Anyone have Princess Parakeets (Princess of Wales)

[kikidee]

I recently kind of fell in love with this unique bird at my local store and am now wondering if I should get it instead of the cockatiel. (The cockatiel isn't paid for by me, but I have a temporary hold on it)
There really isn't a large amount of testimonials on the bird or a whole lot of advice for it online, and even less helpful videos on it. (Basically none). I do know a few things, but would like someone who does have info on it or, even better, has HAD one.
Some other things I'd like to ask straightforward-
-IS there a difference in sexes?
-Are they super loud, all the time, or sometimes, or never? I've heard that they're either super loud or quiet so I need to know.
-I heard they have a tendency to want to take off. Would they be safe on a harness outside? (obviously after a lot of training).

ONE LAST THING that is unrelated to the parakeet at all- How long are the aviator harnesses in length? Thanks!

[Wolf]

What do you mean how long are aviator harnesses? Are you speaking of the stretchy attached line? Or are you speaking of something else?

[kikidee]

What do you mean how long are aviator harnesses? Are you speaking of the stretchy attached line? Or are you speaking of something else?

Yes, like how far it allows the bird to distance itself from you.

[Pajarita]

Well, they are much noisier than a tiel but similar in that the males without mates will call and call and call incessantly when hormonal. They do great aviary birds but then, so do tiels as both species are very flock oriented.

[Wolf]

I measured one of mine. It was a medium sized one, unstretched the leash was about 4 feet long and stretched it was close to 8 feet in length. They also have available an add on leash that they say will allow up to about 4o feet.
The only thing that I can add about this species is that while reading about them, it was mentioned that they are susceptible to eye infections, and that they are not considered to be exceptionally loud birds.

[kikidee]

Ah okay thanks soo much you guys!
I would only have one and wouldn't have/don't have an avairy for it, but know that I should give it a pretty wide cage. Plus I'll make sure it gets to spend most of the time out of the cage.
Also for Wolf, do you know where the extension is sold? Just curious.

[Harpmaker]

The aviator harness extension is sold at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aviator-Flight-Line/dp/B004HIHVQC/ref=sr_1_45?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1402429194&sr=1-45&keywords=aviator+harness among others. It is called Aviator Bird Flight Line, and the Parrot Wizard is one of the vendors. It doesn't seem to be linked from the Parrot Wizard site. (Very confusing, Michael!)

[kikidee]

Awesome! Thanks for the help. Right now I'm actually wondering if there is a difference between Princess Parakeets and Indian Ringnecks, and deciding which would be better.

[Pajarita]

My dear, you are going through a range of very different species. You need to determine what you are capable of handling before you make your decision. Tiels and Princesses are mild-mannered, flock-oriented, smallish birds that are not really highly trainable. That's why they do so well as aviary birds, because they do much better and are much happier in a group of birds of their own species than with a human. People keep them as only birds but, in truth, this benefits the human owner and not the bird. Ringnecks are larger and much more difficult as they don't only require daily handling (and that means every single day of your life!), you need to know what you are doing because a bite from them is not the same as a bite from a tiel and they are known for regressing to wild ways very easily.

I dislike the term 'starter bird' because I think that all parrots require knowledge, work, planning, and time to keep them happy and healthy but, if one is to compare one species to another, tiels and princesses are easier than most and ringnecks are harder and not recommended for beginners.

[RenLynn]

Yes there is a difference, Indian Ringnecks are said to be bad pets but I also have heard the opposite. They can talk though, but also can Princess Parakeets. I would recommend a male P Parakeet. But in the end all birds have different personalitys.