Hi everybody, hesitating

[TheoTheBigBird]

Hello guys, I'm new to the forum and I hope to visit often in the future.

I've owned 3 cats and I've always been an animal lover, but I find these to be too independent and not fit for the relationship I'm seeking.

Recently (about 1 month and a half ago) I decided I wanted to get a parrot, and in my head I was imagining a macaw, the typical pirate bird that everyone thinks of when they think about parrots.

But after reading al ot and watching videos on the topic, I stopped on two choices: an African grey or a conure.

I fell in love with conures in the first place because they were so playful, smart, cuddly and loving.

But then I learned about greys, and thinking that I could own a small animal thats on par with chimpanzees and dolphins for intelligence amazes me. I also like the fact that they're very social and require constant stimulation from their owners.

All in all, I'm planning to always take the bird out of his cage, train him to do a few tricks and really be best friends with him. Right now if I could buy one I'd choose a grey but maybe I'm missing out on positives of having a conure instead. I hope you all can enlighten me on the positives/negatives of both species.

Thanks!

 

[TessieB]

If you are a first time bird owner, I 'd choose the conure. They are fun but LOUD. Well trained ones really do enjoy the one-on-one relationship with their people.

Glad you stopped by and good luck!

 

[Kiwibird]

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of parrots! I have pretty much no experience with either of those species, but there are lots of fans of both species. I will say kudos to you for not running out an making an impulse purchase and actually doing the research to find the right bird for you. You will have a *much* better experience and more positive relationship when you know what you're getting into!

 

[Dinosrawr]

I would say that it depends on your time availability to be honest. I am also a huge lover of AGs, and my boyfriend absolutely adores them as well and really, really badly wants one. But, as it is now, we don't have the time to dedicate to one (we both work part-time and are full-time university students) to keep it entertained, considering that they do have crazy high intelligence. We do have a conure with a ringneck on the way, and I'm incredibly happy I chose a conure as my first bird. I've learned SO much in the past year and I think I would have been I'll prepared to handle any of the bigger bird behaviour properly. I don't know if there's such thing as the right starter bird for anyone because everyone is so different, but I couldn't recommend a conure enough. And it's not like you have to stop at just one bird anyways

 

[LokiLove]

I am in love with African Greys and will for sure be getting one in the future, but I would not get one as my very first bird as they require a lot of attention and work to be social birds. I have yet to meet one that will let more than one person handle it but I am hoping those birds just haven't gotten the attention they need. I just bought a conure a couple months ago as our starter bird that way we can get used to everything that having a bird entails (the noise, the mess, the time needed to properly care for them) without getting in to deep and getting overwhelmed. I'm glad we chose to go the route we did with the conure cause he is so funny and entertaining for us he's also lovable and cuddly with both me and my husband. Conure definitely are a lot of bird in a little body. I am sure you will do great with whatever you choose as long as you do some research and continue to ask questions like you are. Hope you let us all know what one you choose

 

[MonicaMc]

Jayde, my newest conure, is my most social bird! She loves women, even if they are strangers!

Charlie, my other conure, isn't fond of strangers. It's not like he doesn't like them, but more that he doesn't know them so he doesn't trust them.



Both of my conures make some of the most hilarious noises! One laughs (occasionally even pinning his eyes, opening his mouth and sticking his tongue out! Full on laughter!) and the other cackles. One sneezes, the other coughs!



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiSy867bpik"]Laughing Monster - YouTube[/ame]



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuAhMKKuQgw"]Conures & A Cat Tube - YouTube[/ame]



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yOOjtmER94"]Conures & Carriers - YouTube[/ame]



[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5pREv2hBKk"]Giggling, Cackling Laughter - Conure Noises (no image) - YouTube[/ame]





The best thing to do though is to find some local stores, breeders and rescues! Go and interact with a variety of birds. Who knows, a bird you weren't even interested in might take a liking to you!

 

[witchbaby]

You could always start with a conure and get a grey later on.

Both are great. An African Grey has been my dream bird for the last 20 years and I'll definitely have one in the next 1-2 years. However, I wouldn't be happy without a conure in my life either. If you haven't already, check out the quieter Pyrrhura conures, especially the green cheek conure. They make excellent first birds, in my opinion. Let us know what you decide!