First bird.

[Jynxie]

Thank you for all the replies!
I will be checking out everything mentioned.

I did notice not many people are breeding senegals in my area, but there are a few and they are on the highest range of my budget since they're in the 600 range.
Also... Pineapple conures are the same as green cheeks right? It's just a colour mutation?
I also never really thought of cockatiels, so I will be looking into these guys as well.


I also noticed no one mentioned Quaker parrots, what about these guys?

Thanks guys!

[Jynxie]

Oh and yes, none of my pets interact, I keep them in seperate and my dog isn't allowed near them as she does have a high prey drive with the bunny - they are keep in rooms where she knows not to go into. Also the snake/bird would never meet, ever. I was just making sure there weren't air born diseases that could be spread to any of them.

[Rokisha]

Thats good to hear your so responsible with your pets. I don't think there are air born viruses that can be transfered between rabbits, snakes, dogs, and birds but I'm no expert in that area so i can't really tell you for sure.

[paper_lantern]

Yes, the pineapple is just a color mutation of the regular green cheek. I have one myself. He is quiet, unless he is angry or surprised by something, but even then its just a few short screams. He also loves to cuddle and has picked up some tricks rather easily. But I think I have a green cheek whose an exception, because he doesn't nip, and green cheeks are known to be nippy, bold, and bossy.

I would look into the Pionus for sure, and the senegal. Maybe the green cheek if you think you can handle their bossy attitudes. Also, don't overlook budgies and tiels.

[Andromeda]

I also noticed no one mentioned Quaker parrots, what about these guys?

I've only been on these boards for a couple of months but I don't see many people talking about Quakers here. It could just be that for some reason not many people on these boards own Quakers.

I love Quakers. My family had a Quaker growing up. He was such a little joy. He would sing and talk up a storm and he knew a few tricks. He actually learned several songs but his favorite was "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." He was so funny because if you would sing to him but suddenly stop mid-verse he would finish the song for you.

Quakers are great birds and definitely worth considering. They're not as colorful as the other birds you're considering and their talking voices aren't as clear as a Senegal but they are clearer than a conure.

Yes, the pineapple is just a color mutation of the regular green cheek. I have one myself. He is quiet, unless he is angry or surprised by something, but even then its just a few short screams. He also loves to cuddle and has picked up some tricks rather easily. But I think I have a green cheek whose an exception, because he doesn't nip, and green cheeks are known to be nippy, bold, and bossy.

I think my GCC is an exception as well. When we adopted him from his first owner he was 2 1/2 and he was a biter (only with my husband) but we worked with him and after about a year or so he stopped biting.

Just like paper_lantern's conure, he's quiet unless he's upset or startled. His favorite thing in the world is cuddling and he knows five tricks (so far). He learns tricks really quickly.

But he is also nippy, bold, and bossy to be sure. His nips don't hurt and he is a little angel 95% of the time but 5% of the time he is a stubborn little monster. I have to keep him away from my brown-headed parrot (who is twice his weight) because my GCC will bully him. His first owner said he would bully and chase the family dog, which was a boxer!

[Saerphe]

Be careful about Quakers, though. They're illegal in some states, and not all pet stores know or care that they could be potentially confiscated and/or euthanized. Make sure to check the bylaws in your area to see if they're legal to keep as pets.

[marie83]

Also I'm finding out quakers can be pretty noisy at times which is something to consider if you have neighbours. They are a species I'm looking into keeping myself but from spending hours reading peoples opinions on their noise levels I'm completely undecided as I live in a flat with neighbours upstairs and down. It seems to be 50/50 with people opinions on if they are too noisy for a flat or not.

[Andromeda]

Be careful about Quakers, though. They're illegal in some states, and not all pet stores know or care that they could be potentially confiscated and/or euthanized. Make sure to check the bylaws in your area to see if they're legal to keep as pets.

Saerphe, thank you for posting this because this totally slipped my mind but you are 100% right: Quakers are illegal in some states in the U.S. and some provinces in Canada. I can't speak for other countries, but that's something to look into for sure.

Also I'm finding out quakers can be pretty noisy at times which is something to consider if you have neighbours. They are a species I'm looking into keeping myself but from spending hours reading peoples opinions on their noise levels I'm completely undecided as I live in a flat with neighbours upstairs and down. It seems to be 50/50 with people opinions on if they are too noisy for a flat or not.

I've had personal experience with lovebirds, Quakers, parrotlets, conures, and brown-headed parrots and I can say that my Quaker was the "noisiest," hands down. He loved to hear himself talk, chatter, and sing, and it wasn't just the typical morning and nighttime "routines." He'd start in if he heard the TV, dishwasher, radio, vacuum, etc. and he would just chatter non-stop for the duration.

His volume wasn't loud, though. I mean yes, he was loud enough that he'd overpower the TV at a normal volume, but I don't think his calls were the kind that would pierce walls. I don't think he would have been too loud for an apartment, but it's possible that some Quakers can be louder.

[Wrong Bird Lady]

Cockatiels are great but males can get VERY noisy!

I have an approx 6month old male and during the day time he can go on a right screamer for up to 30mins at a time Obviously he whistles and chatters (too young to talk or copy songs) but he proper "rrRRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKK! rrRRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKK! rrRRRRRRAAAAAAACCCCCCCKKKK!" 's as well

[McKenna]

Having had a sun and a cherry-head conure, I wouldn't recommend them, if only for the noise. The best of them are going to be screamers -- they can't help it.

In addition to Michael's suggestion of a Senegal, I'd like to put my vote in for another poicephalus -- a Jardine's. Just a little bigger than a conure, they're very playful like a caique, but without being so bossy. A bit squawky in the morning and at dusk, they're overall on the quiet side for a parrot. Ours favored my husband but still loved me and was easily social with other people. They usually have some talking ability (though it varies widely) and are usually good at playing independently. While often nippy when playing around, ours was an affectionate charmer who drew in even the most bird-phobic friend. They're just a little uncommon so you'd have to search a bit.