Feeding Blue and gold macaws with okra !

[Rue]

Both are difficult birds. African Greys are nervous and tend to pluck...once they start, it's really next to impossible to get them stop...

I have a plucker...(she came plucked...lol)...

Also...plan on a very long committment...60 years or so...

[tetrageek]

Guess I try the budgie first. Any other hardy birds?

[Rue]

You should get the kind of bird you really want...and want to commit to - given how long lived they can be.

Birds are a LOT of work...they need daily time out...attention spent with their diet (good quality pellets, seeds as treats and lots of appropriate fresh foods). They are extremely social (most species live in flocks up to 1000s) so you need to provide the socialisation for them...

And they are incredibly messy...I vaccum daily...and twice if we have company...

Cages are expensive...and you need a bigger cage than what the local pet store sells. Unless your bird is out a lot...get the biggest cage you can afford...make sure it has the appropriate wire spacing.

There's also a huge price difference between the birds. An average budgie is $25. An average African Grey is $1500. An aveage Macaw is $2500...

If you really only want to try out a bird...to see if you can handle them. I'd suggest you go on Kijiji and see if there are any older budgies available...often times they are given away for free. If you get a bird that's already 5+ years old...and don't like it...you're not 'stuck' with it for half a century...

Plus, you're doing a good thing by giving it a good home. Likely it's been neglected at the place that is giving it away...

[Rue]

...btw...don't forget that vet bills are also often more expensive for birds, and you should try and find a bird vet. Birds are tricky to treat if they get ill...

[GuppyAteMyDog]

You should get the kind of bird you really want...and want to commit to - given how long lived they can be.

Birds are a LOT of work...they need daily time out...attention spent with their diet (good quality pellets, seeds as treats and lots of appropriate fresh foods). They are extremely social (most species live in flocks up to 1000s) so you need to provide the socialisation for them...

And they are incredibly messy...I vaccum daily...and twice if we have company...

Cages are expensive...and you need a bigger cage than what the local pet store sells. Unless your bird is out a lot...get the biggest cage you can afford...make sure it has the appropriate wire spacing.

There's also a huge price difference between the birds. An average budgie is $25. An average African Grey is $1500. An average Macaw is $2500...

If you really only want to try out a bird...to see if you can handle them. I'd suggest you go on Kijiji and see if there are any older budgies available...often times they are given away for free. If you get a bird that's already 5+ years old...and don't like it...you're not 'stuck' with it for half a century...

Plus, you're doing a good thing by giving it a good home. Likely it's been neglected at the place that is giving it away...

so true ,i can see you're a real bird brain, lol ,as for cages i build my own i'd rather not have my wallet violated by a petstore bird guru if you know what i mean and with birds they tend to hide their ailments very well most of the time when clinical signs do manifest and you take it to an avian vet it's too late so i would say prevention is better than cure (plus i believe most avian vets are pretty much useless unless you got fractured bones or superficial wounds , i guess you could call them genuine quacks, i will admit there are some who do amazing work though)

[GuppyAteMyDog]

Guess I try the budgie first. Any other hardy birds?

wise choice cockateils and lovebirds should be a great option as well good luck making your new friend

[Rue]

...I've had a bird...or multiple birds... since I was 20...so MANY years...

I love birds...

[GuppyAteMyDog]

...I've had a bird...or multiple birds... since I was 20...so MANY years...

I love birds...

awesome me too , my dad was into canaries and bullfinches long before i was born

[Rue]

Good for your Dad!

I had a rescue canary for a while...and my daughter had several finches...really enjoyed them too...

[tetrageek]

Love birds are nice. Cocketeils are afraid of the dark so they might not be my best option.