Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Chrys,
Im really stuck with this desicion...i hope you can help me!
I definatley want a parrot,iv got everything you need,im in the right situation....now the only question is -
Budgie,Cockatiel or Kakariki???
What im looking for out of any of these birds is a bird that will let me pet it a little,and i can bond with and have friendship with...even possibly a talker.
Please please please help me make the right desicion,iv done so much research on all these birds and i just can't make my mind up!
Thankyou very much
Jordan

ANSWER: Hi, Jordan,

Any bird that has been handfed as a baby and allowed to imprint on humans as a baby, can meet your desires in a bird as a good companion.  This is why when you make your purchase, buy a just-weaned, handfed, baby bird from a bird breeder.  If you buy from a pet shop, you take chances of getting a bird you can't tame/train.  Taming begins when a bird is a couple weeks old...it doesn't start when you purchase your bird at a pet store when it is 2, 3, 4 months old or older.  

I do not like to "recommend" birds for other people.  I would need to have a lot more details about your lifestyle, personal desires, etc., in order to begin to assist you with this.  Talking is never guaranteed in birds...some talk and some don't.  However, if you are deciding between these 3 birds, be aware that males are better mimicers in budgies and tiels, but again, no guarantees the bird you choose will learn to mimic.

Purchase the periodical "Birds USA" the 2007 edition published by Bo Tie (publishers of Bird Talk magazine).  PetsMart carries it.  There is a section on different species of birds and the article is just for those who need help selecting a pet bird.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello Again,
I decided on a Kakariki,
However...here in the UK there arnt many if at all breeders that sell directly.
So i bought this kakariki around 5 months(i know you said youngest you could get,and this was!)
When do i begin trying to tame him,hes very shy but curious and active.
Thankyou
Jordan

Answer
Hi again, Jordan,

You have to give the bird time to settle down in his new environment and get used to you first.  You need to build trust with this bird, so don't do anything to scare s/he.  Taming should begin just as soon as the bird settles in and is no longer stressed out from the move.  Taming a bird this age may take time and patience, depending on the bird's behavior and how tame the bird is once it settles down.

Chrys