Anonymous wrote:Oh man we had neighbors who had a huge cockatiel. That thing was a NIGHTMARE. Screamed all the time, would repeat the same phrases over and over (one of which was SHUT UP!).

I'd say no. He keeps asking because he's sensing weakness. Be firm, say no.

That was a cockatoo, not a cockatiel. Different thing altogether.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no. Just no. Mainly, Birds don’t belong in cages. They’re also not cute or cuddly and they’re very loud. You will clean the cage weekly, if not more. They sh*t wherever they want. Your son will 100% lost interest within a month.

They are awful pets.

Not only do I believe that they should be free and flying instead of cooped up in a cage but they are messy. I say no to birds.

I would look into fostering first. Or pet sitting for someone who has a bird.

Oh man we had neighbors who had a huge cockatiel. That thing was a NIGHTMARE. Screamed all the time, would repeat the same phrases over and over (one of which was SHUT UP!).

I'd say no. He keeps asking because he's sensing weakness. Be firm, say no.

Cruel.

Cruel and unnecessary. Start with a fish.

I had a birds as a kid. Finches, parakeets, and cockatiels, not all at the same time. They poop a lot and you have to change their papers every day. Do some research on how to take care of them. They are fun but delicate and not very affectionate in the way that we might be used to. You can't cuddle with them but they might rub their head against your hand.

I've had birds for the past dozen years or so. I do NOT recommend it, particularly for a young child. It is not easy to give birds a life they deserve in captivity, and they are a surprising amount of work (constant poop, expensive/specialized vet care, etc). You might get a bird with a really cool personality, but more likely than not it will be grumpy, or easily frightened and not interested in being affectionate with you or your kid. Then, as a result, it will be boring and kid will lose interest. But you're still stuck with the lonely bird for years to come.

If you do get one, stick with a parakeet. At least if they bite, it doesn't hurt so much. And they have shorter life spans than, say, a cockatiel or something like that.

If asthma and allergies are no issue it might be good. I think the longer lived birds have the most allergy dander and dust. I would go for one with a shorter lifespan. It seems cruel to get a bird that might outlive you but your son will be taking care of it when he has kids.

I saw a baby conure at a petsmart type store and it was such a performer. If we put our hands by the window it would start nuzzling the window, kind of heart breaking. It kept its eye on us as much as it could when we rounded the corner, desperate for contact. It’s abusive for them to have a baby bird alone like that.

Anonymous wrote:no. Just no. Mainly, Birds don’t belong in cages. They’re also not cute or cuddly and they’re very loud. You will clean the cage weekly, if not more. They sh*t wherever they want. Your son will 100% lost interest within a month.

They are awful pets.

Some of them can live forever, so you better be committed to bird ownership.

no. Just no. Mainly, Birds don’t belong in cages. They’re also not cute or cuddly and they’re very loud. You will clean the cage weekly, if not more. They sh*t wherever they want. Your son will 100% lost interest within a month.

I have never allowed my son to have birds. I don't believe in them as pets. Birds were meant to fly and we are not equipped to offer them an appropriate environment. Also, birds can be quite difficult to care for properly.

Your child is 8. Any animal he brings into the house, you will be caring for

My son has been begging for almost a year now about wanting a bird and I think he is slowly breaking me down. I don't want a bird, but I've never seen him perseverate on something like he has with this bird. He has even got books from the library to learn on how to care for a bird. My son is 8.5 and my fear is that I will end up having to take care of this bird. Please tell me all I need to know about owning a bird.