Parrot Species

[jaimmorr]

Sorry to start a new topic, but I figured the other one was getting a bit long!

I have since revised my parrot list as well as wrote down all of them with "pros and cons." Yep, I'm already a crazy parrot lady and I don't even have a parrot!

Here's my list: (I'm hoping someone here can possibly tell me which of these are very true and which are just opinionated. Revise my list, please! ) I am also very sorry that it is so long!!!

1. African Grey (CAG/TAG)

Pros:

Moderate noise
Very intuitive
Intelligent
Huge talkers (not important to me, but still a pro)

Cons:

Shy with strangers
Need a large cage
Have special dietary requirements
Not cuddly
Anxious


2. Blue-Crowned Conure

Pros:

Cuddly
Playful
Less nippy than other species
Intelligent

Cons:

Aratinga (which means louder of the conures)
"Smaller" (Just means it's a small bird, according to me.)

3. Cockatiel

Pros:

Sweet
"Easy" - Good "beginner" bird (In quotations because I don't think any bird is really easy, nor do I believe in starter birds.)
Comical
Small cage requirements
Quiet(er)
Bite less and don't hurt as bad
Docile
Likes to be pet/cuddled

Cons:

Not as pretty (sorry, IMO!)
Small
Doesn't bond as much as big birds
Night frights

4. Galah (Rose-Breasted) Cockatoo

Pros:

Bigger bird
Beautiful
Intelligent
Smaller beak size
Playful
Cuddly
Quieter than other 'Toos and sometimes conures

Cons:

Need to be kept flighted (Not sure exactly how I feel about this... Insight would be appreciated!)
Clingy/Can be neurotic
Expensive (but affordable)
Loud
Become phobic easily

5. Green-Cheeked Conure

Pros:

Quietest of all conures
Cuddly
Playful
Intelligent

Cons:

Small
Nippy
"Scrappy" in personality

6. Goffin's Cockatoo

Pros:

Adapt well to family life
Bigger bird
Bond strongly with owners
Cuddly
Intelligent
Less demanding than other 'Toos

Cons:

Need to be kept flighted (see above)
Moderately loud

7. Hahn's Macaw

Pros:

Bigger bird
Intelligent
Easy-going
Form close bonds with owner
Cuddly

Cons:

Loud
Nippy
Demanding

8. Half-Moon Conure

Pros:

Quieter of Aratingas
Playful
Cuddly

Cons:

Smaller bird

9. Indian Ringneck Parakeet

Pros:

Stable personality
Can cope with minimal attention during busy times
Intelligent
Bond strongly
Sweet

Cons:

Not affectionate by nature
Do not like being pet
Must be handled daily to remain tame (Obviously, I will be handling my bird daily, but if I am sick or something, I don't want it to go wild on me in a couple days...)
Can be very loud

10. Lilac-Crowned Amazon

Pros:

Bigger bird
Form strong bonds
Loving
Very even temperaments
Hormonal stage passes quickly

Cons:

Hormonal stage
Noisy
"Not for novices"

11. Mealy Amazon

Pros:

Bigger bird
Intelligent
Make good family pets
Gentlest and calmest Amazon
Non-territorial
Non-nippy
Lovable

Cons:

Can get noisy
Excessive chewing
Hormonal behavior
Can be hard to handle for novices
Need large cage
Big beak

12. Quaker Parakeet

Pros:

Intelligent
Playful
Smaller cage size
Sweet
Affectionate
Bond quickly and strongly

Cons:

Fearless
Very vocal
Nippy

13. Vasa Parrot

Pros:

Big bird
Beautiful
Quiet except during breeding season
Loving
Intelligent
Love to be held, petted, etc

Cons:

Hens tend to be aggressive
Rarity
Not likely to bond with owner
Do best in an aviary setting

 

[jaimmorr]

Perhaps I made this too long..... LOL

 

[goalerjones]

better start a new thread to alleviate the new thread...

What I have either personally witnessed or read personal accounts of re: parrots and their behavior, is the person taking care of them makes all the difference. I am very affectionate and inclusive with my animals and they for the most part reflect that. My Jenday could be extremely loud, and typically they are listed as such for profiling, but when I was with him he was quiet as a mouse.

7. Hahn's Macaw

Pros:

Bigger bird
Intelligent
Easy-going
Form close bonds with owner
Cuddly

Cons:

Loud
Nippy
Demanding

this is incorrect, they are the smallest macaws at approx 11-13 inches long, also called mini-macaws along with Illiger's, Noble's and Severe macaws. The nippy and demanding part is spot-on though

 

[MikeyTN]

I don't know where you get most of those ideas from but a lot of them are false!!!! Like some of us already told you to go visit different birds to see what you like and which one likes you. If you categorize them like this, what's the point? ALL birds can be troublesome, just depends on how they were raised to begin with. Are you able to deal with the needs. Birds can be vocal, it comes with the package. Cage size, the bigger the better! Food requirement, provide fruits and veggies, cook for them and give them good specialized diet like a good pellet for most parrots except some. Are you able to afford the vet bill? Are you able to provide the time and the care they need like keeping them bathed, clean the cages, playing with them, etc. Flighted or none is really up to you unless they're absolutely need to be clipped, then clip. BUT be aware of your housing condition, they can fly out the door, fly into windows, ceiling fans, or in hot pan while your cooking. Or get into mischief, they should be watched anyways when out. Are you living in a house or apt, a lot of the birds are not apt birds. All of these stuffs are the stuff you should consider on, not categorize them into sections!

 

[Joeyx]

omg you forgot to include lovebirds! treacherryy!!!! D;

;pp

 

[Spiritbird]

Quakers = very noisy

 

[jaimmorr]

First of all, when I say "bigger bird" I mean bigger as in challenge wise. Not a "beginner" bird, not a Budgie. Doesn't necessarily mean that they are big size-wise.

Secondly, what do you mean "categorize" them? Like I have said before, I am doing all I can to get hands on experience with birds, but I can't do that every day, sadly. I was simply writing down the pros and cons of each species I was interested in. This is what the owner of the bird store I go to told me to do. She thought it would be easier for me. I have listed many of the things you asked on my other thread. I got all of those pros and cons from sources on the internet and books. Like I said, many of them could have been simply opinions from whomever was writing the articles. So, if they are false, that is why. Exactly why I posted it here.

I'm quite prepared for noise. Obviously, it's a bird, it's going to be loud. I am fully prepared to cook for them and prepare veggies and fruits twice a day, as well as the organic pellets. I can definitely afford the vet bills. I am living in my parent's guest house out in the country, so not in an apartment. I have ample time for upkeep and attention. I am only away from home for a few hours a day at most.

I'm doing my best to try to pick a species, and I've shortened my list a bit already lol. I know I need to get hands on experience, but until I can do that often, this is the next best!


Thank you

 

[Sulphiria]

Giving birds general traits because of their species is kind of like assuming people have certain traits because of their astrological sign. It just doesn't work. Sure, there are cases where the traits are completely spot on, but most of the time, they are not. For every quieter quaker, i can show you a loud one. For every nippy macaw, i can show you a completely sweet one. It all comes down to individual socialization, personality traits and how the are raised. If you make a list, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. If you get a bird because you assume it has all these pros, then 6 months later find out your bird doesn't, you are going to be disappointed. You cannot put expectations like that out there without expecting to be disappointed. This is why everyone says to visit the birds, and you will find the one. Its like love at first sight...you just know.

 

[jaimmorr]

Giving birds general traits because of their species is kind of like assuming people have certain traits because of their astrological sign. It just doesn't work. Sure, there are cases where the traits are completely spot on, but most of the time, they are not. For every quieter quaker, i can show you a loud one. For every nippy macaw, i can show you a completely sweet one. It all comes down to individual socialization, personality traits and how the are raised. If you make a list, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. If you get a bird because you assume it has all these pros, then 6 months later find out your bird doesn't, you are going to be disappointed. You cannot put expectations like that out there without expecting to be disappointed. This is why everyone says to visit the birds, and you will find the one. Its like love at first sight...you just know.

THANK YOU so much for this! I see what people mean now. I definitely understand that. For instance, my friend has an Umbrella Cockatoo. And yes, he is very cuddly. But he doesn't have any of the 'cons' associated with Cockatoos. He doesn't scream, he doesn't pluck, etc. So, I think it's because they take good care of him and because he was raised right. Hmm.

So far, I haven't gotten a chance to handle any of those birds except a Hahn's Macaw (baby), a GCC, and a Cockatiel. But I'm trying! Lol.

I can't wait until I find "the one" haha.

I just wish I could at least decide on a size range so that I can start buying toys, perches, and a cage! :/

 

[Sulphiria]

You're going to want all different types of toys and perches. Wooden, plastic, rings, cardboard, all the toys you can think of to find out what they like, just keep them cheap since most birds favor a certain type and once you know what that is, you can invest more. All birds need different sizes and shapes of perches to keep their feet exercised, so rope, wooden, cement, stick with a size no bigger than 2 inches around. We just go to lowes and buy wooden dowells (?) and use them, along with cement and rope perches. If you get a bigger bird, you can use the dowells that are too small to make toys. As far as a cage, doesn't matter the species, the bigger, the better. Food is the same. All of our birds prefer the larger pellets to the small ones. The conure and quaker seem to enjoy being able to hold them. Youre going to want to see what your bird will like. I emailed Harrison's and roudybush and both sent me samples of their food in different sizes. Im sure there are others, kaytee, zupreem. Can get all that now while you look.

 

[jaimmorr]

You're going to want all different types of toys and perches. Wooden, plastic, rings, cardboard, all the toys you can think of to find out what they like, just keep them cheap since most birds favor a certain type and once you know what that is, you can invest more. All birds need different sizes and shapes of perches to keep their feet exercised, so rope, wooden, cement, stick with a size no bigger than 2 inches around. We just go to lowes and buy wooden dowells (?) and use them, along with cement and rope perches. If you get a bigger bird, you can use the dowells that are too small to make toys. As far as a cage, doesn't matter the species, the bigger, the better. Food is the same. All of our birds prefer the larger pellets to the small ones. The conure and quaker seem to enjoy being able to hold them. Youre going to want to see what your bird will like. I emailed Harrison's and roudybush and both sent me samples of their food in different sizes. Im sure there are others, kaytee, zupreem. Can get all that now while you look.

Oh yes, I know that much! But for instance, if I buy things for say, a Cockatiel, and then end up getting an Amazon, that's not going to play out very well! And cage wise, I totally agree. Biggest is best, but it's much easier to find a huge cage with 1" bar spacing than it is to find a huge cage with 1/2" bar spacing...

 

[lexx510]

Just curious what you meant by "scrappy" personality for green cheek conures?

 

[jaimmorr]

Just curious what you meant by "scrappy" personality for green cheek conures?

That's something I've read in quite a few books, magazines, and sources from the internet. I guess people describe them as "scrappy" because they're such a little ball of energy and they never calm down? Lol. People describe them like, "If they were dogs, they would be the scrappy terriers." So... hm? Not my words! Haha

 

[Sulphiria]

You're going to want all different types of toys and perches. Wooden, plastic, rings, cardboard, all the toys you can think of to find out what they like, just keep them cheap since most birds favor a certain type and once you know what that is, you can invest more. All birds need different sizes and shapes of perches to keep their feet exercised, so rope, wooden, cement, stick with a size no bigger than 2 inches around. We just go to lowes and buy wooden dowells (?) and use them, along with cement and rope perches. If you get a bigger bird, you can use the dowells that are too small to make toys. As far as a cage, doesn't matter the species, the bigger, the better. Food is the same. All of our birds prefer the larger pellets to the small ones. The conure and quaker seem to enjoy being able to hold them. Youre going to want to see what your bird will like. I emailed Harrison's and roudybush and both sent me samples of their food in different sizes. Im sure there are others, kaytee, zupreem. Can get all that now while you look.

Oh yes, I know that much! But for instance, if I buy things for say, a Cockatiel, and then end up getting an Amazon, that's not going to play out very well! And cage wise, I totally agree. Biggest is best, but it's much easier to find a huge cage with 1" bar spacing than it is to find a huge cage with 1/2" bar spacing...

Dont kid yourself. My cag looooves tiel toys and treats, lol. He can shred a plastic tiel toy in minutes and be completely proud of himself. Just keep your eye out for clearance and sale items and buy a few. I got a clearance item recently, 10$ from dr fosters, was a tiel,stocking. But most of the toys went to my cag. The conure got the wooden ladder (to chew up), and the quaker and lori each got a toy, but the only thing our tiel got was the cuttlebone.

 

[lexx510]

Just curious what you meant by "scrappy" personality for green cheek conures?

That's something I've read in quite a few books, magazines, and sources from the internet. I guess people describe them as "scrappy" because they're such a little ball of energy and they never calm down? Lol. People describe them like, "If they were dogs, they would be the scrappy terriers." So... hm? Not my words! Haha

They certainly can be a ball of energy, but not at all times. Guava, our green cheek conure, can spend hours cuddling up to your neck or in the palm of your hand. She will literally squeeze herself into your hand so that you can hold her and give her kisses (she returns the favor and showers us with little kisses, too). She wakes us up at 7:30 am on the weekends, only to be let out of the cage so that she could jump into bed with us and fall back sleep (I stay awake and hold her). She often falls asleep cuddling with us while we're watching a movie on a Friday night.

 

[RescueMe]

It sounds like you are putting a lot of thought into your choices. This is great, I think that you just have to bite the bullet and choose a size and go with it. I personally am not comfortable with the little guys, but some people get bitten once and are done with the big guys for good. Once you decide you can start picking out the cage ect. Take a deep breath and you will find choice that is right for you.

 

[solobaby]

9. Indian Ringneck Parakeet

Pros:

Stable personality
Can cope with minimal attention during busy times
Intelligent
Bond strongly
Sweet

Cons:

Not affectionate by nature
Do not like being pet
Must be handled daily to remain tame (Obviously, I will be handling my bird daily, but if I am sick or something, I don't want it to go wild on me in a couple days...)
Can be very loud

i would just like to correct this a bit as i have an indian ringneck
they dont have very stable personalities solo is a bit like dr jekyll and mr hyde
and is a bit bi polar and i have talked to other IRN owners who say the same about their birds
they are affectionate but it depends on your definition of affectionate -if you define it as a bird that likes to be scritched and hugged then no to you they wont be but solo loves to be with me all the time and he rubbs his head against my neck and mumbles softly to me wich i think is affection in its own way solo also loveds to be rubbed/stroked
i also when i am really sick dont handle him everyday and he has never gone 'wild' on me
thats just my 2 cents
jess

 

[jaimmorr]

Wow! Thanks for ALL the responses! I really appreciate you guys taking time out of your days to help me

Sulphira: How cute! I guess I didn't really think about it like that, plus I've always heard warnings about how toys that are "too small" for the species can hurt them, choking hazards and whatnot. But I figure with supervision, that shouldn't be a problem.

lexx510: Oh my goodness your GCC seriously sounds like SUCH a sweetheart! I held a GCC at the pet store last weekend. Such a dollbaby! Cuddled right up to my neck I really think it must depend on the individual though, because even though that GCC and the Turquoise GCC were raised by the same people, the Turquoise was nothing like that! Didn't want anything to do with cuddling, just wanted to nip, nip, nip! Hard, too!

RescueMe: Thanks! I'm trying! Lol. I think since I grew up with my friend's U2, I am just more comfortable with the bigger guys.

solobaby: Thanks for your reply. Yes, I think I can cross IRNs off my list because I'm looking for a very affectionate bird, not an independent one. Like I have said before, I have social anxiety and Agoraphobia and rarely leave the house. So, I'm looking for a 24/7 companion in a bird, pretty much.



Yesterday, I was SET on an Amazon. I just knew, yep, I want a Lilac-Crowned 'Zon!

Today? Nope. Today I'm set on a G2.

Wahhh. See what I mean?? LOL

 

[evesta]

Yep, birds have such different personalities!!! I have two linnie brothers, same clutch, same color, hand raised by the same breeder and they couldn't be more different! Wilson is more of the stereotypical linnie, sweet, cautious but playful, doesn't bite. House is a ball of fire and nips and BIG bites all the time. He loves sitting on my shoulder and "chew me out" over nothing So different and I love both or their personalities.

You'll find the right bird. You can only plan so much and eventually you take a leap. Your bird will partially be what you want and part suprise. Just having my boys for a few weeks I've already discovered every day is different with parrots!

 

[sssaucey]

I had no idea what species I wanted but my lovie was the one that stood out, her personality is not what I expected but turned out to be what I needed.