"Gus" <123@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message news:48D56A64.B79@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>I noticed my mom liked seeing the birds in a cage at the nursing home
> she is recouping at. When she gets home I'd like to get some birds for
> her but am not sure what might be the best selection(s) to choose.
>
> I'd be taking care of it/them so that is not an issue. They would have
> all day company and I've heard some birds do like more interaction from
> humans than others. So which type of birds might I consider, give me a
> short or long list? I've got plenty of time to research the issue before
> buying. Web sites w/FAQ's, sites w/bird info, where to buy, what to look
> for to make sure I get a healthy bird, birds that sing a lot or very
> little? Where does one begin?
>
> I'm sure there are mnay things to consider when selecting a bird, any
> help you can offer would be appreciated.
What kind of birds does the nursing home have? I know that my mom's
nursing
home has finches that the residents really love to watch, and I could see
them being good company for an older person who just wants another "being"
for company and entertainment. OTOH, if she's looking for something that
she can handle, that opens up a whole 'nother world :). And some species
have more dust, which can be an issue with older people whose activity
levels may be lower, and lung capacity compromised - but only you and your
mom can know that.
What is your mom looking for in a companion bird? You mention singing,
all
companion birds have a "song" of some sort, but with hearing changes, not
all older people consider the sounds easy to hear. My grandmother, when
she
was living with us, was horribly bothered by my lovebirds' songs, while I
considered them simply cheerful. Another consideration are the hearing
differences - a cockatiel whistle, for example, might literally be
painful.
Does she have bird experience?
And of course, you have to take into consideration lifespan. I'm only in
my
50's, and *I* have to consider it. There may be a chance that you will
inherit the bird ;).
Just a few things to take into consideration...but a couple of little
finches are very entertaining, cheerful, not too noisy in the way that
hookbills can be, and responsive - and they come in various colors as
well.
Their songs vary but they can be pretty darned cheerful to have around.
In
the hookbill family, cockatiels are fun and very responsive, if acquired
from a good source and handled and trained - but they are dusty and can
have
a VERY shrill whistle. A budgie is really fun as well...unless at this
stage in her life she's looking to get into a learning curve, some parrot
species can be more challenging to handle, and have different needs. Too
many to discuss here, but knowing a little more about what your mom might
be
looking for in a companion bird will help narrow it down and enable us to
give more specific suggestions :).
Just a few thoughts...
Sherry
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