to ask if anyone out there has a parrot?

[MermaidTears]

I find them absolutely fascinating, but I have noone to ask in real, do they not squawk all night keeping you awake?
I do know that they can be extremely loud, from videos on YouTube, but I've never met anyone with a pet parrot to ask these questions!

[AmyGDalae]

I have two lovebirds. They are absolutely fantastic. They have a large cage, but are always flying around flat unless I'm out or asleep. The first thing I do in the morning is to let them out. They are super clever, curious, loving and fun but also utterly destructive, needy (want to be with/on me constantly), messy and noisy.

Having grown up with all kinds of parrots I would say they make the absolutely best companions. But do not get a bird if you are not completely committed to looking after him for decades (they become very attached), can give lots of time and attention, have space to allow him to fly free for the vast majority of the day (imagine being locked in your bedroom 22hrs a day...), can keep up with the mess, can accommodate two birds and can keep them entertained (I'm constantly finding new toys, things to shred, etc for my two).

[harshbuttrue1980]

I have had various species of parrot. They need LOTS of time out of their cage EVERY SINGLE day or they will start to scream and pull their feathers out. They also need LOTS of company. If you work full-time and no-one is at home, then leave the radio on. Even better, get two of the same species so they have each other for company. Parrots are beautiful animals, but they are like feathered dogs in terms of commitment. Ringnecks aren't as clingy as some species, but still need attention

[MermaidTears]

I will always be at home all day. Current sahm but will work from home in future.
I have visions of my beautiful little green ringneck lady snuggled on my shoulder under my hair with me all day as I go about my business!
Do they actually get that affectionate?

Also that pic of birdy with your dog is amazing!

[myownprivateidaho]

I used to know a guy whose wife had had an African grey since her childhood. The bird really hated him, like a jealousy thing. He was clearly quite miserable about having to share the house with it.

[MermaidTears]

Larger parrots like African grey and mccaws etc are too big for us I think.

Indian ringneck seem perfect

[lasttimeround]

I'd love one but know I couldn't handle the damage.

[BirdBrain85]

I have a Quaker parrot (and two budgies). What I would say to anyone thinking of getting one is that they aren't "easy" pets, and they aren't anything like having a cat or dog. You need to do A LOT of research - you will more than likely need to modify your home. You can't have candles, plug ins, sprays, non-stick pans / items or use normal cleaning products for instance as they can kill your bird in moments. They're very very very messy and should be out of their cage for most of the day or they develop behavioural problems (which some will have regardless). They aren't cheap to buy (Quakers are cheaper at about £250) and their vet bills can run into the 100s or 1000s. You need to read up on spotting a sick bird as the signs are often very small, like a change in droppings. You have to offer fresh food daily, and many things you might think are OK like monkey nuts or sunflower seeds are not. Again you must research diet in detail. Be prepared to be bitten / lunged at too as even a docile sweet bird has a bad day.

Of course they're absolutely wonderful too - they bring so much joy to me, are constantly making me laugh and leave me in awe of their intelligence. I have two very good talkers (my Quaker and male budgie) and I could probably write a book on the hilarious stuff they come out with! That said not all talk despite the owner's best efforts and if that's very important to you it's best to rehome an older bird known to talk already. I feel it's also important to be aware that you can't bribe or influence a bird like you can a dog, they don't have a hierarchy in a flock and they pretty much decide who they like and who they don't. That can also be hard for people - e.g. wife gets the bird but it prefers her husband. But yes they're truly wonderful, amazing and great fun - just don't underestimate the time, work, patience and commitment you'll need.

[ijustwannadance]

I don't like birds in cages and told dock of an ex that it was unfair to get a bird as we both worked. So he bought an Austrailian Rosella parakeet. When we split there was no way he was taking him.

The bird is 14 now. He has never talked but wolf whistles and still does the old nokia text noise! Someone told me that if you want them to talk then don't whistle at them. I just think mine is a stubborn bugger!

Not too noisey but if he spots a large bird or cat outside his shrieks are ear piercing and at night dusk he will fly around squarking for a minute then settle and go to sleep which is what they do in their flocks in the wild.

Some like being sprayed with water to wash, mine has a bath in a big dog bowl.
He gets agressive in mating season and weirdly turned on me and got really nasty when I was pregnant. He can also get jealous of other people.

He tolerates DD but I would never leave them alone in the same room. He bit my leg through my jeans once and it hurt like hell.

I personally wouldn't recommend getting a large bird unless you are going to be at home most of the time and have plenty of time to devote to them.

[ijustwannadance]

*dick of an ex!

Oh and the bird once bit through the cable on a glass ceiling light. They can do a lot of damage very quickly.

[MermaidTears]

Wowza I honestly didn't realise quite how much is involved!
It's good to hear the other side from people who have experienced it first hand.

Quite surprised at the amount of people who have inherited them, I know they live long lives, so it's not that unusual I would assume, just never heard of it before.

[MrsBGharai]

My Mum has an African Grey, an Orange Winged Amazon and a Lorikeet (parakeet).
She had a new conservatory built to house them. Hilarious mimics. Bloody noisy sods though!!
Mind you, the Myhan and Macaw were worse. Much worse!

[MrsBGharai]

Lovebirds are terribly vicious. We had a few. Can't be kept with other parakeets, or they kill them!

[Ginmakesitallok]

At the other end of the scale Dmil has a budgie - lively wee thing. He's out of his cage all day and chats away. He loves company and playing with fingers. She nearly list him when she unthinkingly chased a wasp around the room with fly spray. ....