Trying to choose the right parrot! I need your input!

[Remy]

I'm looking for a companion parrot. I've had cockatiels, parakeets, doves, and Mexican quail in the past, but I don't have any pets right now. I grew up with various pets, and I love them all, but I have a soft spot (well, EXTRA soft spot) for birds.

I live in an apartment, and I do work/attend class, although I am able to come home during the day pretty regularly. I'm looking for a birdy to hang out with when I'm home, and that I can take places with me. I'm sure I'm not ready for a large parrot like a macaw or a cockatoo.

I've been looking at conures, but my research is leading me to believe that even the quieter varieties are pretty loud. I've eyed conures since I was a child, but I want to make sure that I choose the right bird.

I guess my most major concerns are noise levels and price. I'm also hoping to adopt, as opposed to buying a baby, because I'd like to help out a parrot that needs it.

What would your suggestions be?

 

[wibitywab]

I would highly recommend a green cheek conure, just make sure you have enough time and money to pay for the initial cost, and all other things like food, vet bills, toys etc. Good luck!

 

[Parrot Parent]

Since you live in an apartment I wouldnt suggest getting a sun conure. My little Xander can get LOUD any time he wants to. I was once at the creek by my house and heard him calling to me!! :O . I thought I was crazy until my brother asked if that was him lol.

I've heard that green cheeks arent as loud. They are also very small and cost about 100-200$. However if your looking to rescue i think it really depends on the organization you are going with. I wanted to adopt a parakeet once and they wanted to charge me 30$ for it!! I could easily get one for 7$. However I ended up rescuing one for free lol. But be wary of rescues also. They tend to have problems like plucking and screaming or even biting. Not that all rescues are like that.

Also if you purchase an avian harness you can take him places with you. Its another thing to try and train them to wear one though haha

 

[mellykyitus]

i have a blue crowned conure and she is louder than my cockatoo and macaw! and her screaming bouts last longer!

 

[Remy]

I would highly recommend a green cheek conure, just make sure you have enough time and money to pay for the initial cost, and all other things like food, vet bills, toys etc. Good luck!

Whoops, I don't know how to use this site yet. I was looking at a green cheek conure, but I read somewhere that they can still be very loud. I suspect that also depends on the owner though.

 

[Remy]

Since you live in an apartment I wouldnt suggest getting a sun conure. My little Xander can get LOUD any time he wants to. I was once at the creek by my house and heard him calling to me!! :O . I thought I was crazy until my brother asked if that was him lol.

I've heard that green cheeks arent as loud. They are also very small and cost about 100-200$. However if your looking to rescue i think it really depends on the organization you are going with. I wanted to adopt a parakeet once and they wanted to charge me 30$ for it!! I could easily get one for 7$. However I ended up rescuing one for free lol. But be wary of rescues also. They tend to have problems like plucking and screaming or even biting. Not that all rescues are like that.

Also if you purchase an avian harness you can take him places with you. Its another thing to try and train them to wear one though haha

Lol! How cute!

I went to a rescue and saw some parrots with plucking problems. It broke my heart. I wanted to snuggle them all and make them better. One cockatoo that plucked was REALLY snuggly through the bars, but I don't think I'm prepared for one of those. Another one (I forget the type, but mostly green) was mostly naked and biting his own leg (not too hard, but it seemed like a nervous habit). He seemed like he wanted attention but was also uncomfortable with it. I think I love him, but I want to make sure I am prepared for what I get. I've been good with other timid/nervous animals in the past. I feel like I want to adopt one that needs it the most, but I don't know if I'm prepared for all that.

I'm definitely getting a harness. :-D

 

[Remy]

i have a blue crowned conure and she is louder than my cockatoo and macaw! and her screaming bouts last longer!

Holy crap! That's LOUD! Thank you for the advice!

 

[oled]

Of cause some perrots is more noisy than other but it also depend on how much time the bird are together with you. My amazon i newer noisy when togher with me or some one else in the family, but sitting alone when we are in the kitchen then she is relly noisy. If you are preperd to have the perrot with you whereever you go the this is not a problem.

 

[Hochimama]

Of cause some perrots is more noisy than other but it also depend on how much time the bird are together with you. My amazon i newer noisy when togher with me or some one else in the family, but sitting alone when we are in the kitchen then she is relly noisy. If you are preperd to have the perrot with you whereever you go the this is not a problem.

Agree ~~ parrots are attention seekers ~~ most of them will make noise whenever you went out and left them alone ~~ i think that's why sometimes ppl do suggest you have a pair ~~

 

[andrea.faerie]

I have a black cap conure (slightly smaller than a green cheek) and all birds are loud. Lucy is super loud when my alarm goes off in the morning (or when she thinks it should, which is actually pretty helpful lol, too bad she hasn't figured out SATURDAYs yet haha), she's loud when she's playing hard with her "kill it" toys, her bells, and anything that's a favorite (ps3 controller, paper) She's also loud right before her bedtime and whenever i go to the bathroom lol (her cage is right across from the door, she does not like it when she knows i'm home and i put the need to pee before her highness's want to be scritched and kissed lol)

 

[Rio Mom]

My green cheek conure isn't terribly loud in my opinon. He gets little bouts here and there, when we come home (he's excited to get out), and makes some noise because he doesn't want to go to bed. I would reccommend a green cheek conure for you.

 

[Parrot Parent]

Of cause some perrots is more noisy than other but it also depend on how much time the bird are together with you. My amazon i newer noisy when togher with me or some one else in the family, but sitting alone when we are in the kitchen then she is relly noisy. If you are preperd to have the perrot with you whereever you go the this is not a problem.

Agree ~~ parrots are attention seekers ~~ most of them will make noise whenever you went out and left them alone ~~ i think that's why sometimes ppl do suggest you have a pair ~~

Haha I have a pair of parakeets and they are still noisy!!

They chirp all day and when one isnt chirping the other one will pick up the slack and sound like TWO parakeets!

But Noise level also depends on the personality of the bird

 

[Hochimama]

Of cause some perrots is more noisy than other but it also depend on how much time the bird are together with you. My amazon i newer noisy when togher with me or some one else in the family, but sitting alone when we are in the kitchen then she is relly noisy. If you are preperd to have the perrot with you whereever you go the this is not a problem.

Agree ~~ parrots are attention seekers ~~ most of them will make noise whenever you went out and left them alone ~~ i think that's why sometimes ppl do suggest you have a pair ~~

Haha I have a pair of parakeets and they are still noisy!!

They chirp all day and when one isnt chirping the other one will pick up the slack and sound like TWO parakeets!

But Noise level also depends on the personality of the bird

Haha ~ i can imagine both of them crying for you ~~ must be an ochestra going on ~~ ^^

 

[Nakiska]

We have a yellow sided green cheek conure and he's AMAZING! He's not at all loud, our male tiel makes way more noise.

I highly, highly - HIGHLY recommend a Green Cheek or green cheek variation, they are amazing little birds with loads of personality. (you can view my profile to see pic's of our birds)

Good luck with what ever you choose.

Take care,

Toni

 

[HRH Di]

So much depends on the individual birdie pesonality. As stated above, all parrots can be loud. Have you thought of one of the smaller macaw species, like Severe or Hahn's? Or an African Grey? Timneh's are smaller than Congos and they have similar personalities. My Ruby (a CAG) is very quiet - I think I've heard her screech once in the year we've had her.

 

[Remy]

Of cause some perrots is more noisy than other but it also depend on how much time the bird are together with you. My amazon i newer noisy when togher with me or some one else in the family, but sitting alone when we are in the kitchen then she is relly noisy. If you are preperd to have the perrot with you whereever you go the this is not a problem.

Agree ~~ parrots are attention seekers ~~ most of them will make noise whenever you went out and left them alone ~~ i think that's why sometimes ppl do suggest you have a pair ~~

I have a studio apartment, so walking out of the room isn't TOO much of an issue for me. =P

 

[stephend]

My tiel is quiet. When I put him down he will sometimes sqawk once, but it is not too loud. Sometimes for no reason I can see he will whistle loudly in my ear, but not often or repeatedly. He does complain about coming home from adventures though.