I am in NEED of a macaw, mullocan (sp?) cockatoo, or an african grey. I don't have a huge budget so I'm looking to adopt or a pay a small price. Anyone know of any shelters in the NJ area?.. or is anyone selling one themselves?(i know I know.. doubtful).. I have the cage and what not.. I just cant afford 700 dollars right now!

Thanks guys,
Justin

Justin,
You might have difficulties training a parrot coming from a shelter. SPECIALLY, if you want to use it in your shows. I suggest you save your money to buy a young parrot. A blue and gold macaw would be good for starters. They are the cheapest in the macaw species.
Otherwise, if you are just looking for a big bird as a pet, you can go ahead and adopt a sheltered bird. Just be prepared to have a lot of patience and love.

Believe me that's not a problem. It's just that I'm on a really low budget.. paying for a car actually.. and I just thought an african grey would be great because of its vocabulary. Although a macaw is not a bad option. Thanks.

Justin,

You can't own a $1,200 bird on a $700 budget.

Nor can you own a $700 bird on a $700 budget.

Do yourself and the avian world a favor, don't buy a bird right now because you'll likely only do damage to the animal.

A Moluccan Cockatoo? You clearly haven't researched parrots have ya?



Having a Grey is no guarantee it'll "talk".

Man it's guys like you that put these birds in shelters in the first place. You just go for the bird without thinking twice.

Please, think twice on this one.

Robert Bloor

Hey Man,

Robert's words are harsh, but please listen to him. Unless you live in a metal house, with no neighbors, and a high tolerance for EXTREMELY loud noise... a Moluccan Cockatoo is NOT for you!

My family purchased a Moluccan when I was little, and it destroyed all of our frame work in "the bird room". He escaped all the time. Also, they are EXTREMELY loud!!!

Cockatoos are more likely than any other parrots, to develop problems such as feather plucking, screaming, etc... and you do NOT want to be stuck with a bird like this!

Unfortunately my family ended up giving our bird up. Fortunately he went to a breeder, and is now makin' babies... but that's not the point. We were able to learn from this experience, and everybody ended up ok, but can I suggest a macaw instead?

My brother and I produced a whole line of products on shaping and solving parrot behavior, talking on cue, tricks on cue, etc... Sign up on our mailing list at http://www.birdtricks.com/Video.htm and you'll gain access to an 8 minute demo for free, along with emails full of great tips for parrot owners.

Please look carefully before just getting a bird for your show. A parrot is more of a commitment than having a child. You will be taking care of a moody 2 year old for the next 60 years. My cockatoo was a great addition to my show, but I was fully aware of what I was getting into before I invested my life. Not to mention that traveling internationally with these guys is a PAIN!!!!!!!

I hope this helps you a little bit. And again, please check out our site, so you are as prepared as possible when you get your parrot. http://www.birdtricks.com/Video.htm

Dave

Thanks Dave.. I appreciate it. I've been researching them for a short while, and have spoken to many breeders (I guess trying to sell their product), and while I've been working with doves for quite some times now, I never realized the commitment fora larger bird. Thanks for the enlightenment, as I do still want to obtain one. I'm going to go with a macaw or an african grey, even though I know an african grey isn't an entertaining bird, I still would ilke one. I will check out that site, and I am going to buy a few videos. You guys are great, thanks for the help.

Justin

Justin,
An african grey is not a show bird. I just wanted to tell you this in case you were planning to use it in your shows.
My CAG (congo african grey) is a talker. I've trained him to speak in my voice and I've tried every method there is to do make him talk on cue in my shows, but to no avail. He does learn everything I teach him but only when he wants to. I am referring to talking on cue. But he is good at trick training behaviours with or without props.
Just FYI.

Justin,

I'm curious about the cage you have. What are its dimensions?

Robert Bloor

Yes I know that a congo is definatly not a show bird, it was just the point that I liked them, and would like to have one as a pet.

As for the cage size. It's 3 feet high by two feet wide by two feet deep.

Justin

Justin,

Alright it's time for a reality check.

You can't put a macaw in that cage. Its feathers will be destroyed and you'll likely start it plucking.

The cage I have is a Midwest 2000 (maybe 2100? ) It's 48" x 36" x 24" roughly. I have an amazon in that cage. That cage would not safely hold a macaw. (unless perhaps a Hans or Severe)

For a macaw use this as a rule of thumb, the bird should be able to stretch its wings out and turn around without touching any cage bars.
It should also be able to make a full turn without it's tail feathers scraping against cage bars.

Justin, for a heavy dose of reality, you aren't ready for a macaw, or any large parrot.

That's the reason I said you can't get a $1200 bird on a $700 budget.

Go to Petsmart and pick up a copy of BirdTalk magazine. Major cage manufacturers advertise in there. GO to their website and look at the prices.

If you want a good macaw cage I'd say look to spend at least $600. Likely you'll spend more though.

So let's look at your $700 budget and pretend you find a macaw that'll go for $700.

So your $700 is gone now: spent on the bird.
Cage: $600
Toys: Average $20/toy. You'll need easily 5 or 6 as they go through them like water. $100
Food: Average $40/month. $480/year.


So you're telling us you've got $700 for a bird that you're going to cram in to inhumane conditions.

But you can't afford the $1,180 other dollars I just listed? (and those are just off the top of my head estimates)

Dude, please don't purchase a macaw. Spend the next couple of years researching this and get a bird for companionship, not as a prop.

I spent 18 months researching all species of birds before I was "chosen".

Which by the way...you haven't even thought of that factor yet.

You're not ready.

There's my rant. Enjoy!

Robert Bloor

Don't forget vet bills. $200 for the first "well bird" exam!

Ugh... I forgot to mention all that... I just spent $830 to get my birds round trip from Seattle to Hawaii... and now I've already invested $400 into another trip to Grand Cayman, Costa Rica, and Florida... Not to mention the $300 on a custom made metal travel cage.

Man you guys are on top of things lol. I guess me being curious goes out the window. Hey, it wasn't like I was going out tomorrow and getting one, lol. But as FOR reality, you guys are 100% right, and I appreciate the feedback I was looking for. (and Robert, the point of getting one was for my show AND a companion, not just one or the other.) As for Mr. Bloor being harsh, sometimes people that don't get a reality check once and awhile start to sway in the wrong direction. But I can assure you that I am a professional about things, and I open my mind to almost anything that makes sense, and again, I appreciate the input that I now know about them.

I had my eye on a sun conjure at the local pet store. Their colors are beautiful, and they seem very friendly, although I didn't get to associate with him because the bird guy wasn't there. Any opinions on them?

BTW when I mentioned 700 dollars on a bird.. I meant FOR the bird. I've had multiple other animals (still do) and I know the procedure of food, toys, vet bills.. etc. etc. etc... (I mean common, I have 8 of the most active birds in the world.. doves!:bigsmile:) Not to mention a wide variety (and yes a WIDE variety lol) of other animals.

THanks again for everything guys,
Justin

Justin,

Glad to see your eyes are open on this. In the long run, it will make for a much happier living condition...for you and your new parrot should you decide to buy in a year or so.

Sun conures...that's a 'whole other' species that I don't deal with. My neighbor has two. Her home is a good 50 feet from ours (corner to corner) and her birds are in the back of a newly remodeled and insulated house.

You can still hear the conures scream. Nasty things.

But that's my opinion of them. Anyone else working with sun conures may have a whole other view.



Maybe active...but they won't disassemble their cage around themselves.

Nor do they snap metal welds like toothpicks.

Glad you're thinking about it. I think the reason we felt you were rushing into this was because you said...



Your emphasis on NEED and not knowing what species you wanted was a concern for a few of us.

Justin, ultimately you'll do what you want to do. We can't stop you. Just be sure you really think this one through. Owning a large parrot is a lifetime commitment, you will put it in your will. It's unlike any relationship you've ever had with any other animal.

Cheers mate. If you're curious about other stuff, you know where to ask.

Robert Bloor

Suns (in general), are loud and constant screamers. I wouldn't take a free one from my brother and we live with 4 macaws.

mark

I was in the same position. I was offered a free sun conure, and turned it down... and I live with 11 doves, 5 parakeets, 1 senigal parrot, 1 blue and gold macaw, 1 umbrella cockatoo, 1 cockatiel, and 2 dogs... and a partridge in a pear tree.

I've had two doves, two love birds, a severe macaw, a cherry head conure, two cats and a hamster, along with the wife and teenage daughter in a 2 bedroom apartment, but I would never take a "sun" even if I was going to keep it in the garage. How that one little bird makes so much noise is beyond me

Wow.. well thanks guys.. lol

Robert,
I agree with what you've said, but Chill out man! We all now understand what is neccesary to own a large bird. Our friend justin was just wondering and asking some questions. Thank god the animal police, caught him before he made a horrible mistake. Save up your money justin, and when you have the supplies and means to support your pet, go out and get him, good luck

Thank you!.. It's great to hear (or see) someone encouraging me. Dan thanks for all the info as well.