File :-(, x, )
The right pet for me? Anonymous
So I'm 18 and I'm a freshman in college and I've been razed with 3 dogs and 1 cat, from age 3-15 I also lived in Florida so I usually had an aquarium full of the multitude of lizards/bugs found their, I've always had a love for animals/pets.

I've been thinking of getting a pet (small mamal or reptile) for my dorm room but decided that I cannot afford the time to properly care for one while attending school.
So I've been thinking about getting a bird, either a hyacinth macaw or an african grey once I am finished with school and have a job. I was wondering if /an/ had any advice on what types of birds (I'm not dead set on these two) are more enjoyable than others and about what kind of commitment this would be?

Thanks!

In return I give you Jerry, my great grandfather's friend, unfortunately my grandpa is not around anymore and Jerry is a very sad bird nowadays, I can still get him to sing Elanor Rigbe once in a while if hes in a good mood.
>> Anonymous
>college and I've been razed with 3 dogs
>I've been razed with
>razed
>> Anonymous
raised*** In all fairness I've spent the last 3 hours studying organic molecules and my brain is fegged.
>> Anonymous
If you can't afford a small mammal (I'm assuming you mean something like a rat or gerbil), I can't imagine how you'll manage a bird - especially one such as a parrot or macaw. They aren't cheap animals, and anyway, they live to be quite old. You're in college, you probably don't know where you'll be in five years, and certainly not if they'll allow pets.
>> Anonymous
"...once I am finished with school and have a job..."
>> le/x/bian
I'm by no means an expert on birds but parrots are supposed to require a hell of a lot of bonding time. They're really not a pet you can get and just let it hang around, they need attention from you and they can also be seriously destructive and develop screeching habits if you don't work with them enough.
>> Anonymous
It depends on what you're looking for in a companion.
in my experience, the larger of the parrots are the most neediest. they are feathered five year olds proficient with their bolt cutters and can get EXTREMELY noisy when they're not getting what they want. On the other hand, they're clever and cute and affectionate and silly and playful.

i prefer smaller parrots.. easier to manage, cuter, they will still bond, but seem a lot more independent. dont always talk, but the noises they do make are a lot more appealing to me.

also, having a large bird is a lifetime commitment. they tend to be possessive and protective. they might not like any significant other you choose to have around, and that will cause some serious problems. OR they'll go the other way and break their bond from you to bond with your partner, which can be equally wrenching..
>> Anonymous
adopt Jerry after you graduate... find someone to care for him in the meantime.
>> Anonymous
you do *not* want a large bird in a dorm room. They have vocal capabilities suited for communicating over vast jungles.
>> Anonymous
parrots sure need l-o-t-s of attention. They're not like cats who are easy to be by themselves. I assure you although I used to have a small one. It never sat in the cage (only when needed to have some sleep), but NEEDED to fly in the app freely. You may guess what it means..
It was a weird parrot although... loved to eat chicken..

Anyway these grey parrots are cool and it would be great if you manage to have time for taking care of one.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
you're getting a bird in a dorm....? okay. that's fine. just stay away from large ones. i am currently in college living in an apartment and i have a green cheek conure that i've had for about 5-6 years. i got him when he was four months old and he is GREAT. i love birds. they make wonderful companions and great pets.

make sure you get the one that's right for you and your living conditions though. especially if you're in a dorm you won't want a grey, they freak out at most changes and lots of stress can lead to feather plucking and other forms of self-destruction. you may want to check out parrotlets, cockatiels, and conures. green cheeks are the "quietest" conures and come in many color variations. but the term "quiet" doesn't apply to many birds other than parrotlets. few birsd are truly quiet. they will scream, squawk, and chatter. it's in their nature to do so. you'll want to do lots of research and find out what each species eats and needs to live and be happy. an unhappy bird will scream a lot more than a happy one. also consider the size of cage this bird will need. macaws and greys typically need a refrigerator sized caged in preferable living conditions. mine has two cages and his main cage is about 5 feet tall, and he's only about 8 inches long.

also... if you don't think you'll have time to care for a small mammal or reptile, you'll want to scratch a bird of the list and save that for later... birds want constant attention, and if not given it they may become violent and angry. read up on some basic parrot behavior, and figure out if you can provide enough attention for a bird to be happy. they're not dumb animals. buying a bird is a commitment of 25+ years. and keep in mind they have the basic mental capacity of a 2 year old.

pic is my bird, george, eating a chip
>> Anonymous
>>201617
You can't be razed, you fucking moron. You're not a city.
>> Anonymous
My stepfather has an african grey and I can't stand him. He screetches and screams and chews everything and will bite anyone who isn't my stepfather. Ugh. And they're extremely messy creatures. He throws food all over the place and his shit turns into cement.

Yeah, yeah. When he talks it's all cute and funny and his intelligent, but he's equally a pain in the ass.

The only people who I'd recommend getting a bird are bird people. They are a weird bunch of pet owners who only like birds. Any other pet people- stick to what you know.
>> Anonymous
>>202050
What the hell??? That "chip" was fried in deep oil, how dare you try to flood your own bird's veins with such cholesterol!!!
>> Anonymous
Birds are very difficult pets for very specific kinds of people. You must have a high tolerance for loud, shrill noises and mess. Intelligence in a pet sounds great, but you have to look at the flipside: An intelligent animal becomes problematic, restless, and depressed with boredom-- if this persists, they can get aggressive, destructive and possibly dangerous to humans and themselves, ESPECIALLY in the case of a larger parrot.
Start small. I don't mean a finch or a parakeet (because they suck), I just mean begin with a conure or quaker perhaps. Remember that you have the computer, your friends, college, etc. to keep you occupied-- your pet's entertainment, meanwhile, is completely dependent on YOU. Think really hard if you're capable of keeping such a smart animal's mind stimulated. It's going to take more than some chewing toys and a mirror.
Please also keep in mind the length of time that parrots live for. Many of them will outlive you, even. Do you want to deal with a screaming, poo-slinging, possibly bitey bird for the next 80 years? What about when you die and the bird's still alive? Etc, etc.
>> Anonymous
ITT A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T READ THE FIRST POST...

>>once I am finished with school and have a job

OP: It's going to depend on the job you get. If you want to find a fun companion bird I'd look for something that doesn't have the demanding requirements of a macaw or grey. Being away every day for eight hours might be too much and you could have a very distraught feather-plucking bird on your hands. I'm not an expert, though, so I'm not sure what else could be recommended. I know budgies/parakeets are pretty chill little birds when they're used to people, and are great fun in groups, so maybe two or three of them instead?
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>202523
I forgot to add-- beaks like this are made for crushing open nuts. Beaks like this could also take off your finger quite easily. All it takes is the bird being in a bad mood.
>> Anonymous
You might consider a parrotlet. Those are reputed to keep themselves entertained by themselves, assuming there's at least two.

But yeah, birds are difficult. Even budgies. Get a cat instead, they're easy and work for a house where there's not constant stimulation.
>> Anonymous
>>201617
Just get a small bird.
And make sure to check on their water and food everyday.
Water gets dirty with time, so it´s good t change it daily. The same goes to food, It depends on what kind of food you´re going give to them.
>> Anonymous
If you seriously are considering getting an African Grey (I'm sorry but if you've had zero prior experience with parrots then you're an asshole for buying a Hyacinth. I don't know why you'd go out of you're way to get one when there are many other species that are far better-suited to someone in your position.)
ANYWAY, if you're wanting a Grey, I think you should go for the timnehs instead. I don't know much about them but I'm pretty certain they don't have as big a reputation as the Congos for being temperamental and they're more into being handled.

I don't know if you're looking specifically for a large bird but an Eclectus might be a good choice. If you want a playful and hyperactive bird then a caique or lorikeet might be up your alley and WHAT THE SHIT I sound like a salesman. ANYWAY,
quakers are very hardy birds and although they're known for being territorial, they've got great speech ability and they normally run for about 200 dollars as opposed to 900-OVER 1,000 like the two birds you originally mentioned.

I'm done now, Good luck OP and remember to do a lot of reading before making your decision. Don't fuck up some poor bird's life.
>> Anonymous
Hyacinth Macaws cost anywhere between 8,100 & 12,000 USDs.
>> Anonymous
>>202762
over 9000
>> Anonymous
>>202733

Actually, aside from the price and the longevity, hyacinths are awesome birds, even for relative novices (assuming they have done their homework on health and safety). They are fucking HUEG, but also laid back, not as psychotic as greys or other macaws, and are easy to care for. Not to mention they are one of the only parrot species that can actually be trained to shut the fuck up.