Hi everyone from a future IRN owner!

[Smittler]

Hi guys,

Ive been dreaming of getting a bird for a while now, and ive finally set my mind to it and got the money ready and im now searching for my dream birdy.

Ive fallen in love with ringnecks, and have been reading up and trying to find as much info on them as possible. However, today i was at the pet shop, and they had n australian king parrot there, she was absolutely gorgeous, they let her out of the cage and she willingly came to me. I spent a good half hour with her and the shop owner, it was really difficult to tear myself away and not buy her there and then.

Maybe its just silly human sentimentality, but im sure i felt a connection with this bird, she seemed so at ease with me, yet she was biting anyone else that went near her.

So, up until today i was all for getting a ringneck, but this bird has really thrown a spanner in the works, i feel like a lovestruck schoolboy right now

I have two questions to ask,

How ,does a ringneck compare to an australian king parrot? Which of the two would make a better pet?

And the second question is a about one ringneck in particular. I have seen him advertised online, he is semi tame, doesnt talk yet, and his age is 21 months old. Is he too old now to be able to tame and try to teach him to talk?

Im prepared for the fact i might get a bird that doesnt talk, as i know the king parrot isnt a great talker, but id like to give myself and the bird as best a chance as possible to bond and teach it to talk, tricks etc. if it happens that i end up with a bird that doesnt talk, so be it, as long as the bird is happy and can communicate in its own way, well get on just fine.

Thanks to anyone who has read this huge essay, and an even bigger thanks to anyone who can give me advice or information. I might end up with a ringneck or no, but i will always be a fan of them.

Cheers guys, chris. (Accrington, uk)

[MCLOV1N]

hi Chris,

I'm not an expert on birds and my knowledge on the aus. king parrot is pretty limited but I am happy to share my opinion with you in case it helps.

for me it would depend on where I live and how much time I intended to spend with such a companion. as far as I'm aware the king parrot is substantially quieter than a ring neck so in close quater living arrangements noise could be a factor to consider. I would also consider that a ring neck would be easier to tame and train due to being a bit more affectionate where as the king parrot would be more content with less human contact.

to conclude my little ramble: I personally prefer ringnecks but if u want a bird that isn't going to rely on you quite so much then the king parrot would be my choice.

hope this helps.

[Smittler]

Hi, thanks for the reply

Ive had a long think about it, and even though i loved that bird yesterday, its my dream to get a ringneck, so ive decided to stick around and wait for the right ringneck to turn up, instead of buying another breed on impulse just because im desperate to get a bird.

I only work four hours per day, so i will have lots and lots of time for the bird, i think it will be me craving for attention from the bird, not the other way around))

So, i have a few options at the minute, the ringnecks im looking at are between six months to a year old. Are they still trainable at that age or is it too late? Would i be better waiting and getting a baby?

Cheers guys!

[MCLOV1N]

in my opinion any bird can be trained at any age. I would probably lean more towards a hand raised baby for bonding should be a bit easier but I love ringnecks so wouldn't turn down either.

good luck.