Deciding species for first bird – advice or feedback appreciated!

[newmoon]

Here are my main considerations:

1. Emotionally easy-going temperament (stable, not prone to moodiness). I don’t mean easy-going in general, I just mean in an emotional sense. Ideally a species that isn’t known for aggression. A “one-person bird” is okay.

2. Relatively quiet. Some noise is okay, just not frequent screaming. I live in a small apartment building where there are barking dogs, music, and occasional parties, so as long as it’s not SUPER loud or constant, it’s okay.

3. Medium or medium-small sized.

4. Okay for a working person. I know that birds need a lot of daily attention, but I do work. There will probably be days when I can’t spend a lot of one-on-one time playing, though the bird will get out of her/his cage every day. I just imagine that on those busy days I’ll have to multitask, with the bird on a playstand next to me while I work.

5. I would like a bird that is pretty cuddly and likes being touched.

Beyond that, I’m really not sure what kind of temperament I’m looking for, since I’ve never had a bird. I’ve read everything I could find online, and here is the list of species that I’ve compiled:

Caique: Black Headed Caique
Pionus: Blue-Headed Pionus
Macaw: Hahn’s/Red-Shouldered Macaw (50% of people say they’re quiet, 50% say loud – not sure what to think)
Conures: Green Cheek Conure, Crimson Bellied Conure
Poicephalus: Red-Bellied parrot, Senegal parrot, Jardine’s/Red-Fronted parrot

I’d love anyone’s feedback. If you think a particular species isn’t right for me, please tell me about it. Right now I'm leaning toward a Caique, but I'm worried they might be too high maintenance. On the other hand, the Pionus sounds like the opposite, too sedentary. It's a tough decision...

 

[mtdoramike]

I would recommend a Conure or a Senegal which would fit your bill I think. People refer to my Senegal as a little glown because she is always moving, never sits still for very long and is always into something.

 

[osnyder]

Agree with mike, conure or Poicephalus, namely a Senegal or Meyers (Im not as familiar with other poi breeds but suspect their temperaments are equally agreeable). My Meyers was accurately described by his former dad as "not a fretter." he's basically chill and doesn't get upset when alone.

 

[cockatielfan17]

senegals are always the best 1 person bird can tallk doesnt scream frequently and s just fun to have around

 

[newmoon]

From what I've read, the descriptions of conure temperaments and poicephalus temperaments always sound really similar. Are there any consistent differences between them?

 

[osnyder]

In my limited experience, I think conures seem to have more potential be a little neurotic, and definitely can be very loud. Also anecdotally I think senegals might be "smarter" and more trainable.

 

[Pedro]

I have Hahn's Macaw's & the 2 conures you mentioned. (I really can't comment on the other species you mentioned). They are all cute. My favorite would have to be the Hahn's, a little noisy at times as i have 2. But the male never ceases to amaze me with his talking ability & his crazy antics. He cracks me up everyday he is just so cheeky. My Crimson Bellies don't talk & I have had the GCC'S talk.

However all parrots have the potential to be noisy & obnoxious at times. It really depends on how well you socalise & train your parrot, reinforce good behavior from the day it comes into your home. Even a Cockatoo in the right hands can be trained to be quite birds & not screech.

My advice would be to choose the species you really like, research it. Then find as much infomation on parrot behavior, If taught how to be a good bird. IMO it doesn't matter what you choose in the end. Set yourself up for success & you can't go wrong.

 

[newmoon]

In my limited experience, I think conures seem to have more potential be a little neurotic, and definitely can be very loud. Also anecdotally I think senegals might be "smarter" and more trainable.

I do hear a lot about conures often being nervous or nippy. When I first decided to get a bird it seemed almost certain that I would get a GCC, but I've reconsidered since then.

On this forum the caique section seems to be dominated by a few people with aggressive caiques, but looking elsewhere that doesn't seem to be an issue with them.

It seems like such a luck-of-the-draw type thing. It's hard because so much of temperament depends on genetics, but you really know nothing about what the parents are like. Even if the breeder is local and the parents aren't in a closed aviary so you can meet them, it seems like the breeding birds are never socialized with people so you have no idea what their babies will be like with you. How do breeders decide whether a bird should be bred? It's not like with other animals, where temperament can be taken into account.

 

[newmoon]

I have Hahn's Macaw's & the 2 conures you mentioned. (I really can't comment on the other species you mentioned). They are all cute. My favorite would have to be the Hahn's, a little noisy at times as i have 2. But the male never ceases to amaze me with his talking ability & his crazy antics. He cracks me up everyday he is just so cheeky. My Crimson Bellies don't talk & I have had the GCC'S talk.

However all parrots have the potential to be noisy & obnoxious at times. It really depends on how well you socalise & train your parrot, reinforce good behavior from the day it comes into your home. Even a Cockatoo in the right hands can be trained to be quite birds & not screech.

My advice would be to choose the species you really like, research it. Then find as much infomation on parrot behavior, If taught how to be a good bird. IMO it doesn't matter what you choose in the end. Set yourself up for success & you can't go wrong.

I really like everything I read about the Hahn's, and I like that they are a larger than the others I listed. Do you think someone new to birds can handle one? I have a psychology background and I'm the type of person who considers everything a training exercise. I am going to read everything I can about raising a bird right before I bring one home. What are they like emotionally? Do they have a reputation for being pretty stable and un-neurotic usually?

Sometimes I think about African Greys. The first parrots I ever knew were my cousin's Greys, and I've always thought they were amazing and beautiful. But I worry about their emotional needs and neuroticism. I think they are not a good match for me.

 

[suebee]

i've think any bird could go throught he bitey stage, (especially when they get hormonal) after reading posts from this forum, my nut is brilliant example of that!

i am not trying to put a downer on gettin a bird as nut is perfect (except when she is bitey) she is basically strong willed and nothing wrong with that!

all you have to remember is, its like a marriage for better or worse! 30yrs plus any problems down the line canbe solved when they arise, with patiance and good advice

 

[Pedro]

If the hand-rearer has done their job properly & raised a calm baby, I really don't think the temperament of the parent birds has much to do with how the chick is going to turn out. However the training part of the new owner has a lot to do with what their bird is going to be like. Parrots are learning sponges, behavioral work starts with young chicks. My babies are taught to step-up & down from the time they are on 3 feeds a day. When they fledge the are recalled trained. So will come when called. If the new carer keeps up with the training when they take the baby home life should be easy. The behavior of your parrot is in your hands.

However it is also neccessary to really feel comfortable with your breeder & know that everything you have been told is the truth.

 

[mtdoramike]

Well now, you metioned medium size birds. I don't really classify African Greys as medium birds. I lump them in with large size birds. Macaws being X-large.

 

[Pedro]

Bottom line I really think nurotic carers have nurotic parrots.

Sorry about that statement but it does have a lot of truth to it.

 

[newmoon]

i've think any bird could go throught he bitey stage, (especially when they get hormonal) after reading posts from this forum, my nut is brilliant example of that!

i am not trying to put a downer on gettin a bird as nut is perfect (except when she is bitey) she is basically strong willed and nothing wrong with that!

all you have to remember is, its like a marriage for better or worse! 30yrs plus any problems down the line canbe solved when they arise, with patiance and good advice

I know getting bitten is simply part of the experience. I guess I'm just trying to stack the deck in my favor, so hopefully preventing and dealing with behavioral problems will be pretty manageable.

If the hand-rearer has done their job properly & raised a calm baby, I really don't think the temperament of the parent birds has much to do with how the chick is going to turn out.

The thing is, the template for temperament is totally genetic. Every experience plays a role in shaping that temperament, but the potential outcomes are already in their DNA. Two unrelated animals raised by the same person with the same methods can have dramatically different personalities.

However the training part of the new owner has a lot to do with what their bird is going to be like. Parrots are learning sponges, behavioral work starts with young chicks. My babies are taught to step-up & down from the time they are on 3 feeds a day. When they fledge the are recalled trained. So will come when called. If the new carer keeps up with the training when they take the baby home life should be easy. The behavior of your parrot is in your hands.

I get that. I think it's an important reminder though for anyone considering a new pet. The "honeymoon phase" can actually be really problematic because people can unintentionally create a whole bunch of behavioral problems because they weren't laying down rules and enforcing good habits. I'm going to try to avoid this.

However it is also neccessary to really feel comfortable with your breeder & know that everything you have been told is the truth.

I really want this. I worry that I will be taking a lot on faith.

 

[newmoon]

Well now, you metioned medium size birds. I don't really classify African Greys as medium birds. I lump them in with large size birds. Macaws being X-large.

I was thinking more of a Timneh, which I think are 9-11 inches. But again, I'm not really considering them because I've decided they are not a good match for me, as much as I might like the idea of one. I just have to admire them from afar.

 

[Pedro]

The thing is, the template for temperament is totally genetic. Every experience plays a role in shaping that temperament, but the potential outcomes are already in their DNA. Two unrelated animals raised by the same person with the same methods can have dramatically different personalities.

I understand what your saying here but with the many years of birdkeeping, breeding & raising thousands of chicks. I can't really say that i agree totally with that statement. Yes would agree that dogs fall into that catagory but Parrots are not usually hybridised. They are usually true to their species.

When choosing a breeder & baby for that matter use your head & not your heart.

Best of luck.

 

[Mayden]

I'd opt for the sennie/meyers over the conures just for noise reasons really. I love my sennie and he hasn't given me any real problems. Seems to be just fine for everything you're asking for

 

[suebee]

Bottom line I really think nurotic carers have nurotic parrots.

Sorry about that statement but it does have a lot of truth to it.

fully agree with this comment, as i do feel some of nuts behaviour has come from me not listening/reading her body language, mostly being afraid of that bite! its easy to blame the aggressor (nut) but untill ppl see from the others perspective and listen, then the problem will just continue
me an nut have a relationship where we both know were we stand with each other, and not at other ends of the room

 

[newmoon]

I understand what your saying here but with the many years of birdkeeping, breeding & raising thousands of chicks. I can't really say that i agree totally with that statement. Yes would agree that dogs fall into that catagory but Parrots are not usually hybridised. They are usually true to their species.

I should have included a caveat that I can't speak from experience with birds. It's just what I've learned with other animals including people.

Thank you (and everyone else) for your advice.

 

[Pedro]

Newmoon, at the end of the day you get out of your companion parrot what you put into it. I think if you give a parrot 100% you get back 150%.

Enjoy your search & iam sure what ever you end up choosing will be just right for you.