Male vs female Green Cheek Conures? Tiels vs GCC which is generally louder?

[Tropical]

I have a fully flighted 3 yr old male tiel which I love to death. He is super quiet all day long asides from when he flocks call and screams his head off when I leave the room. I LOVE it when he sings, but the screaming (after me) is a huge nightmare ... the way I solved this problem is that my tiel is ALWAYS on my shoulder and then he is behaved lol

I would LOVE to own a GCC as they seem like such marvelous special little birds and so playful!... but I am very unfamiliar with GCCs since I have never owned one before, so I'm a bit nervous. Do GCCs flock call in the same way teils do?... I a confused whether GCCs are generally considered quieter or louder (more noisy) than tiels? I know each bird is different... and from what I've research they say male and female GCCs are very similar? Male and female tiels are VERY different from each other... so I assumed that would also be the case with GCCs...

 

[TacoNTiki]

I can only give you my experience, as you said every bird is an individual...

My tiel (female) is way louder than my GCC. The tiel likes to scream for attention. So far, our GCC (6 months) is pretty quiet. He will beep really loud to get out of cage, but not for very long and it is not too loud in my opinion. GCC generally do not whistle, however, Tiki is imitating our tiel, Taco, haha.

I know what you mean about loving your tiel and wanting to add a GCC to the flock as we were in exactly this situation 5 months ago. We love Taco so much, but really wanted a GCC because of their personalities. We wanted a 2nd bird for "us", not for Taco. We are sooo happy with getting Tiki. He/she has melted our hearts and I can't imagine not having him in our lives. They are very different, but get along so far. We even leave them in the bathroom alone together when we are cooking (we do this so they don't have to locked up in their cages while we cook).

Good luck with your decision. I know you mentioned getting a really young GCC and I just want to say that I think that would make it easier for them to get along. tiki was 6 weeks old when he came home and i think he thinks Taco is his sibling, LOL.

 

[Tropical]

Thanks for your reply. My tiel is EXTREMELY unhappy being alone. I was going to get another tiel just to keep him company because I know he really loves other birds... problem is that I would only be getting another tiel to keep my tiel company. I do however REALLY want a GCC as they seem so amazing and playful.

My main concern is what if I get a GCC and it hurts my tiel. Also, I was going to keep the tiel's cage and the GCC's cage a couple inches from each other so that when I leave the house and they are forced to be in a cage (my tiel is ONLY caged when I have to leave the house) and hopefully they will keep each other company? I have a feeling that getting another tiel would make the best company for my tiel.... but I would really LOVE to own a GCC. I don't know what to do

 

[Tropical]

... and since my tiel is a male.. do you think it would generally be "safer" to get a female GCC rather than a male? As it almost seems like 2 males is a more aggressive combo? I have a VERY strong preference towards male tiels vs female tiels... but it seems female vs male GCCs... there is not much difference unlike with tiels as male tiels sing and dance and I just love their personalty.

 

[TacoNTiki]

Thanks for your reply. My tiel is EXTREMELY unhappy being alone. I was going to get another tiel just to keep him company because I know he really loves other birds... problem is that I would only be getting another tiel to keep my tiel company. I do however REALLY want a GCC as they seem so amazing and playful.

My main concern is what if I get a GCC and it hurts my tiel. Also, I was going to keep the tiel's cage and the GCC's cage a couple inches from each other so that when I leave the house and they are forced to be in a cage (my tiel is ONLY caged when I have to leave the house) and hopefully they will keep each other company? I have a feeling that getting another tiel would make the best company for my tiel.... but I would really LOVE to own a GCC. I don't know what to do

Well, we are happy with a tiel and gcc because I didn't want to risk two tiels bonding and losing their tameness with us. With a tiel and gcc that is less likely to happen. Also I prefer male tiels too, but taco was very young when we got her and petland didn't know what she was. It took almost a year for us to be 100% sure she was female without doing DNA. if we got a second tiel I would want a male and this was not suitable because then we would have risk of mating. Their cages are a few inches apart too and I think they really like that. Taco used to sleep on the right side of her cage but after we got tiki, she now sleeps on the left side... To be closer to tiki. Even though she doesn't like him touching her, we know that she likes him and his company. You risk two tiels not getting along as well, albeit GCC's have a stronger beak. Also tiels are bigger (at least in our case). Taco is 90g and tiki is 60g, so maybe her bigger size would give her a edge over tiki's bigger beak. Hopefully we won't ever have to find out. If we were to do it over again, I wouldnt change a thing. We adore our two fids and you are so right, GCC's are a joy to watch and have in your life. We love taco but she is just sweet and not as hands on or interactive as tiki. Tiki is like living with a kitten.

 

[Kyoto]

You're making me want to get a tiel again... but I feel like Kyo would be horribly jealous. I've taken her to pet smart in her carrier (the birds are in plexiglass cages) and she had zero interest in the other birds.

 

[Mimsy01]

This is just my experience, and I haven't owned a cockatiel but I've had quite a few friends with them, even babysat a pair before. On average I would say the tiels are louder by a decent amount. However gcc's do and will flock call and that can be loud. Though it may conform to a sound that fits your household-my daughters bedroom is upstairs and I always call her for dinner. So Foo, our gcc screams "Katlyn" if anyone leaves the room till we answer back "Foo!". Answering back usually relaxes her and she stops, or she comes looking for you depending on her mood.

She will also scream if her cage door doesn't open once the household is awake (this is the obnoxious just angry screaming sound she does. , maybe some food bowl banging will accompany it). She's good about being quiet in her cage as long as no gets up however, even if we sleep in. Otherwise she talks quiet a bit, no singing, just lots of human talk and little sounds she has picked up around the house and some outdoor bird sounds she learned. (dang blue jays) We have done a lot of whispering to her sweet stuff, so she will also do a lot of whispering sounds.

Gcc's can be pretty needy birds and want a lot of attention. I think it's really important to teach them to self entertain with their toys/foraging ect. Otherwise it can be difficult to get anything done when you don't want a bird on you and "helping", maybe even throwing a temper tantrum for the lack of appreciation of their help.

As far as other birds, I'm sure this is very individual, but the sight of any other gcc makes her very angry. She hates em. Don't know why. Other types of birds she seems really mellow about and even curious. She gets along with our starling and they sit together often, though the starling is NOT into reciprocal preening, so there won't be any touching. At night fall we've had them go into each others cages and fall asleep together if we don't do the normal putting the birds to bed ritual in time.

I don't think sex will matter as far as getting along. I mean Foo considered me her mate for awhile, till she decided her teddy bear is more appreciative of her attentions.

Good luck with your adventure if you decide to have a gcc in the family. They are very fun, quirky little people.

 

[TacoNTiki]

You're making me want to get a tiel again... but I feel like Kyo would be horribly jealous. I've taken her to pet smart in her carrier (the birds are in plexiglass cages) and she had zero interest in the other birds.

Hahaha, well how can you 'not' want a tiel... Look at how adorable taco is in my signature . Their expressions just kills me with cuteness!

 

[Kyoto]

You're making me want to get a tiel again... but I feel like Kyo would be horribly jealous. I've taken her to pet smart in her carrier (the birds are in plexiglass cages) and she had zero interest in the other birds.

Hahaha, well how can you 'not' want a tiel... Look at how adorable taco is in my signature . Their expressions just kills me with cuteness!

I had one, and before Kyo came along he was definitely a special bird and my fav (shhhh) I miss him every day.

 

[Tropical]

I'm usually a very decisive person, but this decision has me soooo confused! I don't know what to do... I know I cannot handle having 3 birds, 2 birds is the max. I have a flightsuit and bring my tiel with me to many places I go running errands.... I could handle 2 birds, but not 3.... if I could handle 3 birds I would end up having 2 tiels and one GCC... but that is way too many birds for me.

... I cannot make up my mind whether to get another tiel or a GCC. This is decision is seriously driving me nuts! =(

Tiels sing such cute little sings, my tiel sings jingle bells and we have this entire singing routine we do.... but tiels are not nearly as playful as GCCs... GCCs almost remind me of little puppies. This decision is very difficult.... because I strongly feel my tiel would rather have another tiel around plus it would be a lot safer... but I have never owned a GCC before... I think I need to visit some GCC breeders to spend more time with GCCs and that should hopefully help.

 

[Kyoto]

I'm usually a very decisive person, but this decision has me soooo confused! I don't know what to do... I know I cannot handle having 3 birds, 2 birds is the max. I have a flightsuit and bring my tiel with me to many places I go running errands.... I could handle 2 birds, but not 3.... if I could handle 3 birds I would end up having 2 tiels and one GCC... but that is way too many birds for me.

... I cannot make up my mind whether to get another tiel or a GCC. This is decision is seriously driving me nuts! =(

Tiels sing such cute little sings, my tiel sings jingle bells and we have this entire singing routine we do.... but tiels are not nearly as playful as GCCs... GCCs almost remind me of little puppies. This decision is very difficult.... because I strongly feel my tiel would rather have another tiel around plus it would be a lot safer... but I have never owned a GCC before... I think I need to visit some GCC breeders to spend more time with GCCs and that should hopefully help.

As someone who has had both species, but on separate occasions, I would say try it out! Even if they don't love each other, if you have time for the worst case scenario (they hate each other and need separate time out of cage), I say go for it!

I would love to have a tiel again, but I would never give up my gcc. I just ADORE her. I don't think I would pick one over the other if I had to start fresh, they are both awesome in their own ways.

I am more and more tempted to buy a cage and get a tiel now Missing my Jo jo.

 

[Tropical]

This is such a difficult decision. I REALLY need to visit a GCC breeder and spend more time with GCCs because I am extremely unfamiliar wit them seeing that I've never ben around them etc but I feel I will fall in love with them LOL

Do you guys feel GCCs and tiels have the same level of intelligence? My main worry about getting a GCC is that my tiel is NEVER in his cage when I'm at home... and if I had to keep my tiel caged when I'm at home because my GCC didn't get along with my tiel... that would be very problematic as I don't want my tiel forced to be in a cage when I'm at home... he would throw a massive scream fit and go crazy... he is used to having entire house to himself when I'm at home which is pretty much all day

 

[TacoNTiki]

Taco is never in her cage when we are home. Before Tiki she would always be attached to me. Now she has learned to play by herself with a jar of Lego and a play gym on the coffee table. I tend to be able to leave her out and put Tiki in his cage more because he is such a clown and a busy body that when I am cooking, cleaning or doing other chores, he needs to be in his cage so I can do what I need.

 

[Tropical]

Taco is never in her cage when we are home. Before Tiki she would always be attached to me. Now she has learned to play by herself with a jar of Lego and a play gym on the coffee table. I tend to be able to leave her out and put Tiki in his cage more because he is such a clown and a busy body that when I am cooking, cleaning or doing other chores, he needs to be in his cage so I can do what I need.

So it seems GCCs are a LOT more active than tiels? I hope I can handle having a GCC LOL
My tiel usually sleeps all day long on my leg as I work on the computer. I feel so sorry for him because he seems so sad and bored. My tiel seems to love other birds as he perks up and starts singing and singing to them. He is a velcro bird, I CANNOT go anywhere in the house without him... he flys after me if I leave the room and stalks me 24/7 ... but it almost seems like GCCs might be a TONY bit more intelligent than tiels... I know each bird is different... but the woman who trims my tiels toenails told me she firmly believes GCCs are more "intelligent"... I have no idea if that is true or not.

 

[TacoNTiki]

Well I can't attest to them being more intelligent BUT I can attest to them "doing" more with their intelligence. They certainly respond to what they learn and reciprocate. Kinda like comparing cats to dogs, dogs are eager to learn and show you their skills, cats are like meeh, I know how but I don't want to show you.

Conures are definitely more active. Taco can sit on my shoulder as I go about housework, but Tiki will be climbing all over me and cling onto to my finger like a child if I try to get her to perch elsewhere.

 

[TacoNTiki]

I'm usually a very decisive person, but this decision has me soooo confused! I don't know what to do... I know I cannot handle having 3 birds, 2 birds is the max. I have a flightsuit and bring my tiel with me to many places I go running errands.... I could handle 2 birds, but not 3.... if I could handle 3 birds I would end up having 2 tiels and one GCC... but that is way too many birds for me.

... I cannot make up my mind whether to get another tiel or a GCC. This is decision is seriously driving me nuts! =(

Tiels sing such cute little sings, my tiel sings jingle bells and we have this entire singing routine we do.... but tiels are not nearly as playful as GCCs... GCCs almost remind me of little puppies. This decision is very difficult.... because I strongly feel my tiel would rather have another tiel around plus it would be a lot safer... but I have never owned a GCC before... I think I need to visit some GCC breeders to spend more time with GCCs and that should hopefully help.

I don't think I would pick one over the other if I had to start fresh, they are both awesome in their own ways.
jo.

Kyoto: this is so true! I would not be able to choose which one either if I can only have one and had to decide. They are so loveable in different ways. I have to say I am so glad I have one of each, LOL <3

 

[Mimsy01]

I always hate it when someone says an animal is unintelligent. We base it on human ideas. So what makes more sense-is some animals behave in a way we can relate more to, or maybe are more human-like.

We are always seeing studies where some animal we didn't realize prior can show empathy, tool usage, puzzle solving, long term memory, ect.

I never gave much thought about crocodiles being emotional creatures, however after watching the relationship between Poncho and Chita, it really made me reevaluate them.

 

[Gillis]

After just briefly browsing the replies, I thought I would throw my thoughts into the mix. I have recently (almost three weeks ago) gotten my first GCC who is a male and is 1.5 years old. I have worked with a male 'tiel at a local nature center for a few months now so I guess you could say I have "experience" with them as well.

Before getting my GCC I had never met one before. They just don't exist in upstate NY. I have been very pleased with him - he is very smart, loves to learn, loves to be with me and goes to the store with me and everywhere. But he is definitely a velcro bird and almost can't "function" on his own. I am trying to teach him how to play or do SOMETHING while he is in his cage other than wait for me to come get him.

The 'tiel is definitely louder than the GCC but my GCC can be REALLY annoying. I don't find the 'tiel's noise to be aggravating, but when my GCC has to be caged while I am doing chores around the house he screams and it makes me want to pull my hair out. I am working with him slowly and gently to try to get him to stop but it may be a while. Otherwise, his quiet chatterings are really cute and he is pretty silent. It really depends on the individual.

I have had an African Grey in my home (also a male) for also three weeks and I can tell you that they are NOT getting along. My male GCC is very territorial and will try to bite the Grey, whereas the Grey could care less about the GCC. When I take the GCC to the pet store he is very agitated by the birds there. I think part of this is his age - he is starting to want to "mate" with things and is feeling a little hormonal at times.

So my advice to you would be to adopt a young (under 1 year) female GCC. That way they have a chance to bond before her hormones kick in, she hopefully won't be as territorial to another bird, and you can still maintain your bond with your 'tiel as you always have.