Q: I’m in the market for a parrot. This would be my first bird ever. I’ve been researching the different variety of parrots. I have a friend that owns a yellow-naped Amazon, and its 21yrs old. She told me that it’s fun to have but it’s an investment because of its long life and sensitive nature. I was wondering if you had any advice for me and would suggest a parrot variety for me please.
Jean Pattison, also known as "The African Queen," explains:
This is like asking me what kind of car you should purchase, perhaps not quite as expensive, but just as personal a decision. Seriously though, I recommend being around as many different parrots as you can. Bird Talk magazine also has species profile articles, with their Annual being an excellent resource. Once you have researched those areas, one needs to ask what they expect from the species they favor. Once you have an idea of what the different species has to offer, you can join an e-mail group dealing with that particular species and glean a lot of information from the owners of those types of birds. Once that is done it is time to consult with breeders or a good pet shop, and fine tune everything you have heard about the species you are interested in.
I think every person’s first bird will be different. It is a real commitment, and needs serious consideration.