Quiet and Cuddly? Is that wishful thinking?

[futurebirdmama]

I have been wanting a bird for years, but I've never been in a position to really consider getting one until now.

As much as I am mesmerized by the beautiful bigger birds, I've realized that I am a college student and I will be moving around in the future and I also have neighbors, so if I want to get a bird anytime soon I need to be more realistic. I'm looking for a sweet, cuddly bird that hopefully won't disturb the neighbors much. Of course all birds can be noisy, but my main concern is birds that are more likely to shriek. It will be only my bird, but I'm hoping it won't be too territorial or nippy towards other people. I also am busy because I am a student, but I plan to devote time in the morning to the bird as well as have at least an hour of out of cage time at night. I'm hoping for a bird that can go with the flow a bit more easily than some bigger species can.

Is this wishful thinking? Is there a bird out there that can live up to my expectations? What would you recommend?

 

[GaleriaGila]

You've got it right... there are no guarantees. I fully understand wishful thinking, though, for sure.
Still, there are some species that tend to be more cuddly and quiet. While we're waiting for knowledgeable folks to post, I'll do my part by saying DON'T GET A PATAGONIAN CONURE!!!!! For just a small sample of reasons... I invite you to enjoy any of the inks in my signature-banner...
Good for you for researching and being so responsible. When I got the Rickeybird (I was also in college), I certainly didn't!
Glad you found us!

 

[plumsmum2005]

I would hazard a guess one of the Conure family. Every bird has it's moments and are not that quiet, if this is critical perhaps a bird is not the right fit at the moment? They do require plenty of attention and seem to like a routine IMO so something else to think about maybe?

 

[GaleriaGila]

I would add that most people seem to think Green Cheeks, Poicephalus (Poicephali?) and Senegals are among the quietest... or at least, that's what I hear.

 

[SailBoat]

I am reminded of the Mother's Wish: May my daughter's sweet baby be her twin. Commonly, heard as daughter spun off into another "I hate you" ...ism! The Granddaughter now brings Grandmother great joy as she listens to her daughter consult her. She always has that sweet smile of contentment.

Take care of what you pray for, you may just get that stuffed toy!

 

[futurebirdmama]

I've heard that Green Cheeks, although they are cuddly, can also be nippy, which has turned me off from them:/

 

[Loko]

I've heard that Green Cheeks, although they are cuddly, can also be nippy, which has turned me off from them:/

Any bird that isnt socialized properly and/or trained can and will be nippy. Like mentioned by GaleriaGila some of the African species are quieter (Senegal, Pionus, etc) but some of them tend to become very territorial over their person and also some of them are rather timid and I think your situation would be horrible for them personally. College and birds is a hard thing, I have done it, and I will be going back for a degree soon, so I wont tell you it cant be done, but for me it meant never living on campus in a dorm, among other responsibilities, which is a big financial burden. As far as the time, it is important that birds are out. Its kind of a strange phenomenom that people dont cage dogs when they leave home, but cage birds, creatures that naturally need space to fly and excersize in order to live healthily, much more so than dogs. I dont even cage my sun conure; this isnt possible for everyone but do you have room for a cage at least 3.5ft high and 3ft wide? I dont even cage Loco but have a cage at my parents home just for when I visit them, and thats more than half as tall as I am. If youre going to be busy, I believe that would be the smallest you can get away with, though people at petco will sell you a budgie cage for a conure if you didnt know better. Not trying to scare you, but birds are a very *different* kind of responsibility, not like that of a cat or dog.. they are much more like human babies, the bigger they get. If I had to recommend something to you, Id recommend a few budgies or maybe two cockatiels or two GCCs, in that order. Cockatiels are very underrated, and can be very cuddly and amazing companions. GCCs can be also, and would enjoy a lot of stuff going on around them more so than a cockatiel, but any bird you have you need to devote time, love, patience, and effort into training and socializing to make sure they are emotionally and physically healthy. I say two because Im not sure how busy you are, but I imagine if you are anything like I was and any normal college kid, then youre going to have a lot to do, and birds are flock animals. Also, all birds can and will bite. How hard, and how bad that bite is depends on the bird itself and its size. But it is never the fault of the bird! You sticking a finger into his face when he doesnt not want to be bothered will result in a bite from even the most well trained bird, so bites can be easily avoided in that sense if you can read your bird and know when to leave them alone. If you cant handle the possibility of a little blood here and there, dont get a bird. I hope this helps you see the reality of bird ownership as a student, as it is not an easy thing and I dont go around advocating for it. It takes a lot of sacrifice and devotion, but if youre unsure of that, just wait a few years when you are a little more stable and get any bird you want!

 

[wrench13]

Honestly, parrots are about the most care intensive pet one could possibly get. They are expensive to get, expensive to own. Besides the time they need ( and its a lot) there are food, TOYS!and vet care. Saltys food alone runs me a good 50 a month, between pellets and fresh veggies and fruits ( which have to be stored in fridge). Toys, add another 20. Vet bills are 75 a visit here and he goes every 4 months or so for a wing clip, claws and general once over by the vet. Parrots love schedules ( see my other recent thread on parrots telling time) and if your any kind of college student, schedules are not your strong point.
Parrots also need your undivided attention for a few hours a day, every day, or they may get pissed off, which they are perfectly capable of becoming. Throw in sexual maturity ( when your previously cute snuggle bug can become a raging, screaming bite machine) and its a recipe for yet another poor bird being rehomed for no other reason then being a parrot, with all that entails. A lot of people like the IDEA of owning a parrot. Not a lot of people are up to actually being parrot owners. I'm sorry if this all sounds negative, but i'd rather be the balloon buster then the sugar coater, becasue I love these animals so much. I would recommend you volunteer at a rescue or do partime work at a parrot based pet shop , to get an idea of what life with a parrot is like. WHen you graduate and your life style becomes more stable, then think about getting a parrot.

 

[futurebirdmama]

I'm not really asking whether or not I *should* own a parrot, but rather for advice on which is the best fit if I decide it will be able to work with my life. I do not take this decision lightly.

 

[Terry57]

Have you thought about a cockatiel? My Spike whistles and can't get enough cuddling. He is an awesome little guy.

 

[Dinosrawr]

I have one of the cuddliest conure in the entire world. She's fallen asleep in my hands, will rub her face against me, and would happily chirp the day away at my shoulder if she were allowed. My GCC is the lowest maintenance bird I could ever imagine too. Wants cuddles every day, rarely screams, happy to be with you or simply be near you, hardly picky with her food, very light toy chewer... the list goes on.

But yes, she does nip. And yes, she can scream. In fact she's the one who has done the most damage to me, but never enough to warrant stitches. Just a bruised ego and a bandage. You can ask as many hypothetical questions that you want, but realistically you'll never know until you have the individual bird you choose. And that individual bird can be from a species that's well known to be quiet and easy to maintain, but be a total screamer and a terror. I never would have thought that Shiko would be MORE cuddly than my conure, or that he would seek me out for hours of simply sitting beside me to listen to me talk. Sometimes birds just take you by surprise, but you love them for every single flaw because they always manage to get you wrapped around those adorable little feet!

And if you're "turned off" by a bird that is going to be nippy, I hate to break it to you but that eliminates 100% of any species. Yes, there are generalizations, but a lot of times conures are nippy because there's poor communication going on and the only way the bird can get its point across is by biting. Parrots are incredible individuals, as you know, and you'll never really know what you get until you've watched their personalities unfold over the years you have them. I recommend going with a species that is known for being relatively quiet and can be cuddly (ie. Pyrrhura conures, cockatiels, parrotlets, pi's, etc.) and then choosing a bird that you know has been fledged and is comfortable with being handled by people. At the end of the day you just have to take the plunge and enjoy the ride! You'll never be 100% ready or sure, but you'll have gained a companion to share your life with, and nothing beats that.

 

[Loko]

If youre dead set on getting a bird, I think cockatiels would be great, or GCCs. I think GCCs get the reputation nippy because a lot of people buy them with no knowledge of how to communicate and read their birds, compared to macaws where people who buy them generally understand parrot behavior a bit better *usually* and know when not to stick their hand out because it will be bitten. Its all about how you know your bird, how much you get bit depends on how many times you set yourself up to get bitten or not and not because the bird just is biting for no reason. Conures can be loud though, the pyy. species are a little bit quieter but still not exactly quiet, especially if not given proper attention and emotional needs, then they may scream as will any bird who is not receiving enough attention and not emotionally happy. If youre going to be living in a dorm you may not be able to take the bird, or you may end up switching schools and cant take them. I think it would be wise to think ling and hard again before actually committing, because as much as you want the bird, it isnt fair if your situation changes and the bird is left behind.. you basically need to sacrifice any chance of going anywhere where it couldnt come unless you have someone willing to care for and give attention to the bird daily for hours. I know its so tempting and all, but it is difficult. I want a macaw or amazon but am not even considering it because I dont know where Im going to be in a few years. With my sun I have limited options to begin with but another bird would be way too much. If you love birds but dont think it is the right time, you can volunteer at a rescue or work at a bird shop so you get to help birds in need and interact with different types of birds all week, gain experience, and see which bird is right for you.