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[Joshuwaaa]

Hey,

So I've been contemplating getting another bird for a long time, and I've been over and over tons of web pages looking at different birds.


I was just wondering if I could maybe give you my situation an then get some suggestions about which birds would suit.


So at the moment I have a green cheek conure, Cricket, an he's amazing and I love him to pieces. While he's a baby still I wanted to introduce the other bird soon-ish.


I'd like a larger bird as company for us all.


I live in a new build apartment and to be honest our noise doesn't carry easily, nobody has said anything about Cricket and he can be pretty loud. Me and Jack would rota/shifts and one of us are usually home with maybe 4 hours a day the birds are alone. I live in a child free home, smoke free and can accommodate the dietary and social requirements of these birds


I've done loads of research but owners are always best to her from really.


I like African Greys, Alexandrines and Eclectus's. These are the birds I'd next like to adopt.


Out of the three does anyone know which would suit us best? Lots of information on your personal birds would be lovely? Behaviour, Noise and how they get on with other birds.


Thanks everyone for reading,

 

[Birdlover11]

I think you will like a African Gray.

 

[MonicaMc]

I don't have personal, hands on experience, with those three species...

African Greys - Considered to be smart, intellectual birds. If raised incorrectly, may become birds who are terrified of change.

Alexandrines - Smart birds, but can be rather loud. Not known to be a very cuddly species (as compared to say, an african grey, conure or cockatoo)

Eclectus - considered to be hypoallergenic birds, may require a specialized diet and typically not considered to be cuddly birds


At least, this seems to be the general feeling about those species that I've read and heard about from owners.



There's no guarantee that your conure would get along with any of those species, and considering the size differences, it wouldn't be recommended to allow them to interact anyway....


Your best bet is to really research the different species you are interested in and go and meet some in person! Some people love cuddly birds and others enjoy the birds who are independent but still enjoy some interaction.

 

[andreavizzuso]

I prefer African Gray as well;
African Gray is very smart; the only problem is his lifespan because he can live more than his owner;
In this case; who could take care of him?

 

[OOwl]

I absolutely love my Congo African Grey, but I'm really glad I live in a house, because this particular bird could NEVER live with an apartment dweller. In 30 years of living with parrots (my own and fosters), this is the LOUDEST bird I've ever had. I know he's an anomaly but I guess they DO happen. He talks, he sings, he whistles, beeps, and screams. I also have an amazon and a rose breasted cockatoo, and he's WAY louder than they are. So, just something to consider. . . Good luck on your choice.

 

[MeganMango]

I dont have any experience with those species, but Im under the impression they often bond very strongly to one person and can be completely apathetic or even aggressive to everyone else. This is something my partner and I considered when looking into different bird species, and the only reason we didnt decide on a grey.

 

[Aims]

I have an Ecky, He's lovely bird and loving in his own way. If he is out his cage he wants to be on me, but the place he picks to sit is on my chest right in front of my face so rather inconvenient if you are trying to watch Tv or do anything really. He trusts me completely and if he will take food out of my hand if he sees me eating it first. He will put his beak against my lips in a kiss. But he doesn't like head scratches, he will let me tickle under his wings but I have read that that can't cause/stimulate breeding behaviour so I try not to do that too often. He has noisy moments but not all the time. He tends to get noisy in an evening when I am in the other room cooking and the kids are being noisy, but I think thats just his way of asking whats going on because he can't see any of it..... Or making sure I remember to do him some dinner too. He tends to chatter away to himself all day long when he thinks no one is listening, working through his vocabulary. He's 17 months home and he says "Whatcha doing?" "Hello" "Hey" I'm sure he is trying to say "Love you" But its not really clear yet.
I haven't had any experience with an Alexandrine so can't help you there.
My Auntie has had a African Grey "Joey" He is a right character. She had her brother look after him when she went on a holiday and he wouldn't give him back when she got home. My Uncle fell in love with him.
Good luck on your decision. I hope you enjoy whichever bird you end up choosing.

 

[Joshuwaaa]

Hi,

I think I'm stuck between a grey and eclectus.


I don't want one to want it, I want one which suits best. Which will be happiest and be okay in the long run,


I'm 20 an have my own place which is mortgaged so I'm aloud pets and have hopefully should out live the bird. Horrible thought but necessary.


The dietary requirements of an eclectus don't bother me, but I like the grey because of their more quiet nature and intelligence. That being said ekkies are known to be super smart, but I'd hate to result in him pluckin or anything


I'm also planning on moving, not now but in the future, which would cope best after tens years in one place and then moving to another.


I really don't want to get one and it be miserable and hate its surroundings. I'd love it and pay it attention, but obv there is more to it then that.


Oh geez the decisions.


Thanks again everyone

 

[KatherineI]

As a one-time Grey owner, I'd recommend an Eclectus. While I've never had experience with them personally, for your situation I don't think a Grey would be the best idea. Mostly for reasons everyone has already stated. Grey's, if not raised properly, really can hate change. They also can and do bond strongly to one person (it's not unheard of to hear of them being good with multiple people, but not as common). We had to rehome our Grey because she refused to allow me to handle her, preferring my Husband who is in the Military. I'm sure you can see the problem with that! Grey's can also become super jealous, although that can be said for just about any species of bird.

I got Loki a little over a year ago and then I got Sugar 6 months after that. I can't have them pretty much anywhere near each other; Sugar is completely petrified of Loki and Loki is curious about her but he's not very gentle or nice about it (he's not gentle or nice about anything, it's just the way he is). Keep in mind that when you two birds that are nowhere near the same size, you have to constantly be on your toes, as one can instigate (Conures) and the other can retaliate/defend and cause serious harm and even death.