Bird for my daughter

RocksMama77 · Jul 6, 2009

Hi all, my daughter has been wanting a bird for a while now and I am near giving in but wanted to get some opinions. I used to have a peach faced love bird and a cockatiel. The just recently died in december after some twenty years in our family. I was wondering what is the best bird for my 5 year old daughter. The peach faced love bird was the sweetest bird ever but was wondering if they are all like that or if we got lucky. I definitely don't want any kind of finch or parakeet. I want a sturdy bird that will be lovable and trainable.

clarkee_04 · Jul 7, 2009

It really all depends on how much you are planning to spend, I have an 8 year old african grey and I love it to bits, so you could always look at that. Mine was somewhere around $1200 when I bought him.

latshki · Jul 7, 2009

lovebird, concure or quaker

spykerherps · Jul 7, 2009

I have worked with birds and hand fed parrots for the past 10 years at what was one of the best hand feeding bird shops in the country. I would suggest if it is going to be more of a companion for your daughter that you do either a hand fed parakeet or a cockatiel. unless you find a great hand feeding shop I would not go with a love bird. although I have seen many great hand fed love birds, they usually can be a bit nippy jumpy when not properly started off. same with conures and quakers.

Those two options are on the more affordable end.

If you have had experience with birds you may want to take it a step farther "the next level" you may want to think about a CAIQUE. they also make good small child's Companions when properly hand raised.

Of course just take some names of species you are interested in and do your research.

Good Luck

Respectfully Submitted
Zach Spyker

GeckoTrouble · Jul 7, 2009

A cockatiel would be a great bird for your young daughter.
Cockatiels tend to be a lot more forgiving and less nippy than Conures and Quakers.

Make sure you get a hold of a hand fed youngster who is fully weaned before you buy. A good breeder/store will allow you to meet the baby and visit it before you buy... steer clear of large chain pet stores as they are simply not set up for producing good pet quality hand fed and socialised birds.

If you are interested in a hand fed, well socialised baby lovebird I can hugely recommend Rodney and Tamara of True Love Aviary http://www.trueloveaviary.blogspot.com/ They are super nice people who raise really nice and sweet babies. They are in North Carolina

leoman777 · Jul 7, 2009

i would suggest a cockatiel i use to have one and he was great and i would also consider an african grey if you want to spend a lot of money

GeckoTrouble · Jul 7, 2009

I wouldn't consider an African Grey for a young person. They are sensitive birds who do not forgive or forget easily.

I have one of my own and one I am rehabbing and the rehab one has been very messed up by young kids making honest mistakes around him.
He's now very fearful of people and loud noises.

A 5 yr old is simply not equipped with the maturity and experience to handle a Grey

leoman777 · Jul 7, 2009

oh woops forgot it was for a child sorry im not thinking lol but go for the cockatiel

clarkee_04 · Jul 8, 2009

Geckotrouble, I never really thought of that as I have done nothing to make mine not trust me or be fearful. So sorry about giving you a bad suggestion!

techgirl · Jul 8, 2009

cockatiels are great for kids. Parakeets are too if you get them young and handle them well. Good luck in finding the bird for your daughter

nrich · Jul 8, 2009

I agree about the cockatiels. In my opinion, I would get two. These guys are very affectionate and gregarious birds. They really need constant companionship to be really happy. Quakers are really great little birds too, but I adore cockatiels.

GeckoTrouble · Jul 8, 2009

Ryan, it's not a bad suggestion... if the family have the bird experience... I have just dealt with so many rehab Greys that I always advise not for young kids.
It's not the kids fault, or the birds, but things do happen with kids

I have to say my own Grey Marnie, has never had a bad thing done around her and has had a wonderful life both with her previous owner and with me being introduced to different things... so she is very well adjusted and very little phases her.
I can take her anywhere and she's laid back and relaxed.

Bird for my daughter

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