what parrot?

[DLL]

Alexandrine parakeets aren't super loud and they are very pretty. Green cheek conures are quieter than most conures. Galah cockatoos (rose breasted cockatoos) are small but need a MUCH bigger cage than what you are looking for (macaw sized) so they are likely out... Again, Quakers are awesome but I admit I am biased toward them. Hm.... Again with English budgies, those are bigger than American. I am not sure how loud caiques are but they are in your size range. Also noble macaws... Again, don't know about their noise level. But all birds are pretty noisy. Some are just easier to put up with than others (sun conures screams are ear popping high!). Those are the ones I can think of in the size you want off the top of my head.

I have been around quakers before, never really took to them. They always seem grumpy lol

I never considerd the Galah cockatoos because always thought cockatoo = deadly screams. But your correct cage size for them would be an issue

Actually had a budgie in my younger childhood and want something a bit different.

All species of amazons are extremely loud correct?

 

[Puck]

Like most avid talkers Amazons tend to be pretty loud. Of course all of this is sort of approximation--you never know what you might get. Quakers aren't so much grumpy as they are bossy. I love my baby, though, and I suppose we all have our favs! I'm not very fond of CAGs myself. They just seem a little neurotic to me--but that's a generalization. I would pick a type, find a breeder close by then go meet those babies and try to find one on the quieter side. I too started my search for parrots with my biggest factor being noise level... But quickly found that all birds are noisy as heck compared to a cat or a fish, so I decided to throw that requirement to the wind! As for galahs, they are the least cockatooy of the cockatoos outside of the cockatiel. I don't think any of us can tell you what to do--you've just got to find a bird you love and go for it!

 

[DLL]

I think i will be going for my second favorite, a pionus. (first being a eclectus, but i would want a lot of experience before getting one of them) I figure i will move things around a bit so i can get a bit bigger cage.

The problem is going to be finding a breeder, but that will probably going to be another thread

 

[Kyoto]

You could think about a lovebird. My lovebirds since they were out often actually enjoyed smaller cages (by small I mean the size you are mentioning) and felt more secure in them. Mind you, they were out about 4 hours minimum a day (my ex and I worked opposite schedules).

I have my GCC in a huge flight cage because she is so busy and playful. We are planning to get her used to a smaller cage as well for when we spend nights at my parents' house, and hopefully to start bringing her downstairs into our living room when we have to do things but to also keep her safe from our cats.

 

[Terry57]

I have 2 Pionus, and they are so different! My White capped is so quiet, and my Blue Headed is one of our louder birds...he can scream for hours once he gets going. His volume is nothing compared to a 'too, but he can still be heard outside the house.They are both very sweet, and both love to cuddle.
All of them are different, with different personalities, but I have to say that I absolutely LOVE the Pionus

 

[SilverSage]

Where in MN do you live? There is a Pionus breeder in Brookings, SD about an hour from Sioux Falls SD. Look up Feather Focus Aviary. I can't post the link because she sells things so it's against the rules. About cage size, even a budgie or cockatiel shouldn't be in a cage that size unless they are out of the cage for the majority of the day most days. I would re think where you want to put your cage a budgie and cockatiel are also wonderful pets, but I am pretty partial to my PIonus! Lol right now my Blue HEaded PI, Mel, is asking me what I'm doing, giving me kisses, and making light saber noises from her perch atop the shower (she's a rescue, she didn't want to come down, and I don't force her) while I'm in the bedroom. Very nice choice for someone who wants a calm buddy who doesn't need a lot of snuggles but is more of a "hang out pal" of course there are exceptions.

 

[Kiwibird]

All species of amazons are extremely loud correct?

Some amazons (individual birds, not species as a whole) are "quiet" in the sense they don't vocalize constantly, but all of them have the potential to peel paint off the walls with their jungle calls:52: My zon is pretty quiet most of the time, but when he WANTS to be, you better have your earplugs handy! My mom has a DYH who vocalizes constantly (at a "conversation level"), but rarely makes ear piercing noises. No way to really predict what kind of vocalizer you'll get. If noise is a huge concern, may want to skip the amazon idea.

While I adore them, amazons are not really for everyone in general. They can be 'difficult' after they hit sexual maturity, especially the males and ESPECIALLY "hot 3" males (double yellow head, yellow nape and blue fronts). They are all prone to biting when they become "overstimulated" (happy or mad), are prone to becoming obese junk food addicts (with accompanying health conditions) and many aren't very cuddly (they tend to be very independent birds who want to play and hang out over cuddle and snuggle). If parrots were people, amazons would be the outlaw bikers who could be your best friend or your worst nightmare.

 

[SilverSage]

I should mention that. A lot of volume and noise level has to do with environment and individual birds. All three of my Pionus don't add up to the noise of a budgie, unless breakfast is REALLY LATE or a stray dog comes into the yard! But two of them are outside, so dogs are a legit reason to scream! Lol. Mel was a screamer when I got her, most likely stemming from the fact she had not been out of her cage for over 6 months, was on a terrible diet, had not had a bath, or seen another bird or person besides her caretaker in that time as well, and lived in a dark room. But now she is clicking at me from the other room and saying "come here, step up, up, up, up. Come here, step up, step up, come here, come here." So I think she wants me to go get her she is quiet but as she settles in she really has become quite e talker! Oh! She just said "hi baby"! I have never heard her say that before!

 

[Bandespresso]

I would definitely suggest trying to interact with as many species as you possibly can before making your decision as far are which one to go for. There are so many individual variances within a species that really depends on so many different factors. Have you considered rescuing? It might be easier to find a rescue in your area than a breeder.

 

[DLL]

Im about as north as you can get in MN........

I figure I will look for a pionus but you never know what birds I might meet along the way.

 

[DLL]

I would definitely suggest trying to interact with as many species as you possibly can before making your decision as far are which one to go for. There are so many individual variances within a species that really depends on so many different factors. Have you considered rescuing? It might be easier to find a rescue in your area than a breeder.

I looked at a few but only bird they ever get are macaws

 

[SilverSage]

Well, a trip down to south western MN, and a hope across the border to SD might be worth it! I'm not sure if she ships or not, but she has quite a few species of Pionus, including one or two that are considered rare.

 

[veimar]

Where are you gonna get your bird from? There are many species that would fit that room - cockatiels, green cheek conures, lovebirs, budgies, quakers, parrotlets, etc, etc... Larger birds need larger spaces - just google up minimum cage requirements. How much time will your bird have outside the cage? My birds don't have too large cages, but they spend 6-12 hours a day out of cage on average. And they fly all over the place.
You could visit a local bird shelter if there are any in your area, and just see what they have there. Pet store is another option.

 

[Weezerj]

I am in a similar situation as you (deciding which species I want) and am having the best luck going to a store that sells parrots and spending time with them. There is so much information on the internet it gets a bit overwhelming to be honest.

Being able to sit down and monitor (possible handle) the different birds and listen to their individual noise level has been very helpful for me.

Good luck

 

[RavensGryf]

How about telling us what personality characteristics in a bird are the most appealing to you? Of course there can be vast personality differences between individuals, but if you give some 'general' traits that fit with your lifestyle, that might help others suggest a bird for you too.

Are there any bird stores around? If you can visit a variety of species in person and interact, that would be great.

Also, you mentioned you really want an Eclectus? Remember, there are no "starter birds" . If that's really your dream bird, why not take a more in depth look into the proper Eclectus specific diet and care?

 

[Doublete]

I grew up with an amazon. That particular bird is still alive and apparently I live in that household... In my 8-10 year old tantrum self... Very embarrassing.
I got a CAG off craigslist back in 2008 who passed away from cancer about a month ago. He was very different and standoffish but we had a routine. My roommate at the time had a CAG that she had raised and he went everywhere with her, literally. Very nice bird but didn't speak at all. My Sydney actually stopped speaking when they lived with us. He picked up his speech again once they left.

Now when looking for a new bird to fill the void I had thought maybe I would go with an amazon this time. I found one on craigslist but the lady didn't accept my offer.
So I went to a local shop with hand raised babies and spent three days in a row. Actually went with the idea I was going to come home with a senegal. And this darn little turquoise green cheek latched on and told me he wanted to come home. He is so sweet, does bite but he's young still and they are more play bites and him testing the waters. He's very brave and wants to be around me. I can't wait to get a harness and take him outside I think he will love it.

Of course the lady called that night after I put a non refundable dep to see if I still wanted the amazon. So I brought her home too. I think I got very lucky as Chiqui is extremely quiet and people friendly.

So I guess it really depends on what characteristics you want in your bird and honestly every bird in each species will be different.
I do think I've heard the majority of green cheeks are exactly like my Loki. He is unbelievably quiet. He chirps and I call him my tweetle bird.

I'm so happy to have my two kids.
My lovebird is not hand tame and just adds sounds and companionship to the mix

 

[SilverSage]

Just a note, when picking a species, please base your choice on SEXUALLY MATURE birds. Don't pick out a snuggle baby Eclectus or Ringneck assuming they will stay that way, or a quiet one, or anything like that. Try to find and interact with ADULT birds, keep in mind that some birds take quite a few years to hit puberty.

 

[DLL]

Well been looking around and the closest breeder of pionus is over 8 hours away :S

So I think im going to go with a Senegal, they seem much easier to find a breeder for.

 

[RavensGryf]

Sennies can be great birds in the right hands, but it would pay to do your research here in the Poicephalus section before your final decision I'm partial to Pois!

 

[DLL]

Sennies can be great birds in the right hands, but it would pay to do your research!

Always