Newbie here

[Trueeast]

Hello everyone my name is Ray and I'm slowly getting sucked into the world of birds. I keep and breed a few species of reptiles but lately I started looking into an animal that is more of a companion. I never thought I would consider getting a bird because they were never really my thing. However I saw a cute conure while I was picking up some dog food at petco and the research began. After doing a lot of reading I think I've narrowed down my selection. We are looking for a medium sized parrot that is on the quieter side(live in a condo), intelligence/ tricks is huge for me I really look forward to teaching my pet parrot new things. Talking potential is a plus but is not a deal breaker and of course I would like my bird to be cuddly and affectionate. Also I understand that there always exceptions and that these animals are individuals so there are no guarantees. So onto the choices, my gf really likes the size of conures while I like animals slightly larger(I fell in love with a goffins 2 but after some reading they might be too needy/ loud for my current conditions). I've ruled out African Greys, I personally think they are the most attractive but their potential habits make me nervous. So I've been looking at senegals, white capped pionus, caiques and a few types of amazons( love the size and shape but their aggressive maturing makes me a little worried). So I would love some input on these selections or possibly different species that I have over looked.

 

[Terry57]

Hi Ray and welcome!
I have a blue headed Pionus, and he is a great bird. He can get loud in the mornings, though. He says a few words, and he does like to cuddle. But we have not tried to teach him any tricks so I really can't answer to that part.
I also have amazons and they are ALL quite loud in the mornings, and one of ours is loud throughout the day.
I am sure that others who have the other birds you mentioned will chime in
Glad you joined us!

 

[thekarens]

I'll put my .02 for Senegal or any of the poicephalus. If you're curious about their trick ability Google Kili the Senegal. If you Google Annabelle the Senegal (who happens to be male) and you can get a good idea of their speaking ability. Jardines and Capes are bigger poicephalus. Capes have a very clear speaking voice, but a high price tag.

 

[Trueeast]

I've seen kili and she is the reason I started looking more into birds and their training. In regards to price I'm not saying it isn't an option because I'm not rich but on the other hand I want to get the right parrot for me so price shouldn't be a problem(nothing outlandish)
I'm really starting to like the appearance of white capped pionus but haven't heard a lot on their ability to learn more intricate tricks

 

[Flashback]

Just because I am an advocate of rescues (& a volunteer at FPR) - I beg you to go the route of rescure if you are at all able or interested.. not only are you saving a bird that someone else has, for whatever reason, given up... you are able to meet them, interview them (and they you!), & also have the ability to adopt past that 'annoying' maturing stage!

Bonding with birds is not required from hatchlings... so if you're worried about that - don't be.

Also be prepared - if you're looking at 'bigger breeds', Zon's, etc... they - in most cases - are 1-person birds. I know it's always left a few tender feelings around my house.. my husband cannot even walk near our birds cage - she loathes him - for absolutely no relevant reason other than past associations of some kind, likely. I will say - I've always had larger breeds (save 1 cockatiel as my first pet when I was about 12 years old!) & so I cannot say that the smaller parrots are like this at all. And, as you said, there are never any guarantees with birds. They're the bosses. hehe

Just a few things I like to point out to folks who are new to parrot ownership.. So excited for you to venture into bird-ownership if you're ready though - it's literally an AMAZING addition to life. =)

 

[Sterling1113]

I have two conures, and though I've never done any trick training they're good companions. Sometimes cuddly sometimes fighty hehe. Caiques are awesome birds.. I love my Eclectus also, but he doesn't live in my apartment since he does have quite the potential to be loud even though it's a rare occurrence. For a first-time bird owner I can understand that a breeder or something would be appealing, something young that can be used to you and only you. (And your partner, of course.) However if you have local rescues they're definitely worth a visit. You might find a bird that *chooses* you, ya never know.

 

[Trueeast]

I totally agree with the bird choosing you I actually don't like cockatoos very much(no offense to their owners) but this little goffins was the cutest thing all it wanted to do was be close and so gentle. I wasn't expecting that because I figured you needed to bond with your bird a little first before they start being overly affectionate.

 

[Sterling1113]

'toos are known for being affectionate and cuddly, even to strangers. There's an umbrella 'too in a shop about a half hour from me, and he will put his head against the cage bars for me to scratch and I'll rub his head and his feet for hours. He absolutely loves the attention and he's such a sweetie, I would love to have one someday.

 

[Trueeast]

So after doing some more research I'm really starting to like the idea of a jardine any thoughts our ppl with experience?

 

[riddick07]

I would recommend visiting a rescue to see if any bird picks you out. I don't know where you are located but if its in the states on the east coast near NJ A Helping Wing has many of the birds you are looking in to available for adoption. It sounds like it would benefit you to meet a bunch of different species to see which one you really click with. Reading can only get you so far. I hated the idea of cockatoos and thought the owners were nuts but then I saw Folger and my mother brought home Ivory....so we have two bare eyed cockatoos now. And I can honestly admit to spending a lot of time looking at the other cockatoos at the rescue. (Not that I would get another in the near future.) So you never know which species is actually for you until you meet them. Not that I'm recommending a cockatoo for a first time bird owner

And you can bond with a rescue just like with a baby

Edit: oh and welcome to the forum

 

[RavensGryf]

Hi welcome to the crazy "world of birds" Ray. I vote for Poicephalus too. ANY of them . They're generally speaking, less needy and more easy going than many birds their size are, they typically love cuddling if introduced when young, yet still very independent when they need to be. Male Poi's are a bit more "macho" and vocal than females, and tend to talk. Still, Poi's have a soft voice. No where near the power and volume of many similar sized birds. Poi's do have extremely hard bites and extra big beaks for the size of the body, but don't let that stop you they're great.

I have a Pionus too, and though I love Raven, he's not as interactive as Robin is. Like Terry said about her Pionus, Raven also doesn't like to be cuddled. Very rarely and then only a little on the neck for a short time. White Capped are beautiful though. Pionus are closely related to Amazons, and have some of the same qualities, but not as noisy. I can't wait to hear what you end up choosing

 

[Trueeast]

I'm really excited too, its so hard because I'm the most impatient person in the world and I can't wait to start bonding whether it be with a baby or a rescue. however I still am in more of a research mode. I know for sure I want a bird just need to find the right one and I'm going away for two weeks this summer so I was planning on getting the little guy around August after I get back. My one fear is if I fall in love with one before that :/ I do have a place that I trust to board em but two weeks is an awful long time to be away but we will have to see how things play out.

 

[Trueeast]

Oh and thank you everyone that has provided info! I'm a big researcher when it comes to keeping any animal but nothing beats actual experience so I appreciate everyone's POV.