Choosing a bird, PLEASE HELP :(

Hello all,

This is my first time posting here so i hope i dont mess up :S
I have owned many budgies in the past and have loved every one of them. However, now i would like to buy a bigger bird as i think i am ready. I have been looking at either a Quaker or an Indian ringneck. I would like to know which bird is more even tempered and quiet as i do live in an apartment. Now to get on to my main problem :09:. I have recently been looking at common problems with parrots and have read up about feather plucking. Unfortunately, i suffer from depression and seeing a feathery friend going through this will really bring down my mood and upset me. Is there a parrot that tends not to pluck their feathers? What are the chances of a parrot plucking their feathers? this issue really scares me from buying another parrot and i would hate for this to prevent me from ever having the courage to adopt one. i know i posed many questions so i really do thank you guys in advance. :40::40::40:

Hi, welcome! I'm glad you're doing research to see what bird is right for you.
As far as feather plucking goes, all parrots can pluck, but usually due to neglect, abuse or health problems. While you can give them the best care, and largest cage, there still might be other factors that lead to plucking. If you don't think you can handle a plucking bird and want to prevent having one, I would maybe not recommend a rescue, as they sometimes have more behavioral problems from previous owners.
I'm afraid I can't help you narrow down your choice between the two species, as I haven't owned either, but I would make sure Quakers are legal in your state, as they are not allowed in some places (like California)
Hopefully this can be of some help, good luck with your search!

You should avoid getting a Quaker; they are in every way not like anything you described as an ideal pet. They're often loud, temperamental, territorial, and they tend to be extremely bossy. I've owned a Quaker and I couldn't take it anymore of all the biting, the screaming, and the constant attempt to defy everything I try to make him do. At first, he was really amazing. He was tame, he'd fly to my shoulders, head, or finger; he could talk, whistle, and play with me; and he loved to snuggle and getting petted. But as soon as he became used to his new home, he raised all kinds of hell.

I have heard Senegal are about similar in price and a lot more like what you're looking for. Indian Ringnecks are also extremely loud. Conure (not sun conure) on the other hand tend to be quiet, sweet, obedient and friendly. I would recommend a green cheek conure or its variant, or a senegal.

Hi and welcome. I am going by what I have read online and seen in pictures . Parrots that seem to be pluckers are cockatoos, African greys, conures of various species and yes Quakers. Look at bird rescue sites, all these seem to be over represented. I rarely see Amazons, lovebirds, caiques, well you get the idea, do your own
sampling, if that's the main criteria, but any parrot could start plucking.

And any parrot can be loud. Some are some are and some are not,
Can I ask a question? Parrots thrive on stability. Regular schedules.
So how stabile is your life. Same job, same address, ? If yes, good candidate for owning a parrot and having a healthy, long , and rewarding relationship with a parrot. If you're moving every 3
months, a student, in and out of hospitals, eyc, etc your likely not the best one to adopt or buy a parrot. I am not making any friends by saying all this, but I am trying to be perfectly honest and trying to do the best for you and the parrot. More for the parrot, who can't speak up for them selves .

Thank you everyone that help me out. To answer Wrench13, i am a student however, i do not move around a lot at all. My life is pretty stable to be honest. I am now looking into other bird breeds as suggested as i have considered it and i dont think the Quaker would be perfect for me, nor i perfect for it. What other suggestions on parrot breeds would you guys give me. Obviously, i have a lot of research to do about the breed and i would have to start now :S Thanks once again everyone!

Welcome! Pionus are a bit more even tempered, if you look at the threads in this forum, you'll get a better idea of the various species, their habits, tendencies, and care requirements. I had a GCC that was never loud, was cuddly and was my buddy. Whatever species you choose, I suggest you visit several times and get the bird that picks you, does that make sense?

As far as how to handle having birds when depressed, I have seen that having birds that need you helps deal with those emotions. Birds are also very perceptive. My grey, even though he is young, senses when I've had a tough day. He will hop onto my shoulder and mumble quietly into my ear, it's so comforting!

Hi - would you consider Cockatiels? They are full of fun, mischief, not too loud and a step up from the Budgies you are used to. Several members on here have them so you can read plenty and will get many endorsements if you need them.

Species, not breeds.

If you don't mind smaller birds, bourke parakeets make excellent little companions!

If available, maybe a princess parrot? Or a canary winged parakeet?


Pyrrhura conures (green cheeks, maroon bellieds, black caps, pearly's, crimson bellied, feiry shouldered) are said to be "great" apartment birds but may be nippy and they can still have their loud moments!

One of the pionus species might be a good option?

Sometimes the poicephalus species, smaller amazons (i.e. white fronted, green cheeked, etc), african greys and eclectus may do well in apartments, but this may be dependent upon the birds, too...

Or there are the mini macaws that might be ok? Hahn's macaws are pretty popular, Noble's a lesser well known but still adorable cousin!



It's really hard to say which bird would be ideal for apartment living because each person and situation is different. This includes the walls! And how well the walls are sound proof!

And some of these species may not be ideal for you anyway if you have limited experience. Certain species may require diets catered towards them.

Somebody up thread mentioned a Senegal. They are great birds, however, I would hesitate to recommend them to you given what you've described. I live in a 4000+ square foot house on a large lot (not quite a builder's half acre). Shortly after we brought Leo home we were chatting with the guy next door and I asked him if he'd met our new bird yet. He replied "no, but I've heard him!" He's not quiet and would definitely annoy apartment neighbors. Thankfully our neighbors on both sides are bird people too. He's also got a fairly typical attitude for the species. He's loving and wonderful and just the cutest thing ever, but he's got an attitude that would put a teenage human to shame. Personally I think that's part of his charm, and I'm equipped to deal with him when he cops an attitude, so we are all happy and well adjusted. I'm also a housewife so I have lots of time to dedicate to my birds. That's important for all of them.

Forgot to mention some lesser well known beauties... such as dusky conures, brown throated conures, half moon conures and peach front conures.


I know someone who keeps cockatoos and a macaw in an apartment without issues. Do I recommend it? Not at all! But it is possible to keep some of the noisier birds in apartments! And like I said, each person and situation is different!