I met Lisa of West Point Aviary here in Utah yesterday, to check out her lovebird babies and meet the rest of her flock.

Lisa was really awesome about answering my questions. I am really interested in lovebirds, but after reading up on lineolated parakeets I find myself being pretty interested in those, too--I feel like they might be a better match for me at this point in my life.

Fortunately for me, Lisa said that her friend has a pair of linnies that she wants to breed, and that she will be raising the babies for her friend!

Both lovie chicks were spoken for, thank goodness--or I may have put down a deposit on one of them! They were just too precious. She also had three baby cockatiels, one of which seemed to take to me a little bit. Very charming little birds, which I will also keep in mind.

Of course, nothing can happen as far as bringing in a feathered baby into our home until late summer, at the earliest. But seeing how well socialized Lisa's birds are, and how nice & easy to talk to she is made me feel at ease. I look forward to working with her!

It is always best to spend a long time researching the bird best suited to you. Even a short lived bird has a lifespan of about 20 years.

I commend you for starting to look so far in advance. It is never a good idea to buy a bird on the spur of the moment.

Welcome Michelle. I too suggest that you take your time (like you are doing) in researching and interacting with the different species of birds that you are interested in - to decide which is best suited for you, your family and home.

When you take your time like that, you open yourself up to a bird choosing you...which usually makes for the very best matches.