I want to buy a Sun Conure

[Kr0kR]

Yeah I have been waiting a LOOONG time to get a parrot and finally got the courage to get the ball rolling haha

[Grey_Moon]

I never doubted that your intentions were good or that you had researched as much as you were able.

But I try really hard to stress to newbies (and everyone else) that parrots aren't pets. That no amount of toys or attention or playgyms can be equal to what they were made to be and live in. That the utmost optimum that we can do in captivity is *still* substandard to what they need and want.

I wish for one day that parrots were not regarded as pets just because they can be kept indoors or locked in a cage, and that people respected them and treated them like the wild animals they are, and that anyone considering one would be told the same thing that people who consider wanting 'pet' wolves, chimpanzees, lions or tigers would be told. That those who did keep them would fully understand the gravity of what they are doing and what they are taking from that animal and keep them in specialized enclosures ONLY because they cannot be returned to the wild.

That said, there are domesticated birds who cannot be released. They must be cared for. This is where people like myself and others who keep rescue birds, and those who 'want a parrot' come in.
NO ONE should buy parrots.

You are right, in that I started looking into parrots as a teen for all the wrong reasons, BUT I also took on Jacko because I could not leave her there to suffer her fate either. I made huge sacrifices and continue to do so. But that was the commitment I made.

I say again, if you want a family pet---get a dog, get a cat because these are animals who have been domesticated and like 'being pets'. You wouldn't get a wolf or ape as a 'family pet', so a parrot is not a good choice in that regards. IF everyone in the family is capable and willing and understands the requirements of these wild animals then so be it, but please adopt.

I'm considered extreme in my opinions, but it comes from a place of love for these creatures.

Btw---I know the site is cockatoo specific and that not all parrots are the same---but for purposes of being 'pets' all should be regarded as such. It was more to see what happens to birds as pets in an alarming amount of cases.
If you're going to just say 'oh well, its all about cockatoos...I just won't get a cockatoo' then you misunderstand why I pointed you there.

[Michael]

But I have researched Sun conures in all my free time I have built 4 little jungle gym things for the future bird...

Don't put the cart before the horse. While I do agree it's good to have the cage, play stands, etc configured before the parrot arrives at home, buying it before you've even fully committed to a specific parrot is just a way to tempt yourself to do it without fully thinking it through. It's a trick way to tell yourself, "well I already have all this stuff so I must be really committed and should get the bird." But this is a dangerous way to make a 30 year decision if it's not the right one. Believe me it's cheaper to scap the stuff then to get stuck with a bird you don't really want.

[marie83]

I do agree with the others in that you shouldn't get a bird solely because you want something that will love you and any other selfish reasons us humans like to think of but you do sound like your putting thought into it. Your still here talking to everyone despite the fact you think we are wrong.

Its true that most people get a parrot thinking it will be a loving, loyal, amusing companion and will give us the relationship we crave but unfortunately it is seldom the case. People are telling you all the bad stuff and the worst case scenarios because they are more common that any of us want to believe.

I never wanted a parrot initially but one by one they have found their way into my life via other people not wanting them anymore, not coping with them any more etc because they had no real knowledge on what a MASSIVE commitment they are and that they are frequently far from the perfect pet they imagine. I went in to parrot ownership blind when someone turned up on my doorstep begging for me to take her in. I thought "what is one more pet?" So I took her in. Ever since then there has been tears, big sacrifices and alot of time and money put into the birds I've had. I've had to skip holidays and nights out, I've had to make myself give them the time they need at certain points in my life. Recently I've been at college, working and looking after two sick relatives, running about from place to place like a loonatic, so tired I've been almost asleep all day. I've had to adjust my every breath to fit it all in and make enough time for my birds but I did it because I needed to but lord knows I would never have managed it all without my partner. Oh and my birds are sick on top of all of that.... The vet bills are coming in thick and fast and I have just lost a load of hours at work...


So I went in blind and I had to learn really really fast that there isn't always a silver lining to a cloud. It is a bit easier to get the knowledge you need nowadays but there was precious little available when my first arrived and even my second and third. Don't get me wrong, there are positives to knowing you are helping a bird in need and doing the best you can for it otherwise nobody would ever take in more than one but it can be a long hard slog. Also don't think for a second that because you provide everything we *think* they need that the ride will be anywhere near plain sailing and you will have a happy healthy bird. Life just aint that simple.

If your going to go for it, research more and more, read everything you possibly can. Look again at the my 'toos site because that can happen to ANY bird regardless of how well you think you are caring for it. Expect the worst but hope for the best and be proactive about providing the best, no matter how much of a nightmare a bird may be. People aren't screaming at you to listen for the hell of it. We just need people to realise that more often than not its the bird who ends up suffering in the long run. Look at as many problems you may come across and keep reading so you know EXACTLY what to do and when to do it should that particular thing arise.

Keep talking to us too, theres loads of experience on these boards.

[Kr0kR]

I completely understand where you are coming from and thats why I joined this forum so I could learn from you guys with parrots. I have been fiddling with the idea of a bird for a few years now and over the last month or so I have been very proactive about learning EXACTLY what I am getting into. I just wanted to here some knowledge from Sun Conure owners and I was expecting more enthusiasm. I guess I definitely didnt expect a bunch of criticism (but hey information is information right?). But I do want a bird that will warm up to me and be my buddy I still dont quite see why thats such a horrible thing? I understand that might not happen but I can hope =^]

[pennyandrocky]

i would suggest visiting and volunteering at a parrot rescue, i tell this to anyone wanting a bird. then you will see why some of us have such strong opinions on buying birds. they really are not meant to be pets, everyone who comes to my house for the first time says my birds are so cute and sweet "i want one" comes out alot i tell them to call or come over when it's time to eat or when they are just in a loud mood. today for example my and my were screaming all day. my too jumped on my head twice because i was asking my 6 year old son how school went and she decided i should pay attention to her instead.she didn't hurt me but it was annoying to both my son and i.babies can be sweet and cuddly but when they reach maturity and turn into hormonalt teens they mostly end up in rescues because most people can't handle them.we are not trying to be harsh we're trying to be honest you can read everything and never be prepared for life with a bird.

[marie83]

But I do want a bird that will warm up to me and be my buddy I still dont quite see why thats such a horrible thing? I understand that might not happen but I can hope =^]

All we want to make sure is that if your bird doesn't fit your idea of a pet is that it will still have a forever home with you, one that will always give him the attention and training he deserves regardless of if he bites 10 times a day or if it screams the place down constantly or pulls its feathers out.
They don't know when you have a headache, when your sick, when your tired. They won't care that you don't care if it's time for the dawn chorus.

[cmaygar]

It's not clear if you live in a house or an apartment/condo/townhouse. Sun Conures are very loud. In fact, I've read more about Sun Conures being re-homed than any other species due to their very loud calls. If you live in close quarters where the noise of the bird will cause issues with neighbors, please re-consider getting a Sun Conure. If you have a home, it may not be a neighbor issue, but you will need to understand the noise level of these birds. They are extremely beautiful, but if you read up on the Sun Conure posts on this site, they will give you a true idea of what life with a Sun Conure may be like.

I would strongly recommend spending time with an adult Sun Conure so that you know exactly what the quiet little baby will mature into in the next year or so. There are other conure species that are much quieter than Sun Conures that may be a much better fit for your situation. Very few people that have little bird experience can make a long-time living commitment with the Sun Conure. It is considered to be one of the most difficult birds to live with entirely because of the very loud noise levels.