Dusky Conure vs GCC vs Tiel

[lillard1]

Hey guys, I'm new here and I currently don't have a parrot. I've had a Bee Bee Parrot, and my most recent was Pale-Head Rosella, who died of old age.

I miss having a bird around and I really can't decide which kind to adopt.

I'm looking for a playful, cuddly, and relatively quiet parrot. I know all parrots make noise and they all have their own personalities, I've visited all of these birds and am still stuck. I can't find much info on Duskies, so any help is needed. Please tell me the good, bad, and ugly of these birds. The amount of attention they demand is not an issue, and neither is their cage size. I just can't have a bird that's known to be really LOUD.

Thanks in advance!

[Cage Cleaner]

I recommend Sun Conure

When I was deciding on a bird, I was deciding between GCC, Quaker, and Dusky. The quaker concept went out the window quickly due to the fact that it was illegal in CA. Eventually I ended up getting a GCC because they were just more common, and at the time I didn't know any breeders who had them available. I do now. I just happened to find the GCC's ad on Craigslist and things just went from there.

However, I have since met Duskies. I don't have personal experience with them in my home, though. They are actually a rather attractive bird despite their dull colors. You wanted something with a more mellow temperment than a GCC, Duskies I hear are more easy going than GCC's. GCC's tend to be more argumentative as well as stubborn. They also tend to be slightly nippy. If I did it again, I may very well get a dusky.

I say this a lot, but I find it absolutely false when people try to market GCC's as apartment safe birds. Noise-wise, I couldn't imagine having my GCC in an apartment. I've had him for two years, and when he gets going, he does get going. It's nothing ear-splitting, and I actually can't hear him in my car when I come home (I can hear the Sun), but once I step out, he's LOUD. You can also hear him through the windows when everything is closed. I don't mind it, but If I were my neighbor, I would definitely complain.

I actually had a friend who had a caique and a GCC, and she had to rehome the GCC because the neighbors complained. I've heard of other people who have had very positive experiences with GCC's, however. So it really comes down to the bird you get. There's no way to tell for sure, either, before bringing him home.

The truth is that we could go on with blanket statements about these two species all day. But in the end, it all comes down to the personality of the individual bird you get, and as each individual is vastly different, blanket statements won't do us any good when it really counts.

Also, I am not a fan of cockatiels. They aren't as intelligent, and I find them rather dull. I grew up with one, and lost it a few years ago. That is my experience with them. However, if you are a more busy person, and don't expect to spend as much time with them, then a cockatiel is a better bet than a GCC or Dusky. I know you said this isn't the case, however. Cockatiel personalities are (again, blanket statement) less alterable than either of the two other species, and they are less likely to develop behavioral issues due to this.

If you remember your ecology, cockatiels are n-specific species, while more intelligent parrots are K-specific. This means that cockatiels mass produces babies to keep the species alive, whereas the K-specific parrots tend to rely on nurture and learning to survive. So, cockatiels are more akin to mice, and parrots are more akin to elephants. And so is their intelligence level.

I'm sure cockatiel owners would contest this, however.

[Cage Cleaner]

Also, consider a lineolated parakeet.

[liz]

Welcome to the forum.

If you have an Avian Rescue within driving distance - that is the best way to learn. You will not only meet species but also the individuals. I also consider this a safe way to adopt. Most of their birds are mature and out of the "terrible twos". The shelters socialize the birds and learn personalities of each one before they adopt out. You could not only find the right species but the right individual for you.

You could also visit the birds in your area that are up for rehome. An owner looking for a good home would not mind the visits and even encourage them.

If you are brave and have plenty of time you could go for a rescue. I looked for a parrot the same size as my amazon Rambo on Craigs List. What I found was a Blue Front Myrtle. She was skinny, dull and scared. The owner said she had to force her to come out of the cage and she never made a noise. This 1 year old is now baby talking, learning her words and even making sentences. Her cage has never been closed just like Rambo's.

Myrtle started eating the good food I gave her and gained weight. Her colors are now beautiful and feathers shine. It took her a while to get brave but not only does she come out of her cage now but she does acrobatic airial flying while following me through the house.

It has bee very rewarding.

[Cage Cleaner]

Another thing about tiels is that, being the clean freak person that I am (I vacuum the bird area 3x a day, minimum), I hated dealing with the "tiel dust". It's must easier dealing with the species that use oils vs dust. This would be every bird species except cockatiels/cockatoos.

[lillard1]

Hey guys thanks for the quick replies.

I hope you were joking about the sun conure! I've known many and love their personalities, and loud noises actually don't bother me in particular. My family just hates loud noises. and boy, do the sun's screams just pierce through walls and doors.

Haha! Maybe in the future though. A few weeks ago I visited Green Cheeks and every single one I held was very cute, but bossy and just so mouthy. I've never been around a parrot that's so nippy, and my parents would not be happy if they had to handle a bird that bites for any reason. Again, it didn't bother me, but I have to keep other people in mind. The Dusky was really sweet. I didn't have the chance to handle him, but he just watched everything quietly and was gentle when I pet him. I'm also in California, and before I was in love with Quakers...until I realized they were illegal. That's too bad. And I hear everywhere that GCC's are generally quiet, but I hear a lot of conflicting info about this. I had to rehome one of my Rosellas a while ago because he would scream all day and you could hear it loudly outside. It's really the high-pitch that gets to my family.

About the linnie...I was considering them before, but my family was turned off by their small size, and around here they're very pricey because I'd have to get one shipped. The GCCs, Duskies and tiels are all pretty local. On another forum, a lot of people told me their linnies also didn't like being touched, and would rather sit near you, and they said that even though linnies are said to be quiet, like a GCC, they can actually get extremely loud and are prone to screaming constantly. But I love their big eyes and colors.

I was looking into a rescue; but the closest one is Mickaboo, and they don't have much of a selection in the conure area; mainly cherry heads which are so loud my ears ring. I've been looking for parrot rescues in the Sacramento area and so far haven't found any. But in November, I'm going to the Capitol City bird fair. I've also looked on my local CL and unfortunately there's mostly Cockatoos and Sun Conures, which I bet all of them are being rehomed because of their crazy loud noise. hopefully somebody on here sees this post and knows a bit about duskies!

I kind of agree what you said about cockatiels, I love their look and their mellow personality, but every single one I've met is just a little too "calm" for me. And my dad would probably be allergic to their feather dust.

thanks guys

[Mum2rory]

If the dusky you are talking about is a dusky lorikeet, you need to factor in the liquid poo squirt. LOL. A lorikeets poo can reach all corners of the globe, I mean room. Apparantly, it is quite easy to clean if you wipe it up straight away, but sets like cement, if you dont. (A lorikeet is on my dream parrot wish list, a rainbow lorikeet, the colours are amazing, but not just yet. Have just adopted my other dream parrot - a quaker) I also have a cinn gcc, he is not very vocalat all (good boy Bailey), but as already posted, every bird is different and you cannot generalise.

[lillard1]

I looked at lorikeets and they're awesome birds, but I'm not talking about them here.

I need info on the Dusky Conure! I looked online and I can't find too much about their personality and I haven't met anyone online who owns one unfortunately...

[Cage Cleaner]

Where in CA are you? We have a ton of Bird Fairs going on all times of the year. A great place to go and meet all of these birds, and from the breeders themselves.

[lillard1]

I'm in Davis, about 30 minutes away from Sacramento, I know there's one on the 16th but I'm gone that weekend unfortunately