May you help me choosing a new family member?

ishtaryasha · Mar 3, 2018

Hi there!
First of one, I want to apologize because my english is not as good as I would want. I'm Basque and I speak basque and spanish, but I hope that you could understand me.

I have two pretty male lovebirds, Pixel (5 yrs) and Byte (4 yrs). Now, I'm thinking on add a new parrot to my family. My bf bought in november a baby cockatiel, and, although he's really pretty and loveable, I think that, compared with my lovebirds, the cockatiel is very calmed. I am looking for a parrot loving parrot, but also funny and playful. Not very noisy, and with a no complicated feeding. I think that the green cheek conure could be a good option, but I am still undecided between the cockatiel and the conure, since I fear that the conure could be more cantankerous.... any of you have the both breeds and can tell me about their behaviour?

A big hug

Ish

FlyBirdiesFly · Mar 3, 2018

Green cheek conure = funny & playful. They can be quite a handful at times and are very active birds. Mine likes to hang upside down at any chance he gets. He also destroys a lot of toys so I have to keep buying new ones. GCCs can be very cuddly as well, but also have the tendency to be nippy. They have bigger, stronger beaks than cockatiels although they are slightly smaller. My GCC is louder than my ‘tiel.

Cockatiel = laid back, gentle and sweet. My cockatiel likes to sit with me for long periods of time, while my conure is always flying around and exploring. The ‘tiel is not very ‘clowinish’ like the conure, but he (actually a female cockatiel) is very affectionate. Both GCCs and cockatiels need a varied diet of veggies, fruits, pellets, and a small amount of seeds as treats. My cockatiel is super quiet, but male cockatiels are much more vocal.

GaleriaGila · Mar 3, 2018

It's hard to go wrong with either choice...

Of course, there's no predicting birds, and they've all got their moods and personalities.

But you sound like a reliable and careful parront, so I think you'll mix beautifully with either, as long as you're prepared to keep them apart until you're very sure they won't fight.

Good luck to you, your lovebirds, and your future bird!

ishtaryasha · Mar 4, 2018

Thank you so much for your responses!

My principal fear is if the conure could be as active as my lovebirds. I would love to work with the bird out of the cage, but I can't with the lovebirds because they are very playful and have broken lot of things (alhough there're lot of parrot toys by the house). I am sure that I could work with the cockatiel because my boyfriend's one is so calm and quiet... but not that sure with the conure.

Edit: these are my boys, Pixel (roisecollis) and Byte (personata)

Flboy · Mar 4, 2018

What beauties!
Tulips are poisonous to birds!
Safe and Toxic Plants for Pet Birds List, poisonous and toxic plants for pet birds, safe herbs for pet birds, safe flowers for pet birds, safe garden plants for pet birds, safe garden flowers for pet birds, safe seeds to grow for pet birds, safe hous

SailBoat · Mar 4, 2018

They are truly beautiful birds!

Have you considered just keeping only these two birds? Your life is becoming ever more busy and your time with these two will likely not increase in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Adding an additional Parrot, will only assure these two will get less time.

FlyBirdiesFly · Mar 4, 2018

I don’t know about lovebirds because I’ve never owned them, but conures might cause an issue. It would be unfair to any new bird you get (and your current birds) to always stay locked up in the cage because they’re too active and might get into your stuff. I would consider not getting another bird quite yet and just trying to bird proof a room where you can let your lovies out of their cage. And this is a drastic suggestion (because I’m usually strongly against wing clipping) but clipping their wings so they can’t reach your things might be a solution. I think that it’s only fair to any bird, especially an active and playful one, to be allowed out of cage time for at least an hour or two each day.

Jferrand526 · Mar 4, 2018

I have conures and a cockatiel. My conures are more active then my cockatiel but will still sit with me for a long amount of time just to cuddle and be with me. My conures are loud but compared to others, the GCC is a little more quiet, still loud at times but can have quiet periods.

My cockatiel has started to attempt to sing the adams family song, a tv series that was aired a while ago. My GCC has started imitating my dog’s squeakie toy, she sounds exactly like it too, along with that she is trying to talk. GCCs are very playful, I have at leat 4-5 toys in the cage at all times, one for two for foraging and two for destroying and then one for sound. My cockatiel is a little scared, I’m pretty sure he experienced something at where he was bred and it has affected his ability to trust humans but he has formed a bond with me and will come out of the cage to play and cuddle. My GCC, Comet, was completely wild when I got her but now she knows step up and how to wear a harness. My conures love to go for walks outside when it is warm enough and that is actually how I have socialized them, I take them to the local swapmeet held in a highschool parking lot and my GCC will sit on my shoulder the whole time and look at people.

Bottom line is, it always depends on the bird. You can get a bird that is calm and not playful at all but can still be a clown sometimes or you can get a bird that is hyper and energetic and always needs to be doing something. I have both those personalities in my bird room from my GCCs. Echo likes to just sit there and be with you but he can be nippy. Comet will be a little energetic but she wants to cuddle in your hair and go to sleep and she is not nippy at all.

ishtaryasha · Mar 4, 2018

Thank you so much guys, I'm gonna try to response all of you.

Flboy said:
What beauties!
Tulips are poisonous to birds!
Safe and Toxic Plants for Pet Birds List, poisonous and toxic plants for pet birds, safe herbs for pet birds, safe flowers for pet birds, safe garden plants for pet birds, safe garden flowers for pet birds, safe seeds to grow for pet birds, safe hous

These tulips are handmade of fabric, not a real plant. The bird's room is 100% secure to them with no real plants. Thanks for the link!

They are truly beautiful birds!

Have you considered just keeping only these two birds? Your life is becoming ever more busy and your time with these two will likely not increase in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Adding an additional Parrot, will only assure these two will get less time.

Yes, I considered it but I firmly think that I can have a new one without worsen thr life quality of Pixel and Byte. Since I am decided (and my bf to) not to have never babies, I will have enough time for the pets. I also have a dog and I think that he is well attended (4 walks per day, the best organic food and hair treatment).

I don’t know about lovebirds because I’ve never owned them, but conures might cause an issue. It would be unfair to any new bird you get (and your current birds) to always stay locked up in the cage because they’re too active and might get into your stuff. I would consider not getting another bird quite yet and just trying to bird proof a room where you can let your lovies out of their cage. And this is a drastic suggestion (because I’m usually strongly against wing clipping) but clipping their wings so they can’t reach your things might be a solution. I think that it’s only fair to any bird, especially an active and playful one, to be allowed out of cage time for at least an hour or two each day.

I am againts wing clipping to. Actually, the lovebirds own a room for fly free, but I would love to take them to my craft room, where I sew. The problem is that Byte steals me the needles, threats... and I fear that he can be hurt since the craft room is not secured for parrots, as their room.

Bottom line is, it always depends on the bird. You can get a bird that is calm and not playful at all but can still be a clown sometimes or you can get a bird that is hyper and energetic and always needs to be doing something. I have both those personalities in my bird room from my GCCs. Echo likes to just sit there and be with you but he can be nippy. Comet will be a little energetic but she wants to cuddle in your hair and go to sleep and she is not nippy at all.

One like Comet would be perfect to me I think... I also plan to walk with him in the park (with the harness of course). But I think that a cockatiel is not able to wear the harness...

Flboy · Mar 4, 2018

ishtaryasha said:
......
These tulips are handmade of fabric, not a real plant. The bird's room is 100% secure to them with no real plants. Thanks for the link!.........
Wow, sure look real!

Jferrand526 · Mar 4, 2018

A cockatiel can wear a harness, in my experience harness training my conures was a lot easier than my cockatiel but they can wear a harness. There is a website that sells harnesses of all sizes.

I would find a local breeder and ask if you could meet their GCC or cockatiels and spend time with the different species and the different birds within those two species to see which one you would prefer. Trust me, there is no better feeling than the feeling that your bird is compatible with you or you are compatible with your bird.

Abu Colo · Mar 4, 2018

Kaixo! Para entender mejor, estáis buscando un papagayo para vivir en la misma jaula que otros pajaros y que no necesita mucha interación personal?

Jen5200 · Mar 4, 2018

Wow - adorable birds (and very real looking tulips)! Your birds are lucky to have their own room...mine are envious

I have a green cheek and sun conures - my green cheek is a very busy boy, always getting into everything. I know that all birds have different personalities, so it can vary a lot between birds. My green cheek is only interested in sitting and spending time with me toward the end of the day as he’s winding down in energy.

I regularly take care of a cockatiel and she is much less energetic than my green cheek. Loves to sit on my shoulder and snuggle.

To address your concern about a cockatiel not being able to wear a harness to go outside - they take a similar size to a green cheek (they recommend petite in an aviator harness). The cockatiel that I take care of is about 15g heavier than my green cheek

. https://theparrotuniversity.com/content/aviator-bird-harness

I don’t know if there are bird rescue/sanctuaries where you are - but they can be a great option to get a bird. The birds are usually mature, and you can see if you connect with them and it’s much easier to judge what their personality/energy level is like. Good luck with your decision - it’s great that you are putting so much thought into it - you’ll end up with a great fit!

LordTriggs · Mar 5, 2018

Instead of getting a new bird (who no matter what you'll have to work with) why not try just working with your lovebirds? No bird is going to come to you completely tame so you will have to tame them down any way, so it surely is easier and cheaper to have a good go with the lovebirds. Just sit and talk to them, offer treats, make yourself interesting and friendly to them and they could very well become good friends with you. They just require time effort and patience

FlyBirdiesFly · Mar 5, 2018

LordTriggs said:
Instead of getting a new bird (who no matter what you'll have to work with) why not try just working with your lovebirds? No bird is going to come to you completely tame so you will have to tame them down any way, so it surely is easier and cheaper to have a good go with the lovebirds. Just sit and talk to them, offer treats, make yourself interesting and friendly to them and they could very well become good friends with you. They just require time effort and patience

It’s not always true that no bird comes to a new owner completely tame. Ducky came to me completely tame. Like, he just wanted to sit with me for hours on the first night and didn’t even want to go in his cage to eat. He never needed to be trained how to step up, I even visited him regularly at the store and he always stepped up for me. But of course my bird is the exception

LordTriggs · Mar 5, 2018

FlyBirdiesFly said:
LordTriggs said:

Instead of getting a new bird (who no matter what you'll have to work with) why not try just working with your lovebirds? No bird is going to come to you completely tame so you will have to tame them down any way, so it surely is easier and cheaper to have a good go with the lovebirds. Just sit and talk to them, offer treats, make yourself interesting and friendly to them and they could very well become good friends with you. They just require time effort and patience

Click to expand...

It’s not always true that no bird comes to a new owner completely tame. Ducky came to me completely tame. Like, he just wanted to sit with me for hours on the first night and didn’t even want to go in his cage to eat. He never needed to be trained how to step up, I even visited him regularly at the store and he always stepped up for me. But of course my bird is the exception

okay 99.9% don't come tame lol! I wish Rio came like that, it was a nightmare the first bit when he came

ishtaryasha · Mar 5, 2018

A cockatiel can wear a harness, in my experience harness training my conures was a lot easier than my cockatiel but they can wear a harness. There is a website that sells harnesses of all sizes.

I would find a local breeder and ask if you could meet their GCC or cockatiels and spend time with the different species and the different birds within those two species to see which one you would prefer. Trust me, there is no better feeling than the feeling that your bird is compatible with you or you are compatible with your bird.

Thank you! I'm trying, but the breeders that have conures don't have them as pets, and the conures are not friendly.... I will call another breeder tomorrow for ask. Fortunately, my bf has a super sweet cockatiel so I have experience with this.

Kaixo! Para entender mejor, estáis buscando un papagayo para vivir en la misma jaula que otros pajaros y que no necesita mucha interación personal?

Kaixo! Euskaraz hitz egiten duzu?

Estoy buscando un lorito mediano para compañía. Vivirá en una jaula aparte de los agapornis, pero en la misma habitación que ellos. Quiero que sea cariñoso y juguetón, porque va a ser un loro mascota.

Wow - adorable birds (and very real looking tulips)! Your birds are lucky to have their own room...mine are envious

I have a green cheek and sun conures - my green cheek is a very busy boy, always getting into everything. I know that all birds have different personalities, so it can vary a lot between birds. My green cheek is only interested in sitting and spending time with me toward the end of the day as he’s winding down in energy.

I regularly take care of a cockatiel and she is much less energetic than my green cheek. Loves to sit on my shoulder and snuggle.

To address your concern about a cockatiel not being able to wear a harness to go outside - they take a similar size to a green cheek (they recommend petite in an aviator harness). The cockatiel that I take care of is about 15g heavier than my green cheek . https://theparrotuniversity.com/cont...r-bird-harness

I don’t know if there are bird rescue/sanctuaries where you are - but they can be a great option to get a bird. The birds are usually mature, and you can see if you connect with them and it’s much easier to judge what their personality/energy level is like. Good luck with your decision - it’s great that you are putting so much thought into it - you’ll end up with a great fit!

It's a small room ^^ but with lot of solar light and big windows (all secured).

In Spain there's only one bird sanctuary, and it doesn't give the birds for adoption, so, sadly it's not an option (my lovebirds are recued from street).
I thought that the conure would be heavier!!

Instead of getting a new bird (who no matter what you'll have to work with) why not try just working with your lovebirds? No bird is going to come to you completely tame so you will have to tame them down any way, so it surely is easier and cheaper to have a good go with the lovebirds. Just sit and talk to them, offer treats, make yourself interesting and friendly to them and they could very well become good friends with you. They just require time effort and patience

I know! But one of them is totally wild (Pixel), although he eats from my hand and comes when I call him. I would say that he is 60% tamed now. When I rescued him he screamed every time he saw a human, the vet suggested me not to bring him to the pet hospital because of his fear, he could die by a heart attack. The other, Byte, was a bit tamed when I got him (he liked to sit on the shoulder, but not to be touched. Nowadays, I can pet him with one finger if I'm saying "mimitos" (petting), but he is very nervous and I can't work wth him (he is always stealing me things). I have worked a lot with them, but I allways have wanted to raise a baby parrot. Definetly this doesn't mean that I will stop paying attention to Byte and Pixel. Buying a new parrot is a decision that I have been meditating for 4 years.

Abu Colo · Mar 6, 2018

ishtaryasha said:
Kaixo! Euskaraz hitz egiten duzu?

Estoy buscando un lorito mediano para compañía. Vivirá en una jaula aparte de los agapornis, pero en la misma habitación que ellos. Quiero que sea cariñoso y juguetón, porque va a ser un loro mascota.

No hablo euskari pero como muchos chilenos, yo sé que tengo raices allá (por el apellido Astaburuaguaxeilupoxjakffdsfnjafua).

Si fueron legales en España, hubiera recomendado mirar a un monje (cotorra argentina). Un caique pueda servir, ellos tienen fama de ser juguetón, pero no son muy hablador.

¿Has mirado a los guacamayos pequeños? especialmente los guacamayos nobles Diopsittaca nobilis, y el maracaná Primolius maracana. También hay Primolius couloni y Primolius auricollis.

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