I want to buy a Sun Conure

[Kr0kR]

Hello all... I am a complete and utter beginner. I have been researching birds (mainly Sun Conures) thoroughly. I bought a very nice cage with a seed guard, a playtop, and a bunch of toys (mainly wood because conures like to chew). I am aware of the noise factor. But the conure I have had my eye on is the SWEETEST little bird on the planet and sooo quiet. It's from a place called Feathered Friends of Santa Fe. I have never owned a bird but I feel like I am ready for the responsibility of bird ownership but lately I have been having second thoughts.... Does this happen to everyone? Or is it the universe subtley telling me don't get a bird!!!! Any input at all would be much appreciated =^>

[Michael]

Don't be foiled by a baby or at first shy bird. It will be loud as heck! Ask someone to blow a whistle in your ear to get an idea and then multiply that by the number of minutes in a day. A few rare people really can handle it but most people completely underestimate it. Keep this in minnd cause these birds live a very long time.

[Polarn]

As for noise, birds will be loud, if not extremely loud, when their happy, upset, playing, greeting the sun, saying bye bye when it settles, it will be loud when it wants to make contact with you and when it misses you. Granted, some birds are quieter than others but their still noisy.
Personally I dont mind the noise and have no neighbours to complain, so I havnt spent much time working on reducing the noise, rather the other way around, when they whistle i whistle back when they do a woop woop (this is something I thought them) I do it back, sometimes when their quite I'll do something to trigger a vocal response, and even if the woop woop is thaught, thats enough to make guests coming here wonder how I can live with the noise, I just tell em its not noise its us keeping in touch throughout the house. A quiet bird, I'll try to encourage todo some vocalization, even if it doesnt have to be the highest screeching noise they can possibly make, but I like hearing them. And even if a baby bird or shy bird is quiet you can bet it'll make noises from time to time if not more often than not.

[Eurycerus]

Conures are really loud which is fine for some people. I got a Senegal, and supposedly they are quiet, but really they are just quieter than other parrots, but she still yells periodically when I'm not home, or am leaving. I do live in an apartment and I can definitely hear her yell outside but she hasn't bothered my neighbors which is awesome. She also talks a lot, with peeps, beeps, meows, and actual garbled human speech, which I find adorable, but some people might not. If you have doubts DO NOT get a parrot. Also look into adoption, rather than getting a baby. There are many great parrots that just need a new home.

[Grey_Moon]

Welcome to the forum

Now as to whether or not you're ready to care for a parrot (I don't use the word owner and pet)---ask yourself this:

Are you ready to be a parent?

If you're okay with living and caring for a wild toddler who you shape your life around (not the other way around) who will live 25 years then you're ready. If not, then don't do it.

Think about if you know anyone who has small kids, in that they don't sleep/eat/live on an adult schedule anymore---they get up when the kids want to get up and have to stick to the established routine the child knows rain or shine, illness or health 365 days a year or else the kid will act out.
That's life with a parrot.

They're planning nutritious meals, spending an inordinate amount to keep junior happy, putting junior first and they cannot just up and travel or go out all night.

Junior is a lot like Polly in that regards---and neither of them do well on just a cracker.

Parrots are like that.
So if living with a demanding, messy, loud, emotionally sensitive and intelligent sentient being who loves to chew sounds like a good idea then adopt one of these birds.

But do not buy. Please. These birds are not meant to be in captivity and no one should support the breeding of more baby parrots when it is so obvious that they should NOT be pets. IF they made good pets then there wouldn't be a ridiculous amount of them who develop behaviour problems, end up neglected. abused or abandoned by people in the already overflowing rescues.
For example, look at your local classifieds, how many have ads for 'XYZ parrot for sale, I no longer have time'? Take that as your warning.
Don't get suckered in by the cute, undemanding baby parrot---they don't stay that way.

Sun conures end up in rescues most often for nipping and their extremely loud voices/screaming---just food for that.

[Kr0kR]

I understand the responsibility of owning a parrot.... I've been reading up on the bird for about a month now.... My room has been bid proofed and I made it so that when I do get one he can fly around while I'm there as much as he would like.... I bought a super nice cage for him and I want a pet that needs my attention and that can't live without me.... In other words I want a companion. Birds are funny cute and a large responsibility that I feel I can look after. I want something besides a dog or cat that just need you for food and that's all. I am just nervous being a first time parrot owner.... Wasn't everyone when they started?

[Michael]

I want a pet that needs my attention and that can't live without me....

This is a disaster/rescue case waiting to happen.

[Eurycerus]

I want a pet that needs my attention and that can't live without me....

I personally disagree with this reason to get a parrot. I've heard some people say this about why they want a baby and it makes me ill. Please reconsider a parrot or any pet if this is your reasoning to get one. Perhaps go and spend time with someone else's parrot or volunteer at a rescue. Rescues need people to help, so it should fulfill your desire without putting an animal at risk. Although most of us on here have parrots, I don't think it's because we want an animal that needs us, it's because we enjoy parrot antics and like their personality, or because a parrot was thrust in their lives and they happily took on the responsibility, etc.

Parrots live a long time depending on the species, up to 70 years. They can have severe behavioral issues. They are messy and loud. I think they are funny, intelligent, interesting little critters, but you should look at your priorities.

[Kr0kR]

So wanting a parrot that craves your attention is a disaster waiting to happen?

[Grey_Moon]

Yes because you will NEVER be what that parrot needs or wants...NO ONE can be what that parrot needs or wants. Herein is the problem---these birds want to be with a mate 24/7 in the wild flying hundreds of miles every day and to chew and destroy and to never be alone. This is NOT something 99.9% of human beings can replicate or provide.

I've said it before, these birds are NOT pets. You are NOT getting a 'pet' parrot---you are getting a child with wings who was raised in the jungle and does not speak your language or understand/want to live in a home. Therein lies the difference.

These birds are *sentient* beings. Like human beings. They have the intelligence and emotions of a small child---please consider this as one would not become a parent because kids are 'cute funny'. One should not become a parent because they need someone to need them.

My girl was a rescue. I know and have seen the ugliness that comes from people wanting a 'pet' parrot. She's showing advanced signs of age/chronic disease due to improper care and captive life in her early years.

Please, we are not trying to be rude, we are not trying to talk down to you.
The vast majority of us know because we've been there/are there.