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Please don't get mad...

NK_717

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Definitely try and volunteer..I am really thinking about getting a mac one day but want to meet some, actually interact with them and all before seriously looking into them.
If you volunteer and find RB2's are a good match, then maybe it's meant to be.
 

Kiwi and Mitch

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Please do not take the paragraphs below as mean or aggressive...I am just speaking my mind because you are here looking for input.

Money,

To properly care for a bird you will need a very large budget for:

Cages (travel and home), perches, Toys, HIGH Quality Pellet food, Daily fresh fruits and vegetables, More Toys, Avian Vet expenses. My Quaker has cost me almost 1000 dollars this month alone in vet, meds, food and toys. I just do not see someone your age being able to commit to this financially. Basically by the time you are ready to go to college this bird will have cost you tens of thousands of dollars. If there was an emergency you cant hop in a car and drive the bird to the vet and cover a huge bill.

Does your mom know that all cleaning supplies, windex etc are out of the question to be used around the bird (I wont use it anywhere near mine). All teflon, non stick pots and pans are out of the question.

Getting a bird isn't getting a bird...it's getting a new lifestyle. Basically a young child that is allergic to everything, potentially accident prone, poops without a diaper every 15 minutes and constantly throws his food everywhere. Oh and never stops teething and will chew on anything. Forever.

This is not a smart move or a responsible move for a minor to be honest.
 

Shinobi

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Hi Pia
There are a lot of wise and experienced comments being posted here. I suggest that you make up a financial plan in regards to having a Parrot. Then a commitment plan. Be honest with yourself and if you can't be financially able and committed at this time, then go and volunteer at a animal refuge until you can support a bird financially and give the commitment that a parrot requires.

Just be sure you can do this.
 

galah!

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Pia says Mom is willing to help . So I am assuming this bird will be a family bird. If and when Pia can no longer give bird the proper care This helpless creature deserves Mom will take over...in other words, this said bird will be co-owned. Pia am I correct in saying this in your defense? :blink:
yep, family bird really:)
thanks for being honest though everyone;)
 

galah!

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I really want to go to a rescue but their isn't one (besides RSPCA, which is mainly for cats and dogs. a couple of days ago a i thought a Galah would be my perfect pet, now i can't see the good:unsure1:
I am feeling soooooooooo torn
thanks anyway guys:shy:
 

sunnysmom

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I really want to go to a rescue but their isn't one (besides RSPCA, which is mainly for cats and dogs. a couple of days ago a i thought a Galah would be my perfect pet, now i can't see the good:unsure1:
I am feeling soooooooooo torn
thanks anyway guys:shy:
Don't be discouraged. You're young. The fact that you're interested in birds and taking the time to learn about them shows that you will be a great bird owner. When the time is right. You don't have to rush into bird ownership. Take your time and really think things through. :)
 

SpecialistElbru

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There are two main pieces of advice that I really feel you need to to take to heart.

ADVICE ONE, Waiting is the best thing because as someone who as not left your parent's house there are changes ahead of you and your life. Once you have been out of your parent's house for a few years you will have a better understanding of "life in the read world". You will also need to make choices with your life partner regarding children and pets. Your life partner will need to understand what having a parrots is like and if you choose to have children that can also be a part of the equation. Parrots often do cause friction between husbands and wives. Parrots also have problems when a new baby enters the equation because they are no longer the center of attention.

ADVICE TWO, Use your time at your aunt's farm as a way to learn the ways of parrots. Waiting will not be as bad for you as long as you can see what parrots are like at your aunts place. Adult birds are different than young birds.

As far as bird rescues go, your aunt's place has sort of become a parrot rescue of sorts, even though she never intended it to become one. When you are ready you may consider taking a bird from your aunt's place. The advantage is that you will know the bird and the bird will know you. I have been volunteering at a facility, and there are some birds I feel comfortable with, and there are other birds that O am not. Especially if I am in a relationship where I feel I can't trust the bird outside of the cage. Once you are ready, taking a bird from your aunts place may free up additional space for a new rescue bird.
 

~Drini~

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Almost an adult (by law, not by spirit :wacky:), but still a minor so I can say I've been (am still?) there. I got my first bird when I was 10.

Really depends what you want. Are you the kinda kid to go out on the weekends or stay home? If you're a stay-at-home kinda person and don't want to leave home for college or even just wanna stay nearby mom & dad, you might be a fit for a galah. Forget the true American college experience if you want a galah. You'll be tied down unless your parents really fall in love with this guy.

I have 2 conures and 2 canaries, and I'm still worrying what will happen when I leave for college (my top schools are as far as 8 hours away). I planned for this. This is why my birds aren't big, and this is why I have 2 birds per species (they're close companions to each other). I still have a year to go but I'm prepping a system for my family to help me look after them when I'm gone. It'll be a tough 4 years, but its only a fraction of our lifetime together so I figure its worth it. Maybe you can do the same with your galah? I don't know.

You can learn all you want about parrots and promise to the heavens and back, but it really depends on you, your goals, and your family. We can't predict for you.

 

LunaLovebird

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Almost an adult (by law, not by spirit :wacky:), but still a minor so I can say I've been (am still?) there. I got my first bird when I was 10.

Really depends what you want. Are you the kinda kid to go out on the weekends or stay home? If you're a stay-at-home kinda person and don't want to leave home for college or even just wanna stay nearby mom & dad, you might be a fit for a galah. Forget the true American college experience if you want a galah. You'll be tied down unless your parents really fall in love with this guy.

I have 2 conures and 2 canaries, and I'm still worrying what will happen when I leave for college (my top schools are as far as 8 hours away). I planned for this. This is why my birds aren't big, and this is why I have 2 birds per species (they're close companions to each other). I still have a year to go but I'm prepping a system for my family to help me look after them when I'm gone. It'll be a tough 4 years, but its only a fraction of our lifetime together so I figure its worth it. Maybe you can do the same with your galah? I don't know.

You can learn all you want about parrots and promise to the heavens and back, but it really depends on you, your goals, and your family. We can't predict for you.
I believe she lives in Perth, in WA (Australia). There are a number of universities there that offer good education. University life here is fairly different to the US, from what I can tell. You will still want some semblance of a life, however.
 

galah!

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thanks Drini:)
as Lunalovebird said, i live in Perth and plan to go to either UWA or Murdoch uni. We're building a new house at the moment, so i would be getting a bird (if i did at this stage) once in there. I have no plans for moving out after just moving into a brand new house! i'll keep researching and see where i end up. i am going to my aunts' this weekend too;)
 

Just-passn-thru

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thanks Drini:)
as Lunalovebird said, i live in Perth and plan to go to either UWA or Murdoch uni. We're building a new house at the moment, so i would be getting a bird (if i did at this stage) once in there. I have no plans for moving out after just moving into a brand new house! i'll keep researching and see where i end up. i am going to my aunts' this weekend too;)
Sounds like your thinking this through, I hope your family is on board for supporting your dreams of one day owning a Galah , possibly talk things over with your aunt she could be willing to be a supporting family member with the Rosie ! :idea:
 
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theocnoob

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I really want to go to a rescue but their isn't one (besides RSPCA, which is mainly for cats and dogs. a couple of days ago a i thought a Galah would be my perfect pet, now i can't see the good:unsure1:
I am feeling soooooooooo torn
thanks anyway guys:shy:
Dude, it's ok. Get some finches. They're great and if you get them from a breeder you can even pet and feed them from your hand. They are much more independant.

Have you considered maybe a pet thats more teenager speed like a tarantula, a small snake, a paradise fish, etc? None of those care about anything except food and shelter, and if you have to re-home them, they wont even notice.
 

Tyrion

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Have you considered maybe a pet thats more teenager speed like a tarantula, a small snake, a paradise fish, etc? None of those care about anything except food and shelter, and if you have to re-home them, they wont even notice.
Actually snakes do notice when they are rehomed and mistreated they care more then just having food and shelter ...Im sure Tarantulas do as well just because they have small brains doents mean thay have dont have any ...snakes for sure notice ..I spent 25 yrs in the reptile industry and I can say for sure reptiles know :)
 

theocnoob

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Actually snakes do notice when they are rehomed and mistreated they care more then just having food and shelter ...Im sure Tarantulas do as well just because they have small brains doents mean thay have dont have any ...snakes for sure notice ..I spent 25 yrs in the reptile industry and I can say for sure reptiles know :)
I think you're giving snakes more credit than they're due. I kept snakes for 20 years and I found them to be about as smart as a paperweight. I'm not saying that to insult them. I treated my snakes wonderfully and they were happy but I honestly don't think they're particularly self aware.
 

Just-passn-thru

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Actually snakes do notice when they are rehomed and mistreated they care more then just having food and shelter ...Im sure Tarantulas do as well just because they have small brains doents mean thay have dont have any ...snakes for sure notice ..I spent 25 yrs in the reptile industry and I can say for sure reptiles know :)
I agree...All living things notice change, and respond accordingly, even plants , depending on the care, to either thrive, exists, decline, or die. I think O.P.'s statement was rather reckless. They are solitary creatures and therefore do not need to have a group environment . But proper husbandry is still essential .
 
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Tyrion

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I think you're giving snakes more credit than they're due. I kept snakes for 20 years and I found them to be about as smart as a paperweight. I'm not saying that to insult them. I treated my snakes wonderfully and they were happy but I honestly don't think they're particularly self aware.
I guess you never bred them or kept certain species like Indigo's ...I was involved with reptiles for a very long time it was my job ...I dont think you are giving any credit and that is sad ...I treat all my animals in my care with the most respect I can... even a snake... if you bothered to see the different personalities in them you would see how certain things bother them ...I bet you keep your snakes in shelving unites ... which is the saddest thing this industry has done to reptiles what ever happened to nice living enclosures ...there is no way you can tell me Im giving to much credit to them when I lived with a breeding group of 400 reptiles and about 95 different species ..they were in my care and I treated them with kindness and respect and got to know each species and each individual and they were all different ...and they were all smarter then a paperweight :facepalm:
 

theocnoob

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Nope all my snakes were kept in humidity and temperature controlled terrariums with species appropriate setups and had tons of room.

Maybe my ability to empathize with reptiles is limited. I empathize with my parrot a lot. I am autistic so that might have something to do with my reptile emotional barrier. I have watched snakes in the wild. I grew up beside a ravine where there were dekay's, garter, and ribbon snakes, and I spent a lot of time watching them, seeing what they ate, etc. I have had, as pets, corn, california king, western hognose, ball python, coastal carpet python, and I think that's about it. So my experience is limited. Yes the different snakes had different personalities but I wouldn't call them emotionally attached to me or particularly sentient. I have observed a greater degree of sentience from certain species of fish that I have kept. I say that with all due respect and not with any desire to disrespect anybody's opinions or feelings. We're not talking about mistreating pets here, we're talking about our observations on the potential empathy and intelligence that certain animals can display.

I'm not a monster, and I have never mistreated my animals or neglected them in any way. I just have, respectfully to your views, made differing observations to yours over the years.

I agree...All living things notice change, and respond accordingly, even plants , depending on the care, to either thrive, exists, decline, or die. I think O.P.'s statement was rather reckless. They are solitary creatures and therefore do not need to have a group environment . But proper husbandry is still essential .
I don't see how my opinion on the intelligence of reptiles is wreckless. I did not mistreat my reptiles and kept them in excellent conditions. I just didn't think they were that smart.
 
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galah!

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even if i wanted a snake or tarantula, i live in Perth, Australia (we're not allowed tarantulas) i could have a python (Stimsons') in fact, my mum said i could choose between the two. But i still went with the Galah.

I would love a Tortoise, but they're also not allowed in Australia (leopard Geckos too:crycry2:)
 

theocnoob

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We just don't think it's the right time in your life schedule, lifestyle, life-changes, and financial-wise for you to get a cuckatoo right now my friend. Ultimately it is up to you and mom though.
 

Nancy B

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I have met 4 'bird people', asking what bird would best suit me and my family (once again, please don't get mad) and every single one of them said that a Galah or Corella would be perfect. But when i come on AA, everyone says the opposite (your all great, just so you know:).

I really would love a Galah, and this is also not going to happen for at least a year. I have tried to get into something smaller and easier all round really, but i just keep coming back to a Galah. I love everything about them. Their playfulness, their cuddliness and also how they are a little more independent than the others. I know they can become phobic and can be really quite loud, but i just feel deeply connected to them.

The first person i spoke to was my Uncle, he has many birds at the Cuddly Animal Farm in The Swan Valley (WA), and said that a Galah would be perfect for me. I've asked him about many breeds, but he always comes back to a Galah.
Then i went to Birds n all, they also recommended a Galah
(they were a store, however).
After them, i met Justin (i referred to him as 'bird man' in earlier posts)
He owned some lories, Eclectus, a king parrot and 2 Caiques.
He told me Caiques were wonderful, but he also said he would love a Galah, however, he's allergic to their dust.
Finally, I went to The bird and fish place (at the foot of Perth Hills) They didn't breed Galahs, so weren't trying to sell me anything. All they said was that Galahs are wonderful, gentle natured, playful birds and make great companions.


I am a minor,I have been looking into a companion bird for at least 2 years so far and have always Loved the Galah, my mum is 2nd owner if anything happens to me, i am currently saving up and reading lots of bird books.
I just want some opinions on all this.
thanks,
Pia:D
For the past 16 years we have had lovebirds, I am glad I started with them. They are a full size parrot in a compact size. Full of personality, you can teach them anything a regular parrot can do. I hear sometimes they talk, none of mine had ever talked. I hear it's no guarantee any parrot will talk, I have had my galah 4 weeks. He's 7 years old, and despite all my years reading about them, I will be learning more about him for a while. I love him already, he's fun to play with and he's just warming up! Lol if he never says a word I probably won't care, his personality will make up for that. :heart:l
 
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