Intro and help choosing a bird!!

[TheSnakeKeeper]

Hey guys! Let me first introduce myself. I'm Jon, a 21 year old nearing college graduation who has been keeping and breeding snakes large and small for the last ten years. I've kept nearly 500+ snakes over my time in the hobby and as much as I love reptiles, I've been waiting until my time in college is over to buy a parrot. Other animals I own include, horses, a southern flying squirrel, and tortoises along with koi outside. I've had a cockatiel the past nine years and lost my 14 year old parakeet about a year ago. I have spent about 5 years working in a pet store that sold parakeets, cockatiels, and conure species but have limited experience with the larger species. After caring for parrots for so long, I have decided to add one to my collection. Let me tell you this is no sudden decision that I am taking lightly, it's been in the plan since I was about 12 but I've been smart enough not to rush into the purchase prematurely. I realize how large of a responsibility a bird is. Especially a larger one. And the attention it'll require. I spent about 4 years training dogs and I have decided on never owning a dog. I think the experience ruined dog owning lol so I will be investing my time in keeping a bird. Now after that long winding situation setup my question is what kind of bird would you suggest I get? I'm looking for the following... *relatively* quiet (I know no birds are quiet) lol, cuddly (I like handling my pets and I like that they crave attention) and medium/*kind of* large in stature. Talking isnt huge on my concerns list I'd much rather have a devoted feathered friend who loved my company rather than a talker who avoided me. I do not have an interest in most conure species. I'm looking larger. I've enjoyed my time with rose breasted cockatoos, and hahns macaws but would greatly appreciate any and all advice or further bird suggestions. Thanks again!

-Jon

 

[ProbablyHarrison]

I was going to say Cockatoos sound like a good species for you! Unfortunately they can be pretty loud. But they are generally pretty cuddly from my experience, and not quite as loud as the Macaws I've handled (granted there are always exceptions and I'm sure some Cockatoo owners would argue!). But they also can be pretty big considering some of the subspecies rival big Macaws in size... But I guess the quiet part is where you're going to have to decide. XD The only Parrot I've really seen/heard described as "quiet(er)" is the Eclectus, and even they can be really loud, and generally not as cuddly.

Welcome, though! Looking forward to hearing what you pick!

 

[Birdlover11]

i dont know any large birds that exactly meet your requirments . Most large birds are unsure about cuddlying (depends on the bird, ,,except cockatoos ) what about a galah ? that is the only bird i can think right now. Ill tell you when i get more ideas !

 

[ann]

i think if you have the time, and ALLOT of time, a galah would be a great choice! if you are looking into hahns macaws, they are the same size as a larger conure. i know you said you weren't into conures, but my nanday conure fits all your criteria except size. nandays are incredibly affectionate and trainable, and mine is starting to talk. if you go with the galah, i would really think it over. they need allot of stimulation and should be fully flighted to avoid obesity and disease. that being said, i think a galah is a good choice. however, i don't own one, so i'll leave it to our gallah owners to help you

 

[Inverse]

Don't forget that Galahs can be really noisy in the morning and at night.
Beautiful birds though.
What about a sulfur crest or a major Mitchell if you can get them where you are?

Edit: my experience with Gallahs and cockies is what I have gleaned from my friends birds and their experiences and from extensive reading. Along with having these things as common as pigeons where I live

 

[TheSnakeKeeper]

Thanks alot for the suggestions guys! I'm not dead set on any of my criteria as that is just my "perfect parrot" ideal but I understand that there is no perfect parrot and we all must sacrifice some things for our pets! (Just ask my 14 foot burmese python who commands about 32 square feet of floor space! haha) Galahs seem very cool! I won't say I'm counting out all conure species just yet I was premature to do that. I just want something a little more oddball I just want something that would love to be with me. I hear caiques are comical little birds as well. Not sure which direction I'm heading just yet, but I have 1 more semester of college anyways so I'm in a good position to do some good research prior to making a decision!

 

[FineFeatheredFriend]

Welcome, how about the Pionus species they are not large but medium size. They are quiet and very sweet loving birds. A Un-Cape or Cape parrot is also quiet, sweet, cuddly and very smart type of bird. The only down size with that type of bird is the cost. If you go with the Cockatoo's be very careful because of the time that these birds require. I had a friend who had to give up his Umbrella Too because he could not longer give the time any more and she would just scream all day long. This friend now has wised up and will be purchasing a parrotlet which suits his life style better than the Too did. Just do plenty of research before finally choosing your bird, Peace be to you.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Cockatoos are great, I adore my Galah! A good rule is to only buy a bird with a beak that you are ok with being bitten by and will know that no matter what it's always your own fault for being bit. Also training and being able to read body language is very important with larger birds. My galah never bites me because I've learned what she likes and doesn't like and how to read her, I know how much I can get away with and she gives me gentle nibbles to warn me.

 

[TheSnakeKeeper]

Haha thanks for the warning about the bird bites! I would never dismiss bird bites as being painful because i know they are, I'll just say that keeping the snakes has landed me in the hospital more than a few times with serious lacerations so I'm more than used to taking some pain for the love animals. I've never done any research on Cape or Un Cape parrots, I'll have to look into them, even if they are expensive! Thanks alot you guys

 

[Aims]

I would recommend a Galah as they aren't as noisy as the other slightly larger Too's (Sulphur Crest and Major Mitchell) They still have their morning and evening calls, which are LOUD, but it doesn't go on all day. Galah's are lovely Birds.

Someone above mentioned an Ecky, they aren't very cuddly. Mine loves to be on me, usually right in front of my face on my chest.. Which is kinda awkward when you are trying to do anything. He won't let me stroke him or scratch him. I'm working on it and he has his moments were he will let me try to scratch his head but he snaps his head around really quick and puts his beak against my fingers, he doesn't bite or even open his beak, it's just like a "this is my beak and I know how to use it if you don't stop" LOL. He can also be really noisy, he tends to chatter and talk all day but when it gets to an evening and I am cooking tea, he will call out for me especially if the kids are being noisy too.

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

Timneh grey would be my first recommendation, galah my second.... pionus are another VERY good ootion (Ive had some very cuddly pionus)

 

[TheSnakeKeeper]

Thanks for the weigh in, from what I hear Galahs seem pretty awesome! I did hold a young severe macaw today and that was a cool experience! I wish it had been older to give me more of a feel of true personality. I feel many young birds can be deceivingly easy/friendly. I would add them to the list but I think they may be too close to the larger macaws than what I am ready for.