Does anyone keep birds like owls/parrots etc?

[LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake]

I'd really like a bird though I don't know much about it.

There's a 'little owl' that's handreared and for sale near me and I've read up about them.

Anyone keep anything like that?

[corns12k]

Don't know about owls. I know that parrots need lots of human contact and take a lot of looking after.
I'd imagine that owls and parrots would be quite different as owls are prey animals, so you would really need to speak to a falconer. There are falconry sites online but you could also contact your nearest falconry society for advice. Make sure you post lots of pics if you end up going ahead!

[catinthehat2]

I keep turkey vultures - they are very sociable if a bit noisy.
What would you like to know?

[corns12k]

catinthehat - how did you get into that? I'd like to do a falconry course and perhaps keep some birds.

[corns12k]

wow just googled turkey vultures - they look big!

[catinthehat2]

They are not really as graceful as falcons - I mainly keep them for cleaning up purposes. They are carrion eaters rather than catching live stuff in flight. So whenever one of my larger livestock dies I tend to let them loose.

[corns12k]

Do you have a farm then?

[catinthehat2]

Yes I have a private zoo

OK I am vv naughty, shoot me. But I genuinely do like big mad looking birds as well. THis place is owltastic if you are within reach...lots of hands on.

[corns12k]

oh no we're in MCR so miles away from there
I've started looking out for falconry courses at places near me. I want to do one with ds1 ideally as he's mad for it and I can see I'm going to end up with birds in the back garden!

[Vallhala]

Little owls smell!

They are also, I understand, very much a specialist creature and the seller would be required to have a license in order to sell him I believe.

I have a rescue contact who has a fair amount of birds of prey and another who is the hugely knowledgable and caring founder of UK Parrot Rescue, if you're interested.

WRT owls if I were you I'd make the experts at The Raptor Foundation in Cambridgeshire my first port of call. They hold training courses for prospective owners with accomodation available on site if required. They also hold falconry courses.

I adore the Little Owl but the thought of handling dead mice and chicks is enough to deter me from adding to my own menagerie!

[Falconwolf101]

Any owl? Not unless you're a falconer, dear.

[christmasmammy]

Can't say much for owls but I've got an amazon parrot and she's really hard work haha!

She needs a lot of stimulation and attention. They're a lot like toddlers actually, just a lot louder and sometimes more destructive.

[TripTrapTripTrapOverTheBridge]

No idea on owls but I have a Quaker Parrot (who is currently showering me while she has a bath!) and they are work but lovely sociable creatures.You'd be amazed at how much you can love and get out of owning a parrot!

Parrots and owls are completely different kettles of fish though and could never be compared or out together in questions to owners!

[gamerchick]

Yeah parrots are like toddlers. My parents used to breed AGs. They like to torment you.. pull your hair and try to bite your toes when you're walking. They grow up to still need loads of attention. Which is good if you have the time and don't leave it on its own lots.

Owls I don't know anything about.