Bird Tip - Think Long Term

So, you're here.  If you don't already have a bird, you're researching possibilities.  THINK LONG TERM.  Like your life for at least the next 25 years.

When I bought my house in 2006, height of the mortgage loan shenanigans, I went in to the financing office with specifics - X amount for X number of years with X amount for the monthly payment.  The craziest I was willing to get was an adjustable rate mortgage.  The loan office tried to talk me into a loan that was for an amount greater than what I asked for.  I told him I couldn't afford the payments.  He told me he'd put me into a negative amortization loan.  I told him no way, that's a foolish loan.  I stuck to my guns and didn't get greedy.  I got laid off in 2009.  I still have my house because I thought LONG TERM.

What's the similarity to getting a bird?  Well, for those of you in your teens and early adulthood think about what you're going to do with that bird when you go to college, date, get a job, move, get married, rent in an apartment, have children, move, change jobs, etc.  Do you want to spontaneously spend the night at your boyfriend or girlfriend's house?  Ain't happenin'.  Spontaneous hedonistic weekends in Vegas?  Ain't happenin'. Oh - and oversees adventures other than short vacations are straight out.  You have a LONG TERM commitment to this animal that probably can't go with you.

Keep in mind this LONG TERM commitment while you're raising this bird, too.  I can tell you from experience that your significant other is not going to be thrilled with your darling FID attacking them.  And if your bird attacks the human baby. . . FUGETABOUTIT.  Are you going to blame the other parent when he/she kills your bird?  Are you really going to keep that bird and go to divorce court?  I don't think the judge is going to look favorably upon you that you let your damn bird attack your child.

Parents - Does your kid want a bird?  I do not object to kids having pet birds.  I think it could potentially lead to a lifelong love and respect for birds.  However, are you, the parent, willing to keep and care for that bird when your child flies the coop and doesn't want Paulie fly with them?  Last week I met a guy who was telling me he has a cockatiel.  He got it for his daughter when she was 12 years old.  He has it now as the daughter left it home when she grew up and went about her business - the bird's 20 years old, the daughter's 32.  He asked me when the bird's going to die.  I told him it might live to be 30.  He was not happy that he might have to be taking care of that bird for another 10 years.

For those of you getting long in the tooth like me, think about what you're going to do with this bird when it outlives you.  What about when you retire, do you want to travel? 

It's doable!  I did it!  But THINK about it first!
Bird Tip - Integrate him into YOUR Lifestyle

Also, choose well my Padawan!
Bird Tip: Handfed does NOT = tame and handleable

Reported Longevity of some birds:
Zebra Finch 17 years
Canary 20 years
Budgerigar 18 years
Agapornis sp. (lovebirds) 12 years
Neophema 10 years
Cockatiel 32 years
Rainbow Lorikeet 15 years
Rosella 15 years
Eclectus Parrot 20 years
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 40 years
African Grey Parrot 50 years
Pionus parrot 15 years
Amazon parrot 80 years
Macaw 50 years
Conure 25 years