I apologize in advance for feeling this way. I am really afraid of getting a senegal and I hope someone can help me get over my fear. I guess with all the negative things I've heard about them and reading the book (Guide To The Senegal Parrot And Its Family) I am all freaked out! Is there good reason to feel the way I do? I've heard is that if you don't socialize them or correct bad behavior within a certain "window of opportunity", you can forget about it. I have a cockatiel and she is the sweetest thing on earth. She also loves me only and hates everyone else (she was my first bird and I probably didn't socialize her as I should have - my fault). She will hiss and run the other way when someone other than me tries to approach her; however, she has never bitten anyone and even is she did I would have to assume that the bite from a senegal is far greater than one from a cockatiel.

Here is what I would like to know.

If I bring the baby home just after weaning, socialize him/her with everyone in my family (including the dog and cat), make sure he/she has lots of toys, all his/her needs - food, water, baths, etc. are meet, show him/her no sense of fear (animals can sense in someone if they have been nipped or bitten and are reluctant to interact with them), train to step up and the teach the towel game for security should the senegal make a good pet?

Yes a weaned baby well socialized baby will make a good pet. And for the record I have been bitten far harder and had blood removed by lovies and tiels. In my opinion the smaller the bird the harder the bite. Larger bird babies just seem less nippy although they can do more accidental damage than a small bird. Just weaned hand fed babies don't bite anyhow.

Hi Angie,

Thanks for your reply.

well socialized is the key. I told everybody in my home that they needed to play with Zoey everyday when I brought her home. We all three would go to the pet store and play with her there. They stopped after we got home. Zoey is the sweetest bird in the world as long as its me. lol

What Jim said. Tausi's a Red Bellied, not a Sennie, but they're pretty closely related. He's great with me, and has never given me more than one or two hard pinches (when I was being stupid). I suspect he'd bite anyone else who tried to handle him, unless they approached him with overwhelming confidence. If they hold back, he'll probably nip.

I don't know what to tell you in regards to your fear. I can tell you that from what I've read, the Sennies I've briefly interacted with, and my experience with Tausi, I wouldn't hesitate to have one. In fact, that goes for any Poi. But that's me, and you need to get this thrashed out in your mind beforehand. No need to apologize for feeling as you do, it's important to feel comfortable with your choice!

Socialization is key, no matter what species you settle on. Just be aware that no matter how much you socialize, most birds will have a favorite human, and everyone else in the family pretty much has to accept that. Socialization should at least keep it so the rest of the family can handle them though.

Quito's Qage, Jimpierce & 2horse

I'm the one in the family that wants another bird, everyone else could care less. Of course I want the him/her to choose me over someone else but they should be able to handle him/her. I will be the one feeding, grooming and bathing him/her. Do parrots usually choose the person that feeds and takes care of them as their chosen one?

Thanks for your response.

I think what you've heard applies to any bird species - not just Senegals. I think you're going to do fine - so don't let the negatives that you've heard scare you off. With any bird species there is plenty of + and - information out there. Some of it true, some of it not - and a lot of it depends on each birds personality, how they were raised and how you treat them and continue to raise them.

Sometimes parrots will choose the person who likes them the least - you never know! LOL But for the most part - yes, I think a bird will tend to bond to the person who does the most with it. (there are of course exceptions to this - as with everything) Our tiels will go to just about anyone (well except our male - if he doesn't know you - expect to get a good bite form him if you try to pick him up!) My daughter's quaker adores her and tolerates me - sometimes. Cosmo - will pretty much let anyone in the fam. pick him up - but I like to think I'm his favorite. (I'm the only one that's allowed to scritch him anywhere) Zoey - is my bird all around. She acts like she's terrified of everyone else if they try to pick her up. But if they ignore her and she can sneak up on them - she'll sit with them. She rarely bites me - but will bite the others in the house - I think mainly because they let her get away with it. Kirby is also an all around "likes everyone" type of bird - he loves when people come to visit - even if he's never seen them before he'll talk to them and try to get them to pick him up.

As Steph said, yes, generally the primary caregiver gets chosen. Some breeds (CAGS for instance) have a bit of a track record of switching allegiances when they hit puberty, but certainly not always. Steph had another good point when she said that many of the concerns you've raised can apply equally to any parrot, or not! Here's something else to keep in mind: How much someone else in the family is able to handle him or her has a lot to do with their willingness to do so. Takes two to tango, it ain't all up to the parrot!

Stephanie,

There's something that I forgot to ask you. Why are you sorry you didn't get the senegal? I'm really curious.

Thanks again for all your help.