More Conures?

I am a total bird person. I've owned various birds all my life from age 8, when I was overcome with desire to own my own cockatiel. I've taken care of a variety of types including Pionus's and an Amazon. I am at college now, and have my own apartment, and decided to get a little green-cheek to keep me company. We are deeply in love. Every day is special with her around, because she is completely interactive and curious and sweet. I don't really keep track of the time she is out, because she is allowed everywhere on campus, with the exception of in class. She is clipped, but she never jumps off my shoulder, even when intimidated. I have her out at least 5 hours and spend one dedicated to alone time with her, cuddling under blankets together, telling her stories, singing to her and listening to her chatter back. She'll lay on her back, and let me pet under her wings. It took time for sure, my hands still have bite marks everywhere, but I didn't mind all that much. Now I have a dilemma because my friend wants me to take in a rescue gcc and he is traveling across the country to bring it to me. I am not happy with this situation, as he wants to keep the bird unclipped, and is basically dumping a non-hand fed potentially agressive conure on me, oh and I'm also supposed to house him for several months... I can't say no to a bird, or him (he just sold like 1/2 of his possessions to make this trip work without consulting me). I worry I will loose my Phoebe to this non-tame rescue. Anyways at the same time I'm falling in love with a lovely Jenday who is the most fascinating bird i have ever met. She has the whole petco staff catering to her, to play games with her, and she is incredibly curious and very special. A personality like hers could be spotted miles away, even among conures. I think 3 conures would be too much to handle, and I know how much dedicated time they really need. I think I could handle Phoebe and the Jenday, because they both kind of chose me, and Phoebe is young enough to still make birdie friends. I love my Phoebe, I have spent hours at Petco watching the hand-fed Jenday, and I suppose I'd be willing to work with the Yellow-sided Green Cheek Conure rescue. But I'm just a bit overwhelmed and I don't want to lose any of Phoebe's dedicated love. Classes will pick up in the fall, and I don't want to ever ever ever neglect a bird. I love conures and I've heard conure flocks can be fun, and I know people who own more than 3 even. I just think I'm obligated to choose 2 of the 3, and that most likely means saying farewell to the Jenday. :'( Any advise?? I would be happy to dedicate my life to birds but am not financially stable, nor will I be for a long time. I wish I could just tell this guy to piss off sometimes, but he's completely dependent on me, and I am apparently the only hope he's had in a long time (he lives in his parents basement and was physically abused up till 18). I have trouble saying no to people, and birds, but I need to make some choices here. Please help. -Ada

It seems you're in a little pickle and definitely need to make a choice. Personally, I'd tell the "friend" to find another home for the other Conure. The person seems to lack little respect for you if they are doing this without first consulting you first. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that any of these birds will ever get along and that can make life very difficult for you and even more stressful for the birds. Also, bringing another addition into the home may very well change the personality of your current love. If you live on campus do you have the personal space to have proper size cages for another bird, let alone another two cages. Do you have the financial well being to properly take care of another one to two birds along with Avian Vet visits. You need to decide what is right for you but I think in your current situation of being in collage that one bird is sufficient at this time until you have graduated and life is more stable. That's just my two cents!

One thing I have learned in life , is always make the best decisions and choices for yourself, and I don't mean that in a selfish way.

since your friend did not consult you in any way, he is presuming your going to be ok with his decision.you sound like a really nice person, but sometimes it just has to be 'NO', don't feel guilty for saying no either.It is what it is.
at the risk of your lovely bird changing if you decide to take in this other one, that is a risk I would never ever take.
why risk a relationship that works?...gosh all of us on here want what you have!!

the other thing you should consider is what if this bird is carrying or has some undetected disease? you are subjecting your other bird, are you willing to take that risk?, not to mention the cost of any vet bills, additional costs of feeding another bird etc...
I applaud how you are with birds, but common sense should be considered.
btw, don't feel bad or the least bit guilty if you contact your friend while he is travelling and you tell him no, since you were not consulted in the first place.
Mollygreencheeks said it best.

My first conure couldn't fly, wasn't tame/friendly/trusting of humans, wasn't very hands on, etc. We did form a bit of a bond and understanding of each other, but it was mostly me trying to learn what Noel was and was not comfortable with.

My second conure, Charlie (whom I adopted before Noel passed away) was, and is, the polar opposite of Noel in everything except color! Likes, dislikes, health, flight, etc.

My third conure, from the sounds of it, will be between Noel and Charlie, leaning more towards Noel's 'hands off' type personality, but still enjoying some interaction with humans. She can't fly at the moment, but she *will* be able to fly once her flights grow out. I look forward to helping her become a wonderful pet!


I prefer flight over being clipped, regardless of how tame, or not, the bird is.



As for you and your situation? Well, I'd have to say that it would be best to meet this conure your 'friend' wants you to take in before you do, and if you aren't comfortable with having a flighted conure, you need to explain this to him. Since you say he's traveling cross country, is there any way you can see a video of the bird before it comes to you? How long is "several months"?

As for the Jenday, well some stores will hold a bird if you put a deposit down on them. I don't know if this would be an option for this store, nor how long that they would hold the bird for.

If my friend told me that he needed my help with a conure and was potentially dumping him on me, I might tell him that if he wants to bring the bird to me that I'd find him a nice home. I wouldn't risk my relationship with my babies. If you have such a trusting relationship, I'd stick with that. Also, the Jenday, like you said, chose you and your GCC might see that you have a bond with both of them instead of a bird that came out of nowhere and that you might have resentment towards because of your friend and it being flighted. It's your choice, but I would say just help your friend find a home for his bird.

There is a rescue you can contact, I just looked it up online since you are located in Seattle. I know nothing about this rescue, so please look into them before giving the GCC to them. PACIFIC PARROT PLACEMENT - Adopt a parrot. Rescue and re-homing for pet parrots in the Pacific Northwest

Another thing you can do is see if anyone on this forum who may be located near you are interested in adopted that conure

It seems your friend is very passionate about their cause, are they a close friend? With a new rescue(or any bird) comes expensive vet fees. You cannot allow any bird, even one from petco, anywhere near you current GCC without a new bird check up and testing. If you can afford the vet bills you may find a wonderful friend in this GCC as well.

Speaking as someone who is a full-time student, works part-time and has owned a conure for just over a year, I would not at this time get a second bird. I have to pay for vet visits on top of gas, food and costs my student loans don't cover. I know how you feel, I absolutely love parrots and I would love to have another because I find them so interesting, but with my busy schedule during fall and spring semesters, a second bird would completely overwhelm me. If I were you, I would stick with one bird but help find a place for your friend's bird because it sounds like you didn't have a choice in the matter.

Anyway, if you don't think you can afford a second bird, don't get one. It's better for you, financially and emotionally (you won't have to feel like you're letting any pet down if you can't afford two), and the other bird on its way might find a perfect forever home!