Need Help Picking the Right Kind of Bird...

[Matt]

Originally Posted by FantasyBirds

I will definately look into a conure, the only experience I have with one was at a petstore and it bit me... I actually think it was just trying to test and see if my hand was stable, as it didnt pierce skin. I have a cage already, its big enough for a large parrot/small maccaw. I dont want to get the bird and then be afraid of it, I used to be afraid of cockatiels! But my cockatiels are the sweetest babies ever. I had an opportunity a while back to get an eclectus, but I didnt know much about them. I've been playing with a yellow-nape amazon at the petstore I go to (the owner is also a bird breeder, has very nice birds), but I'm still a little nervous around him and he can pick up on that. Would the cage I have be too big for a conure? I wish it was easier to pick one, there are just so many beautiful birds!

I wouldn't be afraid of a conure. I have owned several types of conures and if you get a well socialized conure from a great breeder he shouldn't be a biter especially if you get him as he is weaned. Blue crowns aren't nearly as nippy as mitreds,patagonians,cherry heads or nandays. I think sun and jenday conures can be great too but just not the clowns that the blue crowns are and blue crowns make better talkers usually. I can't stress the importance of getting a well socialized one though. The difference in biting will be well worth it.

Male SI Ekkies tend to bite less than females from what I have learned yet a female Ekkie can be fine as well. If you read their moods/ signs and leave them be when they are in hormone frenzies, you would probably be fine.

Books such as Guide to a well behaved parrot would benefit you if you want to minimize biting. I had a Umbrella too that never bit anyone in 15 years. Birds are individuals each with their own temperament so try to find the inidividual bird for you and not the species for you. Maybe even narrow your choices to 2-4 species but keep your mind open and you will find a great bird.

[FantasyBirds]

I'm really hoping I may be able to visit this aviary and have the bird pick me. I really love Ekkies and African Greys (I know a very sweet African Grey) but I've always been scared of them in a way. I dont want to mess up and get a bird that I'm going to be scared of or that will be scared of me, because I want this bird to stay with me its entire life. :)

[birdsnreps]

if you are scared to death of big beaks, dont get a big bird, lol. the big ones can tell when you are scared and they will take advantage of you and really bite you just for fun.

now if you want my honest opinion on which large bird is the sweetest and cuddliest, id say a greenwing macaw :) ours will lay on the bed and cuddle with me for hours, or cuddle up under my chin or right up against my neck while we are watching tv, they are one of my top fave birds of all time!! they are so loving, if you give them the attention and the love, they will reward you more than you could ever imagine, and then some!!

[Ashling]

I'd go a conure or a lory for sure!

[Ashling]

... My lory snuggles with me- until I have to put her down! She'd glue herself to me if she could. She is the MOST affectionate bird I have ever SEEN! When I'm reading at night, she'll waddle up to me, settle under my chin, nibble my cheek, rearrange her wings to get comfortable, and fall asleep. If I scritch her she makes a cute soft whistle noise and fluffs up her head. Then we fall asleep together. She's never bitten me to draw blood EVER. Best bird I've ever had- and I've had MANY! <3 my Ashling. She's a rainbow lorikeet btw!