Quaker+Grey for a beginner parrot lover?

Question

Hi guys..once again..I heard people saying that i should not buy a Grey as it requires a Advanced Bird lover to have it..But i am having adult supervision by my dad(but hes not experience) So is it alright?To Have both for 12 year old boy?Just give me a definite anwser that NO...u SHOULD START with a quaker/grey..OR its alright to have both..! I am in school from morning till 2 p.m(around 8 hrs in school!)But i have a grandma at home to look after it like oning the radio and television!So pls give me advices!And Give me a answer!

Answer 1

NO, you should start with a Lovebird.  Even Quakers are a big responsibility.  I have one now, and I've been a parrot lover since I was 11 years old and I know that i couldn't have even handled a Quaker when I was 12.

I know you might think that right NOW you're capable, but what happens when you get in highschool and you're too busy hanging out with friends to care for him and he starts plucking his feathers out of lonliness??

Or when you start having to work a job in addition to going to school?  You'll be gone more than 12 hours per day, most days.  When you get home, you'll be too tired to play with the bird or have other household chores to attend to.

I am not lecturing, but I just know. I got my first parrot when I was 13, it was a Black Headed Caique. Which is a small parrot, size-wise, but VERY high maintenance.  And if I could go back in time, I would'nt have even gotten a smaller parrot.  

When you grow up, you'll have plenty of time to get birds that you actually WANT, not just ones that you can get.  Trust me!  Plus, since you'll be financially independent, you can get him whatever you want for him, not just what your parents are willing to spend on him, because I know at 12, you can't afford the $300+ vet bills, $800+ cage, $300 toys, etc. that it requires when you're planning for your bird.

Answer 2

I agree you should start with a quaker they are good beginer birds and they really teach you what a parrots attitude is like . I have a five yr old quaker and love him dearly I dont think I could love a bigger parrot better . but I would stay away from the grey for quite a while. good luck .

Answer 3

You should start with a Quaker, they are a hearty bird with a BIG personality. They are fabulous talkers and very loyal to whomever they choose as their preferred human. I have both Quakers and an African Grey. An African Grey requires some one with experience period. It does not matter how old they are. If your Dad or Grandma are not experienced parrot owners than the answer is a definite NO, you should not get a CAG,  I know you don't want to believe us because we answered this already. My Grey came from a man who was well into his 30's. He had him for 14 years from a hatchling, Beaker ended up in a garage all by him self for 4 years, I rescued him from that environment, and I KNOW how bad parrots get abused. Of my 5 parrots, 3 are rescues. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not start with a Grey. As for having both, after you have had the Quaker for about 2-3 years you can add a Grey to your flock, but they must NEVER be put together, they Grey is HUGE compared to a Quaker.  

Answer 4

You already got your answer here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

and here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

and here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

and here:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

What does the majority say?

Answer 5

you really should begin with a smaller bird like the quaker. I am an adult and am preparing myself for a larger parrot like an African Grey by caring for my smaller Conure and Quaker parrots.

Even the smaller parrots are alot of work, and it takes alot of time and experience to get really good at caring for them. You are alot better starting off with a smaller parrot, even if you have a family member watching out for you.

Both Quakers and African Greys are one person parrots, and if you had both they would most likely be jealous of each other- so you are better off just getting a quaker for now, and to egt an African Grey when you are older and more experienced with birds (like, after you finish school and can put time into caring for one)