Parrot Forums - TalkParrots banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Looking for a new birdie!

3K views 15 replies 5 participants last post by  Dodobird 
#1 ·
Hey everybirdie! I have just discovered the rosella, and fell in love! I'm doing some research on them and was hoping to find out a bit from some people who actually own them. Plus, I'm only finding some pretty generic information. A big thing that is a concern is price. How much do these beauties usually cost to buy? Vet bills will always be covered, same with diet. I'm more so looking at start up cost. I think I have a good cage out in our garage, but I'll have to take a look at it to make sure it's still good. Plus it's a hand-me-down, so it will need a good scrubbing.

Also on my mind is their temperament. My budgie flock is pretty much all over the place, but they're generally all ok with being handled, and not too mean or nippy. Nippy is not necessarily a problem so long as I can correct the behavior.

Life span is another thing I'd like to know more about. I have read that it's an average of about 20 years. Is there any validity to that? It will obviously have a good diet and be treated when necessary.

And last on my list of specifics, how to sex them? Is it necessary to have them DNA sexed? Or is there a visual cue?

And of course any other information that you all could give me would be wonderful! Thanks so much!

-Kristen
 
See less See more
#3 ·
They have a reputation as flight but I know some people keep them as pets and they do well. You probably want to be careful that the more dominant budgies don't bully them. I highly suggest finding a tame adult or a hand raised baby though, I don't think they tame very easily. I have only ever seen them sold in pairs and they run $500-$800/pair in my area.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: Camelotshadow
#4 ·
Well, if I do end up getting one, he won't be coming out with the budgies except a few minutes to socialize, as I've read that they don't get along with other birds. And thanks for the advice on the age as to get one at. I am still trying to find a place here in Myrtle Beach that sells them. Or within an hour of here. I hope they can just sell me one, I don't plan on breeding it. Would a male or female be better? I was thinking male just because I wouldn't have to deal with the possibility of eggs.
 
#5 ·
I honestly don't know; I've never met a tame one


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
I have met many rosellas and am intending on breeding them in the somewhat near future. What species are you interested in? Probably the most readily available would be the crimson rosellas or golden-mantled rosellas. I personally very much so like the crimsons. I can help with a bit of information about them

Rosellas aren't hands on birds. A lot of people do keep them in cages, especially here in the UK as they're fairly common. It's a shame because non-parrot people that buy these birds expect a lot of them but soon bore when they realise they don't wanna hang out much, they are highly unlikely to talk and they are flighty

They are a decent sized bird (but not heavy built) and need space to fly. Having them out daily is obviously going to be great but they do seem to be better as aviary birds. Most people that keep them prefer to have them in an aviary as a look and appreciate bird as opposed to a companion parrot. If you were to get one you would need a large cage that could accommodate their need for activity and they'd have to be out a lot daily

In the US rosellas usually go for 250-300 parent raised/aviary bird prices. I don't think I've seen them hand raised before and I believe it's because they just aren't great companion birds

Temperament-wise they are quiet, shy and gentle. I think that if you were to have one it would most likely spend it's time observing your other birds than interacting with them. The same can't be said for budgies as they pick on everything :lol:

I've known of their lifespans ranging from 15-25 years

Sexing depends on species. In terms of the crimson rosella sexing can be done by looking at the size of the bird and beak (obviously this is difficult if you don't have others to compare them to!). Males are large and have heavier beaks whereas females are more dainty. Hens have a bit of green on the top of their main tail feathers. As chicks they actually start out green until they moult out so you would be looking at DNA sexing. Eastern rosellas can be sexed by the same dainty theory (smaller beak and slimmer) and will have a white band on the underside of their wings. Hens are supposed to be less vibrant with the red on their chests. DNA sexing is the only guarantee with both

It may sound like I dislike rosellas, but I love them! I think I just get bummed out when I see the ads for so many of them here looking miserable in their cages knowing that they aren't the most suited bird for companionship. I see next to none hand raised here either
 
#8 ·
Thanks, Catalinadee! Talk about a wealth of information! I WAS looking at the either a blue crimson or a rubino golden mantle. I'm just in love with their coloring. However, knowing that they're not particularly a "cuddly" bird, I may go a different route. I need to look for a bird that isn't too much louder than 7 budgies combined, would like to be cuddled with, and isn't too nippy. Any suggestions?
 
#9 ·
Green cheeked conure, a single lovebird, a cockatiel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: jean20057
#10 ·
I think I might be looking at the conure. I've always loved them, and I would get the tiel, but I've read and heard that they can be prone to night frights. Might look into the lovie too. I just love them. Do you by any chance have a GCC to give me any advice on what to look for when picking one out at a breeder? I have a lovie source of info already, a wealth of it actually on TB.
 
#11 ·
Honestly, I can hands down say that a cockatiel is probably the number 1 companion parrot and one of the most overlooked! If you want a bird that is super steady, very cuddly and really quiet then they're the best. They're such a loving bird and very gentle. They're common, come in tons of mutations and are great with budgies. Conures are a bit lethal around budgies but equally amazing birds. Green cheeks and other pyhurra conures are relatively quiet. What info would you be looking for?

If you're thinking a bit bigger and have a little more to spend I suggest looking into your poicephalus parrots. Quiet, hands on and also mostly readily available. A bit more 'big bird' like than the others. Senegals are popular but I'm partial to Meyer's and red bellied!
 
  • Like
Reactions: jean20057
#12 ·
Cockatiels can be prone to night frights, but I've gone years without them. Often a nightlight prevents it completely.

I agree; cockatiels are, in my mind, the number 1 choice for a great companion, ESPECIALLY if you have an existing flock and/or intend to get more later.

Lovies and Conures are less likely to peacefully co-exist with budgies.

My snuggly girl!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the input guys! I won't be able to get a new bird right away, but I want to at least settle down with a specific bird. I have indeed read that conures can be more aggressive toward budgies, so that may not be the right fit, and I need to look out for my budgies first at this point. Knowing that about them, I probably will stay away from them, even though they are super cute!

The lovies are still on my list though, so I'll need some info about them. Temperament with budgies of course, and all around. I've heard that they are a bit nippy, yes? I'm going to try the Lovebird Lovers section on TB too, just for some added info. I hope it's ok to post that, being that TB is a sister forum to TP.

My only no no about getting a tiel was the night frights, so they I think have made the top of my list right now. And I think conures down to 3. I'd also rather not go any bigger than the tiel size, because the bigger the bird, the bigger the "little" surprises that come out of them, :rofl:

And a big :thankyou: to all who have answered so far! This info is helping me choose, and let's face it, I need all the info and help I can get! :lol:
 
#15 ·
Absolutely no problem! I have just finished co-parenting some cockatiel chicks (I will have to make a thread and show everybody) and the one of them is the sweetest little thing. She just doesn't want to do anything but hang out and have head rubs and snuggles. I cannot fault them. I have always got a nightlight on in front of the cockatiels aviary and they do just fine :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top