On Sep 22, 9:13=A0pm, Gus <1...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Owly wrote:
>
> > "Gus" <1...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in messagenews: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
fo=
r
> > > 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
hav=
e
> > > all day company and I've heard some birds do like more interaction
fr=
om
> > > 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
bef=
ore
> > > buying. Web sites w/FAQ's, sites w/bird info, where to buy, what to
l=
ook
> > > 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? =A0I know that my mom's
=
nursing
> > home has finches that the residents really love to watch, and I could
s=
ee
> > them being good company for an older person who just wants another
"bei=
ng"
> > for company and entertainment. =A0OTOH, if she's looking for something
=
that
> > she can handle, that opens up a whole 'nother world :). =A0 And some
sp=
ecies
> > 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
y=
our
> > 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? =A0You mention
singin=
g, all
> > companion birds have a "song" of some sort, but with hearing changes,
n=
ot
> > all older people consider the sounds easy to hear. =A0My grandmother,
w=
hen she
> > was living with us, was horribly bothered by my lovebirds' songs,
while=
I
> > considered them simply cheerful. =A0Another consideration are the
heari=
ng
> > differences - a cockatiel whistle, for example, might literally be
pain=
ful.
> > 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. =A0I'm
onl=
y in my
> > 50's, and *I* have to consider it. =A0There may be a chance that you
wi=
ll
> > 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
w=
ell.
> > Their songs vary but they can be pretty darned cheerful to have
around.=
In
> > the hookbill family, cockatiels are fun and very responsive, if
acquire=
d
> > from a good source and handled and trained - but they are dusty and
can=
have
> > a VERY shrill whistle. =A0A budgie is really fun as well...unless at
th=
is
> > stage in her life she's looking to get into a learning curve, some
parr=
ot
> > species can be more challenging to handle, and have different needs. =
=A0Too
> > many to discuss here, but knowing a little more about what your mom
mig=
ht 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.
I'm a bird expert by no means, however, my 83 year-old grandmother has
and has had birds for many, many years. She's always had finches and
recently acquired a small canary. Although they can be slightly messy,
they make it for it in the cheerfulness they bring to a room. They do
enjoy singing but not to the point that it's disruptive over a medium
volume television. Also, they are quite peaceful once it's bedtime and
their cages have been covered.
I think they can bring lots of cheer with minimal work, effort and
space...finches don't require large cages.
Good luck!
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