Which bird should I buy?

[GreyAves]

Hi I want to buy a bird. But I can't decide which bird to choose.

I prefer a cuddly and docile bird, that doesn't bite or go through bluffing phase. I live with my mom and I don't want a bird that prefers one person over others at home. I would like my bird to learn some tricks or to talk a bit.

I like "Alexandrines" and "Indian ringnecks". However, my friend has a IRN and while she likes to sit on my shoulder, she does not like to be cuddled or scratched at all. She attacks my hands. And she attacks me when I go near her cage. She's so territorial.

My friend also has "cockatiels". They are so sweet. They are not cuddly but they like it when we scratch their heads. However, I have asthma and allergies and I've heard tiels are dusty and bad for allergies.

I'm a bit allergic to cats, dogs and guinea pigs. I got a terrible sinusitis when I brought a guinea pig home and had to find another place for her.

■My other options are ;
-Green-cheeked conures
-Rose-cheeked lovebirds
-Blue-masked lovebirds
-Budgies


• Are all cockatiels really dusty and bad for allergies? What are your experiences?

• Which option is better?

• Should I forget about birds if I have allergies?

 

[Mizzely]

Iprefer a cuddly and docile bird, that doesn't bite or go through bluffing phase. I live with my mom and I don't want a bird that prefers one person over others at home. I would like my bird to learn some tricks or to talk a bit.

This is all highly dependant on the individual bird, and you! You cannot choose a species based on this criteria, as you have described the "perfect bird." You'll hear at least one example from all species that fit it.

• Are all cockatiels really dusty and bad for allergies? What are your experiences?

• Which option is better?

• Should I forget about birds if I have allergies?

Cockatiels have feathers that break down into powder down. Thus, all cockatiels and cockatoos are dusty. African greys are also. All these birds I would not recommend for someone with allergies, particularly if they have reacted before.

I would look to see if you can volunteer at a rescue to see if you react to other birds before bringing one home.

 

[GreyAves]

This is all highly dependant on the individual bird, and you! You cannot choose a species based on this criteria, as you have described the "perfect bird." You'll hear at least one example from all species that fit it.



Cockatiels have feathers that break down into powder down. Thus, all cockatiels and cockatoos are dusty. African greys are also. All these birds I would not recommend for someone with allergies, particularly if they have reacted before.

I would look to see if you can volunteer at a rescue to see if you react to other birds before bringing one home.

Thanks for answering.
Do you know of any other birds that produce less dust but with personality similar to cockatiels?

 

[sunnysmom]

Thanks for answering.
Do you know of any other birds that produce less dust but with personality similar to cockatiels?

I think it's pretty hard to find a bird that's more laid back than a cockatiel. They typically are just sweet birds, but as said, they're dusty. Lovebirds are definitely more feisty than tiels but can be very sweet. ( @Zara ). Budgies are fun birds too and can be great talkers. (Do a search for Disco the Parakeet on you tube to see a great little talker.) I am also a fan of canary-winged parakeets but they're not as easy to find. As mentioned, are there any rescues near you where you could go and meet some birds? And I always encourage adopting if possible. There are so many birds out there in need of good homes.

 

[tka]

What do you mean by "cuddly"?

Most of the behaviours that humans would describe as cuddly would be interpreted by a bird as intensely sexual. These include things like stroking a bird down its back, touching under its wings, giving full body strokes and similar. These kind of touches would only occur between pair-bonded birds. If you touch a pet bird in this way, it is going to interpret these as you courting it or even having sex with it. It will see you as its mate, and, because most birds are intensely monogamous, it will see other people as rivals for your affections. This can lead to birds being very aggressive to those who aren't their chosen one.

We encourage people to only scratch or stroke their bird's head. This is a friendly thing, and wild parrots would preen their friends in this way. It stops the bird from seeing you as a mate and means that they are less likely to choose one person and attack everyone else.

As humans, we often have to rethink what affection looks like from our birds. The way we interact with mammals simply doesn't translate. My bird loves hanging out near me and will fly after me, she loves headscratches, she will preen my hair, she likes sitting on my shoulder while I work - and that's incredibly affectionate behaviour for her. Her flying after me if I leave the room is the bird equivalent of a dog curling up on my lap.

"Docility" and biting are very dependent on the individual bird and on how good your communication skills are. If you pay very, very close attention to your bird, you can avoid most bites. However, the onus is very much on you to read your bird's behaviour and ensure that it doesn't have to bite to get its point across. Birds often bite if they aren't being listened to; they've tried saying that they're upset or angry through other means, and biting is aoften a last resort.

 

[Porter]

If you can find one... Canary wing parakeets are amazing little birds and easy to train.
They get hormonal though.

 

[Beasley]

Lovebirds are amazing, spirited little birds full of energy and attitude! They can be very sweet and snuggly but they’re inquisitive and rarely in one place for more than a few minutes. Even with their play stand stocked with food and toys, there’s always another place or toy or bird that needs to be investigated. If you choose a lovebird, you will want to be sure to get a male.

I think budgies would be a good fit for you, they’re mild-tempered, gentle little birds that tend to be sweet with everyone so long as they are properly socialized. Their ability to speak is also very impressive, although talking is never guaranteed. Definitely look up Disco!

 

[Chase Hein]

Hi I want to buy a bird. But I can't decide which bird to choose.

I prefer a cuddly and docile bird, that doesn't bite or go through bluffing phase. I live with my mom and I don't want a bird that prefers one person over others at home. I would like my bird to learn some tricks or to talk a bit.

I like "Alexandrines" and "Indian ringnecks". However, my friend has a IRN and while she likes to sit on my shoulder, she does not like to be cuddled or scratched at all. She attacks my hands. And she attacks me when I go near her cage. She's so territorial.

My friend also has "cockatiels". They are so sweet. They are not cuddly but they like it when we scratch their heads. However, I have asthma and allergies and I've heard tiels are dusty and bad for allergies.

I'm a bit allergic to cats, dogs and guinea pigs. I got a terrible sinusitis when I brought a guinea pig home and had to find another place for her.

■My other options are ;
-Green-cheeked conures
-Rose-cheeked lovebirds
-Blue-masked lovebirds
-Budgies


• Are all cockatiels really dusty and bad for allergies? What are your experiences?

• Which option is better?

• Should I forget about birds if I have allergies?

I can't completely answer the question for you but can tell you that while some breeds may be over all more aggressive it is mostly about how much time you spend with your bird playing and training. Some birds are smarter than others and some are more aggressive but all are awesome. I recommend getting a bird that was hand fed. They are more expensive but worth the money. Good Luck!

 

[Zara]

-Rose-cheeked lovebirds
-Blue-masked lovebirds

Don´t buy either of these as neither exist.
For lovebirds, the common three species are the Rosy faced AKA Peach faced (Roseicollis), Fischer´s (Fischeri) or Black masked AKA Yellow collared (Personatus).
I think by ¨blue masked¨ maybe you mean a blue Personatus? @Leih has one I´m sure she will give you her thoughts.

Firstly, I would go with @sunnysmom s suggestion of volunteering and seeing how your allergies cope with birds. I would have thought that a conure would be easier for your allergies as they are new world parrots and don´t have powder down. But remember, all birds have wings and when they flap and fly, they create settled dust to rise.

If your allergies allow for a lovebird, I highly recommend a peachfaced male.
Either rescue a bird from a shelter so you can get to know their personality first, or go for a chick from a specialist breeder - not a chain pet store.

 

[Leih]

I have never had a budgie but they seem like sweet birds. I have a female lovebird, a male black capped conure, and two male linnies. I love them all for their drastically different personalities. My lovebird is somewhat cuddly, but she is busy busy, always on the go and she definitely is the boss of the flock. Linnies are great but they are typically "hands off." Have you looked into any of the conures? Green Cheeks are probably the most popular. My conure definitely demands more attention from me than my other three, He would love nothing more than to be glued to me all day long. If you're looking for sweet sounds... A conure is not it, though, mine has a hilarious scratchy voice. And they are often very playful. They're just all different and each bird even is different. With your allergies definitely see if there is someplace you can visit with a bunch of species. Sometimes a bird just chooses you, that's how I ended up with my conure.

 

[finchly]

There are at least 2 members on this board who’ve recently had to give up birds they deeply loved due to allergies. So I’d say get around some birds, not for 15 minutes but for a whole day, and see if you react. Can you hang out with your cockatiel friend without y our allergies kicking in? The pain is very real if you love them and have to give them up.

Also there aren’t any sweet cuddly never-not-nice birds ; get a stuffed one if that is what you want. Seriously. They all can possibly bite. You have to learn to go with what the bird wants, not what you want. That’s how they are different from most pets.
Green cheeks are fun but a little nippy so you’d have to learn to train and work with your bird. Cockatiels are very laid back, none of my 3 are cuddly but 2 of them will ride on your shoulder *when tHEY choose* and stay there for hours.
Parrotlets are great. They do bite but they’re so cute you forgive them. None of mine have bitten hard. They love, love, love to be on/around you. I have 2 that won’t be touched with hands but one of them flies to me and to a perch on command, and he gets on me a lot. All of mine get on my head. Another one is a spoiled brat, 24/7 on her person. She likes to sit on our hands, making it impossible to do computer work. They are not too loud and learn tricks quickly.
What else. Parakeet’s are a good suggestion. Mine bite harder than the parrotlets!
I’ve never had an IRN but have interacted a lot with one, it is possible that they are bitey? A lot of this is going to depend on you learning to ‘read’ your bird and understand what he wants, and learning to guide him / distract him into a different behavior. And you’re probably going to get bitten, at least once or twice, while you are both learning to read each other. Then a few years down the road, you realize you haven’t been bitten in ages and wonder why it was ever an issue.

 

[Zara]

Should I forget about birds if I have allergies?

I was thinking,
Maybe you could foster a bird for the local shelter? That way you could see how your allergies go with that particular species and also get a feel of what it´s like to live with a bird. Just be honest with the shelter about your allergies in case you need to bring the bird back quick. You never know, you may love the bird and end up staying together.
If it doesn´t work out, you could feed local birds in your garden. It´s quite enjoyable watching the familiar beaks return

 

[Birdbabe]

What Zara says,,volunteer at a local rescue or foster,,dont buy! Adopt! Theres too many babies out there needing and wanting forever homes, and if you allergies, then maybe just feeding your wildlife is good,,,

 

[Monica]

Can you hang out with your cockatiel friend without y our allergies kicking in?

This. This is my first question.


Based on everything you've said, I would personally recommend a cockatiel... if you aren't allergic to them and their dust doesn't bother your asthma. But yeah, their dust could be an issue.

 

[Hawk12237]

Hi I want to buy a bird. But I can't decide which bird to choose.

I prefer a cuddly and docile bird, that doesn't bite or go through bluffing phase. I live with my mom and I don't want a bird that prefers one person over others at home. I would like my bird to learn some tricks or to talk a bit.

I like "Alexandrines" and "Indian ringnecks". However, my friend has a IRN and while she likes to sit on my shoulder, she does not like to be cuddled or scratched at all. She attacks my hands. And she attacks me when I go near her cage. She's so territorial.

My friend also has "cockatiels". They are so sweet. They are not cuddly but they like it when we scratch their heads. However, I have asthma and allergies and I've heard tiels are dusty and bad for allergies.

I'm a bit allergic to cats, dogs and guinea pigs. I got a terrible sinusitis when I brought a guinea pig home and had to find another place for her.

■My other options are ;
-Green-cheeked conures
-Rose-cheeked lovebirds
-Blue-masked lovebirds
-Budgies


• Are all cockatiels really dusty and bad for allergies? What are your experiences?

• Which option is better?

• Should I forget about birds if I have allergies?

Huh!?!?? Let's see...The bird you described , cuddly, docile, doesn't bite, or do bluffing?? Hmmm, to be honest, birds are wild animals, they are not exactly domesticated like cats or dogs, and therefore have the potential to bite, get hormonal, and even become one person bird is very real.
It really would depend on how much you really put into it.
And it's not something that happens over night. Some birds take a good deal of time. And there's the chance the bird will never talk or do tricks. It's all in the bird. And the amounts of patience you put forth.I
Having allergies is enhanced around many birds because many give off fine powdery dust, tiny feathers. You might want to individual research on your potential bird and dander it gives off. Maybe even spend time with someone that has birds to see how it affects your allergies.

 

[Zara]

.The bird you described , cuddly, docile, doesn't bite, or do bluffing??

If I´m not mistaken, I think doves tick all those boxes (I´m not sure about cuddly), however I have heard they are quite dusty.

 

[Hawk12237]

If I´m not mistaken, I think doves tick all those boxes (I´m not sure about cuddly), however I have heard they are quite dusty.

Friend of ours has two doves. They are like greys, a bit dusty but not too bad. It really depends on the severity of one's allergies. Everyone has a different tolerant level. Someone with asthma wouldn't do well.