Advice on a Conure

Hi, new member here. I will be getting my first Conure hopefully soon. I've been debating back and forth between a Green Cheek or a Sun Conure. Even though they are known to be louder, I really love Sun Conures, and if I'm going to make a 30 year investment in a bird, I think I should get my first choice even if it does carry the risk of being very noisy. Green Cheeks are neat, but I'm not too enthusiastic about the nippy nature they seem to have. I'm looking for a companion, very cuddly bird, and the Sun Conure seems to fit that very well, and is in my opinion the most gorgeous bird on the planet. That being said, I currently have 3 male budgies. I love my boys, but they aren't the cuddly birds I would enjoy having. The budgies are in a 37x23x53 flight cage, and are allowed out at any time I'm home. I live in an apartment and don't really have the space for another cage that size without making my room cramped, but I do have space for a cage around 30x20. Is that alright for a single Sun Conure that will be allowed out of his cage whenever I'm home? Also, I'm hoping that the budgies will provide company for the Sun Conure when I'm gone. Since the budgies are already here, will it be likely that the Sun will be more accepting of their presence? Ideally they'll all get along fine, but I'm concerned about the safety of the budgies. A Sun Conure is my dream bird, so I know that he would be my "favorite", so if they didn't get along I know I would have the tendency to favor the Conure and let him be out more than the budgies. I don't want to be unfair, but cuddly dream bird vs. hyper budgies that don't do more than step up, it's obvious who I'd choose. So very regretfully, I've considered finding a better home for the budgies where they wouldn't have to play second fiddle to another bird. So would the Sun Conure be happier as a single bird, and possibly quieter? Or would he be more likely to be happy with the budgies next to him when I'm gone? Also, can anyone recommend a good Sun Conure cage in the 30x20 range? Sorry for the long post and lots of questions, I just want to be as well informed and prepared as possible before bringing home my new flock member.

P.S.- I know Sun Conures and apartments don't usually mix well, but I have already talked to my roommates about the noise this bird was capable of making, and they don't mind since they're quiet at night. As for myself, I had a Sun Conure screech right in my ear, and I actually find a budgie flock call in my ear to hurt a little, where the Conure's did not.

Conure needs a good size cage, at least 4 toys inside they play alot. My cage has about 6 toys plus toys in his play area, From sun up to sun down he is playing with me or on that cage.

Conures are extremely loud. And i am not exagerating i would think very hard about bringing a conure into an apartment syle condiditon, and not worry about your roommate as the noise can and will affect the neighbors residing next to you. Your neighbors change either year to year or longer but its an apartment people can come and go when the lease is up. While this neighbor might not bug them the next ones might bug them a great deal and cause complaints.

My sun conure can be heard outside my house half way up my drive way while I am sitting inside my car with the windows up waiting for the garage to open. From the road to my garage that is 90 feet. He is loud when he wants to be and every morning he wakes me up. dont get me wrong i love my sun however he is loud which can be annoying at times. Especially the 7am screeching, suns are very loud in the AM hours.

On being nippy Suns IMO are just as nippy or a tad worse. If ur nixing the GCC for nippiness, then think very hard about a Sun they are nippy and do bite and when they do it hurts I swear my Suns bite is worse than my eclectus when she bites down. Suns are beautiful birds but they have their quirks being loud and nippy is just their thing

Well I didn't mean it to sound like I was afraid of being bitten. I worked for a vet for a while and dealt with biting cats and dogs, so it's nothing new. The people I talked to seemed to have the same opinion that Sun Conures were less likely to bite or be aggressive, and were more social that GCC's. One person that had a GCC said that if she could do it over she'd have a Sun. I have nothing against GCC's, it just seems that all things being somewhat equal I would prefer a Sun. However, are GCC's really that much quieter? And are they perhaps not as nippy as their reputation is? I handled a Sun Conure, and he was very loving, especially for having just met me. He didn't want to get off my shoulder when it was time, and investigated me with his beak but never even came close to nipping or biting. I know every bird is different, but that's the only firsthand experience I have to go off of right now. I really just want a cuddly companion bird, and while a Sun really catches my eye, I know that the best choice is a bird that I can fit HIS lifestyle. So would a Green Cheek be a significantly better choice for my situation? I could always get a Sun Conure later when I'm no longer in an apartment. I'm certainly not against having more than one Conure, they're such amazing birds after all.

I was in the exact same predicament as you . I'd had my heart set on a sun conure since I was 15, and was only waiting until I had a permanent enough home and the money to buy one. I'd never really paid any attention to green-cheeks before because I was just so taken by sun conure colors, and I knew they were loud but thought, "I can deal with some noise." But I live in an apartment with roommates and neighbors, and in the end I went with a pineapple green cheek, and I love her to death. Since then, I've been all over these forums & others, and various pet shops, and I can tell you from reading about suns and hearing them in person, I don't regret my decision.

Every individual bird is different, but suns do have a deserved reputation for noise and GCCs for nippiness. Both can be trained to be quieter/be gentle, but it's not a guarantee that you'll be successful and will take time. My reasoning was: 1) I know that I can deal with a sun's screams and accept them because I'll love my bird so much that it'll be a small sacrifice to make. 2) I've asked my roommates if they're okay with the noise a bird makes and they said it's okay. However, most people don't realize just how loud suns can be when they're giving their OK, and saying "I'm okay with some bird noise" isn't the same as "I'm okay with hearing a sun conure screeching for minutes on end at dawn and dusk." 3) Same for the neighbors. Even if they are okay with the sound, what's the guarantee that they're not moving out soon and the next set of neighbors will be okay as well?

I really wanted to just take the chance and get a sun, but was scared of the (very likely) possibility that I'll start getting complaints and be told by management to either move out or move my bird out. That situation is unacceptable to me. Nobody's going to evict me because my bird bites me, on the other hand.

Keep in mind that getting a GCC isn't a guarantee of quietness. All conures are loud when they want to be. My GCC has a loud chirp that she uses whenever I leave the room (I'm working on training that away, but have to deal with it until that happens), and she does have a screech/scream that I've only heard twice (and in conures it's that screech that you have to watch out for). It's not as loud as a sun's scream, but it's definitely not quiet, either.

I promise you, if you already know you love conures, you will love your GCC just as much as a sun once you get it. Good luck in your decision!

That's probably the most sensible thing I've heard yet. You raise an excellent point, can't be evicted for a bird that might be a little nippy! And that can be trained, where the noise is just what Suns do. I'd be an irresponsible and selfish bird owner to bring a Sun into an apartment and expect it to be somewhat quiet. And you're right, I'll love my little GCC just as much, doesn't matter what he looks like. I need to fit his lifestyle as much as he fits into mine. I posted this same debate on a few other forums, and these answers combined with my own research point to one and only one logical conclusion. A Green Cheek Conure is the right bird for me at this time. Even if a GCC isn't a "quiet" bird, it is def not a Sun Conure, and it stands a much better chance of being a good fit. Now to decide on what color mutation to look for! Of course my plan is to visit with several GCC's and see if one picks me. But I'm so torn between hoping for a Yellowsided or Turquoise. And the pineapple is a close 3rd. So many choices, it's a shame I can only have one right now, lol.

Are you sure they don't mean a Pineapple green cheeks conure?

I just bought a Pineapple Green Cheeks Conure for my wife and I did it without reading up on them or how to care for them or anything. I just bought it. If you look at my other thread you will now it's not home with me yet and will be after Thanksgiving.

Anyway from what I have read the Sun Conure is the loudest of the Conure family. The Pineapple green cheeks conure is the one that is the quietest and most laid back of the conure family. So I would go with a Pineapple green cheeks conure. They are really awesome looking and when I was at the pet store playing with him for the hour I was there he was the cuddliest thing I have ever seen in a bird. He/She was so sweet that me not being a bird person is easily falling in love the guy and he is not even home yet. I have yet to hear a screech from him! I am sure I will when he is home. I am going back this Friday to give him some toys and some treats. You can find the thread I started to learn why I am waiting to bring him home. My guy/girl is my avitar!

In fact most websites I look at say the Pineapple green cheeks conure is the best for apartments because of their passive quit nature.

I was going to get a pineapple green cheek but the guy in the store sold it 24 hours before I was due to pick it up...long story!
Anyway, I ended up with a maroon bellied conure and I have to say this is the quietest bird I have ever encountered. Ideal for an apartment.
I veered away from the Jenday and the Sun Conures as the fact that I could hear them squaking on entering the store told me that my neighbors would be less than happy....

Lee11

That is why I bought my bird now! My wife loved the bird when we went into the pet store, and every time we went to the that pet store she played with the bird. That is why I went ahead bought it now before Christmas (Because Its her Christmas gift). I didn't want to risk it being sold before Christmas and her being sad about it.

But I have to agree with a lot of the posters here, from what I have read almost any other GCC will be a better choice for an Apartment than a Sun C. I will say that the sun conure is real stunning looking!!

Get a greencheek since you are living in a apartment and in the future if you live in a house get the sun later.

The Pineapple is just one of the color mutations, it's still a Green Cheek Conure. Same species, just a different color. I guess time will tell, I hope to have several options when I'm ready to buy. Right now the Petco near me has a Yellowside and a Pineapple, I haven't gotten the chance to interact with them at all though.

benton23 said:

The Pineapple is just one of the color mutations, it's still a Green Cheek Conure. Same species, just a different color. I guess time will tell, I hope to have several options when I'm ready to buy. Right now the Petco near me has a Yellowside and a Pineapple, I haven't gotten the chance to interact with them at all though.

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Yeah they are just a color mutation, but very cool looking and quite.

Good luck with your choice.

Oh I agree. They seem similar to the Yellowside, but a lighter shade with more red. I guess if I have options between the colors I like, I'll go for the bird that seems to pick me, so to speak. Hopefully I'll find one I have a connection with, and then I won't have to decide based off the color, because I'm not sure how I could choose between them!

I can see how choosing a GCC woud be hard, there's so many mutations to choose from!

Exactly! I've been looking at these very pictures, it seems impossible to pick one of these as a favorite. It's so hard to decide, because blue is my favorite color, so I really like the Turq, but a bright red and yellow conure is just..WOW!...lol. Well, no matter what color I get, I'll love it just the same.

Omg, I've had the same problems as you. I was torn from a cockatiel,green cheek and sun conure. The way I decided was going to an Aqarium and they had a bird exhibit. They mixed 40 sunnies and 40 gccs together lying around a huge room. After I heard the suns screech it wasn't that loud to me ( I have ear problems, so everything is a little teeny bit softer) I also live in a huge house so even though the neighbors can't hear my birds the screeches echo. I actually like bird calls, no matter how loud they are. I also like gccs they are cuddle bugs and are the sweetest birds ever ! It's like comparing a rock star ( sunnie ) to a jazz player(gcc) . I like your decision, as you can train a bird not to nip but you can't train a bird to stop screeching. Good luck with your to be addition !

Haha, that's an excellent analogy. I like it! No one will mind a jazz player for a neighbor, but a lot of people would hate a rock star! As far as color, the more I look at the pineapples the more they grow on me. And what better Green Cheek for someone that wanted the color of a Sunnie than a Pineapple? Yellowside is still in contention, but for now I'll steer away from the normal or turquoise to try for one with a lot of brighter colors, like the reds and yellows.

Have you taken a look at the crimson bellied conure? Eye popping colors! We were told the personality of a sun without the screaming. They're supposed to have all the great qualities of a GCC but less demanding and nippy. Sounded perfect to us!

I think whether the sun conure gets along with the budgies is something best left up to fate. It depends on the individual bird. Make sure you quarantine the conure before having it around your budgies, in case there's sickness that can be spread.....

I have a sun conure. I'm also the oldest of 12 children. Conclusion? Noise is all that I know! Haha. And I will tell you that a sun conure is not so much loud as it is PERSISTENT. I will be getting a B&G macaw, and they are LOUD, but it's not as high pitched and persistent as the sun conure (I prefer the macaw sound, honestly). Sun conures will screech screech screech, even if just having fun, or if something is outside the window. Falling leaves, anyone? This time of year up here in Northern IN is annoying, because every little leaf from the trees makes my conure screech up a storm! Even in the morning, at the crack of dawn. SCREECH SCREECH, which means "GOOOOD MORNING, NOW GIVE ME MY PELLETS." I frequent bird shows around the midwest, and over the ruckus and cacophony of the whole thing, which bird do I tend to hear most often? THE SUN CONURES. HAHA! I can pick their calls out of the whole spread of feathered pals!

They are definitely beautiful and fun birds, but just be prepared for their devious antics and shrill screeches. I hear it as background noise, but to the untrained ear that doesn't live with one, and isn't used to children being loud (like I am)? I wouldn't be surprised if it came as a shock... I can hear mine call from a block away, even though she mimics the wild birds outside. You'd think it would be hard to discern from the birds outside, but....it's 5 times as loud as the wild birdies... LOL.

chickymonkey said:

Have you taken a look at the crimson bellied conure? Eye popping colors! We were told the personality of a sun without the screaming. They're supposed to have all the great qualities of a GCC but less demanding and nippy. Sounded perfect to us!

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I've looked at them, but I'm really set on a GCC at this point. They're much easier to find in my area, and less expensive, which is also a nice bonus to a college student. My only decision left to be made is the color mutation I want to go for, and it's a toss up between 3. So the way I figure, if it's that hard to pick one, I won't care out of that group, so hopefully one of those 3 will pick me and I won't have to decide!

I have had GCC, his name is Cracker, for about 2 to 3 years now. From my experience with Cracker I think the reputation of GCCs for being nippy is well deserved. For about the first one to two months Cracker had a severe biting problem. This problem was basically solved by not allowing Cracker on my shoulder. Since that time I have had no problem with Cracker biting me. He still will nip at me sometimes (if you own a parrot you will be able to tell the difference between a nip and a bite) Since that time I have lifted the restriction of allowing Cracker on my shoulder.
From reading your post I understand you are interested in a companion bird. I can tell you from my experience with Cracker that Greencheeks are excellent companion birds. Cracker loves hanging out. I have several perches around my apartment. Whenever I listen to music, read a book, or serf the net, Cracker will always take up the perch closest to me and softly chirp to himself. And if it is snuggles you want, Cracker is a regular snuggle bunny. He just loves to be scritched. His favorite place to be scritched is the top of his head and below his eyes. I think he would allow me to scritch him forever if it were possible. I do think Sun Conures are much more flashy that Greencheeks, but I would find it hard to believe that they are better companion birds.
Finally, I can attest to the fact that Greencheeks are excellent apartment birds. They are not noisey. The only reason my nieghbors no I have a bird is because they has seen me taking it to the vet. They are also small so they do not need a very large cage, which can be important if you are pressed for space. Also, they are not very pricey which can be important when you are on a budget. Finally, I work at least 40 hours a week and sometimes more (when I can scam some overtime). Cracker has not had a problem with amusing himself while I am at work. He has never had a problem with plucking feathers. And he has never had a problem with screaching or screaming. In short if you can get over the first one or two months of having a Greencheek you will have a well behaved friend for life. I might also add you might not even experience the problems I had with Cracker because you are an experienced birdkeeper, and Cracker is my first and only bird friend.