green cheek conure VS quaker parrot

[JoT]

I have a nanday conure and we had a quaker that passed away last summer. The quaker was by far noisier than the conure. My conure is louder but doesn't make noise except when I feed or if someone comes in or to the door. She is a great alarm system,better than my dogs.
The quaker was very smart,escaped her cage by removing doors. Even removed door to the conures cage to get her seeds(she ate pellets). The quaker,her name was Butterscotch (which she could say),was very vocal too. Quite extensive vocab for a little birdie. She was very territorial which made it very difficult to feed or care for her. When you went in the birds room, she would very sweetly call you to her cage and when you went to her she would go nuts screaming and trying to attack you. She was bonded closely to my daughter. It was her bird and she was the only one who could handle her.She was funny ,cute,and constanly amazed me and made me laugh. Sadly though our household is much more comfortable without her. Her constant noise got the other birds going and sometimes it was almost unbearable around here. There were lots of positives but for me the negatives far out weigh the positives. She was very demanding. I did love that little brat as did my whole family, but sadly we don't miss all the ruckus she started which upset the whole household at times. It definitely made us realize why they were considered pests and banneds in some states. Very much reminded me of a cockatoo in a small package. Please cockatoo people don't get mad at me. I think quakers need the same considersion toos get before adopting. it was not the bird for our family,for someone else it may be the perfect bird.

[flyingfluff]

The only personality trait that stands out to me for quakers is that they can become very territorial over their cages. I don't have any personal experience with them though...
Green cheeks, while they are known to be nippy, are also very playful and great family pets. They are more "cuddly" than other birds... I use this term loosely because no bird is actually cuddly... if you're looking for cuddly get a dog. They're also a lot more quiet than other conures, and they can learn to talk, just not as well as some other types of birds.
So yeah... each bird has it's pluses and minuses. Keep us updated on which bird you decide to get!

[charlieandmom]

I have a quaker, tiels and a Yellow-sided conure. Just wanted to let you know that not all quakers talk so don't let that be the only reason to get one. A lot of people I've talked to say it can take up to 6 months before they say anything. Charlie started talking right away. He also likes to do a lot of squaking. He is by far my favorite of all. The conure I've only had a couple of weeks she is fun to watch she loves to do acrobatics and eat lol. I don't think you would go wrong with either. Can't wait to hear your decision.

[outdoorsgal123]

Hello everybody!! I am a brand new to this site and also cannot decide between either a quaker or a conure! HELP! I am going on wed to look at a sun conure...but I have heard that they are VERY loud little guys!! I live in an apartment..so I don't mind the noise (I'd rather not cause problems with the apartments around me though). I like the blue crowned conures, gcc conures and sun conures the best. I just can't decide which one since I've never had any of them before. I also was wondering if I could have both...conure and quaker, or what the best combination would be if any! I have researched and researched, but I want to get more opinions and it'd really help if ya'll could give your input....I want cuddly, personality, goofy, friendly, and I want to be able to teach him tricks such as talking or making noises. Any advice?...

[maddiemytoo]

Hi, I had a quacker for 10 yrs. I helped handfeed him and what a firecracker. He talked sang, did a funky dance, called the dog. I have been trying to find another one. On the other hand I never owned a conure, or is it owned me lol Like they all said check them both out.

[Marley21]

I have a rescued green cheek and work with them at work everyday and they are wonderful, they can be practically wild and be taught to be hand tamed and lovable....I am also getting a quaker however and Ill have to let you know which I prefer, but I have a feling itll be the quaker because I like tons of personality and big birds.....oh and they talk where as I cant figure out what the heck my green cheek is saying...sounds robotic..

[Mom's Animal Preserve]

This is an easy call for me! I have a quaker that has been with me since before he was weaned (I visited him every day while he was being hand fed) and he is an absolute LOVE! He does talk quite a bit, loves to snuggle and is definitely NOT a nipper. The only think I ever see him biting on are the bars of his cage. I think he's planning an escape. He even knows how to laugh and good, hardy belly laugh. Cracks us up every time he does it. All he has to do is hear us laugh or hear someone on TV laugh and he just roll right into it. You would definitely not be disappointed with these little guys!

As for the legalities of a quaker, if you live in a state that allows them, I would go for it! In that case, there's nothing for you to worry about. I don't see the Animal Cops coming to break down your door and grab your little ball of green fluff.

[Chico's Mom]

I love my gcc, he's not very loud, and very affectionate. He doesn't talk, at least nothing that I can understand, but he makes sounds that seem as if he's trying to talk, so maybe some day he'll actually say something. No matter, he's a sweetie.

I live in South Fla. and we have TONS of quakers here, wild, and they are very noisy, one of the reasons I won't have a larger parrot...I don't like the screeching/squawking for no reason at all (in my opinion...I'm sure the bird has a reason LOL).

[kali]

Originally Posted by flyingfluff

I use this term loosely because no bird is actually cuddly... if you're looking for cuddly get a dog.

i disagree with you there!! there is nothing my sun loves more than snuggling up to my chest for a cuddle and lots and lots of kisses!!! i have a photo of him upseide down in the crook of my arm like a little baby.

my dog on the oher hand will not cuddle, can't stand it. if i try to put my arm around her i'll get a face full of wet nose.

[Addicted to Tequila]

Originally Posted by gummi_bear44

Thank you everyone for you replies. They are all greatly appreciated. My boyfriend and I went to visit a breeder(Sugarcreek Bird Farm) last night who has both(a long w/many different species) My boyfriend is greatly leaning towards the Quaker. He wants a bird that talk a lot and Quakers are known to be great talkers. He's already going through different words and phrases to teach it He wants it to count like the Count on Seasame Street.I'm still considering both species not to mention that we met a very charming Meyers Parrot last night and I know I'll eventually have one of them,lol. Thanks again everyone and if someone else has a story or opinion to share please do

Quakers in my experience are noisier as far as frequency... but are known to be better talkers. I do have a question though...

If NEITHER of them talked... which would you pick? Remember, there is no guarantee of your parrot talking. I have a friend with a CAG and a Quaker... the grey talks up a storm, the Quaker has said 2 or 3 words just a few times in it's life. They are BOTH almost 10. Even with modeling behavior... the Quaker is just not a talker. Are you going to still be overjoyed with the bird regardless?

I am a bit strange, I admit. I have no great desire for a talking bird. I think they are really neat. I would be overjoyed if mine do learn to talk (I have a juvenile Sun and a GCC). BUT... I did not get a parrot so that I could have someone to talk to. It is their personalities and empathic natures I adore.

Personally... I will take the GCC that I did not really want (and now think the world of!) over most of the Quakers I have met. GCCs are more playful and clownish IMO... YMMV.

I am going to sound like a broken record here... have you considered a Senegal or Meyer's?