Owly wrote:
>
> "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.
It has Parakeets. I am inclined toward finches since they can stay in
their cages, sing for all it's worth and you simply enjoy watching and
hearing them, no real interaction needed.
> 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?
She liked the singing and especially seeing the birds up close. She's
never owned a bird.
> 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 ;).
Well aware of that. Many birds do outlive their owners, elderly or not.
Many people do not realize how long some birds can live.
> 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
Probably less physical interaction. With age comes arthritis and less
agility. Less physical care and interaction may be the better way to go.
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