Money saved, now please try to help me choose a Parrot:)

[MapleMatt]

Hi guys, I put together something small over 600euros. When You said I shouldnt go for a parrot with as low as 100euro. My question is than the same. Which parrot would You recommend me? I'm looking for some really nice friend. The cage is not included, Iv only ordered some toys from a petstore. Food isn't much of an issue, just had to buy the cage and maybe even from additional money, so I guess my budget for a parrot will be somewhere between 450-600. Thanx everyone for help and greetings from Czech

 

[Kiwibird]

Hello again.

Provided European pricing on parrots and cages is similar to US prices, I'd figure you'll need to budget about half for the bird and half for a appropriate sized cage, or about $250-300 for the bird and $300-350 for the cage/starter accessories/initial vet visit. That puts you well into the range of being able to afford many of the "medium" sized parrots, such as conures, larger parakeet species (Indian ringneck, quaker etc...) possibly even some of the poicephalus or pionus species. Now what you need to do is start looking into what the various species in the medium size range cost (approximately) in your country and narrow it down more by affordability and desirable traits. In your research of these species, look for typical personality traits, lifespan, noise/volume, potential for future hormonal issues once mature, differences in personalities in males VS females etc... Naturally, different traits appeal to different people, so it's very personal which parrot species will likely align best with your home and lifestyle.

If I'm not mistaken, your plan is to purchase a bird (and possibly the cage too?) at a bird fair correct? That being the case, I would have maybe 3-4 "good possibility" species in mind when you go and interact with the birds available at the fair. Keep an open mind and look for a bird who seems to like or show interest in you. It's much easier that way if the bird "chooses you" instead of the other way around. With a good idea of species in mind, should make it easier to find the individual bird who will be your new feathered friend

 

[MapleMatt]

Thanx alot for advice, it really helped

 

[LordTriggs]

One thing I would say in regards to getting the cage and parrot is it may be better to get the cage a day or so beforehand so you can have it built before the new arrival appears. Above all else it will save a lot of stress in trying to rush building the cage whilst the fid has to wait in their carry box

 

[MapleMatt]

Yes, thanx for the info, I'll definitelly do it that way.

 

[LordTriggs]

also order some bird disinfectant (I personally get F10 pre-diluted) and give the place a spray around just to get rid of any nasties that may be hiding about. The stuff is fairly cheap should probably be less than 15 Euro

hope to see some pictures of whoever you decide to come home with!

 

[MapleMatt]

Hello again.

Provided European pricing on parrots and cages is similar to US prices, I'd figure you'll need to budget about half for the bird and half for a appropriate sized cage, or about $250-300 for the bird and $300-350 for the cage/starter accessories/initial vet visit. That puts you well into the range of being able to afford many of the "medium" sized parrots, such as conures, larger parakeet species (Indian ringneck, quaker etc...) possibly even some of the poicephalus or pionus species. Now what you need to do is start looking into what the various species in the medium size range cost (approximately) in your country and narrow it down more by affordability and desirable traits. In your research of these species, look for typical personality traits, lifespan, noise/volume, potential for future hormonal issues once mature, differences in personalities in males VS females etc... Naturally, different traits appeal to different people, so it's very personal which parrot species will likely align best with your home and lifestyle.

If I'm not mistaken, your plan is to purchase a bird (and possibly the cage too?) at a bird fair correct? That being the case, I would have maybe 3-4 "good possibility" species in mind when you go and interact with the birds available at the fair. Keep an open mind and look for a bird who seems to like or show interest in you. It's much easier that way if the bird "chooses you" instead of the other way around. With a good idea of species in mind, should make it easier to find the individual bird who will be your new feathered friend

Excuse me for bothering yet please. You said that You would have few species in mind right. It would make my choice way easier if You can listed at least 4,5 of these, which You think might be a good pick, so that I would have at least bit of idea before going to expo. Planning to buy some books aswell. Thank You in advance

 

[Kiwibird]

Excuse me for bothering yet please. You said that You would have few species in mind right. It would make my choice way easier if You can listed at least 4,5 of these, which You think might be a good pick, so that I would have at least bit of idea before going to expo. Planning to buy some books aswell. Thank You in advance

Questions are never a bother. That's the main point of this kind of forum- education

Unfortunately, while I have a generalized knowledge of medium species parrots, my in-depth knowledge base for species recommendations is more with large parrots. There are many members more qualified than I to make some suggestions regarding medium parrot species so I'd take my "advice" below regarding medium species with a grain of salt

Green cheek conures are generally well thought of as good "first birds" and are known for being on the quieter side for parrots. They are also quite common (in the US) and affordable, leaving you with more money for cage/toys etc... LOTS of GCC owners on here to chat with if they seem appealing to you.

Indian ringneck parakeets are fairly popular medium parrots. I personally sublet in a home with a blue IRN and took care of him on occasion for the owners. He was a shy bird and loud enough to give my large amazon a run for his money. Very snuggly with and strongly bonded to his owner. That, of course, is my limited experience with that one bird and may not be characteristic of all IRN's. One of our members, SilverSage, breeds IRNs and if they seem appealing to you, she would be my top pick to ask questions about them and get firsthand info from a reputable breeder who knows what they're talking about.

Quaker parakeets are another medium parrot species that are common first birds. Don't know much about them myself. Several other users have them though. They are illegal to own in several US states due to the potential to become invasive species. You'd be wise to check local laws where you live as the EU tends to have even tighter regulations than we do over here.

Poicephalus have a reputation for being a bit nippy but are also known for having big personalities and being more independent. The most common POI species (in the US) are Senegal parrots. Not as popular as conures or IRNs, but they're worth looking into if a more independent/less velcro personality appeals to you. Personally, I'm more fond of birds who don't need to be glued to you every second, but that's just me.

Pionus are closely related to amazons and if their personalities are anything like their larger cousins, they would probably be a top choice for me personally to research if I were looking for a medium size parrot. Not too common to find them though over here. They are also known for being a more independent species.

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Green cheek conures are great birds as said above. GCCs are big birds in a little body, with tons of attitude! Have you considered cockatiels? Many people consider them to be “small parrots” but they’re actually slightly larger that green cheeks. Cockatiels tend to be mellow and sweet birds that love to spend time with you, without being all over the place. There are also many other conures to choose from, it’s not limited to just green cheeks. For pyhurra conures, there are black capped, crimson bellied, painted, maroon bellied, and pearly conures, and there are many species of aratinga conure (aratinga conures are generally louder and more colorful) inculding suns, jendays, nandays, mitred, and blue crowned conures. There are also Quakers, which seem to be great little birds, and one of my favorites, the caiques. Caiques are super energetic and clownish birds, jumping up and down (you’ll find many videos of this on YouTube) and rolling on their backs. Most Indian ringnecks seem a little more independent, and there are many poicephalus parrot species to choose from, like Senegals, Meyers, and Cape parrots. Good luck with your decision, there are so many parrots to choose from. Just let the bird pick you!

 

[MapleMatt]

Excuse me for bothering yet please. You said that You would have few species in mind right. It would make my choice way easier if You can listed at least 4,5 of these, which You think might be a good pick, so that I would have at least bit of idea before going to expo. Planning to buy some books aswell. Thank You in advance

Questions are never a bother. That's the main point of this kind of forum- education

Unfortunately, while I have a generalized knowledge of medium species parrots, my in-depth knowledge base for species recommendations is more with large parrots. There are many members more qualified than I to make some suggestions regarding medium parrot species so I'd take my "advice" below regarding medium species with a grain of salt

Green cheek conures are generally well thought of as good "first birds" and are known for being on the quieter side for parrots. They are also quite common (in the US) and affordable, leaving you with more money for cage/toys etc... LOTS of GCC owners on here to chat with if they seem appealing to you.

Indian ringneck parakeets are fairly popular medium parrots. I personally sublet in a home with a blue IRN and took care of him on occasion for the owners. He was a shy bird and loud enough to give my large amazon a run for his money. Very snuggly with and strongly bonded to his owner. That, of course, is my limited experience with that one bird and may not be characteristic of all IRN's. One of our members, SilverSage, breeds IRNs and if they seem appealing to you, she would be my top pick to ask questions about them and get firsthand info from a reputable breeder who knows what they're talking about.

Quaker parakeets are another medium parrot species that are common first birds. Don't know much about them myself. Several other users have them though. They are illegal to own in several US states due to the potential to become invasive species. You'd be wise to check local laws where you live as the EU tends to have even tighter regulations than we do over here.

Poicephalus have a reputation for being a bit nippy but are also known for having big personalities and being more independent. The most common POI species (in the US) are Senegal parrots. Not as popular as conures or IRNs, but they're worth looking into if a more independent/less velcro personality appeals to you. Personally, I'm more fond of birds who don't need to be glued to you every second, but that's just me.

Pionus are closely related to amazons and if their personalities are anything like their larger cousins, they would probably be a top choice for me personally to research if I were looking for a medium size parrot. Not too common to find them though over here. They are also known for being a more independent species.

Hello, Iv realized, that Amazona aestiva is cheaper here than most of pionus and poicephalus. Maybe I was just lucky on the websites where they advertize the sale. Is this parrot good specie for a beginner? I know. Hes bigger, thats not a big deal, I can provide enclosure on the garden during the summer. Thanx for answearing. The expo is around 25.4. so hope Ill study enough literature to choose well

 

[Kiwibird]

In short, I think you would need a *really* good reason you want a big amazon to make one even a remote consideration for your very first 'larger' parrot. Frankly, I think a conure would be more appropriate for serious consideration if new world species appeal to you and pionus are not in your budget. "Hot 3" larger species amazons (blue fronts, yellow napes and double yellow heads) are commonly "difficult" birds who's size means they have extra loud calls and extra painful bites that can cause serious injuries. I obviously love amazons and have a blue front myself. The are very rewarding birds, but also are a HUGE lifelong commitment of time and money and patience and willpower. Being in your budget is NOT a good enough reason, nor is their size or colorations/appearance. If you're a brand new just got your license driver, a Ferrari is still a terrible idea as a first ever car just because you can afford one. Too much power combined with not enough experience is dangerous. Does anything else besides their price or looks/size appeal to you? Have you done much research into their temperament and hormonal issues?

Amazona Aestiva is the blue front amazon family. There are 2 subspecies of blue front amazons and often hybrids between the 2 (which also happens naturally in the wild) showing traits of both recognized subspecies. The larger subspecies Amazona Aestiva Xanthopteryx (my bird's subspecies) is larger with less blue, mainly confined to just above the cere, more yellow on the head and wings and oversized feet. They tend to be more common in the US and are also quite notorious for a disagreeable attitude and aggression issues during puberty and when hormonal as adults (which I will attest to). Amazona Aestiva Aestiva is smaller with more blue covering the head and face, less yellow on the head and little to no yellow on the wings. They are known for being a bit more docile and to my understanding are the more common subspecies in Europe. That said, all amazons are prone to hormonal temperament issues after reaching sexual maturity at 4-6 years old. I know of no owner of a larger 'hot 3' amazon species who has not received at least a few skin-breaking bites due to hormones. Even very well behaved birds otherwise loose their minds when hormonal. You MUST be accepting of the fact with a larger amazon you WILL be bit, badly, on occasion. They are also prone to laziness, picky eating, obesity and the health issues related to obesity. They lean more towards the 'independent' side of things and are not known as 'cuddly' birds. The reason I mentioned pionus is their similarities with small species amazons, which are known for being docile and generally non-problematic birds. In the US pionus tend to cost less than small species amazons.

 

[MapleMatt]

In short, I think you would need a *really* good reason you want a big amazon to make one even a remote consideration for your very first 'larger' parrot. Frankly, I think a conure would be more appropriate for serious consideration if new world species appeal to you and pionus are not in your budget. "Hot 3" larger species amazons (blue fronts, yellow napes and double yellow heads) are commonly "difficult" birds who's size means they have extra loud calls and extra painful bites that can cause serious injuries. I obviously love amazons and have a blue front myself. The are very rewarding birds, but also are a HUGE lifelong commitment of time and money and patience and willpower. Being in your budget is NOT a good enough reason, nor is their size or colorations/appearance. If you're a brand new just got your license driver, a Ferrari is still a terrible idea as a first ever car just because you can afford one. Too much power combined with not enough experience is dangerous. Does anything else besides their price or looks/size appeal to you? Have you done much research into their temperament and hormonal issues?


Amazona Aestiva is the blue front amazon family. There are 2 subspecies of blue front amazons and often hybrids between the 2 (which also happens naturally in the wild) showing traits of both recognized subspecies. The larger subspecies Amazona Aestiva Xanthopteryx (my bird's subspecies) is larger with less blue, mainly confined to just above the cere, more yellow on the head and wings and oversized feet. They tend to be more common in the US and are also quite notorious for a disagreeable attitude and aggression issues during puberty and when hormonal as adults (which I will attest to). Amazona Aestiva Aestiva is smaller with more blue covering the head and face, less yellow on the head and little to no yellow on the wings. They are known for being a bit more docile and to my understanding are the more common subspecies in Europe. That said, all amazons are prone to hormonal temperament issues after reaching sexual maturity at 4-6 years old. I know of no owner of a larger 'hot 3' amazon species who has not received at least a few skin-breaking bites due to hormones. Even very well behaved birds otherwise loose their minds when hormonal. You MUST be accepting of the fact with a larger amazon you WILL be bit, badly, on occasion. They are also prone to laziness, picky eating, obesity and the health issues related to obesity. They lean more towards the 'independent' side of things and are not known as 'cuddly' birds. The reason I mentioned pionus is their similarities with small species amazons, which are known for being docile and generally non-problematic birds. In the US pionus tend to cost less than small species amazons.

Hello and really thanx about great explanation. Its not about thé budget, I can add some money to my current budget yet, was more of ...I thought, pleasant suprise, that Iv realized, that I could buy Amazon parrot. After informations You gave me I'll rather properly research species You have mentioned before, because I really don't have courage to drive Ferrari thank You, it really helped me out, I was just amazed by that idea.

 

[Jen5200]

Hi there, welcome! Absolutely agree with everything already noted. I’m very glad you are reading up before deciding on your new friend - a parrot is a long-term companion and a good match is important. I’ll just add a couple of things to think about while you are researching....

Do you live somewhere that noise is a factor? All birds make noise, but the degrees of noise can vary a lot between species. If you are in an apartment or have close neighbors (or roommates), this should be something that you think about. I have 2 sun conures and a green cheek conure - my suns can be heard a distance from my house, my green cheek cannot. When I take care of my in-laws umbrella cockatoo I often want to go and sleep in my barn because he’s so loud. Their cockatiel is a lovely little bird that is welcome to stay with me anytime

How nervous are you about being bitten? Birds don’t generally bite out of meanness - some birds are bitey and need to learn bite pressure, sometimes you startle them and get an accidental bite, sometimes you misread their body language and get bitten. But a bite will likely happen at some point. I know this is a broad generalization - but bigger beaks can do more damage. I have been nipped by my conures and it smarts but is unlikely to cause major damage. I volunteer at a rescue that houses mostly medium and large birds, and can tell you from experience that they have more potential to do damage. The few “big” bites that I’ve had were not the fault of the birds (some of them come from rotten situations), but they still hurt a lot. I don’t say this intending to deter you from any particular species, but I hope you’ll give some thought to how you’ll feel about it. I’ve seen several birds given up because they “bit the owner” and the person stops enjoying their bird because of it (and I hate seeing this).

The beautiful thing is that, like people, parrots come in a variety of shapes, sizes and personalities. I hope you’ll find one that suits you

 

[Carl_Power]

Id reccomend a GCC as others have. Not so noisey and they tend to be really loving and very playful. Can learn tricks and are very intelligent. Your getting it all really. Such a great first bird and would make a great companion if you spend time with him. You dont want to start out with a larger bird in my oppinion. Alot on the forums have Conures and seem to just adore them.

I have a Quaker and adore him but it makes me think im glad i never started with a large Parrot. It takes some work just looking after him, more than you think. Everything is different from the idea in your head about getting a Parrot once you have them home. I realise from my experience with him that i will only ever have small or medium Parrots. You ideally need someone at home all day with the larger ones and id say a few years experience too. There's gonna be hormonal phases, puberty, thing you will go through together. Its hard times sometimes. My Quaker is generally so sweet and well behaved but he is having a phase now and being over loud and a little naughty. I dont think id cope with an Amazon or a Macaw going through this as i just dont have enough experience. Good look choosing anyway and keep us updated. If you do get a smaller bird you just have so much to be excited about. They just cling to your heart straight away x

 

[bug_n_flock]

I second the Cockatiel suggestion! Lovely birds. THooooo, I may be biased since my best friend is one.

 

[LordTriggs]

yup, I'd agree with both Green Cheeks and Cockatiels. Both can make amazing pets in their own ways. Cockatiels are a bit more reserved in general and prefer a sit and head scratch while a Conure is 95% sugar and love to play and run around acting like goofballs though they too have their chilled out moments. Both in general are quite happy species to be played with and are on the whole open to touching with scratches and cuddles. It just depends on which one out of the 2 species you get on with more. I find noise wise both are about on equal footing, volume wise they're about the same and frequency changes bird to bird so yeah. Go have a look and see who you get on with! You can always ask the breeders there to look after them for another day or 2 so you can make sure everything is prepared for the arrival