Advice on the right bird for me

[Annie85]

Hello

I've joined this group because I am thinking of getting a bird (probably, but not definitely, a parrot). I would be very grateful if you could give me some advice on what breed would be good for me?

Apart from zebra finches that we had as a family when I was a child, I have never kept birds, so I would prefer something relatively 'easy'. Don't get me wrong, I understand that all pets are a big commitment, I just feel that a more common breed, for which I will be able to find advice/knowledgable vets/etc would be a better 'first bird'.

I work from home, so am happy with (and would actually prefer), a bird that requires a lot of attention.

I live in a terraced house, so I would prefer a bird on the quieter end of the scale.

I am lucky to have a lot of space, so have room for a very large cage. My intention is in fact to bird proof an entire room, so that he/she will have a cage, but also a safe room that he/she can fly/walk around in. Is this a good idea?

I am not bothered about tricks or talking, but would like a bird that is affectionate.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Annie

 

[aliray]

How about an African Red Bellied Parrot or a Greencheek conure. They both tend to be quiet and affectionate.

 

[aliray]

Oh by the way welcome to the forum,

 

[Annie85]

Aliray

Thanks for my welcome, and the advice.

Just had a little look at those two and they both look lovely. I found a YouTube clip of a baby green cheek conure and have fallen a bit in love.

I see you have both, so I'm sure you're something of an expert! Can you tell me a few things about them?

How long do they live? Part of the reason I am thinking of a parrot is because I have always kept rodents, but their tiny little life spans leave me so sad when they pass on. Living in the middle of a city makes a dog an impossibility. I understand parrots tend to live quite a while?

It might seem a strange thing to ask, but what are the worst things about these species? Are they prone to any particular illnesses, or anything? (I figure if I am prepared to handle to worst, then I know I've found the right pet)

A

 

[aliray]

Hi again. The green cheeks can be a little nippy at times but for me it has been a pinch to the skin. A hamster bite is a lot worse and so is a really annoyed sugar glider before you get them tame. Both of those two birds were hand fed and hand tame when I bought them at 5 and 6 mo old. The green cheeks maybe 20 years or longer and I think the red bellied about 35 plus years. The greencheek likes to be with you all the time where my red bellied can amuse herself a little more with her toys but loves being with you and giving kisses. Neither bird is loud or obnoxious in any way. I use what is called a flight cage for all three of my parrots, they each have their own. the more room they have the better for lots of perches toys and exercise and room to flap their wings. All my parrots are busybodies and like to be involved in what your doing and eating with you and sharing your food. My quaker is starting to talk, my redbellied loves to imitate clicks, whistles, the cell phone ect, my greencheck is not talking yet but to be honest I don't spend time trying to teach them, though Tiki does whistle some notes from songs I whistle to her. Tiki is the biggest, she is built like an african grey in a much smaller version, sweetie pie is next down but he has the long tail, and chiquita is bigger than a parakeet but slightly smaller than a cockatiel. I will admit that Tiki is my favorite, thank god they can't read or I would get bitten for sure. Of the three of them Tiki is more laid back by nature. I would not trade any of them. I also had rodents over the years in my younger days, mice, hamsters, gerbles great little animals but very short lifespans. By the way the green cheeks have quite a few color mutations

 

[Karigan]

No doubt!

 

[aliray]

Karigan great picture of the gcc mutations, thanks for sharing

 

[MarciaLove]

I agree Green Cheek Conures are great! they are smaller in size and quiet also they are very sweet and love attention! They like to play too though so a bird safe room for flying and playing is a wonderful idea! Blue Crown Conures are also pretty quiet birds and very calm and snuggly though sometimes my BCC will get kinda moody and just want to stay in his cage but he usually wants to be with me hes not as adventurous or playful as my sisters GCC though.

 

[brianlinkles]

I was going to say green cheek conures as well! My daughter has one and when we got him I fell in love! In fact we now are raising our first clutch of gcc's. They are so adorable, I cannot even tell you! I don't know how I am going to sell them when the time comes! Gcc's love to be with their person all the time, however they can occupy themselves when they have to. They are also quite quiet. The color variations are beautiful! I love waking up every morning to see the new feathers on our babies! We have what are called "high red yellow sides" This means that the red on the birds bellies extends all the way up to the beak. The above picture shows off the different colors really well!