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Indian
Ringnecks in my opinion make excellent pets. They have
stable personalities and can cope with minimal attention
during busy times (does not mean they are content alone),
and are great companions. These birds are stigmatized with a
bad reputation of being impossible to keep. Avian breeders,
who have had little experience with ringnecks, are usually
quick to point out that ringnecks make horrible pets. This
is untrue and I find that on the contrary they make
marvelous pets. I believe not enough time and research has
been invested into these parrots to make such a false
statement. This bird is adored more for its mutations rather
then its marvelous characteristics and pet qualities.
In general, IRNs (Indian Ringnecks) are not affectionate by
nature. During the breeding season, which will vary
form location to location, IRNs become affectionate and
demand it. They are not as affectionate as some well known
other parrots; however, there are those that always break
the rule. It is important to understand that parrots have
personalities much like humans and every bird is an
individual. Many times, while reading articles or watching
IRNs around their owners I'll see just how affectionate they
are. I then become delusional of the idea that ringnecks
don’t like to be petted. Even though it's said ringnecks do
not like being petted, they NEED and crave social
interaction.
Ringnecks are marvelous talkers. They can talk very well and
hearing them talk can be an enjoyment. Some ringnecks start
talking around seven months, while most start around a year.
They talk clearly and can easily be understood by strangers.
These parrots can easily keep up with their larger cousins.
Both males and females are able to talk; however, the male
seems to be more gifted.
It should be said that buying a parrot for its talking
ability is not a smart choice or is it ethical. Too many
times people buy parrots on impulse and the species ability
to mimic speech. This impulse buying is common and the
result is devastating. The parrot, who did not meet the
owner’s expectations, is subjected to a life of boredom and
usually goes from house to house. As stated above, each bird
is an individual and some will not talk. Parrots should be
purchased for their company rather then their talking
ability.
Along with their ability to mimic speech rather well, the
Indian Ringneck is an avid learner. These parrots pick up
concepts extremely fast, along with tricks and behaviors. In
Asia, these birds are used as performers to attract
spectators as they pass by shops. These parrots love to be
challenged mentally and look forward to mental stimulation.
Both males and females make excellent pets. Again, more
myths
plague this parrot when it comes to picking a pet Indian
Ringneck. Males and females both make great pets. Some
ringneck owners are told one sex is better than the other—
this is nonsense. The parrot’s character and behavioral
skills are learned at a young age and it really comes down
to how well the parrot has been socialized to co-adapt with
humans.
Ringnecks are known for their stable temperament and this
makes them enjoyable to interact with. It’s believed that
because ringnecks do not develop strong bonds towards other
ringnecks, which is not true, they make lousy pets. The
truth is both males and females will bond to their owners
strongly. I find it more extreme in females than males.
Females tend to guard their chosen person by chasing away
intruders with lunging and biting. A female ringneck can be
extremely loyal to her chosen person. Males just stay away
from the people they do not like. Occasionally, I’ll come
across an aggressive male who will not stand for another
person or bird touching their chosen person.
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