How Did You Choose?

[jaimmorr]

How did you choose what species of parrot to get?

I am at SUCH a loss. I'll go from one, to something completely different, again and again. I'll think I've finally settled on a species, and then a week later I change my mind again! It's really getting frustrating!

I've now made a list of all the species I'm interested in and am trying to go through and make lists of pros and cons for each! I don't know what else to do! Lol.

THE NEXT PART IS OPTIONAL:

I would like to give you some information about me, and maybe you could suggest a species?

1. I am 20 years old.
2. I live with my partner, who is 22 years old and is completely okay with us getting a parrot.
3. I have 3 (well trained) dogs.
4. I live in my parent's guest house, out in the country. So, if anyone is going to have a problem with a noise, it will be them and they won't call the cops or anything.
5. I do not have a job (well, I won't in 2 weeks), but am going back to college in the Fall. I will be away from home for a total of 3-5 hours a day.
6. I have social anxiety problems and therefore do not leave my house often. I really only leave if I have to.
7. I am looking for a bird that will hang out with me pretty much all the time. I want a bird that will want to be on me, "cuddliness"/affectionate is a high priority for me. Noise level doesn't *really* matter, but I don't want my neighbors (parents) to complain. Money is not an issue, I can afford pretty much any bird up to around 2000USD, and can afford more for the supplies. Space MIGHT be a little bit of a problem, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to work something out.
8. I am willing to do as much research and as much handling as necessary, before getting the bird.

Here's a list of the species I am interested in: (It's a broad list!)

Peach-faced Lovebird
Amazon (Would do more research into what sub-species)
African Grey
African Ringneck/Indian Ringneck
Meyer's Parrot
Vasa Parrot
Blue Crowned Conure
Green Cheeked Conure
Cockatiel
Galah (Rose-Breasted) Cockatoo
Goffin Cockatoo
Hahn's Macaw
Quaker

 

[goalerjones]

The hahn's macaw can be nippy since they are independant and playful like a bigger a macaw but not as secure as a larger one. I have also owned a rescue Jenday conure. The Jenday could be very loud but had a very sweet disposition towards me but my son, wife and daughter were all at odds sometimes with him.We decided on the Hahn's because for us we just couldn't rid ourselves of our fear of the beak size if things went badly. My Hahn's has gotten ahold of me pretty good a couple of times but since I don't trust him he usually doesn't catch me off gaurd.

The breed my breeder recommended to me before I decided on the Hahn's was a Severe Macaw. He told me they were very sweet, loving and docile birds. Also, from what I have heard from my breeder (not personally experienced), is that Cockatoos can be very neurotic at times and he himself says that no one should have them as pets because of their behavioral problems and especially that "rookie" bird owners might not be able to handle.

 

[jaimmorr]

Thanks for your reply!

I haven't looked into the Severe Macaws. I'll have to do that.

I have read a lot about Cockatoos, and I've read from multiple sources that the Galah and the Goffins are much, much different from the others in the Cockatoo families. That they are more docile, less neurotic, less clingy, and quieter. I don't know how true it is, but I'm trying to keep my options open because I want a companion that I really bond with, and since I believe that you should keep an animal for the duration of its life, I want to get the one I really want right off the bat.

 

[cdog]

I'm not speaking from experience just from what I have researched and heard, but cockatoos aren't for the first timer. I would recommend a gcc or cockatiel. But because parrots live son ong it really is important that you get the kind you want not just a starter bird. If you do all the research and volunteer at shelters then I say just get the kind you like. If you really want a cockatoo or other bird just do all your research and go for it.
I hope this helps.

 

[Mozzie]

When we decided to get another Parrot we were confused as to what to get. This one would be for my son. We had researched all different kinds. We knew we wanted to go through a rescue group and give a parrot a second chance. They told us visit All of them, and one will choose you. I didn't know at the time if I really believed them. But that is what happened. We visited LOTS. Then it happened. A Blue Fronted Amazon picked my son. She fell for him right off the bat. So needless to say we took her! she is a perfect match for him. So maybe if you look at lots, one will pick you and you will know that he/she is the right one for you. Good luck with your search!

 

[ann]

i agree with mozzie, im going through the same thing and switch bird species every week, i just cant decide! when it all comes down to it, i recomend going to a pet store or breeder and see which one you get along with best. however amazons aren't very cuddly, but they will accept head scratches and sit with you. golden conures are gorgeous but pretty rare (just a random suggestion). maybe a patagonian conure, or pionus. i also think a quaker is a great choice. good luck with your decision !

 

[MikeyTN]

Like it was mentioned already. Visit with different types and see which one likes you. You let the bird choose you, we don't always get the type of bird we actually want but get the ones we supposed to have if you allow one to choose you. Go to a bird fair or a rescue, best places to meet all kinds of birds. We have 18 birds, some choose my partner and some choose me. A few that accepts either one of us. The one bird that we have that clings on to both of us is our Black Lory, he don't do play stand or left alone, he wants to be with is all the time. As long as you can meet the bird's diet requirements any bird can be possible.

 

[Ginkai]

Even though I'm a newbie too I thought I'd share my opinion and how I choose with you. I love cuddly animals as well and noise was slightly important to me. I personally have a great love for cockatoos I think thier special qualities that scare everyone off endear me to them. But I considered the noise level of each cockatoo species and settled upon Galah as they are one of the smaller 'toos so make a bit less noise. Mine was handraised and bonded with me quickly so she is very cuddly and loves talkimg to and spending time with me. But that might not be true for all galahs let alone all 'toos. Toos are very playful and high energy and need lots of contact. This can be bad for newbies and scares of even some experienced parrot owners. But I think thier pros outweigh thier cons.

Don't know if that helped but I agree with everyone else go meet heaps and one might fall in love with you.

 

[QuackQuack]

I think given your age and experience a green cheek conure would be a GREAT bird. They have all the personality, cuddles, and tricks of a bigger bird. Mine talks a considerable amount though I was told she would not! She was a good bird to ease back into parrot pet ownership with, but challenging enough that I wouldn't say she was some disposable starter bird (NOT THAT SUCH A THING EXISTS!) I could easily enjoy the company of a green cheek conure the rest of my life. Their small size and quieter nature, also, would be helpful because, at 20, you never know where life will take you! You are much more likely to be able to keep a less demanding bird. If you decide against something like a GCC, I would advise against any of the hotter amazon species (you can find lists online of species that can get very aggressive), a cockatoo because of noise and sensitivity emotionally, or an african grey. These are birds that you might want to get after you 'get your feet wet.' You will find people who had these birds as first birds and were successful, but you have to look at the big picture and see what is MOST likely. A good thing to do would be to go to a rescue and meet lots of different types of birds! Maybe even volunteer for a while. If you handled birds volunteering, I'm sure any of those species could work for a first bird. I would urge you to consider the bird's lifespan and where you plan to go in life in the future and how the bird will play into that. I hope this is helpful and WELCOME!

 

[solobaby]

i think a hand reared green cheek conure , my baby is super cuddly and play full and obssesed with being with me all the time . in my opinion they are a bit like a pocket sized big bird

 

[caliopi]

Well I am biased but I say an eclectus! They tick all the "wants". Puffin squawked a fair bit until he learnt to talk ( around 5mths) and he is extremely affectionate, can be left for a few hours and he is fine. He is bonded to me but allows all our family to handle him. He is not a nippy bird but would if scared. The biggest issue with an eclectus is ensuring they get the right diet. I have found them an excellent first parrot and now am considering getting a female or another parrot like an amazon or an african grey but I would not have had one of them as my first.

 

[Spiritbird]

I agree with the GCC. They love to be with you all the time and crawl down your shirt or up your sleeve. They love attention and play.

 

[Mayden]

Can I ask why you asked about Meyers and not a Senegal? They are both very similar and if you're reasonably okay with 'challenging' behavior, then I'd wholeheartedly suggest a sennie, although I'd also recommend a Meyers, but I believe they are harder to come by!

They're clowns, cuddly, 'quiet' in comparison to most other parrots and if raised properly are happy to play or chill out on their own. Ours is a little velcro bird when out most of the time, but will happily stay and play with his toys too.

 

[evesta]

I would get a green cheek conure. I am a first time bird owner and that was what I was going to get. I ended up getting two linnies and am glad I did but still would LOVE a GCC!!! I've met so many sweet GCC and they always make me laugh and are real love bugs.

 

[jaimmorr]

Awwww, man! You guys are just making it more difficult! LOL!

I listed a Meyer's instead of a Senegal because they are supposedly more docile and sweet compared to a Sennie. But, like I've said before, my options are open! There are 3 Meyer's babies at the pet store I go to, so I wouldn't say they are harder to come by.

I will keep searching! I wanted to go to a rescue and volunteer, but the closest one from me is about 4 hours away. I have been in touch with them, though, and plan to visit asap!

I go to a reputable pet store an hour away every weekend to try and handle as many as I can and talk to the people there. So far, from my experience there, I love the GCCs. Lol. But I still just don't know!

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[Mayden]

Awwww, man! You guys are just making it more difficult! LOL!

I listed a Meyer's instead of a Senegal because they are supposedly more docile and sweet compared to a Sennie. But, like I've said before, my options are open! There are 3 Meyer's babies at the pet store I go to, so I wouldn't say they are harder to come by.

I will keep searching! I wanted to go to a rescue and volunteer, but the closest one from me is about 4 hours away. I have been in touch with them, though, and plan to visit asap!

I go to a reputable pet store an hour away every weekend to try and handle as many as I can and talk to the people there. So far, from my experience there, I love the GCCs. Lol. But I still just don't know!

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm jealous, it's nigh on impossible to get a Meyers here. Sennies are MUCH more available. Would love a Meyers - you're right, they are more docile in comparison and more 'family' than 'one person' usually anyway.

A lot of people love GCC, they have everything you want in a small package really.

 

[Pedro]

A hand reared quaker parrot i think would suit you. Green Cheeks are sweet but have attitude & can be a bit nippy. I have had a quaker parrot for 10 years & he is such a sweetie & can talk his head off.

But i have chosen 3 A cockatiel, green cheek conure or quaker. All great little birds, although the tiel isn't cuddly like the other 2.

 

[Sulphiria]

Let me try and scratch a few off your list for you. I'd avoid a Quaker if you want it to interact with anyone else. Quakers are very much one person birds. African greys are rarely cuddlers. Anything bigger is going to be difficult to have with you all the time on your shoulder etc. Cockatiels aren't cuddlers that I've seen and they don't normally talk. Conures can be fairly noisy and moody from what I've heard. I dont know much about the rest. If you don't mind having a 1 person bird, id definitely go with a Quaker...they are funny, talkative, and love attention and cuddling

 

[MikeyTN]

Cockatiels are cuddlers!!!!!! Mine cuddles with me. And all the ones I've raised before...

Like I've said before, it just depends on how the bird was raised to begin with! Any bird can be sweet! But when it comes hormone time, all bets are off...lol.....

 

[jaimmorr]

I know people say you don't want a "one person bird," but I honestly wouldn't mind I don't think. I am going to be the one taking care of the bird. I'm going to be the one cleaning its cage, feeding it and preparing meals, buying toys, and interacting with it. So, if it's a one person bird, it's not that big of a deal.

I haven't much looked into Quakers, to be honest. I think I read somewhere that they are often nippy and moody, so I just didn't think about them. But there is one at the pet store that I visit that is quite sweet and beautiful. She's blue. Quakers are also legal where I live. So, I'll have to do some more research on them!

I have read that the African species (African Greys, Poicephalus, etc) are much like cats in the sense that they don't really want attention much, they just want to hang out. I want something more interactive that that, so I wasn't considering them really.

Here's what I'm stuck on:

One part of my brain thinks: Well, maybe I should go with a smaller bird now, and then get a bigger one later when I have more bird experience. So, I should get a Cockatiel.

The second part of my brain thinks: No, I should get a medium sized bird that will be more of a challenge, but will still be a very good companion for me. So, I should get a Conure.

The third part of my brain thinks: No, I think it would be better if I got a big bird right off the bat, because it's what I really want. I can train it and it will be more of a challenge, but I think it will pay off in the end. So, I will get a Mini-Macaw or a smaller Cockatoo.


This is so hard! Lol.