Which bird is for me?

[cody123]

I am looking to ad a new fid to my family but I cant figure out which was in for me? I am looking for a cuddler but not a cockatoo or any LARGE macaws. Nosie isn't a HUGE issue either is cage space lots of time. I was thinking about red fronted macaw but not sure. Any ideas?

[Lori~D]

Can I ask why not a smaller Cockatoo? Is a Red front considered a Mini Mac? Mayb e a Conure of sorts?

[cody123]

I am just to nervous with cockatoos I hear they can be high strung birds and they seem to stress out easy. I dont really know about if the red front is a mini? but I would love too hear any experiences that you have had and with what species.

[garenburkus]

Go for a goffins. A lot of people get scared around cockatoos thinking they will all scream and yell, pluck. I think and i've seen many cases of this, if you get yur cockatoo on a routine say keeping in in cage until 12 taking it out fr a few hours, back in cage until 6 take it out them bed daily. It will get used to this and expect this. During the day it will scream 5 minutes or so by nature. If you give it tons and tons of attention at first then die down, like a lot of people do you've got trouble. Get him on a routine get it used to doing the same thing and it will be happy. From what i've seen and read.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by garenburkus

Go for a goffins. A lot of people get scared around cockatoos thinking they will all scream and yell, pluck. I think and i've seen many cases of this, if you get yur cockatoo on a routine say keeping in in cage until 12 taking it out fr a few hours, back in cage until 6 take it out them bed daily. It will get used to this and expect this. During the day it will scream 5 minutes or so by nature. If you give it tons and tons of attention at first then die down, like a lot of people do you've got trouble. Get him on a routine get it used to doing the same thing and it will be happy. From what i've seen and read.

I think that's painting a too-rosy picture. Cockatoos scream a lot more than 5 minutes - and even the twice-a-day 15-30 minute screamfest people talk about are the minimum expectation to have. Most birds vocalize in the morning and evening, but that's not to say that's the only time they vocalize. And even if you have a routine and are consistent about how much attention you pay to them, there's no guarantee that they won't have problems. Cockatoos are incredibly emotionally complex creatures.

If noise isn't a problem and you want a cuddle bug, you might want to look at some of the more affectionate types of conures. Or a caique.

[Lori~D]

Hmm. I have a medium size Cockatoo that MAYBE screams and hollars once or twice for about 5-15 minutes if that. She was raised with a NON-routine highly varied schedual. She got cuddled quite a bit but not overly and still does but not every day. She was given plenty of times where she was and is required to amuse herself. She was often traveled in a carrier and out in harness from quite young. She gets a variety of fresh foods, seeds,nuts, pellets ect and never the SAME routine. She has some days where she is required to stay in her cage on pourpose. We have each bird stay locked up all day at least once a week on different days so they accept it when it may be nec like its old news. She is happy, doesnt seem to have any phobias about much. She is USED to a varied routine and lots of mental stimulation just as nature would provide with toys, TV, flock members including us and dogs (lots of them) So I would recommend a too. Ive heard of all the same issues with Macaws you speak of if not worse because they are louder than some toos like mine. I myself would never recommend a goffins because I see more of them in shelters and on Craigs list every day for people cannot deal with these same issues and their scream is piercing. Be tween them and a Moluccan I hear more about Screaming and Plucking issues than any other Cockatoo. I have an adopted grey with aggressive issues and one that like to cuddle under the covers- so you see...its not the species but how you do your research about whatever you get and provide for its individual needs as that species is made for. If you use a term like cuddle than the Toos are in fact some of the cuddliest.
Red fronts are in fact smaller than a B&G but bigger than a mini but they are not very common around here (I dont know where you are) and possible quite expensive.

[garenburkus]

Originally Posted by huntress

Hmm. I have a medium size Cockatoo that MAYBE screams and hollars once or twice for about 5-15 minutes if that. She was raised with a NON-routine highly varied schedual. She got cuddled quite a bit but not overly and still does but not every day. She was given plenty of times where she was and is required to amuse herself. She was often traveled in a carrier and out in harness from quite young. She gets a variety of fresh foods, seeds,nuts, pellets ect and never the SAME routine. She has some days where she is required to stay in her cage on pourpose. We have each bird stay locked up all day at least once a week on different days so they accept it when it may be nec like its old news. She is happy, doesnt seem to have any phobias about much. She is USED to a varied routine and lots of mental stimulation just as nature would provide with toys, TV, flock members including us and dogs (lots of them) So I would recommend a too. Ive heard of all the same issues with Macaws you speak of if not worse because they are louder than some toos like mine. I myself would never recommend a goffins because I see more of them in shelters and on Craigs list every day for people cannot deal with these same issues and their scream is piercing. Be tween them and a Moluccan I hear more about Screaming and Plucking issues than any other Cockatoo. I have an adopted grey with aggressive issues and one that like to cuddle under the covers- so you see...its not the species but how you do your research about whatever you get and provide for its individual needs as that species is made for. If you use a term like cuddle than the Toos are in fact some of the cuddliest.
Red fronts are in fact smaller than a B&G but bigger than a mini but they are not very common around here (I dont know where you are) and possible quite expensive.

I have to agree with that, the only thing diffrent was I was told to get one a routine. Most people I found seem to talk about rehome and troubled cockatoos. If you get a baby cockatoo, dont give into its screams for attention for the first lttle while, and dont over handle it at the beginning because its "new", and keep the same amount of cuddles up from day 1 you;ve got a sweet little bird. I don't thnik people should scare off of cockatoos because your hear about the rehomes, you dont hear about the quiet cuddly non plucking ones. It's not because they are not out there, it's because there stories dont get voiced as much because why raise awareness for a loving healthy pet?

[Courtzrocks]

I have to say our galah used to let out a scream but no where near as much as what people would think..she only screamed alot cos we have wild galah's around, when she couldnt hear them she was fine..OH or when a dog or cat would come into our yard..or snakes. She was so sweet and LOVED attention and not as big as a cockatoo...I'm not saying a galah is the bird for you as they can be noisy if given into but then again so can any bird. But anyway let us know what you choose...maybe a hahns macaw??

[Ashling]

If you want a cuddly bird- well my rainbow lorikeet snuggles up to my chin when we're in bed, cuddles up to my tummy when we watch telly, snuggles between my arm and my side when I'm on the computer, rubs her head on my hand like a cat and preens me anywhere she can reach!
They don't need a very large cage- although the bigger the better cause they'll use EVERY inch!
They don't really scream- it's a more trilling noise and can be quite a nice sound in fact. Mine only calls when there are other wild lorikeets about, or in the mornings and evening SOMETIMES. Usually they just chatter and trill quietly to themselves (or their toys!)
They are very playful and will roll on their backs, and play with your hand.
The only "problem" is that they require a liquid nectar diet, as well as powdered nectar and fruit each day. I enjoy making the liquid nectar cause it's like making food for a baby! <3 The liquid diet means they have a liquidy, sticky poop- but I find it easier to clean than the solid poop of my tiels and budgie.
They can also be taught to talk and have a muttering, husky voice. Plus their feathers have all the colours of the rainbow and they are very pretty to look at!
LOL Just a suggestion. I love rainbows! hehe good luck with your choice!

[Courtzrocks]

I have to say, the rainbow lorikeets noise is HORRIBLE!! LOL, they are the most gorgeous birds (except when they bite and poo on you) but having hundreds of them outside your house screaming gives you the chills...but i suppose if it were one it would be alot less noise HAHA.