Might be adding to my flock

[Grey_Moon]

Not for a few months at least mind you but the idea is bouncing around in my head.

As much as I' love another big bird (adorable baby greys anyone ) I don't know if thats the best option for me right now. I already have Jacko and she's a handful. Not only that but given her dislike for other birds and the time/care that larger birds require I dont think it'd be smart.

The other thing is I have an xs pak-o-bird (10 L x 8 W x 11.5 H) that I'd really love to use for the new addition so size is somewhat limited.

Originally I was looking at parrotlets, budgies, lovebirds, linnies, and the bourke 'keets etc. Thus far not overly satisified with the handfed budgies (they seem really high-strung and nervous...not a combo that suits my living situation---Sully is already flighty.)
I owned a linnie before and found them very nice. Lovies and p'lets worry me because of their big bird attitudes (Jacko would make a quick snack of them).

Of course, if there'd be anyway to make Jacko safer to have around smaller birds that'd be great as well.

For me really the only issues are size, attitude towards other birds and noise. So if anyone has any suggestions that'd be great

[patdbunny]

I love the little bourkes. Super calm, super quiet and PINK.
I hiss at my birds for aggression. Another rule in my house - You don't have to like another household member, but you're not allowed to actively go attack the one you don't like. You'd also have to discipline/prevent the dislikee from going near/antagonizing the disliker.

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[zazanomore]

I vote for the bourkes. They are the sweetest little birds, and I've never heard of one showing any type of aggression. I think it would make a great friend for your cockatiel.

They also come in different colour mutations, and some one of them are really beautiful. There are also quite a bit of bourke breeders in Quebec.

[Grey_Moon]

All right so...just found out a little info that might be changing my options.

My soon-to-be roomie is getting a meyer's. With that in mind, the teeny teeny guys are out. I just wouldn't feel safe. The only reason Sully is ok is a) because he is already here and b) living with Jacko has made him big-bird wise i.e. he knows to stay the heck off cages and stay out of the way.
Also, speaking to several people and reading up on bourke's they are known for being docile and passive...as in...'hey I'm just gonna go roost over here and...' which really is not a good option for me. The poor bourke would be missing toes. No doubt about it.

Went with the soon-to-be roomie to pick up some pet supplies today and ended up in the bird section and handled a p'let (adorable, but really...I take my birds everywhere and they're so tiny they'd have to stay home--I'd feel bad, nevermind the pugnacious attitude), a GCC (also cute and much more sturdy, but they seem a bit hyper) and some Poi's. Really liking these little (?) guys alot. Handled a meyer's and a sennie. Really liked the sennie. I've handled them before and really, really felt intrigued. Would these guys be a good match for me? They seem a nice size and are relatively quiet.
There's also an older Ruppell's or Red-Bellied (neither are tame) that I could think about because I really enjoyed rescue work, but part of me would like that handfed baby experience (I also think it'd be wiser as the baby would be more flexible and friendly so it would be easier to adjust it to my flock).
Any ideas?

[kaylayuh]

I have a GCC and I wouldn't say he's hyper. He plays and likes to cuddle, but he can also amuse himself if he really has to. Mine is relatively quiet unless he's feeling hormonal and good with my budgies. He can be quiet messy, though, and likes to get into things that he probably shouldn't. He also is a bit nippy sometimes, but not overly so.

I've heard Senegals can be bullies so that might not work for you if you have other birds. I've never been around one personally and I can't really say whether it's true or not.

What about a caique or a pionus? Those are relatively sturdy sized birds that might be good fits.

[GlassOnion]

I love caiques!

[coral]

i vote for a pionus but im kinda biased.. anyways hes quiet (most are) he plays and cuddles but doesnt get upset if your not constintley with him, he likes being around our finches and adjusts well to certain people (hes a rehomed parrot with some problems with women) but what ive read about the average pionus is that their good birds thats what made me decide on him
heres a website :
http://www.pionusparrot.com/PionusParrots.htm

[greymatter]

A Poi may be a good addition - inbetween your grey & cockatiel size.

I cannot have our Caique out with our cockatiel - he seriously stalks Stryder's cage when he (Rosco) is out - and he attacked my sister's Budgie and took one of her toes and many feathers off. It was awful.

Rosco does sit out with Merlin , but I still worry.

Caiques are fun, but have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde persona and definitely should be monitored around other species - which being out with others seems to be one of your concerns.

[Grey_Moon]

Patdbunny---does hissing actually work???
I mean, I try to enforce a 'you don't have to like each other just don't eat each other' rule but without knowing how quite to discipline a parrot its a bit tough lol.

Hmm...so now I'm thinking either a Poi or a Pionus....the GCC is still a maybe as well.
I'm only worried with the South Americans and the dust from the powder old world birds---I've heard it can cause issues.

[kaylayuh]

Hmm...so now I'm thinking either a Poi or a Pionus....the GCC is still a maybe as well.
I'm only worried with the South Americans and the dust from the powder old world birds---I've heard it can cause issues.

GCC's are great little birds. Mine is sitting on my shoulder eating Cheerios now, actually. They are a bit nippy, but mine is really laid back and loves to just hang out. He's very sweet with my budgies which was a huge concern of mine, and clearly unfounded. They hang out in the same cage for hours with no problem. I'd even say my budgies pick on him more than he picks on them. He's also not dusty at all.

Mine is a rescue bird though, so I'm not sure how much of this is normal GCC behavior and how much of it is behavior he's learned in the rescue.