Falling in love with a little conure...

[nekomi]

I've mentioned this in my other posts here, but I'm falling head-over-heels for a little sun conure at a reputable local shop. I went to visit him again this morning... I just couldn't help myself. :)

He is probably about 6 or 7 months old; the shop is still waiting to receive the hatch certificate. He already knows how to step up and does it willingly. Seems interested in both my husband and I equally and is very sweet and affectionate... when I went and visited him today, he was a bit cranky because he just started his first molt. But even then, he was still quite handleable, just threw a little temper tantrum at one point trying to flap down to his buddy's cage.

He seems VERY quiet for a sun. There are several other very noisy birds housed nearby, and one of them in particular was quite a screamer! To my amazement, he never once joined in with all the commotion. I asked the manager of the shop if he was fairly typical for a sun conure (screaming in the morning and evening, etc.) and she said he doesn't even scream in the morning, although that could definitely change when he gets older.

Not that the noise bothers me - he did give a few screams when he threw his little tantrum, and hubby and I didn't think the noise was that bad. At least, not compared to the larger birds in the shop!

Anyway, I've fallen for this little guy and I'm going to go visit him again once his molt is completed, probably in 2 - 3 weeks. We don't exactly live close to the shop, so it's a little hard this time of year to get out there.

It would be a financial sacrifice to buy this bird in the next 2 - 3 months, rather than wait and buy from a breeder later next year, but I really like his particular personality, and I was impressed by his composure around the other noisy birds.

What do you all think? Is he a "diamond in the rough" or is he really fairly typical (meaning I should I just wait and buy a baby from a breeder later)?

[PowerBBS]

Wow, that's actually an odd question to be asking as adoption is such a personal thing. If you love him/her and really feel he/she would fit into your family and your lifestyle and would like to have him then I'd suggest you adopt him. From what you're describing so far about the Sun, he/she seems typical to me. It seems Sun's get noisey only after you've had them for a while - as they're screaming for your attention once they bond to you.

However, you're talking of some financial problems possibly when getting this young fella? In my best most understanding comforting voice I would recommend (please do not take this as an attack on you): Do not adopt a bird from anyone until you are financially sound enough to provide him with any emergency or standard medical care that might arrise - even if it is required the same day you adopt him. Too many parents of fids neglect the medical attention that may arrise due to financial hardships and the fids suffer dearly for this. Bills on fids are just like bills on kids and can get expensive fast.

Legally adoptive parrents are responsible for any medical care that an adopted animal may require, not doing so is considered animal cruelty. And any bird parent here supports that law whole heartidly.

In my house hold we keep a couple grand set aside as an emergency fund just for the fids in our family. We cover the more exotic birds (Cockatoo and Grey) with pet insurance even to disway any costs that go beyond our medical savings for them. This money is money aside from the funds we set aside for our own spending on ourselves.

Not that I'm suggesting you would neglect the needs of your fid. Just making you aware of a possible situations that could jump on you at any time - and without proper financial resources could lead to un-intentional neglect.

Now that's not to mention the expense of getting a proper cage, playpens, perches, toys, food, treats, more toys - yes I said it twice, as birds destroy toys on an ongoing basis, spending time bonding, time/money lost from work caring for a sick fid, getting presents for your fid, routine vet maintenance and checkups, vacinations, blood tests and the un-avoidable recommendation purchase of "how to" books for new fid owners.

Anyhow, just some considerations you may want to also put into your "Should I adopt yet?" decision.

If you can handle all that and it feels right to you and your family. Yes, please save that poor little fella from the shop and put him into a loving home.

[nekomi]

Oh, certainly the finances are not an issue - I said "sacrifice" and not "strain" because I was thinking of the price difference between buying a shop bird and a breeder bird. :) We definitely would have the means to purchase a proper cage, diet, toys, perches, and vet care. It's something I *always* factor into pet decisions and I always put my pets' medical care as a priority. (For instance, the $1400 vet bill my husband and I shouldered this year for one of our kittens.) We do have a vet emergency fund set aside just for such emergencies.

I know, probably an odd question to ask, too, but I'm just a bit excited over the whole thing. :) I haven't met many sun conures either, so I was wondering if this one seemed typical or not as far as noise and temperament.

[PowerBBS]

From what you're describing so far about the Sun, he/she seems typical to me. It seems Sun's get noisey only after you've had them for a while - as they're screaming for your attention once they bond to you.

I think the noise depends on how where you place the cage and how often you are away from them. It's just them yelling for you as they typically quit once you're there and around. At least that's what my Sun does. Of course that's what my GCC, Grey and Cockatoo do as well. Once I get them out or they can see me or anyone else, they are quite.

Also I state an opinion, and it's just an opinion and not a fact: The sooner you get the fid (the younger it is) the more possibility of an easy bonding experience. So I would not wait two more months if want him/her - I'd get him/her now if I could afford it.

My own experiences actually do not support this opinion though as we just adopted a rehomed Cockatoo (about a month ago) that is now over 3 years old and has fallen in love with me HUGELY. However Cockatoos are notorious for being extremely affectionate.