Advice for potential conure parent.

[skyboy]

Okay, so I have been researching getting a medium/small parrot for a few weeks now, and a green cheeked conure seems to be the best match for me I think. My previous experience includes owning a parakeet/budgie from age 10 to 14. I was a very serious mature child so I took care of this little guy (Sky)(he was blue and white) on my own pretty much, cherished our relationship. I have no idea how he passed, I think I might have blocked it out Anyway my wife and I have been married 4 years now and we both had small dogs before we met and got a brown boston terrier 2 years ago together. We are responsible, pet loving people. Her father is a Veterinarian that lives about 40 mins away. I havent talked to him about birds, but he is a very intelligent man, so I think he could help in any situation I come across. We recently bought our second house, plenty of room, we each have our man and woman caves ... lol. ...... basically what im saying/asking is If I am prepared to make this step. I want to provide the best home I can, and I only work 6 hrs a day, so I know the little guy would get enough time with me.

Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

Also advice about families/couples that have a bird. Does your gcc not like your significant other?

My wife is hesitant on getting on board with this ... she doesnt really like birds in general, i blame it on seagulls stealing her icecream at disneyworld one time as a kid.

Thanks guys!

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I think you are starting at the right place!! You obviously know what is involved in having a pet as part of your family and are willing to take that step.
If your wife is 'ok' with it but not in love with the idea, maybe if she had a chance to be more involved with choosing the bird?? Go and visit some and let her interact with the bird too.
After my sun conure died, i was thinking of going the green cheek route (they are ADORABLE!!) but then in my going and holding some babies, i saw a blue crown and fell in love. So maybe if you went looking together you would have one bird that just is the perfect fit.
When i bought Georgie i was single, living alone (just me, the dog and the bird). When i later lived with bf, Georgie ADORED him (he wasn't particularly fond of her either, but she loved him and was always sweet to him).
Good luck!!

 

[weco]

Well, I can tell you that if fearing loss of her ice cream is an impediment, almost any parrot you consider will, given the chance, steal as much of her ice cream as it can!

On a more realistic level, what are the possibilities of children in the future? Parrots can & do get jealous and if children are a future possibility, serious consideration needs be given that. If the bird is taught to anticipate a forthcoming family addition, things usually go smoothly, but the case is normally that all of a sudden we are pregnant, mom-to-be can no longer handle a demanding parrot, its screaming, mess, etc., etc., etc......bird is on the outside looking for a new home.

I know of a couple who planned all through the pregnancy...even got a lifie-like crying doll & started to wean their attention from the bird to the doll, but didn't suddenly ignore the bird, like many people do.....the last I heard, the child was going on 6yo & all, including the family bird, were doing fine.

You are the only person to make the decision as to whether you're ready for the plunge.....being a bird slave! While many people are interested in large birds, your choice of a GCC is a good one.....some will talk (depends totally on the bird) but all can be silly, funny, entertaining and definitely worth having around, plus they are not overly expensive to live with.

Good luck...

 

[ruffledfeathers]

That's a really good point weco made about children. My friend's sun conure became nippy and squawky for a while when he was angry about not getting attention that he used to have (twin babies took her attention away!) Last i heard, he is now improving and everyone seems to 'get' the routine.
Georgie adapted very well to the new living condition (my ex had 2 kids with us, but they were teenagers, which is different).

 

[xTRIGx]

Green cheeks are a great to start off with..

A couple of years ago we didnt have birds,
To be honest I was never much of a bird person, growing up we only ever had boring budgies that you couldn't really handle.. but then my mother decided to get into ringnecks and green cheeks..
Long story short, conures of any kind just steal your heart, I now have 5 of them, and as I type this one is snuggled up on my shoulder sleeping under a little blanket.