Looking for a new parrot, not sure which species to get.

[caseymayyne]

So are conures sweet? Would you say that they're more difficult to tame than lovebirds? And how bad is the bite in comparison to lovebirds?

[GlassOnion]

Okay, first of all.. You should never buy a wild bird and "tame" it. You can either go with a breeder for a handfed baby or check out CL and Kijiji or even a local rescue for an older bird. I personally like Craigslist and Kijiji as adult birds are past the bratty hormonal stage and have developed full personalities.

The bite can be harder than a Lovebird but not by much. Green Cheeks are known to be nippy but most are just chewy and this behaviour does go away.

Like I said, go interact with a few at a store. Look at various sites. But mostly, go and meet a few if you can. Finally, don't even bother getting a wild bird and try to tame it as it will be just as expensive if not more expensive than a handfed one, and you'll waste a lot of time.

[Kaicho]

PERSONALITY!?!?

Look no further: Greater Vasa Parrot


I promise that if you manage to get one, you will be satisfied to the point of wanting more Vasa's running around your house. We have Chocobo, and don't regret a second of it.

[caseymayyne]

Okay, first of all.. You should never buy a wild bird and "tame" it. You can either go with a breeder for a handfed baby or check out CL and Kijiji or even a local rescue for an older bird. I personally like Craigslist and Kijiji as adult birds are past the bratty hormonal stage and have developed full personalities.

The bite can be harder than a Lovebird but not by much. Green Cheeks are known to be nippy but most are just chewy and this behaviour does go away.

Like I said, go interact with a few at a store. Look at various sites. But mostly, go and meet a few if you can. Finally, don't even bother getting a wild bird and try to tame it as it will be just as expensive if not more expensive than a handfed one, and you'll waste a lot of time.

Haha, I didn't mean tame as in domesticating a wild bird. I meant getting a baby from a breeder and getting it bonded to me/past the nippy stage.

[KiwiMango]

Have you thought about getting a Quaker? They are awesome little birds with BIG personalities. My quaker is very sociable, playful, and attached to me. When I first brought him home it took him no time at all to settle in and all he wants it to climb around on me and preen my hair. I have very long hair and that is his favorite place to be, just hanging around there like it's his/her nest Quakers are very bold birds, not scared of much and will even chase down a dog. If you want a fun bird that wants to spend lots of time with you, consider a quaker

[caseymayyne]

The only quaker I've ever encountered was owned by a girl I knew, and he attacked me. Are they especially aggressive?

[Kathleen]

With Quakers and conures be prepared for more noise. Bites of small birds can hurt a whole lot cause they take a small grip on your skin and tear it open. I think in new York quakers are ok but not legal in other states. I agree with the advice to interact with some birds so do that. Things vary by individuals. Really it depends what bird is available at the right time which is most well raised because that seems to happen to people who aren't focused on a species.

[KiwiMango]

Quakers seem....greedy, is the best way I can think to put it. They don't like to share their people or toys. But, granted I'm a new bird owner and I'm going by all my research, if you socialize them well and allow others to handle them early on, then they will be much less greedy. My quaker is the sweetest thing. So are all the others I encountered at the breeders. None of them showed any kind of aggression. I've had my quaker for a week, and he attached to me very quickly. He lives in the same cage with a sun conure, and I always let them stay out of their cage when I'm home. My quaker wants to be with me so much that he will try to fly to me when I walk by or away from his cage. If he doesn't make it, he walks and follows me. I think you should do what I did. Instead of setting yourself on a specific breed, go to your local breeder or bird store and spend some time around the birds. Get to know the individual birds personalities and choose your new bird that way.

Good luck and I hope you find your perfect match

[Kathleen]

You may go to a breeder, store, rescue or otherwise and see a bird of any of the kind that have been mentioned or maybe one that hasn't, which is small and within your budget, that is playful, steps right up for you and lets you give it scratches and I'm pretty certain whatever it is, within reason, you'll be in love with it then.

[Cage Cleaner]

Perfect first bird = lineolated parakeet.

Go to a bird fair and look around, if there are any in your area. You will find many different species of birds there, and get a better idea. I don't advocate limiting yourself to a certain species, though. Birds have vastly different personalities even within the same species. It's best to consider several species and pick one based on personality after meeting it.