Soon to be New Conure Owner

[SmokeNLark]

Hi everyone,
I've been lurking on this site for a little while now. I have been researching bird species to add a new member to my family. I currently have 2 horses and many fish along with the family pets of 2 dogs and a rabbit. I have been researching birds for a month so far and talked to a bird store owner that is very knowledgeable. I have not owned a bird (unless you count a chicken ) and have decided on a conure.

I have already bought a large cage (20" deep, 30" long, 40" tall with 1/2 inch wire spacing), a few toys and a travel cage.

I have narrowed it down to a sun conure or a painted conure (both of which a local bird store has. they are all hand raised, handled everyday and locally bred)

I am leaning towards the sun conure because I like their coloring, size and talking ability more. But the attracting to the painted is that they are quieter. I would not mind the screeching on the sun, but I have not read how often they do this. I am just trying to find the most compatable conure for me. So any input would be great. Also, any other information would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[gopack041]

I can't give you much info on the different types of conures, but I would recommend reading the thread "So, you want to get a parrot for the first time." It has a lot of great information about what to expect when you get a bird.

 

[mtdoramike]

Sun Conures are beautiful, but everyone that I have been around, which has only been a few scream at a hi pitch, which I find hard to live with. I don't mind the squawking, but high pitch screaming to me is like raking your fingures over a chaulk board. The Green Cheek although not as brilliantly colored is usually a quieter bird. BUT with that said, all birds have different personalities and may not react the same. So you could get a Sun Conure that is very quiet and a Green cheek that will raise all manners of hell. Is really is a crap shoot either way.

But one major point that I would like to make is, It's not as important whether you can tolerate the noise level of the bird you choose, but rather the people living around you or within earshot of you. They are the one's that will cause you the most grief. By the way, go onto YOUTUBE and pull up videos on Conure breeds your interested in and see how they act and what noise levels they have.

Good luck,

Mike

 

[suebee]

hee hee fully agree with mike, my neighbour has a dog, it howls and cries very loudly!!!

but as a sene owner i'd say go for a senegal

be prepared for "if things don't work out how you have envisioned"

i love having my little nut bird, but she is like having a 2yr old child to care for, and she can throw a tantrum to match!

but welcome to the world of parroting lol it is all consuming, and never a dull moment

 

[SmokeNLark]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have been looking at youtube videos since I started researching. I know that each individual has a different personality, I was just wondering as a general rule how often it happens. I live with my parents and brother (I'm in college) and they will tolerate the noise level as well. And I don't live in a apartment, so that's not an issue.

Hmm, I'll have to look at Senegals then I want a "beginner" parrot and I was recommended conures or quakers.

I know having the back up plan too. That's why I am doing as much research as I can (not getting a bird until May). And no one can garuntee 100% they will be able to keep a bird for 30 years, but I am doing everything I can to give the best possible chances.

thanks again for the info and the warm welcomes!

 

[Pionus]

Hey, You could always try a pionus Like Suebee I'm completely biased on my little own birdie and his species. On the other hand, I can honestly say I've never met a more laid back bird.

All in all it depends on what available in your area and how much time you will have for the bird. What kind of noise level is acceptable, not just now but also 5 years from now. I don't know if I'd recommend a quaker as a beginner bird unless you do your homework on that particular species. Not to put you off of them, because they can be amazing birds and have very fun personalities. Just make sure you know what personality quirks might happen and possible issues to deal with.

eg) White-Capped Pionus parrots have a bit of a reputation as being more nippy than other pionus species, but my little guy never bites and the only time he gives you a warning is if you're on your cell phone. (How dare you talk to your phone when the bird demands your attention! LOL!)

Just putting my two cents in

 

[MikeyTN]

Sun Conures are screeching birds...I've said this before and I'll say it again, people try to give me Sun Conures on numerous occasions cause they can't stand their screeching, I can't either so I decline them all. They're beautiful birds don't get me wrong, but I used to own 2 Conures so I'm quite aware they drive me up the walls. I don't even feel my Cockatoo or my Macaw is as bad as Conures that's how I feel....lol

Why doesn't anyone like Cockatiels now days??? They're actually wonderful beginner birds! They can be noisy at times, but not as bad as Sun Conures.

Senegals don't scream constantly, so compared to a Conure, much better specie. Green Cheek Conures are fairly quite Conure, probably would be the only type of Conure I would recommend.

All the Pionus I've seen are pretty laid back, not noisy.

 

[Pionus]

Why doesn't anyone like Cockatiels now days???

I believe alot of people do not see them as smart or unique as a parrot so they are not as well revered. Cockatiels are smart and very good beginner birds! They do make awesome pets and even though I have a pionus, I have thought about getting a cockatiel for my fiance. (They had the most adorable babies at the petstore near my house. And so sweet. But I do not patron that particular store chain so I had to refrain myself.)

 

[suebee]

lol smoke well done on all the info gathering before getting new parrot
as you say you live with your brother and parents, you should ask them, as with you being at collage etc, there will be times when they will have to care for your bird

if you was not your birds fav person, how would you feel??

i spend most time with my nut, clean after her, feed her etc, but my partner is her fav person and when he is about no-one gets a look in with her, and all he does with her is let her ride on his shoulder she mimics his sounds he makes for her etc

all in all my nut, the little hussy likes men, if a woman walks in she might politely fly to them, and back, but as soon as a man walks into the house she is all over them like a bad rash

 

[Von1983]

I feel the need to stick up for my little girl who has been taught "No shout" beautifully and whose screaming is not constant lol.

*waves a flag for Sunnies*

hahaha!

No, really, the screaming CAN melt your brain. It's totally true. It's just there are ways to remedy this and it comes down to the age old thing - plenty of time spent with your bird.

 

[SmokeNLark]

Thanks everyone! . I plan to buy whatever bird I choose from a bird store near me that only sells hand fed birds that are handled every day. I did look into the quakers a bit and decided against them. This store has about 4 sun and a painted. Everything I've read is that the painted conures are fairly quiet. I think I will go back to the store and play with both species. I have played with the painted, and I fell in love with her, as did my mom

It's not that I don't like cockatiels. I know they are great beginner birds with intelligence and good personalities. But with the length of time a bird lives (and the fact that I am strictly limiting myself to 1 bird), I want to make sure I get the bird I want the most without getting something too difficult.

It's nice to know that they can be trained not to scream so much. I guess after I go and handle both species, I can better make my decision. And if I decide on one now, I can always get a different species at some other point in my life.

Does anyone know if someone on here owns a painted conure?

 

[mtdoramike]

Cockatiels can be every bit the screamer that a Sun Conure can be. So don't let size fool you. I agree, get the bird you want rather than settling for something else because even Cockatiels can live 20 years if properly cared for.

 

[Von1983]

I only come across the painted conure very recently actually!

I have read they are similar to the sunny in temprement....much like the Jenday.

I can't back this up though!

 

[SmokeNLark]

Yeah, that's my thoughts. And that's why I'm doing my research first, to know which one I like the best and which ones I can care for.

Now I think I'm leaning towards the painted. They are quite unique and the girl that this store has is such a sweetie. Plus they're more rare and quite hard to find, so if I wanted one later on, I might not be able to find one locally.

 

[Von1983]

I'd have to agree that the painted's are rare! I have never seen one in real life, only pictures.

I hope you find someone else who owns one to see how the temprement is!

 

[SmokeNLark]

Thanks. The one at the store I played with for about an hour. She was so sweet and the guy kept saying how sweet she is. I might see if shes still there this weekend.

 

[mtdoramike]

Thanks. The one at the store I played with for about an hour. She was so sweet and the guy kept saying how sweet she is. I might see if shes still there this weekend.

Your lucky, every bird that I have ever held or played with at a pet shop has bitten me to the point of drawing blood. I wound up buying them. Talk about being love bit.

 

[SmokeNLark]

Haha, she was a little nippy, but that was just since she didn't know me. Definitely didn't draw blood though

 

[vedwed]

I only come across the painted conure very recently actually!

I have read they are similar to the sunny in temprement....much like the Jenday.

I can't back this up though!

Very correct Von. I had a painted conure when I was younger, and he was, aside from color and size, every bit the same temperment, volume, and personality as my Sunny was.

As to purchasing a conure, I would suggest to take your time and spend it visiting various species until you find the one that fits the criteria you have in mind. Do keep in mind no two of the same species are exactly the same, some can be loud, while other quiet and cuddly, take your time and find the bird you love and will continue to love unconditionally despite how they behave. They are for sure long term commitments, as I am sure you know, and they need love and companionship for the long run, weather they are biters, screamers, or shy ones.

You will be a great parront when you find that bundle of feathers thats perfect for you, and I am sure you will find most all the help you need from the massive amount of knowledgeable members here.

Good luck to you in finding your first fid, and can't wait to see the pics

 

[erik7181]

My sun conure is only noisy when he wants something, or if i leave him alone he calls out and when i call back he come and finds me. you should also look into a green cheek conure, there very loveble and love to cuddle and play with there owner.