Having trouble finding the best fit

[Caitcultclassic]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum, and if this is in the wrong spot please let me know.

A month back my 9 year old quaker died of a cluster seizure attack--it was very sudden and quite terrifying to experience. My avian vet and I have no idea why still, he was taken in every 6 months and had yearly blood work done.

I am planning on getting a new bird in a few months, and hopefully adopt if there are any birds in my area that can meet my requirements (most are large macaws, but my apartment wouldn't allow that size of bird).

I would like to have a list of preferred breeds, just because I need this bird to be able to meet certain needs. I know this all depends on each bird's personality, but having a general idea of typical demeanors is best.

I do have a cat, a 10 year old scottish fold, but she also grew up with my quaker and basically doesn't care about birds at all. I do plan on keeping them as separated as possible for the first few months.

Right now I'm looking for a small to medium sized bird. It needs to be able to be alone for a few hours, about 5-6, in the mid-day due to work and school. I live in an apartment, so even though I don't mind noises at all I should be kind thinking of my neighbors. I'd prefer a bird that would enjoy being interacted with more, and more of a cuddle bug, but I feel like that's also just up to the bird's personality. I don't mind a more "difficult" breed, if you all think it could handle being alone for that amount of time. And talking isn't important to me at all.

A real plus would be a breed that is known to be okay with introducing a new bird later on.

I know I could look online, and I have, but it isn't the same as getting responses from real people.

I love quakers with a passion and hope to own another soon, but what I went through was slightly traumatic, and I feel like I'd need a year or two before I adopt my next rambunctious green devil.

Thank you so much!
Cait

 

[ChocolateChipCookiez]

Please accept my deepest condolences for the loss of your previous companion. It must have been hard losing such a precious companion so suddenly.


Cockatiels seem to fit for what you want. They do great for apartments and aren't too loud either, though they still love to vocalise. They also do pretty well on their own and can occupy themselves with their toys and other things when you're not around. They also love head scritches. My 'tiel will accept/tolerate a new bird, but so far he hasn't become friends with any of them.




Also, I must admit that I'm a little biased when it comes to cockatiels.​

 

[Caitcultclassic]

Thank you! I have been thinking about cockatiels quite a bit, but they have been the only bird I've ever had a bad experience with.

I was around 7 when my friends' dive-bombed me and gave me a tiny (but nasty) scar on my hand.

I do realize it was probably due to improper handling (since we were both kids) and her cockatiel recognized my friend as a mate.

Also, and I guess luckily, cockatiels aren't often up for adoption in my area. But who knows in a few months what will pop up.

I'm willing to learn more about the alure of the 'tiel!

 

[Jen5200]

Cockatiels are normally lovely birds - I have one and she loves my husband . Even though I am not her preferred person (AT ALL), she’ll still step up for me and interact with me.

I would also suggest considering a green cheek conure. I have 3 (2 pineapple and one normal). They aren’t enormously loud, generally pretty friendly (prone to being a bit nippy, but that is something you can train to minimize). Tango is the most aloof of my green cheeks, but loves to ride around on my shoulder and head, and is very interactive/inquisitive. Stanley and Mr Tee are both much more snuggly and like scratches, but also like to play independently. I work all day and the flock is out in the evening.

I also have 2 sun conures who are loveable, cuddly clowns. But I personally wouldn’t recommend them in an apartment. I know there are some that would be okay.....but they are vocal and the sound of their calls really does travel when they get going . My GCCs can’t hold a candle to the volume that my suns can generate lol.

 

[Laurasea]

I'm sorry for your loss of your Quaker.

 

[Scott]

Very sorry you lost your Quaker, my deepest condolences.

A variety of species will suit your desires, though parrots have individual personalities. I'd recommend exposure with several to pre-qualify. Many of us advocate allowing the bird to "choose" you. Generally hastens and deepens the bonding process.

 

[wrench13]

My sympathy for you, i too have had a loved parrot die instantly in front of us, and it is devastating. Really sorry that happened to you.

I only have my experience with smaller ama zons. I;ve had a red spectacled Amazon, and I currently have a yellow shoulder amazon. Both are pretty quiet for medium size parrots. Salty mostly get excited when we prepare his dinner ( he eats at the same time as we do), He gets excited and talks and laughs, and makes all sorts of sounds. He can get loud in one of his moods but he can easily be distracted from t.

My red spectacled amazon, Skylar was very quiet.

THe hot 3 amazons are not a recommendation, they can be really loud at times. But you already know it all depends on the individual parrot. Each SPECIES has some general traits, but indivuals may not live up to those. A lot depends on you and how they are treated and trained.

Good luck, and we would love to kow how your journey preogresses.

 

[Lupen]

I second the cockatiel and green cheek suggestions, cockatiels introduced me to birds when I was a kid, and how loving and intelligent they can be... so they’ll always have a special place in my heart.

I currently have a crimson bellied conure though, and while they’re a bit harder to find and may not be in your area like GCCs, I also can’t recommend them enough.

Zephyr is still young, only a year and a couple months, but he’s the quietest, most cuddly and relaxed bird Ive owned. He’s not the most playful perhaps but he’ll still wrestle around with a ball or my hand, or randomly get the bird zoomies where he has to do a few quick laps around the house before settling back down. (And man is he a good flyer ) Usually though he’s content to just hang out on a lamp or my shoulder - long as he’s in the same room as us aka involved in everything - he’s content.

He has his moments like all birds of course, where he needs to scream and chatter away to himself, sometimes throwing in quacks and whistles lol. But the only time he’s overly loud is when I first leave him alone in his cage at night at bed time, or when someone else is being loud - pots and pans banging, dogs barking etc. But even that is very mild compared to most other conures and he usually stops within a few minutes.

I’d love to add another fid to my family down the road but until the right one in need comes along, I’m so in love and perfectly content with my lil dude. And you can’t really go wrong with a conure!

 

[Caitcultclassic]

Thank you all so much

I have a good list to go off of and will keep an eye out in my area for these kinds of birds. I live in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area if anyone knows any good rescues in the research triangle. I know of a few and they are a good 2 hours away, which is fine, but not ideal for regularly visiting to have the bird choose me.

I am mostly worried about the alone time aspect of it all, in the future, I'd be able to mostly work from home with my job prospects but for now, I can't. My Yoshi was perfect as he DEMANED a few hours of alone time, which was weird for a bird I think. And going to the sudden silence a birdless home has is quite jarring.

Thank you all so much for being a great community!

 

[Squeekmouse]

I add my vote to the consideration of Green Cheek Conure or Amazon, depending on how loud/large/messy/expensive you are willing to take on.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

My Amazon is not the norm lol. He is pretty quiet. He does have his moments (in the am and evening) where he'll make noise (in human words not amazon yells). My Beebster is a lovebug with me. I can hold him and kiss him allll over and skritch his little head and he'll sing in my ear. He goes nuts when uncle david comes home demanding his attention



Jim