Bird Lovers UNITE!

[Beetwasher]

I have two sweet little parakeets that I love to death! Blue and Sunny.

I love dogs too, but my apartment is too small, so I've had birds for almost ten years now, always parakeets! My first two died relatively young, around 5 years old a piece and now I have two more.

Most people don't realize what terrific pets birds make! IMO, they are every bit as loveable, personable and intelligent as any dog or cat (and I've had dogs, cats and birds, so I would know!). Many might even argue that birds are MORE intelligent, after all, African Grey parrots are one of the only other species that can actually learn human language! Studies have been done that have shown that their vocalizations are NOT just mimicry, but rather they have cognitive abilities similar to that of small children!

[americanwomanone]

1. Obviously I Love Them, I Have Eight!

Except for the Goffin cockatoo that is being bratty right now, they are a lot of fun. I also have a Severe Macaw, a House finch that I rescued, a female Lovebird, a Quaker Parrot, and one single cockatiel and a pair of cockatiels. Over time I have had hand-fed Amazons, and a Mollucan cockatoo. Funny thing is I have never had good luck with parakeets. Maybe now that I know more I may try a parakeet again.

They are messy and sometimes very noisy but they are very smart as you said. Casper the cockatoo seems to know just the right thing to say at the right time. If he hears a noise he will say "What happened?". He also tells the other birds to be quiet. He also hangs on the front of his cage and says "I want out". I would say that is smart!

[Beetwasher]

2. Yeah, They Are Messy, But At Least There's No Odor

They just get food all over their area and their droppings need to be cleaned regularly, but there's no smell, so it's not too bad!

[americanwomanone]

3. You are right, they don't smell

Considering I have cats, ferrets, and dogs, the birds are the least smelly for sure. Most of mine are in one room with a tile floor. Lots easier to clean.

[Beetwasher]

4. Wow, Sounds Like Quite A Brood!

I hope you keep the door secured! How do the cats and ferrets take to the bird? Yikes!

[americanwomanone]

5. The Cages are all padlocked.

Since the day the cockatoo let himself out and the dog grabbed him. He was rescued but it was a good warning! I had no idea he could open one of those clips, but he did! When the ferrets are out they are segregated to two rooms. The cats totally ignore the birds. If the birds are out, which some of them are at times, the rest of the "critters" are in another room. I just don't let them interact with each other, better safe than sorry! It's a lot of work but worth it.

[flamingyouth]

6. I love my cockatiel Buster

You can see his handsome picture in the DU pets gallery. :D

[Kat45]

7. I LOVE BIRDS!

Sorry, I just had to shout it out. :-) I have my adorable parrotlet, Grace, whose photo is in my sig. I am also mom to two other birds, who live with my ex, but I can visit them any time. (As a matter of fact, I just saw them yesterday.) They are a Senegal parrot, Attila, who will be 11 in December, and a budgie (parakeet), Raffle.

You're right about birds. I've also had a number of birds, mostly keets, and every one of them had his or her own distinct personality. We used to have a wonderful budgie, The Keet, who had a vocabulary of about 100 words. And she was the sweetest bird I've ever known, really friendly--just a joy to be around.

[AlienGirl]

8. This is Gideon, my feathered kid!

In this picture he is imitating "The Thinker."

Tucker

[Kat45]

9. Awwwwwwwwww! What a cutie!

I like that picture.

[Beetwasher]

10. Cool!

n/t

[Deja Q]

11. Zoe is my Senegal Parrot, but I am looking for a Pionus...

Birds can be messy, but they are loyal. (Just make sure you remind the bird that you are the flock's leader, not it. :D )