Help me make a decision on my next parrot!?

Hi,

Incoming wall of text… sorry!

I am looking for some suggestions on the right bird for me, I read the “choosing a parrot” sticky but I’m just looking for a more detailed opinion… the rating system didn’t really help me since, for example, African greys were given a 10 for noise but I’ve heard they are quieter then most conures from people who own them… so I’m not sure.

Firstly I live in Australia, so prices for most birds are different for me… secondly my experience with birds is a cockatiel, budgie and a rainbow lorikeet when I was younger. I’m really looking to get a pet parrot again and this time I want something a bit more “exotic”. Maybe something a bit bigger, too…

I really want a bird that will be cuddly and affectionate, maybe learn a few tricks, want to be out with me when I’m at home/do stuff with me, come outside on a harness, out to the beach and other places, I don’t mind if it’s just a “one person” bird as I live with just my mum, who is afraid of birds anyway, lol. Well maybe afraid isn’t the right word, she likes them, thinks they’re cute, but she doesn’t like when they sit near her face and she’s scared they’ll bite her. But she liked my previous pet birds.

Anyways… the types of birds I’ve taken an interest in/considered and their price range are;

Sun, Nanday and Jenday Conures - $300-500 in AUS
Blue Fronted Amazon - $1,500-$2,000 in AUS
Eclectus - $500-1,000 in AUS (female’s are cheaper)
Congo African Grey - $5,000 in AUS
Hahn’s Macaw - $2,000-$2,500 in AUS
Umbrella/White Cockatoo - $500-$800 in AUS

I guess what I’m looking for is basically opinions on what you guys think would suit me best... I work 3 days a week from 10am ~ 3pm, and am at home studying the rest of the week and most weekends. Even tho I will be at work for several hours for 3 days a week the bird would be out of it’s cage every other time I’m home. I live in a house that is pretty isolated from the surrounding houses and is an old Victorian house, so the walls are heavy/thick and block out a lot of noise. I want this bird to be a real pet that will be around for a long time. I’m very patient when it comes to training animals and noise levels, I’m also very forgiving when it comes to bites. (I wont be scared, for example, if I had a Amazon and it went through it’s hormonal period and bit me.)

I would love if they had the ability to learn a few words and sounds too, I know it’s not something any parrot, even an African grey, is 100% guaranteed to do, but starting with a species that’s known for being a good talker would at least be a head start.

I’m not sure if it would be best to get something cheaper like a conure and have it within a few months, or save my money and get a African Grey or a Amazon in maybe 7-10months from now. Especially if they’re the right bird for me… I currently have $1,500 saved to go towards my parrot, so that included the bird it’s self, a cage, toys etc. I have already gone into stores/websites and priced a decent sized cage (we’re talking Amazon or Grey sized) at around $400, “starting” toys at $300 and things like a harness, shower perch, play stand etc at $200.

So yea… I’m sorry for the great big wall of text but I really am struggling to make a decision by myself!!!

Thanks…

It is only you can decide what bird you will have but consider following

Do you and surounding stand for the noicelevel ?
Do you have the time ?
What will you like to do with the perrot ?
Do you have the money for vet etc ?

I addressed all of those questions in my OP...

IT really depends on you on what you want. Some of those birds are not cuddly birds but it also depends on the bird as each one have individual personality. Out of the whole list you have there, I have to pick Eclectus as my number one choice. I've been around ALL the birds you've listed. I LOVE my Eclectus pair as they're the ones that I have the least experience with but I got them anyway. We fell in love with them from day one! GREAT talkers!!!!! My boy JoJo loves to cuddle with me as my girl Gracie prefers to hang out on the shoulders instead. VERY quiet most of the time! They chatter more then scream, they're Soloman Island Eclectus.

I've owned Conures and never again will I ever own one. The only conure I will ever own is a Green Cheek. The other ones you've listed, I just can not handle their scream constantly all day every day.

Cockatoos, cuddly birds, BUT you must know your birds VERY WELL in order to own a Cockatoo and they're the one out of the bunch that can easily develop emotional issues! We love ours dearly and wouldn't trade her for nothing!

Amazons are not known to be cuddly birds! I've been around different types, GREAT talkers as well, but wasn't my cup of tea.

African Grey are not known to be cuddly birds either. GREAT talkers as well! I almost got one that I fell in love with but I tend to get suckered into taking home unwanted birds instead....lol....Ones that have issues.....

Hahn's Macaw, it's a in between cuddly and un-cuddly....they're cute though! Small package with big personality!

I just barely cover parts of them. You really need to do your own personal research to find the perfect bird for you. Like I always say, the bird chooses you, not the other way around.

When you mean exotic, are you searching for exotic to AUS, or appearence?
Conures are low priced and great but if you want something a bit bigger a Eclectus female (I fancy their colors), ehhh maybe a congo but not good as a replacement pet. Caiques going same level to Conure. But amazons are a bit of both worlds sooo I would really suggest a blue front amazon. I did not suggest bigger species due to frightening your mum.

if you are thinking of getting a gray/amazon down the line, why not wait??

get the bird you really want

in the meantime loads of research, see if any1 near you has similar birds you want an see if visiting them is ok etc find out nearest avian vet, food suppliers etc

keep reading the posts in here, this way you can brace yourself for some of the birds negative side, (but i think these are like a small percentage! including myself)

as for toys an perches see what the bird likes 1st, i have a lot of toys that nut just does not bother with, so i would start with a few and then build up

are you going to get a baby or one that needs a new home??

Thanks for all your replies so far.

I did want to get a baby bird, it's not that I don't want a rescued one, it's just there's not really a parrot rescue place where I am...

I have heard conures scream a lot, which didn't worry me at first but a lot of people seem to say their scream is almost unbearable and worse then a cockatoo/macaw, lol. I have wild cockatoo's fly above and over my house in the morning/afternoon and sometimes their combined shrieking can make the walls rumble.

Eclectus are a breed of bird I've always loved and thought about getting... there is always a sad, lonely "hand raised" one at my local pet store at some point in time and they just seem so sweet and reserved, their little faces are just so adorable... I feel sad when I see them all alone, it's always months before they are sold, too...

I would love if we had one of those amazing pet stores where there are loads of hand raised birds of all different types around and you could go in a "be chosen!" like you have in america, I've never seen anything like that here. I've only ever seen 1 macaw and it was a green wing, our local pet store owns it and it sits near the counter. It cost them like $10,000 at the time. :| lol.

my conure is louder than my cockatoo and macaw!!

Geez, that's loud... lol. I always thought cockatoos and macaws were the loudest there was!!!

I've picked three from you list that I personally like:

Eclectus - My #1 pick for you based on what you want and your experience. I would also go with a male over a female. This is based on talking to a few people and everyone who has problems on this forum with their females. I have yet to see someone post a problem with a male (I've only see posts saying how sweet and loving the males are). Apparently the females can get very moody. You said that you don't work as much but that you spend a lot of time studying. These guys are fabulous talkers, like to cuddle, and still maintain some sense of Independence. So when your studying the bird will be happy vs. wanting your complete full undivided attention (unlike my next pick).

Umbrella Cockatoo - I don't want to dissuade you from getting one but they require a lot more than any of the other parrots from your list. Some can be decent talkers (Don't expect an extra large vocabulary though). These guys are very physical birds. They have to have a lot of cuddle time or their not happy. Your life WILL revolve around a cockatoo if you have one. I absolutely love mine and would never think of not having a Too but their not for everyone.

African Grey - (Always a personal favorite of mine, secretly - don't tell Romeo) Fabulous talkers, super super intelligent and independent. These aren't really "cuddlers" but they do appreciate physical attention on some level (some more than others). The difference is that they don't demand it or have to have it. They do however thrive off of learning knew things and have the ability to have a massive vocabulary.

Which ever you choose good luck, life just isn't the same without a parrot.

I would recomend going and meeting the different species you are looking at. If at all possible try to spend a full day with each.

Also youtube vocalizations for each.

If I were you, I would go for the Eclectus out of the ones mentioned. My second choice would definately be the African Grey next on the list would be a macaw. I say, get what you really want to get right out of the gate if you have any previous bird experience or someone around you that does.

Any bird can be cuddly to a degree, but it depends on how much time you spend with it and how young it is when you get it. But you also have to realize that a real cuddly bird is a demanding bird. Cockatoo's are notorious for this. Yes, they are sweet and cuddly, but they also DEMAND ATTENTION if they don't get it when they want it.

To me, if you want cuddly, GET A DOG, it will be a lot more forgiving than a bird is on those days when you can't spend as much time with it as they would like. If I were you, I would consider more of an independant bird such as a Grey, Senegal or Amazon, Eclectus. They are more of an independant bird and given enough distraction will play on their own especially when you need some alone time.

If I were you, I would consider more of an independant bird such as a Grey, Senegal or Amazon, Eclectus. They are more of an independant bird and given enough distraction will play on their own especially when you need some alone time.

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I WISH my grey was independant! She is the most dependant parrot EVER. My amazon and ringneck can play all day by themselves, but not Ida. She spends most of the day trying to tuck herself under my chin. We are slowly making progress with independant play, but she doesn't fit the mold of what people say a grey is. That's for sure, but I love her, even though she's a bit clingy.

I agree with Abzeez! Though I only have Alex's (which are obviously my favourite choice) my fantastic local breeder has many Greys, Ecelectus, Alexandrines, and Amazons. She also has Sulfer Crested Cockatoos, Black Cockatoos, a Gang Gang and a Pink Cockatoo. Many of which are rescue birds or problem birds who require rehabilitation. (Particularly the Alex's as they are sold in pet stores more frequently in Australia). Of all these birds the Sulfer Crested Cockatoos are by far the noisiest...if you think the scream of ones flying overhead is bad, imagine it INSIDE the house! DEAFENING! The Greys are all a bit different...I think it may depend on the bird. Some are quite happy with their learn and play toys whereas others require more stimulating interaction. I guess it depends on the personality and the way it is raised! The Ecelectus females can be quite moody and the males can get a little jealous if they don't get their way however, they do play the best on their own. She has had the Amazons for a short time only so I haven't gotten to know them very well but they have become her current favourite bird.
She has been around birds all her life and currently holds shows on her property in the Glass House Mountains (near Australia Zoo) with her many alex's where they love to demonstrate how clever they are (they are such little performers!) You can google her blog called "Parrots in Paradise". Good Luck deciding! I chose Alex's because of the amount of time I spent with them. I think it is a good idea to try to spend some time with the type of bird you want...so you get to see the good AND the bad!

I would never recommend a macaw as a first parrot. You have to be pretty secure & knowledgeable about handling parrots before you will be confident enough to handle a macaw. Of course if you buy a hand fed just weaned baby macaw that is very different than getting one from a rescue or buying a "second hand" parrot from someone else who has had it for a while.

Thanks for all of your suggestions and replies. I've taken them all into consideration and have decided that I want to get a baby male eclectus! I have spent all day researching, called a local breeder and organised to visit next weekend - if all goes well and I can leave a deposit and go on the waiting list!

I don't have any way of spending any time with any eclectus besides the ones I've played with at the pet store and the breeder this weekend, but I've watched so many videos and read up a lot.

I was wondering about their diet, I will ask the breeder in more detail but I read they need some things like mashed sweet potato and grated carrot and boiled eggs, is it ok to pre-prepare this things and put them in the fridge for the next following mornings? some mornings it would be easier to just grab some refrigerated pumpkin mush or already made grated up carrots and beans etc.

I have never owned an eclectus but I found this site diets and it looks pretty good. I posted it once somewhere else on here but here it is again.