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I plan on getting my own apartment again within a year and living by myself. I have had enough of cats and dogs to last a lifetime. I thought about getting a bunny when I am settled, but have been told they require more attention and care than I could give it. So, my next choice would be a small parrot. I think I would really enjoy that. Those cute little ones from Africa, with the smooth round heads are darling. Are those African Greys? Any advise or tips on owning and caring for a small parrot?

I wouldn't call an African Grey a little bird.
Maybe you are referring to a Lovebird?

My keets have all settled down quite a lot. Santo is still favoring one foot but it seems to be healing up quite nicely. I think they have learned their lesson, they are all quite snuggly again. Of course we have left the cage-top covered just in case, to ensure none of that vulture-looking-down behavior starts up again.

Phyllis - do you mean these?

Phyllis another small parrot from Africa is the senegal BellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

This thread was very informative. After pining for a parakeet for my whole life, I finally bought a pair today. I think they are too young to properly sex by beak method, though, so I don't know just what I have yet.

They're some kind of biters! I have been handling them all day, on and off. I don't just run up and grab, I have been placing my hand in very slowly, let them walk over it, then I move them.

Already the green one (Sunny) will hop on my finger. The white/blue (Snowy) is a bit more timid. I did learn one trick to lower the biting AND help them decide they want me to hold them...when they go to bite, I slip a cracker over the tender finger they want to abuse! Then I pull it up enough so they can see IT is tasty and I am not!

Julie, I wish you the best with your birds.

Just for fun, here are my sex guesses based on the little bit of behaviour you mentioned, the green one is the male and the white/blue is female (does this one bite more because it is timid?) Let me know the color of their ceres when they change.

Biting is generally a fear response on some level, and some birds will gently "nibble" or "groom" their owners . . . my male cockie used to groom my hair : )

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You know, I was thinking the same thing, Violette. Snowy's ceres is a lighter purple, more of a light pink/purple with a tiny hint of very light blue. Sunny's is a bit darker and mostly blueish. Also, I was doing a bit of research and Snowy makes the 'mad female' sound occasionally, while Sunny only chirps and does so more.

Keaghry, these two bite and bite, but not really hard now. I pretty much let them go at it. The cracker helps, but I don't squeal when they bite me either, just kind of talk in low tones and say..."Oh, am I tasty?" or "There you go again, keep going it won't bother me"

Thanks for your replies! I'll post pictures when they're a bit more settled.

It sounds like you are off to a good start with your birds Julie. Congratulations on adding them to your family.

I used to be able to sex Budgies when they are young, when I used to breed them many years ago. Its not as easy in pictures as it is in person, but if you can get some good clear pictures of the ceres to post here, I might be able to tell you which sex they are.