Sun Versus Green Cheeck Conure?

[Pomlover2586]

Hi newbie here! Hubby and I are considering adding a bird to our family. We both have previous bird experience- professionally and personally and are trying to research a few species to see which best suits our needs.

We live in an apartment so we don't want a bird that screams for the sake of screaming. We have a Moluccan Cockatoo and a few Amazons in the complex so it is bird friendly.

We also want something that is social and friendly and enjoys being petted and held- but NOT a bird that will self mutilate if it's not held for 4-6 hours a day -We both work after all It needs to be a bird that is loyal to both of us and doesn't become a one person bird- having a preference is fine, but not an attacker when the spouse is around type of thing.

Hubby is not attracted to Greys, Amazons or Eclectus's due to their beak size, so we are leaning more toward a Conure or possibly a Senegal.

So what do you guys think between a Sun and a Green Cheek? I like the size and coloring of a Sun....but I have heard Green's tend to be much quieter.

What about basic husbandry? Does one need any special care over the other? Vitamins etc?

Thanks for any help you can give!

[Michael]

From what you describe, Conures are definitely out. They scream for the sake of screaming, etc. Senegal Parrot is out because it will most likely bond to a single person and rival the other one (yes there are exceptions but you don't want to be setting yourself up for a likely problem). I'm thinking a Cockatiel is more suitable where it can be equally friendly toward multiple people, pleasant, and yet not obnoxiously noisy.

[Pomlover2586]

I like cockatiels...I just wish they were a bit larger. My experience with them is fairly limited, but most of the cockatiels I have met are unfriendly and do not seem to enjoy human interaction. I met one this afternoon and played with it- seemed nice, but also didn't seem like a "parrot" if that makes sense?

I held a baby Sun and he was extremely sweet and cuddly. He did scream while we were there and while it was loud I wouldn't call it piercing either.

I grew up with a Goffin Cockatoo, a Military Macaw and a Grey so I know the levels of noise birds are capable of......I don't mind some noise. I just don't want it to be constant

[marie83]

Personally, I dont think all conures do at all. My GCC certainly doesn't. He has his moments of course but he is a bird after all. Its rare he screams loudly, maybe two-four times a week and its over very quickly (10 minutes -ish). He mainly just mutters under his breath or chuntters away to himself. I don't know how frequently suns scream but they are certainly louder in volume.

[GlassOnion]

Do NOT get a Sun, they are extremely vocal and are very prone to developing serious screaming habits. Even if somehow you managed to avoid that, they will still squawk much more often and at a very loud volume compared to most other parrots that size.

[Michael]

Do NOT get a Sun, they are extremely vocal and are very prone to developing serious screaming habits. Even if somehow you managed to avoid that, they will still squawk much more often and at a very loud volume compared to most other parrots that size.

Yeah, just check out a bunch of recent topics on this forum. We're not making this up.

[FutureDVM]

I don't think you should rule out a conure completely. If you don't want a screamer, I definitely wouldn't get any of the Aratinga conures (suns, jendays, nandays, etc.). However, many of the Pyrrhura conures are much quieter. My crimson bellied conure is very quiet. I live in a very small studio apartment with thin walls and I haven't had any noise issues with her. Of course, every bird has a different personality, but I would say that in general, Pyrrhura conures can be good apartment birds. You should see if you can find any crimson bellied conures in your area. They aren't terribly common because they are difficult to breed, but you might get lucky.

I would also recommend checking out pionus parrots. Their size is in between a conure and an African grey, so they are relatively small. They are known for being pretty laid back and quiet. My personal favorite is the bronze winged, but I've heard that the blue headed is the sweetest of the pionus parrots.

[cml]

Do NOT get a Sun, they are extremely vocal and are very prone to developing serious screaming habits. Even if somehow you managed to avoid that, they will still squawk much more often and at a very loud volume compared to most other parrots that size.

And sizes alot bigger as well ^^.

[Pomlover2586]

I am OK with a larger bird....such as a Sun. I am considering a Pineapple Conure since they have the colorful markings of a sun but the personality of a green cheek. There is a bird shop in my area with a few 4 week old pineapples so I may go look on Saturday.....I know the Sun I played with Sunday was amazing...so sweet and adorable.....

[hooligan]

I am OK with a larger bird....such as a Sun. I am considering a Pineapple Conure since they have the colorful markings of a sun but the personality of a green cheek. There is a bird shop in my area with a few 4 week old pineapples so I may go look on Saturday.....I know the Sun I played with Sunday was amazing...so sweet and adorable.....

A pineapple is a Green Cheek. GCCs come in a number of different color mutations, and pineapple is one of them.

http://www.avesint.com/ysc.html