what parrot?

DLL

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Apr 3, 2015
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HI everybody
Over the past few years i have been doing research on parrots, and finally in a situation where i can get one. I own many healthy pets and have done a ton of research on a bird so even though im a novice i don't view myself as a complete novice.

Any who. I was always going to get a cockatiel but now, would like something with a bit more bulk and size. A little noise is ok but nothing like a cockatoo. The main problem i got is the spot i want to put the cage is only 20 maybe 24 inches from front to back but height and length isn't an issue. So im wondering what are some larger parrots that can fit in a cage with that width? I wanted an African grey but have heard they do better with a 30+ width.
 

JoshuaTarantino

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Juniper - Budgie
I would say if you're going to invest your time, love, and money into a larger bird, you'll have to think more about what that bird would need to be healthy and happy versus what kind of bird would fit into what you already have.

Regardless of what bird you want, and if you do end up getting a bird that'll fit into the space you have, it should depend more on if you and your bird individually and together are able to live a good life with those circumstances. Getting an intelligent bird is a lot of responsibility. Sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with my little budgie! But you have to keep the bird happy :)

Also, is it an issue if the cage you get sticks out a bit from the spot you have?
 
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DLL

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I think you kind of took my thread the wrong way.
I will not be getting a bird that I cant give the proper care, that's why I probably wont be getting a CAG.

Im still in the process of deciding what bird would most fit my lifestyle. And the first thing is to find out what types of birds can fit in a 24" wide cage.

I might be able to move to a new place in the house that will allow for a 30+ inch wide cage.
 

Puck

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Mar 8, 2015
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A Quaker could fit that cage size, but bigger is better if they will not be out all day because they are prone to fatty liver disease and can use the exercise. They are also super loud, bossy as heck, and not super duper cuddly. But they are great talkers, are super smart, are not dusty, aren't pricey, and can make great companions if you don't mind having a bird who sometimes looks at you like you are a dumbo!

I would get the kind you love and figure out how to accommodate the cage it needs rather than the other way around, and I don't mean that in a rude way. I just think you will both be happier in the long run! Welcome btw! We are happy you are here!
 

JoshuaTarantino

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Gotcha! Well I would still recommend looking into small or medium parrots, especially if length and height aren't an issue :) There are lots of types of birds around this size, like cockatiels, pionus, small conures, and parakeets!
 
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Kiwibird

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Jul 12, 2012
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
With that sized cage, I think a cockatiel would be a wonderful first bird who could be quite happy in that space. So would a budgie (look at english budgies, they are a bit bigger than your standard budgie) or parrotlet. Keep in mind, to a larger bird, that would feel a bit cramped, but to a smaller bird, that could feel like a mansion. Instead of looking for the biggest bird possible to squeeze into the cage, why not look for a bird who would feel that sized cage was enormous to them instead? And it's not like the little guys aren't intelligent and as full of personality as their larger cousins:)
 
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DLL

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I would get the kind you love and figure out how to accommodate the cage it needs rather than the other way around, and I don't mean that in a rude way. I just think you will both be happier in the long run! Welcome btw! We are happy you are here!

The problem is i love them all :11:

Pionus seem like a perfect bird for me but because i live in MN i have yet to find a breeder or rescue with them.

Also any bird i get will be out of the cage several hours a day
 

Puck

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Mar 8, 2015
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With that sized cage, I think a cockatiel would be a wonderful first bird who could be quite happy in that space. So would a budgie (look at english budgies, they are a bit bigger than your standard budgie) or parrotlet. Keep in mind, to a larger bird, that would feel a bit cramped, but to a smaller bird, that could feel like a mansion. Instead of looking for the biggest bird possible to squeeze into the cage, why not look for a bird who would feel that sized cage was enormous to them instead? And it's not like the little guys aren't intelligent and as full of personality as their larger cousins:)

Absolutely!!! Poor budgies get a bad rap when they are an awesome bird!!!! I agree with kiwi: my Quaker came to me in a 20 by 18 cage and it was much too cramped for him to live happily in after you added all the toys and feeders and perches, etc. All the necessary "decor" to keep them entertained takes up a lot of space! Also I have the feeling that, like most of us, the second you buy one size cage you start thinking about saving up for a bigger one! (Birdy Uphousing Syndrome seems to be almost as bad as Multiple Bird Syndrome!!!) ;). It's great that you are asking though, that way you don't end up wasting money if you decide to put your new baby in "the minimum size" and six weeks later you're like the rest of us around here: dying to upgrade! And then look at that! You have an EMPTY bird cage! I should get another bird... (This is how MBS begins!)
 

JoshuaTarantino

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Apr 2, 2015
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Juniper - Budgie
Instead of looking for the biggest bird possible to squeeze into the cage, why not look for a bird who would feel that sized cage was enormous to them instead? And it's not like the little guys aren't intelligent and as full of personality as their larger cousins:)

I second this :D My little budgie has a lot (A LOT) of life inside, and has a few tricks up her sleeve. There's tons of videos showing the intelligent parakeets, and similar sized birds!

I just got a new, larger cage for Juniper and she's absolutely loving it, being able to fly in her own space! It totally is like a little bird mansion (which will soon become an even bigger mansion, I'm sure) ;)
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Gotcha! Well I would still recommend looking into small or medium parrots, especially if length and height aren't an issue :) There are lots of types of birds around this size, like cockatiels, pionus, small conures, and parakeets!

Pionus are much larger than those other species you mentioned. I know you said your gf has a white capped Pionus which is the smallest Pi, but still Pionus are 200 - over 300 grams depending.. So I put them in the medium category, not small ;).
 

RavensGryf

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Jan 19, 2014
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College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
The problem is i love them all :11:

Pionus seem like a perfect bird for me but because i live in MN i have yet to find a breeder or rescue with them.

Keep in mind, although Pionus are fairly 'easy' which is what you'll always read and hear.... and I've had 2, so yes while they're independent and 'easy', they are also closely related to Amazons and mature males especially have some hormonal behaviors that can be a challenge unless you are prepared for a medium sized bird who can have these issues. I just thought I'd throw out there something that is not usually mentioned.
 

JoshuaTarantino

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Juniper - Budgie
Come to think of it, her White-Capped is quite small for its own too. Perhaps it's the runt, we recently came into contact with another one and it was much larger! Odd...

But yes, I'll correct myself and say that they are quite a bit larger than the other small parrots! :)
 

thekarens

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Sep 29, 2013
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You could have a poicephalus in that size cage. Great birds, but I'm biased [emoji5]
 
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DLL

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Ok, lets say cage sized isn't an issue. (because I might be able to make room for a bigger cage)

What would be some good medium sized birds, smaller then an African grey, but bigger then a cockatiel. Quieter the better, so no conures. Maybe an ring necked parakeet?
 

thekarens

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Sep 29, 2013
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Ringnecks can be very loud. Pois and pionus are on the quiet side.

Greencheek conures are also on the quieter side.
 

Puck

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Mar 8, 2015
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Alexandrine parakeets aren't super loud and they are very pretty. Green cheek conures are quieter than most conures. Galah cockatoos (rose breasted cockatoos) are small but need a MUCH bigger cage than what you are looking for (macaw sized) so they are likely out... Again, Quakers are awesome but I admit I am biased toward them. Hm.... Again with English budgies, those are bigger than American. I am not sure how loud caiques are but they are in your size range. Also noble macaws... Again, don't know about their noise level. But all birds are pretty noisy. Some are just easier to put up with than others (sun conures screams are ear popping high!). Those are the ones I can think of in the size you want off the top of my head.
 

RavensGryf

Supporting Member
Jan 19, 2014
14,233
190
College Station, Texas
Parrots
Red Bellied Parrot /
Ruppell's Parrot /
Bronze Winged Pionus /
English Budgie
Come to think of it, her White-Capped is quite small for its own too. Perhaps it's the runt, we recently came into contact with another one and it was much larger! Odd...

But yes, I'll correct myself and say that they are quite a bit larger than the other small parrots! :)

Lol, I have a runt here too... My Ruppell's parrot is an extremely small one. Although his beak is of standard size and strength!
 

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