pionus or GCC?

[pionus]

so i have been researching bronze wing pionus as my next bird, but as i have been reading through this forum, i have read so many great things about green cheek conures!
i'm having a really hard time deciding which bird to invest my research and commitment into.

here are the reasons i like both birds:

pionus:
they seem to be very docile birds overall, not very aggressive (which is something that i would need since i don't have oodles of experience), don't seem to loud, (which is preferred since my mom works from home on a head set thingy), and overall seem to be a very quite(ish), calm birds (generally),

GCC :
they sound like total cuddle bugs! i'm home schooled and would be home all day, so i want a bird that will not mind being cuddled and probably enjoy it. i am aware that they can be quite loud, but if they are out most of the time would they still be as loud? their size is a bit better, but as long as my next bird is pionus size/smaller, there shouldn't be a problem.

if anyone who owns either of these birds could help me out here, i would really appreciate it! really i just need some one with experience with both or one of these species to give me their opinions on them. until i have decided i will be researching both species more. i am in no hurry. in fact, i want to volunteer at a breeder near me, just helping out, cleaning cages, helping with feeding the older birds, and hopefully handling some of them after awhile. i will probably do this for at least a few months, and if all goes well, i could help out there long term.

thanks!

P.S. i just wanted to say that i have no interest in breeding birds. ever.

[hooligan]

I don't have any experience with pionus, but I do have a GCC and will be getting another soon. In terms of conures, they're actually one of the quieter types, but hey can be loud if they're really motivated to be. Mine will produce a pretty loud GCC call if she knows someone is in the house but can't see them or she'll make some loud angry noises if someone is being really noisy by her cage while she's trying to sleep. Other than that though, her vocalizations are pretty soft and are mostly just chirps and babbling. Since we know what kinds of things set her off, we avoid those situations, and she stays pretty quiet. I live in an apartment, and I'm still not sure if my neighbors know we have a parrot or not.

Here's another thread where a few people answered some questions about GCCs
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8876&p=60502#p60502

[marie83]

+1 on everything hooligan said, especially the angry muttering when they are trying to sleep!

The only downsides I've found apart from the odd scream and usual mess you get when you own pets is they are extremely clingy so you need to teach them to be less reliant on you and they can be quite nippy which appears to be typical of the species although there are a few that seem to skip the nippy spells.

[pionus]

thanks guys! green cheeks seem great, i'm just worried about what i hear about them being aggressive, but if that is something that will pass, than they seem wonderful.
i am still deciding, and won't make a full decision until i have been able to be around both species, but i think mom was right, i may be leaning towards a green cheek!

still, if there is anyone who has had experience with both species, i would really appreciate your opinions on them!

[pionus]

now i think i am leaning more towards the pionus! wow, i am having a really tough time deciding! i think that if the breeder near me carries bronze wing pionus, i will get one of them (but not until i have been able to spend time with the species!), but i don't know, i might change my mind again, and a green cheek conure might be easier to get, but i will have to play it by ear!

either way i go, i will definitely be coming back here for help and advice. thanks for listening!

[marie83]

Read up as much as you can on what to do if there are any problems like biting/screaming etc before you get your birdie, things are much easier to prevent than cure. Get all your family to do the same so you are all on the same page, this will make training much easier.

I gather since you are still being schooled that you are very young. Have you thought about the long term? Owning a parrot may make you miss out on certain things when you are older like holidays, you may think you don't care now but later on you might, the parrot must always come first. What about when you move out? Loads of places wont take pets. What about cost if you cannot find a job?
Just remember its a lifetime commitment and you will have to make alot of sacrifices. Think up as many problems as you can then think of at least one answer for them all but preferably have a plan B and C to incase A fails.

Remember when you go to see the babies they will be on their best behaviour, they are nothing like adults.

[pionus]

thanks marie. i am aware that this will be a long term commitment, and frankly i don't plan to go to university. and i really don't mind giving up things like holidays and going out with friends, because honestly, i prefer to be either alone or with an animal. i don't think that will change.
i will definitely do what you said and think up every possible thing that can go wrong, and try to find a solution.
it is very touching how much you care for the birds. i commend you for letting people be aware of the responsibilities that come with caring for a bird that in some cases could outlive ourselves.
i will do every thing in my capabilities to make sure, whenever i get my bird, that it will be well taken care of. and if waiting until i graduate, or move out, or anything like that, to get it, then that is what I'll do. i won't bring a bird into the situation until i am sure that i can take care of it for the long run.

i really appreciate all of your advice, from everyone!

[marie83]

Glad you took it in the spirit it was meant, many seem to take offence.
I won't ever say young people should not have pets because I have had them (solely my responsibility) from a very young age. I saved for ages and got a job the very second I was old enough. Despite my responsible streak and commitment there were mistakes I made along the way and if I can help someone else to realise some stuff that I didn't then its worth it.

My main two mistakes were cost- Although I had worked out the cost of food/toys etc and I had money put to one side for vet bills I didn't realise exactly how expensive vets can be once you realise how many tests may need doing before a diagnosis is reached. Its not like on the TV where they say oh we will test for this, the test is positive and the animal gets a weeks antibiotics. It can be an ongoing cost.

Renting- it was all good whilst I was living with my parents. I knew some places didn't allow pets but I didn't realise how many didn't. As far as I was concerned the local authorities allowed pets so I could fall back on their housing if needed, that was all well and good when I left home at 16 but 13 years later even they are starting to bring in no pets rules bit by bit.

Like I say, always have a plan B and C.

[Eurycerus]

Renting- it was all good whilst I was living with my parents. I knew some places didn't allow pets but I didn't realise how many didn't. As far as I was concerned the local authorities allowed pets so I could fall back on their housing if needed, that was all well and good when I left home at 16 but 13 years later even they are starting to bring in no pets rules bit by bit.

Wait when they say "no pets" I thought they were referring to cats and dogs?

[Nir]

thanks marie. i am aware that this will be a long term commitment, and frankly i don't plan to go to university. and i really don't mind giving up things like holidays and going out with friends, because honestly, i prefer to be either alone or with an animal. i don't think that will change.
i will definitely do what you said and think up every possible thing that can go wrong, and try to find a solution.
it is very touching how much you care for the birds. i commend you for letting people be aware of the responsibilities that come with caring for a bird that in some cases could outlive ourselves.
i will do every thing in my capabilities to make sure, whenever i get my bird, that it will be well taken care of. and if waiting until i graduate, or move out, or anything like that, to get it, then that is what I'll do. i won't bring a bird into the situation until i am sure that i can take care of it for the long run.

i really appreciate all of your advice, from everyone!

You dont plan to go to college?This is a much bigger issue. College years are going to be the best years of your life. Why would you not want to go? Nevermind the benefits of a good job , finding yourself and what you want to be, making friends that will most likely be your friends for the rest of your life. WHY are you not going to go to college? Sounds like your giving up on life and settling....

or are you saying that you arent gong to go away to college and instead stay home and go to local college? In that case disregard my post!

but regardless you need to focus on socializing.. I know you prefer to be alone but in reality thats your fear talking not yourself. When you grow up, you will realize that networking, meeting people, and making friends is a GREAT thing not only for yourself but also for work purposes. Since your young, i really hope you try to get out of your shell and be more open to meeting and socializing more. friends are a great thing and should be MORE important for you right now then getting a bird.

i also really disagree with the idea of being home schooled for this reason. It doesnt allow you to grow.