What bird should i get?

[trademark]

I've had a cockatiel, a lovebird, two pigeons/doves, 2 green budgies, and too many fiches to count. Actually the only ones that i could really call my own were the cockatiel and one budgie. they lived over 10 years and they were great. I want a different species of pet bird now. A parrotlet, for me, is too similar to lovebird.

I was thinking a conure. i'm sure i'm ready. Since i've never had one, i was thinking a green cheek. If i get a conure, i'll chose from jenday conure, sun conure, yellow sided green cheek, and pineapple green cheek.

I don't care about talking abilities; i just want a hand fed bird that can be easily trained and want to be held for most of the day, my old budgie and 'tiel and the lovebird only liked to be held for a max 2 hours. and preferably a one person bird-or at least a bird that won't mind being petted and held by other people. are suns and jendays too much for a first time conure owner? Or is their another type of bird you would recommend for me?

Also, (sorry its off topic) how much experience do you think it takes to own a congo african grey? its my life dream to have one-they're my favorite bird-but i don't think i'm ready.

[patdbunny]

My first "big" parrot was a jenday conure. I think they're fantastic - cuddly, snuggly, smart, acrobatic, sweet. Regardless of what bird, I don't think holding it all day is a good idea. You should teach independence to reduce problems like screaming. I mean - are you for sure going to be able to hold it all day every day for the next 25 years? Raised well a conure will be easy going and easily handled by a lot of different people.

An african grey was my dream bird too. I waited about four years wanting one before I felt I was "ready". When I finally got one, I was definitely ready and I loved her. Hard to say how much experience you need. It depends on the person and how well they "click" with birds. Some one could get a grey as their first bird and do fine.

I have more on my blog about how jendays and suns are as pets.

[Ilovebirds]

If you want a conure do not get a jenday. All of them are very feisty . They probably would not be a good conure for a first timer. Sun conures are easily one of the nicest conures but are very loud. Please also understand they are very beautiful birds and need a very big cage.
Most conures enjoy being held for long periods of time and if you don't hold them they will get your attention. Generally most conures are loud but sun conures beat all. Both conures are very easy to train but jenday conures are defiant and stubborn. Good luck and I reccomend any conure. Keep in mind if you have small children a conure would not be the best choice. *Thinks about fingers*

[zazanomore]

The Pyrrhura conures are known to be a lot quieter.

http://www.pyrrhurabreedersassociation. ... ecies.html

Here is a list of all the different species of pyrrhura conures.

[GlassOnion]

Now.. JUST to put it out there, what about a poi? Poicephaluses(?) and Conures are very similar but the poi's are known to be a bit more observant and the conures to be more childish. Many pois are known to be very playful and cuddly, but one difference from the conures. They are much much quieter. Even the larger pois such as the Cape parrot can be an apartment pet.

But I loooove the look of painted conures and crimson bellied conures.

[zazanomore]

I'd love to have a rose crowned conure.

[patdbunny]

If you are considering the suns or jendays, I still think you should consider the two very similar. They're both feisty. Our current sun conure is a lot more high energy and feisty than my old jenday. My old jenday was a mellow little sweety. Our current sun is a sweetheart, too, but a lot more of a trouble maker and a little tweekier. Our sun seems to vocalize less than my prior jenday. So in that sense if you interact with a sun or jenday see if it meets with your energy level requirements.

[MaineFiddler]

Now.. JUST to put it out there, what about a poi? Poicephaluses(?) and Conures are very similar but the poi's are known to be a bit more observant and the conures to be more childish. Many pois are known to be very playful and cuddly, but one difference from the conures. They are much much quieter. Even the larger pois such as the Cape parrot can be an apartment pet.

I agree! I'd definetly get another Poi in a heartbeat...