Help me...

[CrazyConscious]

Hi my name is Andy! I'm currently attending Central Michigan University and studying to get a Bachelor of Science in Computer Integrated Manufacturing. I'll be moving out of the dorms and into a nice, pet friendly, 3 bedroom apartment next august. I will however be home for the summer starting late may.

I've been looking into getting a bird for over a year now and every time I think I've decided on what kind I would like to get a new species comes along and makes me second guess myself.

This will be my first bird, though I've grown up owning four dogs, two cats, 2 gecko's and some frogs, so I understand responsibility. What I'm looking for in the bird is kindof hard for me to explain. I want a companion...I spend ALOT of time doing homework and I have a really hard time sitting still doing it all at once. So, I figured a bird would be a great companion to have around the house to help me pass the time. I'm not saying that I wont have time for individual attention by any means though.

I'm going to be living in a 3 bedroom apartment with my girlfriend(long time dating) and one of her best friends. They are both ok with the bird and the third bedroom will actually be the "birds room" if you will.

I've been attracted to Conures mostly because of the whole "big bird, small body" idea. Just recently the idea of a Indian Ringneck was introduced to me. I however, think the bird will be a little on the big side for an apartment/my first bird. I've also heard they aren't cuddly and require a ton of attention to remain tame. I would like my bird to be tame and cuddly(green cheek?).

I'm not sure what else to write...i'll try to paraphrase a little bellow.

"Big bird" personality in a small bird
On the quieter side
Not extremely expensive, less than $400
Good first bird
Cuddly
Playful
Tame
wow...i just seem to want everything...

Sorry for the really long post, someone please help me out...

[Bird Guy]

All Conures can be loud. I have a Sun and a Blue Crown and the Blue Crown is always loud and the Sun is quiet. Green Cheeks are on the quieter side of conures. It just depends on the bird.

[CrazyConscious]

Originally Posted by Bird Guy

All Conures can be loud. I have a Sun and a Blue Crown and the Blue Crown is always loud and the Sun is quiet. Green Cheeks are on the quieter side of conures. It just depends on the bird.

I understand they can all be loud. I'm not to worried about noise level...I'm more worried about companionship and a loving relationship...I don't want an "independent" bird, then again I don't want a bird that will be so needy that I cant walk away from it to do homework

[catschair]

Will your folks mind a bird coming home with you? Do you plan to get a job & "settle down" after college, or is there a chance you will travel or move somewhere that you cannot take your bird? Any chance that your living conditions will change and there will be other animals or folks that don't understand birds?

It is great that you are doing so much research before adopting. I have an Indian ring neck who is very affectionate and seems to do fine with the time I have for her with my hectic work schedule. She was adopted from the local pound. Have you checked the animal shelters or for local bird rescues in your area? You may be able to get a "bargain" and provide a home for a good pet.

We look forward to hearing more about your search and then LOTS of pics of the lucky fid you bring home.

[CrazyConscious]

My living situation will of course change once I am out of college and throughout college I would assume but I dont see any problems with the bird. I plan to settle down once i'm out of college, i've gotten all the partying and traveling out of the way already.

I really am leaning more towards a green cheek, do you guys think that will fulfill my expectations?

Also, understand that I will love unconditionally whatever bird I happen to bring home...I am just trying to shoot for a particular bird that will at least be within the ballpark of what I want.

[Valo's Moirana]

First of all - Welcome

I'm gonna answer those questions in the light of having a sun (some of the time, lives with the BF) and a greencheek (hell, all the time) around....

Originally Posted by CrazyConscious

I want a companion...I spend ALOT of time doing homework and I have a really hard time sitting still doing it all at once. So, I figured a bird would be a great companion to have around the house to help me pass the time. I'm not saying that I wont have time for individual attention by any means though.

if you end up going for the GCC, you won't have to worry about that - they're very active little bird that WANT their attention, don't attempt doing homework with them around - they'll eat your homework (been there, done that - i've returned homework corrections to the students with bite-marks in them )
though the GCCs are on the quieter side of conures, they can still drive you up the wall with their screaming, especially if you have to work on a paper or something like that, and they see you around and want to spend time with you. same is true for the sunnies.

Originally Posted by CrazyConscious

I've been attracted to Conures mostly because of the whole "big bird, small body" idea.

you definitely get that with a GCC or a sun.... LOL

"Big bird" personality in a small bird
conures are a good choice for that, but honestly - so are budgies and tiels

On the quieter side
that depends on what you define as quiet - as i said above, though GCCs are quiet, Valo seems to be more persistent than Bella, and her high-pitch whine for short periods is often easier to tolerate than his squaking for prolonged periods of time (though slightly lower in volume)

Not extremely expensive, less than $400
well, suns go for around $450 depending on the area if you buy from a breeder, GCCs are cheaper... so are tiels and budiges

Good first bird
that's a matter of perspective - IMO there is no such thing. every bird requires attention and proper care. and behavior problems can develop in conures just as easily... GCCs for example are nippy birds, while sunnies can develop a screaming problem... all depends on the bird

Cuddly
that depends on how you socialize and treat the bird. both, sunnies and GCCs, can be very cuddly

Playful
now, here you get a clear GCC from me.... Valo is a lot more playful than Bella, but then, gbird's Pita is a lot more playful than Bella as well (Pita's a sun conure as well)... so it depends on the bird, but i'd say the GCCs win that category by a little bit

Tame
that again depends on you and how you handle and socialize the bird.

wow...i just seem to want everything...
now that i think about it.... you're right LOL

Originally Posted by CrazyConscious

Sorry for the really long post, someone please help me out...

i hope i did a little.....

[CrazyConscious]

^^THANK YOU^^

I don't think I could have asked for a better response!

As far as green cheeks being nippy birds...is yours like that? I've read that it is due to how they are raised and that it is something that can be avoided if the proper steps are taken.

As far as prices I can get:
Normal Green Cheek $175
Cinnamon $225
Yellow Sided $250

[Valo's Moirana]

well, Valo is a pistol... he's what you asked for attitude of a 1000g macaw in the 66g body of greencheek. he is nippy, but it's not that bothersome for me... he has some attitude issues which are mainly related to the way i live and probably won't happen to you (i live alone, don't have visitors often, and valo is flighted and allowed to roam the house whenever i'm home)
he's very cuddly and affectionate, and very loving - oh, and moody LOL.... as you said a lot depends on the socialization, but there is certainly an overall tendency for nippiness in GCCs.... in the end, it depends on the bird (now, i've said this before, right? ) - some are nippy for their entire life, which is actually tolerable, others never put beak on flesh

prices seem reasonable to me - where are you at if you don't mind me asking

[CrazyConscious]

I live in Michigan. I live around the detroit area and go to school about 2.5 hours north.

[svolk]

Great advice has been given so far. The choices do seem daunting once you begin to really do the research - and I applaud you for doing the research before jumping in!

My advice is to visit local pet stores and shelters and breeders and see if any birds choose YOU. There are sometimes instant connections and it's love at first sight. Sure you'll have to consider all of your previously stated points and take your living situation into account, but sometimes the choice can so easily be made for you when you interact with a bird that chooses you.

(and I'm a Michigander too, I work in Ann Arbor ;))