Patagonian Conure...?

[RavensGryf]

Ahaha so it seems the decision is unanimous that they can be LOUD!
Does anyone know what "kind" of loud it is?(I.E. Like a Sun Conure, shrill and piercing, or more like a low-tone, just high volume?)
I wasn't thinking of adopting one until I saw a breeder here in Texas also specializes in Patagonian. It doesn't specify whether it's greater or lesser, but it definitely caught my eye. And the fact that the only person I've seen that sells them lets them go for $345, which is right around average for a Sun Conure in these parts.
Of course I don't want to go and adopt a bird I know nothing about, but the fact that they seem rare or difficult to come across makes it really tug at my curiosity! Haha

I've also always been fascinated by rare species, whether it was fish, reptiles, plants, birds, etc. The fish and plants always died... Thankfully birds are hardier lol!
I've had several "rare" species of parrots over the years. One thing I did notice, was just because a parrot is uncommon or even rare, it doesn't necessarily mean that the price will be high. Sometimes there is simply not any demand for it, so some are rare but still fairly cheap. It's usually the larger rare species that are more sought after and will command a higher price than an obscure species of smaller bird that not many people are really interested in regardless of rarity.

I don't know what 'kind' of pitch the loud voice has... I'm sure others will chime in who have heard it first hand
It's a conure, so besides individual personality differences, I'm sure it has a 'generally conure-like' personality. Did I hear somewhere they might not be AS nippy as the little ones? Good luck if you decide.

 

[Sterling1113]

Ravens: I'm the same way. I've got 5 reptiles (Bearded Dragon, 5 lined skink, Texas Spiny Lizard, Milk snake and Corn snake) and my two conures. They're all awesome and people are sorta taken back when they first come over cause it looks like an amateur petting zoo! haha.
I love my Kiwi because she's got such personality, and she's actually a white eared conure, not a GCC like her roommate. So people usually don't know what she is at first glance

The Patagonian is running a considerably LOW price considering the Eclectus/Goffin/Galah I've been basing my budget around are 700-1200.
I've seen Galah's and Eclectus priced at $1,400+ but I'm not prepared to dish out THAT much. D: Jeez.

 

[noblemacaw]

I had two mini macaws and am now owned by a RFM. I did have Valentino (RFM) shipped to me from one of the best RFM breeders in the country. She took the time to educate me how the process was done so I would not be afraid of it. A good breeder will make sure the match is a good one and be there for you after you get the baby.

Right before Valentino was due to come home my 17 year old Noble macaw Mihijo died from a heart attack. I was devastated and didn't think I could take Valentino. Wendy helped me though a very difficult time. I not only consider her Valentino's breeder but a friend as well. I still maintain contact as I do order her sprout mix and parrot spice from her. She is a very busy lady and I do realize that but she still enjoys updates of her grandson Valentino and wants to know how I am doing. Valentino will be 2 years old in August.

As for the Patagonian conure. In 2002 I saw one is a pet smart in El Paso Texas. I was fastinated by the large freaky looking conure and asked if I could see the bird. That conure was larger than my Noble macaw and Illiger's macaw and though he was as large as my Eclectus. Since it was still a baby it crawled onto me up my arm and shoves its head in my armpit. I talked softly to him and slowly petted him and he relaxed fairly quickly. I did snuggle him the whole time to try to help him feel more secure. Because of this behavior I knew he could of not been an adult. With the video's I have seen they are very playful birds and yes they are LOUD. That alone stopped me from taking that bird home. That and I was staying with my friends family in Juarez and would not be able to cross him to the house then have to cross him back over the border to drive back home in MN.

I wanted him though. I have never forgot the experience.

The RFM is a very loud parrot as babies. When Valentino first came home I was prepared to weather though that time. I have to say he although his call is very loud he was not as screamy as I thought he was going to be. At 5 months of age he started talking. It was so sudden too. One day as I was working in my office I heard a voice talking downstairs. I actually thought someone was in my house so I creeped downstairs prepared to see someone standing in my home. What I saw was Valentino on his special comfort perch talking away.

When Valentino began talking the loud screaming lessened and it seemed he prefered to communicate with talking instead of screaming. Unfortunately in December I had to stay at the hospital for two weeks and the beginning of January I had to stay in the hospital another two weeks. My coming and going didn't help Valentino feel secure so he began to be very clingy and started screaming more than usual. We are working through this and he is learning I am not going anywhere. RFM are expensive though. I know you could probably find one for 700 or 800 dollars but that is from some dodgey breeders. You get what you pay for.

I have never seen a paddy for under 400. That is a good price. I also think you need to find a way to experience/handle all kinds a parrots so you can get use to all the different species which will help build confidence and help you be less "jumpy". That is what I did. I use to be a member of a local bird club and back then people use to bring their pets to meetings. With the owners help I was able to experience large macaws down to little cockatiels. My favorite are macaws and I learned I am a macaw person.

For me personally the RFM is the largest parrot I would have for me. I am not a large person and am comfortable with Valentino. It does take me two hands to fully hold him around his body.

Valentino seems to be holding at 484 grams. He is not done growing! How much bigger can that boy get? Wendy breeds large RFM's I guess.

If I didn't live in a town home I would consider a patty. They are hard to find so I would check into the breeder closely and make sure they are up to your standards. After all the research I have done if my EX takes Julio my next parrot would be a Panama Amazon. The personalities of Pan Am would make the perfect fit for me and my flock.

 

[Birdman666]

Sweepea is 12 years old and around 550-ish...

 

[Sterling1113]

Your RFM looks very happy to have found such a nice human companion/pet! Hehe.
I'm in an apartment as of now, and moving somewhere larger(hopefully!) in June. My two GCC's get quite loud, they can hear us when we park the car and by the time we're on the sidewalk we can hear them sqwaking!
I'm 99% sure the lady who lives diagonal to us also has a bird, as I've heard similar sounds(perhaps maybe a conure the same size,or a 'tiel.) Or maybe she's just really good at bird calls.
My other neighbors either have dogs that bark, or just do random other things that are noisy so I'm not worried about getting any noise complaints. We're all pretty much on the same page of "we all make noise, so don't be a jerk and complain about just one of us, cause we all do it" sort of thing.

The pet stores I have near me are BORING! I mean, I've never purchased a parrot from a store, but I visit frequently as I have 7 pets and I love seeing the animals come and go. Usually they have a GCC or /maybe/ once in a blue moon a sun conure. But when they have conures you better believe I'm back there playing and snuggling with it! If they won't socialize it, I will.

Honestly I don't think I can afford anything over $1,200 (including shipping, if I go from a breeder online.) as I'm using my tax refund on my new flock member, and my boyfriend is also eying a new bed, as ours is 7+ years old and our backs are paying the price!

So, unfortunately, things like a new bed *must* come before my new family member, no matter how much I beg

Really I just think I need to do allot of looking around, visiting places that have parrots I can experience first hand, find out the volume, etc. That will come *after* I have money to purchase a bird, because we both know if I fall in love with a parrot, there's no way I'm leaving without it

 

[RavensGryf]

White eyed conures are beautiful!

Edit: I just read I accidentally said white EYED. I know there's a white eyed also, but they're Aratinga's... I meant to say White Eared are the ones I think are especially pretty

 

[Sterling1113]

The quality isn't that great, but the first one is Kiwi, she's about a year old and already been through her first molt so she's flighted, and loves to snuggle.
She does that thing where if you have your hand down(like mine is) She'll puff up and push her body against you, you can kinda tell her left foot isn't really holding her weight as much as my hand is.. Haha.

And this is Loki, her cage-mate and best friend! He is still clipped, so he got to (very briefly) experience the outside when it snowed. Which is a rarity in Texas!! Haha. He's a Pineapple GCC (If I'm not mistaken.)

 

[Birdman666]

Interesting to see him outside in the snow.

Does your conure try to "bathe" in the snow?

I've heard other people say theirs does.

None of mine have ever even seen the stuff...

 

[Sterling1113]

Does your conure try to "bathe" in the snow?

Naw, he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. Once he realized it was cold he just gave me that stare like "Okay, very funny, now pick me up."

It was so funny.. the snow was so fluffy, and it stayed around for a few days, so you could see a Loki-sized butt print in the snow

 

[sprince]

I had one 25 or so years ago . They are known to be a very gentle birds. Mine wasnt nearly as loud as most conures. She was funny, silly and just the sweetest bird ever. You should definately consider this breed!

 

[Evilbird]

I have a Patagonian Conure.....He is my favorite! He came to me from less then ideal circumstances so has been a work in progress. He is 14 years old and is now learning to play with toys......discovering that there are more things to eat then sunflower seeds and is getting better with his biting. Because of his condition when I got him (more mentally then physically) I am not sure I can give you an accurate picture of the breed over all.

Here is what Zazu is like

He is pretty bonded with just me.....he tollerates my mom some but is terrified of men. Even my teenage boys. He does like to stay up late! I am usually up until 12 or 1 or so and I put him to bed around midnight. On that note the bedtime routine is pretty important to him. If I am not the one to tuck him in at night he pitches a toddler size hissy fit until I do. He is not all THAT loud.....He doesn't sit there and carry on all day. His talking ability is not that great. Hes my one word bird......He says Hello! At 3 different pitches and thats it. He is however VERY good at mimmicing sounds. When he is being loud it is a high pitched short squack. Its not as obnoxious as a few of my other birds but he is usually sitting on my shoulder when he does it and right in my ear.

Hes kind of goofy. He likes to watch any kind of light on the celing. Probally due to being in a tiny cage his whole life with no toys or perches before I got him.....made him a little nuts. He likes to shower, doesn't pick his feathers, HATES his feet to be touched, loves under his wings rubbed.

Overall I think hes great! I would actually love another Patagonian but they are wicked hard to find. When I got him the girl didnt know what kind other then "Green Conure". Boy was I surprised!

 

[GaleriaGila]

I ran across this thread while searchg for "Patagonian Conure nocturnal"...
There was a lot of curiosty aout their voices... loud? how loud? what kind of loud?
If anybody is still following this thread, and would like a sample of Patagonian "chat", be my guest by checking out "The Star" link in my signature below.