needing a new home for my little girl.

 

Thanks everyone for helping me. I decided to get a smaller bird first, anyways I found a sun conure in the paper and me and my brother are going to look at him and possibly get him.

Wow, I am so proud of you. That sounds funny, I guess, but so many people are so stubborn and just have to get the first big bird they think of. You are doing a very smart thing, in starting smaller.

Do realize that sun conures are VERY noisy birds, in many cases. The entire aratinga family are. I had one years ago and she rattled my ears almost non stop.

Let us know how this comes out.

Annie

Yep, sun conures can be very loud, and it's the pitch not the actual volume.  My little guy's full name is Screaming Yellow Zonker for a reason, or at least it was when he first came home.  My knowledge of bird care could fit on the head of a pin, and every time he would squawk for attention I would rush in because I was so afraid the neighbors would complain.  But, I did have to go to work, so he learned eventually that if he screamed during the day nobody would come get him, and I set up a routine where I would spend a certain amount of time every evening with him, with small visits in between when he was being quiet.  He's now the quietest bird in the house, believe it or not.  He only says a couple of words, the first word he learned was "quiet"--I would say "shhhh...quiet" in a soft voice, and one day I said "shhhh..." and he shouted out "quiet!"

 

Is this sun you're going to look at a baby, or maybe an older bird?  Find out all you can from the owner, like why is he for sale, what does he eat, does he have a vet or has he ever seen a vet, does he prefer men or women?  Mainly if it's not a baby find out why they are giving him up.  Be aware that it will come with "baggage" that a handfed baby won't have.  Don't be afraid to ask us for help, as I said before there are a lot of us who have birds we didn't raise from babies.  And....don't get the bird just because you want another bird, watch how the bird behaves and if he acts like he wants to be with you, then you will probably have a good relationship.  Follow your instinct, if you don't get that warm fuzzy feeling about the bird, if something just isn't quite right....stop, and think about it a bit more.  Can't wait to hear about your meeting with the little sun.   Suns Rule!

I have never had any of those, Patti, but from the reading I have done, they are just as noisy as a Sun. Jenday and Sunday, but people are naming new combos of those birds all the time so there may be a Jensun or a Sunjay by now. In fact, now that I wrote it, I think I have seen a Jensun somewhere.

Some of the screaming, not all, may be caused by loud families, too. Little kids that holler can really get a bird going. Also adults who talk loudly or yell at one another.

Annie

I do agree on the smaller bird but not necessarily on the Sun conure.  They are extremely vocal.  An amazon as a first bird-is a definate NO NO!!  Amazon's can be extremely hormonal and down right mean.  Take it from me I know.  My Allegra during mating season can be the meanest bird I know.  Most of the time he is wonderful.  I say take your time look at many birds before buying and learn all that you can about care.  Birds do not only eat seed.  They require vet care and toys and attention.  They are not any where close to a dog.  Good luck!!  Let the bird pick you not you pick the bird.

No, I didn't get the bird. The man was really mean to me. He said he had like 5 people looking at him and none of them bought him I could have him and he said he would call me back but he didn't. I called him back and he said that a lady was on her way and said she was really interested in the bird but I called him back again and he said that the lady never showed up. So I waited till morning and called at 9:30 and he said someone was coming and he would call me in an hour and let me know what the deal was but he never called back so I just gave up on it.