lovebird or parrotlet

Question
QUESTION:   I have been looking into getting a bird and I narrowed it to a lovebird or parrotlet, but I have some questions about them (if you don't know enough about parrotlets to give an accurate answer just go for lovebird)
Is either species able to handle a couple hours alone during the day?
Would they be content just sitting on my shoulder as attention?(I'd do more but on my shoulder they could be out and with me all day instead of JUST out for an hour or 2 on a play set)
There are a couple of species of both but which should I get?
looking forward to your answers -jack

ANSWER: Hello Jack,

I love to see people doing their research before getting a bird. Unfortunately this is very rare in my experience. However, I'm not going to be able to answer your question directly. When a client wants a consultation before getting a bird I must get to know the client's personality and lifestyle before recommending a particular species or individual bird.

A friendly interactive bird greatly depends on the owner, no matter the species. An owner who commits to having a parrot as a lifestyle and commits to learning all they can about parrots (and never stopping this self education) will be more likely to have a happy and friendly relationship with their bird. Developing that relationship also depends on the owner committing to interacting with the bird through positive activities and fun training sessions.

Here is a link where I discuss basic parrot training.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Parrots-1638/PLEASE-HELP-2.htm

What I can recommend is that you foster for your local parrot rescue. Then you can experience different species in your home without making the lifetime commitment until you are ready.

I don't encourage anyone to keep a bird on their shoulder, no matter how small the species. First, when spooked the closest object they can grab onto is your face. That is really not an experience you want to share with your bird. And don't think of having bird safe areas throughout the house as JUST keeping your bird on a play set. Actually this very closely mimics their behavior in the wild. They will hang out with their flock. The only time they will have close physical contact is with their mate and mostly for the purposes of breeding. This is not the type of relationship you want to have. A friendly flock relationship will lead to a healthier and happier relationship for you both.

My website has links to more parrot resources and some rescues.

Jennifer
www.feathersandscales.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: so your saying that as long as I train the bird right the species doesn't matter very much?

Answer
Hello Again,

The right species does matter as far as temperament, personality, size etc. so that you get the right match to your own personality, temperament, tolerance etc. Forming a friendship and positive relationship with any parrot is mostly a result of the owner's commitment to training and learning all they can about parrot behavior.

Jennifer