What's your impression of these birds?

[TexasWade]

We've been talking about getting another little bird since Dusty flew off. Haven't heard anything for a week now =( . Since we haven't heard anything at all, and no sign of him around we're really not very hopeful at this point about him coming back.

If we don't hear anything next week, we're probably going to get another bird. Species we're also considering include:

Indian Ringneck (My #1 choice at the moment)
Green cheek or pineapple conure
Quaker
Parrotlet
Caique (sounds great but maybe too expensive...)
Some kind of pionus maybe??

Would love to hear what anyone thinks or feels about these birds or other smallish birds, especially if you can compare to cockatiels. It'll be an apartment bird so Sun conures or similarly loud birds are out.

 

[CDavis]

I absolutely love my GCC he is quiet as a mouse even when he is singing or playing so apartment living would definitely be a yes but he is completely different than a cockatiel he is super playful and he loves to play rough,beak wrestle the whole nine yards he is also learning to copy very quickly he can make the kiss sound and wolf whistle but you might have to train them not to bite very hard because GCCs are known to be nippy.

 

[RavensGryf]

Again, I'm so very sorry about your situation .
I don't know why a lot of people think Pionus are small, but they are definitely medium. Raven is a mid size species of Pionus at approx 250 grams. Caiques are about 150. I think you do have a fairly spacious cage if I recall. 23x32? Personally, I'd love to have a little GCC in one of the more unusual color mutations. Are there any specific personality characteristics you're interested in?

 

[TexasWade]

Our cage is pretty good size, like 30 x 30 x 33 tall inside. I think it would be suitable for a decent sized bird. Didn't realize the pionus was quite that large, but I don't think the cage would be a problem for them. I was going on the assumption that smaller birds come with (mostly) smaller voices more suitable for apartment life. Larger birds would be fine too as long as they don't disturb my neighbors. Actually, even Dusty could raise a decent volume and would shout whenever he saw me leave the room. I once walked out to the mailbox which is about a half-building away and I could hear him calling the whole time I was out. But it just sounded like the outside birds so I don't expect any complaints for that. We do have quite a few wild birds around here too...

I don't know that we're looking for anything in particular but the trick at 2:15 in this video blew me away.... [ame="https://youtu.be/0H1zckc9EvM"]Why Indian Ringneck Parakeets Are Awesome - YouTube[/ame] wow!! Also at about 2:00 the bird seemed content being in the guys hand which seems out of character for and IRN frome what I've been reading. What a cool bird though!

I do like a hands-on bird and for some reason I adore watching them hold food or toys with one foot. Also we saw a Timneh grey at the bird shop which I thought was really cool until my girl says "why do you always like the grey ones?" Lol! Fair enough, some color would be nice too. She loves the caiques and sun conures best but I told her the sun has a reputation for being super loud.

Nothing againt cockatiels here of course, but I don't want a bird that I may alwas see as sort of a "replacement Dusty".

 

[RavensGryf]

That cage you have is a good size for most any species you're looking at. I think it's the same one someone here has for an Orange Winged Amazon. It's the brown Petco brand one isn't it?

One nice thing about Pionus is that they are the only species I can think of that has a much smaller voice in relation to body size. That's not to say they can't scream, but for the same size of one of the smallest Amazon species, Pionus don't have quite the same volume. Some people will say they're loud, but I'm only going by two Bronze Winged I had/have.

The beautiful White Capped Pi which many here have are the smallest Pionus species at about 200 grams. Some Blue Headed I've seen are not much bigger. Bronze Winged and some Blue Headed are mid size about 250 grams, and some Maximillians can go up to 300 grams. They are not one person birds, but they can be very particular and rigid in who and what they like.

That IRN liking to be petted was unusual. Maybe if they are heavily handled at an early age like before weaning, and consistently continued, one can become more hands on? Then at maturity depending on individual personality it may or may not change. I don't blame you for not wanting another tiel.. I understand your reasoning for that.

 

[Terry57]

I love my Pis! Pisces, my WCP, never screams, she is the quietest bird in the house.
Talli, my BHP, talks alot but is also loud. He screams almost as loud as my Amazons so I would not recommend a BHP in an apt. These are the only 2 I have experience with in the Pi family.

I am still praying that Dusty makes his way home

 

[Printer bird]

I've had a GCC, a parrotlet, and now a WCP. My GCC COULD be noisy for sure - he would yell and yell and yell if we were out of the room or sometimes if he just wanted out of his cage. He talked quite a bit and was very animated, a super great character. We were happy to put up with his chattiness although he definitely had times when he was very quiet too. They could be good unless your walls are thin.

My parrotlet had a small voice very "peep peep peep". She was very bold, feisty, and active, could whine, though, when we were out of the room. I think a parrotlet would be a good apartment bird for sure.

My WCP is the quietest bird I've ever owned. She spends most of her day either silent or making little "laser" sounds. When she is loud, though, she is LOUD. Generally, though, that only happens when strangers show up or we accidentally put on a hat around her. She's a medium bird for sure, quite a bit bigger than our GCC and definitely bigger than the parrotlet. Very well-behaved, though, and not difficult to handle even though she is an 8year old re-home.

 

[TexasWade]

Good stuff! I might be leaning toward the GCC with so many nice comments now =)

Unless I've got stuff mixed up, I think I've read that pionus also give a lot of body language before they bite. Does that hold true in your experience? Not that I'm terrified of getting bit, but that could be a very nice thing to consider as well.

Also it's most likely I'll buy (if I buy!) from the same bird shop again. I like dealing with them even if I do feel they are a bit over priced. Some birds they have available are WCP, Half moon conure, pineapple conure, parrotlets, black headed caiques, and I think they have a derbyan, moustache parakeet and an alexandrine as well, which I gather are very much like bigger IRN's?
They also have a couple macaws, a timneh grey, budgies... seems like they have a bunch in right now so I can go meet a potential birdy as well before taking him home.

That's right, I have the large brown petco cage. I must say I really like that one too. Seems well made, spacious and the bars are quite close together. Plenty of food dish spots and the way the floor grate and catch trays slide out, the thing is a breeze to clean too.

 

[Allee]

I'm so sorry you haven't located Dusty. I'm still hoping he will be returned safely!

Best of luck with your new adventure! Looking forward to hearing who you bring home!

 

[RavensGryf]

I think a GCC might be a good fit for you . I never used to think twice about them being so popular, but the store close to my house regularly has some of the more uncommon color mutations which is what first made me take interest. When I handled some friendly babies, they stole my heart! I can definitely see why they're popular. I still remember a beautiful turquoise adult rehome. She was such a good bird and let me (a stranger) handle her, and only gave me a couple soft warning nips and didn't bite. That was impressive. I would love to have a cute little GCC myself.

The Derbyan, Mustache, and Alexandrine are in the same family as the IRN, similar personality traits.

Forgot to address your question - As far as Pionus body language, it is similar to Amazons in their strut and display (in mature birds) I think maybe only males do it. They usually give good warning signs, but Raven sometimes doesn't. He is quick to do a warning nip, and even his nips can draw blood. If I don't stop touching him within 1 second of the warning he will bite hard. He is very moody. I think females generally speaking are more easy going. My vet told me Bronze Winged like Raven are jerks lol. I have him trained well, but he is just a crotchety guy.

 

[TexasWade]

I think we're going to go for the quaker!

We spent some time at the bird shop yesterday and I realized that my girl and I want completely different things in a bird! She wants a pretty bird that talks, and I want a playful hands-on bird. Seems like out of all the pretty birds, talking birds and playful birds we saw, the quaker is probably our best bet. They had some really cute blue ones ready to go and one actually seemed interested in us. Probably should have taken him home... Also we went to the neighborhood flea market today and a guy there had a couple green quakers but man... Those birds didn't look so good to me. Possibly abused with feathers in poor condition and nothing but seeds visible in any of the food trays. I'd really be concerned about the health of those birds and possibly lice or other parasites so we didn't buy from that guy. I think we're going back across town tomorrow morning to see if that blue one still wants us

 

[SirEdwin89]

A blue quaker was the first bird I ever had any experience with before I ever became a bird person, we had one at home when I was growing up named Kiko, and I only have good memories of him. He was mildly talkative, he didn't say a lot but what he did say he said fairly clearly. he was smart as a whip though. I remember he would stand on your finger, and if you made a pistol with your other hand and said "BANG" he would fall over backwards and hang there upside down. It's been years and years, but I still think they are amazing.

 

[Piasa]

Quakers are incredibly outgoing, charming, smart and fun birds! I think of their personalities as similar to green cheeks. Sounds like the bird store has some healthy and beautiful babies!

I have both a green cheek and a white cap pi and love them both dearly. Just to tie up some loose ends in this thread, my female pi does do the amazon strut! They also have smaller and weaker beaks than many similar sized birds so the bites aren't as nasty.

 

[itchyfeet]

Oh I'd so love a blue quaker!
Henry (our IRN) is louder than Marley (our Galah). Not all the time, but certainly capable of it. Especially if he's feeling a little jealous of one of the others.

 

[LeaKP]

Just my two cents here, years ago I accidentally owned a GCC and what a great surprise it was! My GCC was the funniest, feistiest, cuddliest (bad grammar I know) bird. I absolutely loved that bird. The only consolation I have now is that she is in a great home with someone who loves her as much as I did. I couldn't bring her to Malawi when we moved. Just broke my heart.

 

[TexasWade]

We're in with both feet now!

New quaker! - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

 

[snowflake311]

I always wanted a Quaker then I heard them scream and said no thanks. They are loud and I don't mind loud but something about the pitch I just don't like. It hurts my head.

They are cute and fun thats for sure and they make great feathered friends.