Help with what bird to get!

[Tennisee]

Hi! I'm Allie,
I am interested in getting a bird as my new pet! I have always wanted a bird and I think now is a perfect time to finally have that happen!
I'm just a little confused on which kind to get, I was thinking about getting a cockatiel but then I heard that if you have allergies it might be more tough because of their dander, so then I saw the green cheek conure and I love them so much! Would the green cheek conure be a good choice or any other conures? I have a huge cage and will be getting LOTS of toys and fun things for one to do I am willing to spend around 200-350$ on the right bird, Thanks!

 

[itzjbean]

Hello Allie and welcome to the wonderful world of parrots!

Finding the right species can be a tricky one! Green cheek conures make excellent companions and in my opinion are excellent for those who have never owner a bird before as they are relatively small, easy to train, and are relatively easy to care for.

What is your age? I never recommend anyone under 21 to get a parrot as these guys live so LONG (ccockatiel 15-25 years, conures 20-30 years) and anyone under 21 usually is going to school, college, social life, etc. and will eventually have to make big changes in their lives (college, career, significant other, children of their own, etc).

Birds need stability and (in my opinion) a house (apartment not ideal for parrots as they do make noise, though not impossible) with a stable income already set in stone to be able to provide routine vet visits, buy lots of toys, provide fresh fruits and veggies daily and of course daily interaction and training. It gets hard to do that when you're away at school all day or work long hours, etc.

My advice is read through all the sub-forums of the species you are interested in, see if there is a local rescue in your area that you could volunteer at and get to know the species you're interested in. Sometimes you will go in thinking you want one species, but then a bird of a totally different species will 'pick you' and you will leave with something completely different

There is no rush at this time, so really do you research. They really do want to be part of the family and loved, and when properly trained and socialized right, can make great family pets!

 

[cornybabies2005]

I made the bad mistake of getting an African Gray when I was 18 and unfortunately itzjbean is so right!! I was too busy with school and social life to give the bird enough social and physical activity and he suffered because of it!! He ended up becoming pretty mean so I gave him to my aunt who had the time to give him!! He turned in to a totally different bird and now is the nicest bird I’ve ever met thankfully my stupidity didn’t effect him long turn!! I waited 15 years before just now getting another bird when I knew I had the time!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[psychocircus91]

Are there any stores, rescues, or breeders in your area where you can meet these bird species? With a lot of research, I think they are both great choices. However, meeting them will help you realize which species you mesh better with (they behave quite differently from each other). You'll also be able to find out if you have any issues with the cockatiel dust.

 

[Flboy]

Hi, what is the bar spacing on your cage? 1/2 to 5/8 inch is max for a GCC!

 

[wrench13]

Welcome and be welcomed! I agree, looking up a local rescue group and doing some volunteer work for them is a great way to get exposed to many different species of parrots, and who know, one of them may wind up adopting you!

 

[Tami2]

Hello and welcome.

Not sure where you’re from, but conures by me start at $450. I guess if you adopt you could get them cheaper.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I think green cheeks are wonderful, small birds with huge personalities! Yes, cockatiels are dusty, they have powder down that gets everywhere when they shake their feathers. I agree with everyone that you should go to a local rescue or pet store and meet some birds before you decide - and you can see if you'll be able to handle the cockatiel dust. You might even decide on another small parrot, such as a lovebird, parrotlet, budgie, or even a medium bird like a quaker. Whatever you decide, let the bird choose you! Go with whoever you fall in love with

 

[Scott]

Welcome to the forums, Allie!! Kudos for inquiring and doing research before acquiring a long-term companion bird. They are wonderful but must be an integral part of your life. Spending time volunteering at a rescue or similar will give you great insight into their needs and whether one is a good match.

 

[LordTriggs]

like others have said Green cheeks are awesome birds. They give you a full on big parrot in a small body (just don't tell them that) If you treat a Green Cheek right they'll be your friend for years, though not to say they don't have their own issues though they're mostly related to becoming one-person birds, general nippiness and of course hormones. Luckily they can never do permanent damage due to their size but you'll know if you angered one.

They are described as quiet parrots and relatively speaking they are though when they want they can get noisy and their voice is a bit shrill so if they do it in your ear you'll probably get a bit of ringing for a minute. I'll say as both an upside and downside in one that these guys clearly snort cocaine, they speed around like nothing on earth, always playing and having fun. Good for when you want play time, not so great when say, you have food poisoning and are near comatose for a week. If you can go meet some at rescues if possible and see if you're chosen

 

[bigfellasdad]

Welcome and be welcomed! I agree, looking up a local rescue group and doing some volunteer work for them is a great way to get exposed to many different species of parrots, and who know, one of them may wind up adopting you!

This, so much this! Its fantastic when the bird chooses you and its half the battle won before you begin.
As also mentioned, if your cage has the correct bar spacing for the bird then great, else you may have to change the cage. My CAG has a cage a little too small for her but she is out a LOT of the time so its not too important. If the bar spacing was TOO large, then its dangerous as the FID could get its head caught up and fatal accidents could occur.

I wish you well

 

[Tennisee]

Thank you all so much for the info and advice!
I am very interested in adopting a parrot from a rescue, unfortunantly the only ones I have seen so far are i thought more experienced care birds and budgies. I will definitely keep looking and until then I am going to a family owned pet store near me that sells lots of birds and maybe I can get to know those and see if the cockatiels bother my allergies! I can get measurements of my cage later today, my friend had budgies in it for a very short time and when he was done with it he gave it to me, it's a homemade enclosure and made very nicely!
I'm 18, I'm homeschooled and graduating in spring, I have lots of time to care for all my animals (I just got out of crested gecko breeding) I'm not looking to go tok college very soon, and I'm only ever gone from the house is when I'm playing tennis everyday for a couple hours.
I also have 2 cats and a dog but my cage will be kept in another room, like my geckos were.
Thanks again for all the Help!
-Allie

 

[Micaiahholton]

Hello and welcome!!! I think that the choice of a conure is a good one. Personally for me they are a little too crazy sometimes and in my experience can be sassy things. But they are loving birdies and can be an excellent starter bird. But as far as allergies a good bird that can be about the same size is a Caique but they are slightly harder to take care of. But good luck in your search! Can't wait to see what you choose.

 

[LordTriggs]

Allie, you say the cage you have was home-made and used for budgies. To be honest I would throw it out, for a Cockatiel or a Conure you need a pretty big cage. For example the cage I own is recommended for Indian Ringnecks and even then I would like a bigger on for a Conure but it was literally the biggest one I could find with the right bar spacing at the time. Although the bird itself may be cheap I can assure you the cost will mount up quick. I spent more on my little conure than I spent on my car

 

[cornybabies2005]

I’ve only had my little girl for a week and I’ve already spent about 1,000 between her, the cage, food, toys etc!! Plus you really need to keep a good stash ready for potential vet bills!! Just like any animal there are times when you absolutely need to bring them to the vet, whether it’s something serious or just a check up!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[YUMgrinder]

check out craigslist but be careful of scams. I see all types of birds from time to time. there are so many types of medium parrots I wouldn't pick a species I would pick a bird or let the bird pick you. I have 2 conures and a cockatiel and although my cockatiel is the definition of a shoulder bird (she jumps from her perch and waddles over to me and climbs up to my shoulder and stays there sometimes all day while at work) she has a LOT of dander. It doesn't bother me but I can see it causing issues with people that have allergies or other respiratory issues. My conures are really great I think that's generally a very good species to get for companionship. Mine aren't moody but I hear they can be. I really enjoyed my lovebird but she flew away on accident when I left my door open whoops. I'd get another lovebird or a pair again if the opportunity came up. I've also been interested in caiques, quakers and amazons but amazons are ususally bigger than a conure. I've seen some big conures though. I think sun/jenday conures are super cool, BIG personalities. So yea... so many choices.

 

[Tennisee]

Allie, you say the cage you have was home-made and used for budgies. To be honest I would throw it out, for a Cockatiel or a Conure you need a pretty big cage. For example the cage I own is recommended for Indian Ringnecks and even then I would like a bigger on for a Conure but it was literally the biggest one I could find with the right bar spacing at the time. Although the bird itself may be cheap I can assure you the cost will mount up quick. I spent more on my little conure than I spent on my car

I measured my cage and it's 30" wide and 37" in height
It's not originally for budgies, he once had a sun conure in it but then moved his colony of budgies to it.

 

[LordTriggs]

ah much bigger than I was thinking bigger than my cage

I'd double check the materials used in it though just to avoid any poisoning, if it's made of safe material then heck, may as well use it