Should I get another sunny?(long story)

[DannyA93]

Hey there fellow birdie enthusiasts, I'm in a serious predicament and I'm sure in the end only I can answer this question but I feel feedback from you all will help. I'm sure some of you might remember, maybe not but I had received my very first sun conure and hand raised him myself. He weened flawlessly, I taught him to fly, eat healthy foods and to play. I taught him how to love everyone and he'll receive love back. He was the greatest little feathered butt I could have ever asked for. He had so much life in him and so much left to live, We had a very strong bond. Until I was moving for school and I had my mother watch him for a couple weeks til my apartment was set up and I could bring him with me. There was an accident in my absence and I lost my entire flock that day within hours.(my babies are featured in my signature). It was absolutely devastating and I told myself I would never even consider buying another bird ever again.

But I just couldn't bring my self to sell all the equipment I have. Just last year I slowly started looking again. I wanted a bird that would not look like my little Kyro, I could never replace him. I absolutely adored his extremely cuddly, Velcro bird type nature. So I decided another conure but a different species. I had my heart set on a blue crown conure ever since. I have my deposit sitting in the bank for a year while I was looking but I have still yet to have any luck finding a blue crown. Ive also had the great opportunity to adopt a neglected little cockatiel, he's definitely helped me heal some more.

So the issue I've run into is that my breeder that I received my Kyro from has 3 week old sun conures available. I wouldn't pick him up till he is 7 weeks. I started considering getting another sunny but I almost feel like every time Ill look at the new baby it'll remind me of him and make me sad or start missing him or some other emotion. I don't want to hinder a new baby sun just because I'm weak hearted. But on the other hand i know they have such diverse personalities that if I got him he would be a completely different bird and I wouldn't associate them together but I still miss Kyro every day and I'm just afraid of the negative outcomes that could happen. Please help!! Idk what to do! Should I just hold off for a different species or just risk it and take the plunge?

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

This is a tough one.

I do understand where you are coming from.

The problem with suns, in that regard, is that they look so similar. You can get a sun that has enough distinct features to not remind you of your loss (ie, Skittles has a LOT of orange) but sunnies don't show full plumage til their first molt so you don't have that luxury. However, the parents of the bird are good indicators of the coloring in most cases. Sunnies are pretty distinct in their behaviors. While many have common attributes, they all have different personalities overall.

The thing you should consider is, if you do get the new sun, buy a whole new cage and new toys so you see the new bird in a whole new environment.

This is only a decision you can make. Though, for me personally, I think the fact that you want another one so much shows that you are ready, even though you have your doubts. But that's just me. However, if you are still so intent on getting a BCC, you may want to seriously consider whether you want another species in case one happens to come along after you get the new sun.

 

[SilverSage]

You know yourself best. It sounds to me like deep down you are afraid your new buddy will just look too much like your old bird. What about getting another species, but more closely related to a Sun? Such as a Jenday? Blue Crowns are such a vastly different species. However if you know what you want then hold out for the Blue Crown. I wouldnt suggest getting another Sun right now, perhaps after you have had birds again for awhile? But of course, only you can truly know.

 

[Taprock]

I would say go see the baby Suns and see how you feel. You will know when you see them. You may find one that is instantly yours. Or they may remind you too much of Kyro, but even if they do and you aren't ready you would know for sure. There will be other birds if you aren't ready yet. The fact you're thinking about it shows you are healing.

My husbands dog died and he bought a puppy that looked identical. I was very concerned about it being a replacement. My concern lasted about two days. Their personalities were so different there was never any issues. When the puppy was grown he did look identical to the old dog but at that point we were so familiar with the different personalities we never even noticed his looks. I think the same could happen with the right bird.

 

[DannyA93]

Ya. My breeder is 4 hours away so if have to make a full days trip out of it. Kyro also never was able to fully grow in his adult coloring. He was almost two years old when I lost him. So maybe just getting passed they baby colored stage would be the issue. I also considered getting a red factor but they are no where near me so that was ruled out pretty quickly. I do appreciate your feedback all of you have valid points.

I'm not stuck in a blue crown I'd just always like them and since they looked completely different I figured it could work. OH and before I forget I was just informed of a woman looking to rehome her 6year old blue crown also so I'm just going to spend time with the new sunny babies and I'll pay a visit to this woman with her blue crown and just see how it goes? Am I being reasonable?

 

[RavensGryf]

I think that sounds like a good idea Danny . See the babies. I believe you'll know then if it feels right, or if another Sun will just remind you of Kyro too much. Good luck seeing the Blue Crown too.

We're all different, but getting the same exact species or breed of animal (same looks and coloration) after losing one doesn't appeal to me. Although I did it once with Bronze Winged Pionus. Perhaps with 10 years gone by, and the first one I didn't have even a year to bond with before she passed away. However, I could never in the future get another Red Bellied parrot like Robin who has been my soulmate for the past 21 years.

Good luck to you, looking forward to hearing what you decide!

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I read this yesterday and decided perhaps its best not to post lest I influence you in the wrong way but then it kept bothering me all night so I returned to look for you today. I had a White Eyed Conure for years and just recently lost him to old age. Because I had a lone quaker PeterPan who was mourning with me and needing a flock around her I got a White Fronted Amazon who came with a few issues of his own but his issues are not not relevant here. I searched and could not find a white eyed Conure anywhere as they are extremely rare in Ireland...then just a couple of days ago someone sent me a pic of a group of white eyed Conures sitting on a perch in an aviary...the pic was from 2013 but the breeders name and phone number was underneath the pic and I phoned him and booked the first baby he had for sale...babies wont be available until much later in the year as the parent birds are not nesting yet and while we were chatting I booked my baby boy and I am telling you all this because I view getting a second White eyed Conure is not about replacing the first or remembering the one thats gone and being unable to cope with the loss its about celebrating traits you loved in the conure you had and rediscovering those traits anew and nurturing a new love for the new baby Conure. No two are exactly alike in their ways and so you love each one differently. In my heart I feel my Roger will be a special Guardian Angel to my new baby White Eyed Conure as I believe he is now to my Quaker and my White fronted Amazon and in this way I carry him with me in my heart where he still holds the number 1 spot and always will. I guess what Im saying is that when you get a new Sun Conure (if that is your choice) then you might be remembering a little about your first baby but mostly you will be building a new love and relationship with your new baby who will hold an equally special spot in your heart once you get to know him. Im so sorry you lost your first Sunny so young but dont be afraid to let your heart fall in Love with a Sun Conure again :smile015:

 

[Kalel]

Well put, Birdigirl. Danny, good luck with your decision. No such thing as a wrong one. As you and others have mentioned, only you can really know how you feel. I think the idea of meeting them and going with your gut feeling is a great suggestion rather than trying to reason out an answer. Things like this are probably better decided with your heart than your brain. If it were me and I was able, I would probably get both. But that's just me Please let us know

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Skittles does not look like most of the sun conures I've seen in pictures or in stores. He has a LOT more orange, it's like neon orange. He has very little yellow and his green is darker. Point is, it wouldn't be difficult to find another sun who looks different. But one of the great things about suns (and parrots in general) is that while many species may look identical, their personalities could not be more varied. You could have a sun that loves to hide in tshirts and then have another one that hates them. You never know, that's what's great about it. You couldn't get a replacement even if you tried.

 

[DannyA93]

You guys are amazing. I was stressing a little more than I probably should've lol I just had an hour and a half long conversation with the blue crown owner which I found out he is 3 hours away! NM is a really big state. he was a very nice gentleman and I had a chance to hear a general description about his personality which of course he was telling me he's just wonderful and perfect and he's rehoming because he just doesn't have time. Meanwhile, I'm thinking this is impossible no bird is this perfect lol so I let him know that it was okay to give me the negatives also. I'd love to hear everything that I wouldn't be scared away as I'm not intimidated by beaks or screeches. AND that's when I found out the real reason! He's a very needy guy and if he's not being paid attention to he will scream his little head off! Which I'm not intimidated by. That's definitely something that I can work on though. He also told me that he would like some of his investment back but he's okay if not, which he would also come with a large which is bigger than my current one.

Which is nice because I can then upgrade my cockatiel to the larger cage I have already I was also told he's never tried giving him head scratches or anything so I'm not sure if he's a hands off bird which my personality is to be physically affectionate. Kyro absolutely loved it so that was great.


OH he also had an idea since he was so far away is that he could meet me halfway so I could have him for a weekend. I'm not sure that's a very good idea. Considering he told me when they moved he started stress picking at his chest (which he's stopped now) feathers so the last thing I want to do is cause him unnecessary stress. What would you recommend? I'd meet him halfway instead of driving the entire way so actually spending time with him in his own house wouldn't work too well. He also told me he's not going to look for anyone else after speaking with me! Which is exciting and buys me time to think everything over with the current information I have. And Kalel I barely convinced my roommate for me to have this one and my cockatiel hahaha I'm sure that would be impossible lol