Green cheek vs Crimson Belly - Cuddles?

Okay, disclaimer: I know birds vary individually in personality a LOT, so there's no guarantee you're going to have a really snuggly/hands-on bird, no matter what species you go for. I am generalizing a bit here.

I have some bird options right now: green cheeks and crimson bellies!

And I'm having a hard time deciding. The decreased nippiness and bossiness and the slightly bigger bodies of crimsons are really tempting.

But I like the fiestiness of green cheeks and I especially like how cuddly and hands-on they seem to tend to be. I love how they burrow into clothes, lay on their backs in people's hands, and nudge under fingers to be petted. It's just so endearing. My last bird was a cockatiel who would be petted under her wings and all over her head and neck. I'd get scritches going with both hands, just rubbing her cheeks with both thumbs and index fingers. I love it and I miss it and green cheeks' love of the snuggles is part of what drew me to them in the first place.

I've heard it said that crimsons are not quite that cuddly. I've heard it said almost everywhere, though, that they are less pushy and nippy than greencheeks, and that's pretty nice sounding. I just don't know if I want to sacrifice the touchable, cuddly, nudgy cuteness of greencheeks for less nipping.

What is your experience with these birds? Has anyone had both? Crimson belly owners, do your birds do any of the super cuddly sorts of things greencheeks in particular have a reputation for?

Decisions, decisions! I definitely need some help choosing.

My green cheek or white eared(close to the green cheek genetically, imo.) don't like to be put on their back. Though I haven't really done any trick training or extensive socialization of my GCC, he isn't very hands-on at all. He tolerates it, but doesn't really *enjoy* it, and won't let us put him on his back/touch under his wings.
My white eared will cuddle when SHE wants to, but it's only on the head/neck. She'll sit in my hand on her back, but that's more of a tolerating/trick thing, she doesn't really do it for play or cuddles.
My sun conure that I used to have, on the other hand, he would cuddle, roll around, chase our hands(playfully), and just be really rowdy and playful and also cuddly and affectionate when he wanted to be. Sounds to me like you want a sun. they're fantastic birds, a bit bigger than the GCC(A little longer, and just bulkier. More stocky.) They tend to be more vocal(Or atleast louder.) but if you don't mind the noise, then they're wonderful. I definitely plan on getting a sun once I'm in a house, since it didn't work out in our last apartment, mine was exceptionally 'shouty' though.
No experience with the crimson bellies though.. There's a few members who have them though. Hopefully someone will pop in!!

Yes, I like what I've heard about sun conures' personalities. I really wouldn't risk it since I live in an apartment, though!

I've thought about blue-crowneds, and there are some breeders nearby that have them sometimes, but again, I've heard that while their personalities are great, they don't really tend to be as cuddly.

I don't have any experience with crimson bellies, but I can say that my green cheek isn't very nippy at all. He only nips if you do something he doesn't like (like touching him somewhere that he doesn't like to be touched. Its never unprovoked) and has never actually bitten anyone. He's extremely affectionate! He pushes under fingers to be petted, cuddles up against the crook of my arm, neck, or into my hand if I cup it, etc. But he also likes to play a lot and isn't always content to just sit and cuddle. He wants to be part of everything I'm doing!

I don't blame you! I thought mine would be fine, but it was an all-day thing with the calling(And anytime someone left/entered the room for some undefined amount of time.) My conures yell pretty frequently, mostly in the morning and at night, really any time they're in their cage while we're here. If we're outside, or out of the room, or not home they're quiet in their cage, but if we're here.. they better be out!! Hah. I just don't think it's loud enough for the neighbors to complain, we haven't had any noise complaints yet, but maybe everyone is really tolerant cause they're noisy too! Heh.
Have you thought about a white-bellied or black-headed caique? That's the next bird I want to get, hands-down. Probably about the size of a sun conure, maybe a bit stockier. Very acrobatic, most of they time they'd rather climb/walk than fly, even if they're flighted! Cuddly(from what I've heard.) and very playful. Take a peek in the Caique's section and you may just fall in love.. that's what happened to me!! Hah.

I have a crimson bellied conure, and he is a sweetheart, but isn't really cuddly. He is quiet, and I think he is gorgeous, but he likes to be cuddled on his own terms...very stubborn
He loves to play and can entertain himself as well as be played with, so for me that is a plus.

I'm worried that you are so focused on having a cuddly bird. There is just no way to be sure that's what you are going to end up with and birds personalities can change after maturity.

My green cheek can be bossy and Monkey finds it amusing to push my mother around. Monkey is also extremely smart and learns quickly. She is cuddly when she feels like it. The girl can be a nippy pain if you don't handle the behavior correctly. You learn to work around issues. Monster is a freak of nature and thinks you are up to something if you try to cuddle him. Since his wings are coming in he just flys away these days.

I honestly only have one semi cuddly bird my sun Loki and he is a baby right now and that could change. Folger can be cuddly occasionally and only with me. He doesn't mind if I put him under my chin for a second and stick my nose in his head feathers. Now if my mother tried that she'd be missing various parts of her face and hands. I love all my birds and the fact they don't need me to be happy or cuddly with me all the time.

The only crimsons I met where at birds paradise and were skittish babies who ran and the brave one nipped at my finger. I don't think they were very well socialized or they were babies just removed from their parents.

Don't worry too much. I know birds can change a LOT when they hit puberty. I'm prepared for that. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to love my bird no matter what, so long as it likes me too.

And yes, Sterling, you're too late! I am CRAZY for caiques. I love love LOVE them. I love their hefty bodies and squeaky voices and bouncy muscular little legs.
I've heard they love attention but are generally too busy and full of energy to chill and hang out. I decided that they would probably drive my boyfriend crazy bouncing around all the time. I absolutely love it and I'm sure would not miss the cuddly calmness at all, but I think my boyfriend will be more comfortable with an animal that will calm down sometimes and just want attention.

I would love to have one someday, though. I love how outgoing and spunky they are.

This isn't a deciding factor for me. I WOULD prefer a bird that likes to be petted, but it seems like most of them enjoy a head scratch. I do like to be able to show some physical affection.

Full-on cuddle time is just a bonus.

Kisota said:

Don't worry too much. I know birds can change a LOT when they hit puberty. I'm prepared for that. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to love my bird no matter what, so long as it likes me too.

And yes, Sterling, you're too late! I am CRAZY for caiques. I love love LOVE them. I love their hefty bodies and squeaky voices and bouncy muscular little legs.
I've heard they love attention but are generally too busy and full of energy to chill and hang out. I decided that they would probably drive my boyfriend crazy bouncing around all the time. I absolutely love it and I'm sure would not miss the cuddly calmness at all, but I think my boyfriend will be more comfortable with an animal that will calm down sometimes and just want attention.

I would love to have one someday, though. I love how outgoing and spunky they are.

This isn't a deciding factor for me. I WOULD prefer a bird that likes to be petted, but it seems like most of them enjoy a head scratch. I do like to be able to show some physical affection.

Full-on cuddle time is just a bonus.

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I'm really really bad at wanting a bird that'll always cuddle me- so I can identify with you. What I've actually started doing that helps is I spend time with my birds and appreciate who they are (Yoshi makes a WIDE range of hilarious sounds, kiwi is an independent cuddle-butt, and Loki is.. well. the God of Mischief!) and if I find myself 'craving' for a new fid, lately a caique, I'll go to a local parrot shop and spend some time with the cuddly 'toos and get that out of my system.. and listen to the huge mac's screams of excitement, which subtly remind me I don't need another bird in my apartment.. hehe.

i have 4 green cheeks,and only one that like to cuddle all the time.
But 1 isn't tame yet,but they do come all the time to give me kisses or preen my hair.
Or just try to sneak into my clothes,no pant leg or sleeve is save.
But they do like scratches.

Fiji likes to cuddle, but Sundance won't have it AT ALL. He will step up, ride around on your shoulders and give you kisses...but don't you dare put a hand out to pet him. Then he turns into a little T-Rex.

Crimson Bellies are SO PRETTY! I would love to have one just because they are so beautiful. Will this be your only bird? It seems like a single bird would be more cuddly than it would be if there was another bird. Fiji was WAY more cuddly before we got Sundance. Now she gets her scritches from him *sigh*

My green cheek is only 5-6 mo old and he is very cuddly and sweet. He doesn't like to lay on his back in my plan very much, but he does that accidentally and gets scared of that. But otherwise he likes to cuddle with my hands, face and hair, and almost never bites me. He also likes to be scratched under his wings.
I never had one, but I read that cockatoos and cockatiels are VERY cuddly. While cockatoos are considered difficult birds (I've been contemplating on taking one for a while, but I'm afraid), cockatiels are smaller and easier. Here is a simple bird comparison chart - maybe it helps:
Easy Pet Bird and Parrot Characteristics Comparison Chart
And you know - quite frankly - I think the BIRD chooses you, not you choose your bird. That happened to my Parry, and probably to many others on this forum. So just keep your heart open and the right one will come.

veimar said:

And you know - quite frankly - I think the BIRD chooses you, not you choose your bird. That happened to my Parry, and probably to many others on this forum. So just keep your heart open and the right one will come.

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100% agree with this!! I went to see baby gcc's, not to buy, but to see.... started playing with them and really wanted a pineapple, so was not the same "type" as my Verde who had died.

Pineapple hated me haha (turns out she bonded to her breeder) and Frootie picked me, I had both her and her sister on me and the sister was ok but wasn't interested in interacting with me. Frootie on the other hand was loving her cuddles and squeaking at me and preening my hair and she LOVED my hubby, which was super important to us.

Any update on your green cheek baby?

MangieSun said:

Any update on your green cheek baby?

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Actually, yeah! Haha, I will still have to consider crimson bellies someday, but it looks like as luck would have it, the little greenie I'd originally reserved will be coming home to me. <3

The last update said that he's still careful with his leg but is getting better all the time. The breeder also recommended I send the full amount for him. But I want to make sure I hear from her what that amount IS first. So it might be a few days yet.

I still don't know how long it'll take for him to be well enough to come home, but I'm hopeful!!

Here's the most recent picture of him. SUCH a pretty little dude.

Awe. He is SO cute! I see why you fell hard for that little one.

He's so pretty! I hope everything works out, keep us posted!

He is gorgeous! I am so thrilled that this is working out for the 2 of you How much longer before he can come home to you?

Hopefully not too much longer... I really don't know, though. I think he'll be able to come home as soon as the breeder thinks his leg is well enough to withstand the plane journey. :>
There will be so much relief, jubilation, and PHOTO madness when he gets here and is settled in.