Is the Conure the best breed for us?

[mella]

We no longer have our dog, and only have a fish. Instead of getting another dog we have talked about getting bird. DH and I are both bird people. We used to have a cockatiel when we first got married and DH was very attached to her and we really enjoyed her, but we no longer have her. I have grown up around some exotic birds, and my parents currently have a Panama Amazon (large, very expensive bird - not something we want) that the kids love.

We are not for sure doing this, and right now we are just researching. I am only familiar with keeping a cockatiel, but we are wanting to explore some other types of birds.

-We have a "flight cage" ready that is roughly 21x32x62.

-I am a stay at home predominantly, so the bird will have a lot of out of cage and family interaction time.

-Hubby likes a bird that the kids can hold on their own, interact with, and build a relationship with. We like the cockatiels, but wouldn't mind a bird that can maybe talk (more) and maybe do some tricks and love to interact with the kids and us. Talking is not an absolute must though!

-Budget is around $100-$200

-I am looking at brightwood aviary. http://brightwoodaviary.com/index.html any comments?

-Our kids are 5 and 6 years old and very gentle and calm kids. Not overly excited or rambunctious.

[Michael]

To be honest, I think a budgerigar is more what you are looking for. Small, friendly, has the potential to talk a lot, good family bird with small children.

[Kim S]

Only downside of budgies in this situation is that they are not really cuddly type of birds. They like to be handled and trained, but dont like to be held and cuddled.

[Michael]

I don't find that most small birds like to be cuddled though. I can't picture any bird typically priced under $500 being particularly cuddly anyway.

[Kim S]

Most cockaties are. I'm not sure in what price range the senegals, conures and lori's are, but all of those are bound to be cuddlier than budgies.

I know it's a popular opinion, but I dont think budgies are suitable for children. They are fragile birds that dont apreciate the hands on experience most kids are looking for. I'd go with a cockatiel or something larger.

[Azure Hanyo]

I know it's a popular opinion, but I dont think budgies are suitable for children. They are fragile birds that dont apreciate the hands on experience most kids are looking for. I'd go with a cockatiel or something larger.

I agree. And they can be very aggressive too... I had a budgie from hell when I was a kid. Absolutely evil bird. My first budgie NAMED Budgie was cool and sweet though, but I was an older kid (13ish) when I had him... I don't think they are good for much younger children than that. A cockatiel I would recommend to just about anyone, I LOVE cockatiels. If I had room for an outside aviary and an indoor one for the winter, I would have so many tiels. Now...true that some tiels are not cuddly like my Archimedes. A baby hand-fed tiel is the way to go if you want cuddly!

[Michael]

Well, as most of you know I don't think any parrot is good for children. But I think this was the case of the parents seeking a pet that the kids can be a part of caring for rather than the exclusive care takers. According to the criteria listed, I really cannot imagine any other species within that budget being more suitable.

[lzver]

I don't have experience with budgies so I can't add much insight ... but my 12 year old step-daughter does have a Cockatiel and she does everything with him! He's cuddly, says a few words now, very easy to handle and tame.

[MandyG]

I don't find that most small birds like to be cuddled though. I can't picture any bird typically priced under $500 being particularly cuddly anyway.

My Gold Capped Conure is VERY cuddly. They're not under $500... but I hear that Green Cheek Conures can be quite cuddly and they're only $150 according to the website mella posted.

[Azure Hanyo]

Well, as most of you know I don't think any parrot is good for children. But I think this was the case of the parents seeking a pet that the kids can be a part of caring for rather than the exclusive care takers. According to the criteria listed, I really cannot imagine any other species within that budget being more suitable.

Cockatiels aren't expensive!!! And if they are crafty and check out garage sales and craigslist I bet they would find a suitable cage even. And tiels are much easier to find cheap bird toys for than larger parrots, and do-it-yourself toys are easier to come up with too. That and cockatiels are so cuddly (almost always) and can learn to talk and are terrific whistlers!!!