My mum has finally agreed to us getting a bird and I am so excited! But I just need some opinions…

[Abi111]

A quick unsolicited backstory: I posted on here a while ago asking if it was okay to keep a parrot in an outside aviary during the day, and bring them in at night as my mum would not allow the bird to be inside while I was at work and she was at home (that was her compromise to let me have a bird).

I was very iffy about this even though I was fully prepared to do whatever it took to keep my bird as safe as possible.

The other day, my Mum came to me and said that she did a lot of thinking, and said that when I get a bird, it can stay inside!!! She said it took a lot of reading and thinking for her but she’s happy to welcome a little feathered family member into the house!

Anyway, the main point of my post is this:

What are the pros and cons of owning one of the following species of parrot…

- male eclectus
- hahn’s macaw
- green cheek conure

I’ve done lots of research and know what I’m getting into with each of these species. But I would REALLYYYY love some personal anecdotes and experiences with any of these (the good and the bad) - I’m only getting one by the way, these are just the species I’m choosing out of

Any answers would be sooooo much appreciated. Thank you so much everyone!

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

Congrats! How exciting! As for the birds you mentioned, I've only had experience with the green cheeks. Greenies are bold, sassy, and not afraid to go up to an animal triple their size and weight to pick a fight. They're comical and many enjoy flipping onto their backs to play and wrestle. They're also nippy little &^%%ers and if you get a chick, you're going to have to train it to not nip... or not nip as hard. I love green cheeks. If my other birds pass for whatever reason, I might consider getting a turquoise mutation GCC.

 

[texsize]

I have none of the species listed but….

eclectus requires a special diet.
The Hanns macaw (to me) has an annoying harsh and raspy call.

Everything I have heard and seen says I would pick the green cheek.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If I didn't have so many birds and if I knew for sure I was going to be healthy and mobile in 25 years I would get a baby green cheek in a second. I'm not "old" but I will be very old in 25 years and I don't want to leave any birds homeless when I pass. Lots of PF members have green cheeks and with the right attention and training they're wonderful companions. Yes, they can be nippy but all birds can be.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I only have experience with a demon Patagonian Conure... don't get one!
BUTTTTT...
I love to read stories here and...
The most frequent happy situations involve the loveable, comical, affectionate GREEN CHEEK CONURE!

 

[Abi111]

Congrats! How exciting! As for the birds you mentioned, I've only had experience with the green cheeks. Greenies are bold, sassy, and not afraid to go up to an animal triple their size and weight to pick a fight. They're comical and many enjoy flipping onto their backs to play and wrestle. They're also nippy little &^%%ers and if you get a chick, you're going to have to train it to not nip... or not nip as hard. I love green cheeks. If my other birds pass for whatever reason, I might consider getting a turquoise mutation GCC.

Thank you so much for this! I’m very excited!! I love green cheeks, they seem so affectionate and funny but I also heard about the nipping part hahahaha (which I expected anyway). Where I live, there are almost no adoption places so I would pretty much only be able to get my bird as a baby whatever species it is. I love their little faces too, so much expression

 

[Abi111]

I have none of the species listed but….

eclectus requires a special diet.
The Hanns macaw (to me) has an annoying harsh and raspy call.

Everything I have heard and seen says I would pick the green cheek.

Thank you for this! Yes I’ve learnt about the special diet ekkies require - that’s literally the only thing that’s putting me off getting one, but at the same time I would do anything any of my birds need to keep them perfectly healthy. An eclectus (well multiple) was also the first bird I ever got to hold and interact with and I fell in love.

With the Hahn’s macaws, I agree with you there. I’ve watched many videos and that was the thing that stood out to me most hahaha, although of course I know all birds do squawk so I’d be prepared for that. I also adore the personalities of macaws, which is why I’m really considering a Hahn’s.

I have always adored GCC’s personalities too, they were the first parrot I saw when looking up pet birds and I fell in love with them also. They’re cheeky and cute and entertaining (and affectionate), and I love that about them so much too.

I really can’t fault any of these species in my eyes so I’m really struggling

 

[Abi111]

I only have experience with a demon Patagonian Conure... don't get one!
BUTTTTT...
I love to read stories here and...
The most frequent happy situations involve the loveable, comical, affectionate GREEN CHEEK CONURE!

Thank you so much! I love Green Cheeks sooo much, I knew this would be the most common answer as soon as I posted this hahaha. I love their personalities and affection so much. I also feel like there is more knowledge about having these as pets vs the others I listed, which is always comforting to know.

I wish it wasn’t so hard making decisions like these hahaha

 

[Abi111]

If I didn't have so many birds and if I knew for sure I was going to be healthy and mobile in 25 years I would get a baby green cheek in a second. I'm not "old" but I will be very old in 25 years and I don't want to leave any birds homeless when I pass. Lots of PF members have green cheeks and with the right attention and training they're wonderful companions. Yes, they can be nippy but all birds can be.

Thank you! That is all so true. From all the reading I’ve done, GCCs are amazing little companions, and their personalities are absolutely gorgeous. The nipping bit was one of the only things I worry about but as you said, all birds do bite.

It’s still really hard for me to decide because I love the other two species just as much

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Do you have a source for a Hahns Macaw or an Eclectus near where you live? Green cheeks are much easier to find because there are a lot of breeders.

 

[Abi111]

Do you have a source for a Hahns Macaw or an Eclectus near where you live? Green cheeks are much easier to find because there are a lot of breeders.

Surprisingly yes! I live between two very well known specialist bird aviaries/shops who both sell the species I mentioned! One of my friends has a male ekkie who comes from one of these places

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Surprisingly yes! I live between two very well known specialist bird aviaries/shops who both sell the species I mentioned! One of my friends has a male ekkie who comes from one of these places

Hahns macaws look like nice birds.

 

[Abi111]

Hahns macaws look like nice birds.

They really do