I fell in love with an eclectus parrot at a bird sanctuary recently and I had no idea these guys existed. They are so chill and I just want one now lol. I was talking to him and all he said to me after I asked him something was “huh?” and it was such a vibe.
I’m a 30 year old man with not much going on in life, recently divorced with major trust issues now and I have never even thought of the possibility of owning a parrot one day but maybe it is actually a good idea? It lives for like 30 years which is probably about how much longer I will live. All I eat is fruit and veggies so I think taking care of it would actually be pretty easy.
From my research it seems like they generally don’t like to be handled much and are just content to chill in the corner of the room while you do your thing. My condo has a room with 18ft ceilings and eclectus are usually super quiet and aren’t very destructive supposedly.
I was thinking about getting a cat but honestly a parrot is just way more affectionate, intelligent, and interesting.
Anyone weigh in on this topic?
Also is it possible to teach a parrot to speak like RFK Jr?
Parrots are the type of animals that if you have to ask if you should get one, you shouldn’t.
They are like buying a permanent toddler with a pair of vice grips for a face that can develop trauma from innocuous things and well develop bad behaviors that have to be addressed appropriately or they will get worse. They can develop mental issues that can lead to self mutilation.
There is no guarantee that an eclectus will be anything like the bird you met. They all have different personalities and they are only vaguely similar. You can have one that is totally chill and loves to cuddle, or you can have one that has anxiety and will viciously attack water bottles and you have no idea what bird you have until it has gone through “puberty”.
If you want a bird, get a cockatiel, not a parrot.
Source: 25+ years of experience living with parrots and 4 years working in a pet store that sold parrots as the “bird guy”. My bird that has anxiety and viciously attacks water bottles is currently yelling from his cage because that is what he likes to do before bed for 10-15 minutes.
Oh man I forgot. My mom had a yellow naped Amazon that hated he (for very good reasons sadly, I was a shithead child).
I still have scars all over from when that monster attacked me.
I remember it just chasing me while running on the floor lol.
She was an ornery old lady :)
Aren’t cockatiels parrots?
Technically yes, but it is a far more tolerant species to inexperienced owners and can be a great starting point vs a budgie or finch.
OP wanted a parrot and I gave him a better option than an eclectus for his situation and experience.
What do you think about budgies?
Easy to care for, not a great companion, usually not destructive for the sake of destruction and entertainment, almost no personality, can’t really mimmick sounds all that well, should have but doesn’t need a big cage, should have but doesn’t need as much time outside the cage as possible, shorter lifespan, bites are pretty weak but can still draw blood, doesn’t make a lot of loud noises, can’t play tricks on you and mimmick a laugh at your expense, more skiddish, low risk of psychological issues, harder to catch if they escape the cage or need to be put back quickly, cheap to buy and get setup for, hard to train.
They are good starter birds but don’t offer much of a parrot experience vs a cockatiel and far from an eclectus or bigger bird. Having a vet clipping their wings is wise so they are easier to catch without injury, but I favor full flight birds and I can catch a bird on the run with minimal difficulty.