Is a GCC right for me?

[lunacockatiel]

I am looking for a bird with a lot of personality, that would do well with 2 people and 1 reserved-acting cat.

I am used to the sounds of a cockatiel and that level of 'noise', so I was wondering (at the worst) just how loud a GCC normally gets?

I realize that there is no definitive answer, but any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[brianlinkles]

In my experience our gcc's are much quieter than our cockatiels were. In fact my daughters (she's 13) gcc is so amazing that I bought a breeding pair and we have been breeding them. I just love them and I don't think that you can find a better match for families!

 

[lunacockatiel]

Thank you Brian. For a long time, I have wanted an IRN, but then after visiting Petco a couple of times and seeing the GCCs I am re-thinking.

I really think it is best to get a young bird from a breeder instead of Petco. We don't have much around here. I am in the boonies.

 

[brianlinkles]

Thank you Brian. For a long time, I have wanted an IRN, but then after visiting Petco a couple of times and seeing the GCCs I am re-thinking.

I really think it is best to get a young bird from a breeder instead of Petco. We don't have much around here. I am in the boonies.

Where are you located?

 

[lunacockatiel]

Western Mass.

 

[moni.k]

I don't own any cockatiels, but in comparison to an eclectus scream my gcc is MUCH quieter. I actually really enjoy her little screams, it's high pitched and I find it adorable. She usually screams a couple times in the morning and in the evening, lasting for about a minute. She also screams out of pure joy when she's playing. If you're looking for a bird with personality in a smaller package its a gcc all the way! They are SUPER energetic, hyper and total clowns. Layla enjoys flipping on her back and play with her foot toys like a dog. She enjoys cuddling and being pet (maybe a little too much) and will voice her opinion on "how" she wants to be pet with a little bite. We're working on nippiness which is pretty common with gcc, but I find their bite much more manageable than larger parrots (less damage). They do have the capability to break the skin, but for the most part it kind of feels like a clothes pin pinching your skin.

I think gcc makes for a great pet: less maintenance than a larger parrot, fairly quiet, very affectionate, huge personalities and they're very beautiful (so many variations of color mutations to choose from).

Negatives: their screaming can be annoying/unbearable to some, can be very nippy, along with their energy you always need to have a close eye on them all the time (love to get into trouble).

Of course every bird is different and I can only speak from my experience. If you do find a breeder try visiting and playing with them before making the decision. There's nothing better than a little hands out experience to make your final decision.

 

[MissBMonkey]

I adore my Ducky. She's the sweetest bird I have ever had. I had a cockatiel who wasn't so friendly. I bought Ducky from a Petco. I am in Boston and we don't have any bird rescues for over 50 miles (RI), and I don't have a car.

When I am home, Ducky is clinging to my shirt or my hair; she climbs up and down all over me like a little monkey. She is such a smart little girl...literally has the mentality of a 2 year old person. She loves cuddles and games. She eats with me and watches tv with me. When she is on my shoulder, she is as quiet as can be, other than a few quacks into my ear. She sits there preening me or herself or nibbling on my t-shirt.

BUT. When she is in her cage, she is LOUD....she will not shut up!! She bounces up and down on her perch quacking and screaming, quacking and screaming. I do not know where she finds that energy! She hates being in her cage. When I am getting ready for work or in the shower, I can hear her shrieking (a high pitched whistle that sounds like a smoke alarm). When I come home at night into my building, I can hear her shrieking, and my condo is on the very top floor! Knock on wood the neighbors haven't complained yet!

So.....if you do not mind potentially having a 2 year old that throws a temper tantrum whenever you leave the room for the next 30 years, go for it

 

[Agapornis]

I agree with all of the above! Our 2 GCCs have added so much to our lives, we can't imagine living without them. I don't find them too loud at all. Fiji has one loud sound he makes, like "EEEEEEEEEEE-EEEEEEEEE!" but only when he is excited. He is my hubby's little buddy, riding around in his shirt with his head peeking out. We got them both as babies, from the same breeder, and they have assimilated into our family with no problems at all!

There is nothing cuter than a puffed up GCC, doing the "conure strut!"

 

[Kalidasa]

It's a sound you get used to very quickly, and as stated before, it's actually a nice sound...I love her sound offs in the morning, evening, or when someone walks in the door. Kinda reminds me a bit like a blue-jay. And their regular vocals sound like a quiet duck quack. It's adorable!

 

[lunacockatiel]

So.....if you do not mind potentially having a 2 year old that throws a temper tantrum whenever you leave the room for the next 30 years, go for it

This made me LMBO.

I LOVE hearing all of your stories. I have been watching some youtube videos so I can get a feel for their different personalities, but no one really wants to post videos of their birds 'misbehaving'. LOL

 

[Peeko]

I have absolutely no complains about Peeko's personality. After having him, I'll never consider any other kind of parrot.

He does get loud, though. He screams for 5-10 minutes several times a day. I will admit that his screaming makes my ears ring and it irritates my family, but that's really his only negative. This is a video taken when I left the room, but note that he usually screams more and louder than he does in this video. He recognizes the camera and is very 'camera shy' when it comes to making noise.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT4k4kTKITg]Is Peeko Ever Noisy? - YouTube[/ame]

 

[aliray]

I think gccs are adorable and I fail to see how their little voice can bother anybody. They are cute, they come in some very pretty colors, they don't get very big so their easy to be on you and not heavy, their little clowns, and they love to be with their humans and they love to play. What more can you ask.

 

[baron1282]

The only thing going against petco or pet smart is the fact they do not socialize their birds hardly at all. They are not aloud too so the bird does not get attached to the workers.

I bought mine from Jack's Pets and they socialized their birds and it did not seem to have any ill effect on the bounding. The only other real issue I see with the pet stores is Price! I bought mine for $500 where as from a breeder they can be around $300.

But again, if you are walking around Petco or Petsmart or some other pet store and a bird just calls you, don't hesitate to buy it if you can afford it. The right bird chooses you. Does not matter where it comes from as long as it's healthy and you get it checked by the vet right after purchases.

 

[Abigal7]

I like green cheek conures. Yes, they can make a scream but I find them to be pretty quiet. If you are looking for a small bird with a big parrot attitude this bird would fit the bill. To be honest I have such a love for these birds I have no desire to own a very large bird because they are such a great fit.

 

[baron1282]

The only issue with the Green Cheeks is they like to nip a lot, which sometimes can hurt! lol

 

[Triplemoon]

I can say that my two are nice and quiet compaired to other types of birds. But they are nippy when they want something or are not wanting to be handled. My Jada can be a complete brat if she is cranky that day. Heaven forbid they do not get a full night of sleep. The only time they get loud is when the dishwasher, washing machine, or garbage disposal gets turned on then they go off in what I think is a flock alarm call. I couldn't be without them thou.