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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Birds are flock creatures, so they require a lot of socialization, at least several hours a day and more if you can manage. It needs to be the right socialization, too—too many people think poking your finger at a bird is all the entertainment it needs, and then they’re surprised when it bites.

I have a medium-size parrot who has been partially blind since hatching. She would definitely not do better in the jungle. The vet told me to return her, but we all know how that would have ended. She’s out whenever I’m home. She’s a great companion, and she’s quiet except for one scream in the morning and one at night. Yes, her poops are messy, but she’s leaning to poop on command. (The smaller parrots generally can’t do that.) Lots of people have great relationships with their birds, if you know how to care for them.

I guess in the end, though, I wouldn’t recommend a parrot for most people. I have a lot of patience, a lot of experience, and I like the way they interact— which is warmer and more interesting  than anybody’s interactions with the cat I inherited from my mom. (And yes, I spend a lot of time making sure the cat and bird never meet) But I’m not the norm.

If you do decide to try a bird, do consider adopting from a bird sanctuary like Phoenix Landing or one of the ones on PetFinder. Don’t support breeders or PetSmart when there are too many birds waiting for adoption. Also, getting grown birds means you’ll have a better idea about the personality. in Phoenix Landing even makes you take two (short) classes before they’ll let you adopt, which might be a good test for your son.

Also, definitely consider a smaller bird, like a parakeet or cockatiel (louder). Nix on the more emotionally complicated Amazons and Greys, which are for more experienced owners [/quote]

What does she do when you let her out? Just fly around? How do you interact with her?[/quote]

Mostly she likes to sit on my shoulder as I go about tasks around the house, cook, watch tv or read. She asks me to scratch her head by butting her head against my ear, and I oblige by doing this multiple times a day (most pet birds love this because they can’t preen their own heads). She flies a bit but not much, due to the partial blindness. She’s figured out where things are but sometimes botches the landing. She says a few words, and greets us with “pretty bird” only in the morning, so apparently she thinks it means “hello.”  When I say “poop” sometimes she will, as I hold her over a trash can, and we’re working on that.

She likes her cage and goes into it when she’s ready to go to sleep. I’ve had several birds who do this. She’s also a bit territorial about her cage. A cage doesn’t have to be a terrible place, instead it can be a refuge for birds that are lucky enough to get a lot of time outside. Unfortunately, some birds don’t get out.[/quote]

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