Advice Needed

[rchyrch]

Hello all, I am considering a new bird- I want something that has the ability to talk, but not wanting one of the large sized birds. I think I have narrowed it down to the quaker or conure of some sort. Im looking for advice from people that can compare these two types of birds. Thanks

[jriley]

Quakers can talk pretty well, but are generally very noisy and can be very aggressive in defending their cages. Ours likes to be petted but refuses to leave her cage and has been known to lean way over so she can bite someone she feels has come too close. I don't know much about other conures, but the sun conure I had in the past only said two words in all the years I had him. The year old sun conure I have now seems to be trying to talk, but so far it's just a sort of grumbling noise. She's also very noisy, but only first thing in the morning unlike the quaker who chatters at any time of the day that she gets irked. Sun conures are fun to watch as they are very acrobatic, but they aren't very big on being petted. Quakers can also be fun to watch. Ours spends all her time arranging her toys on the bottom of her cage. She makes these elaborate constructions and then decides it's all wrong and rebuilds in another location a few days later. It's hilarious.

Have you thought about a pionus? They are mellow and I've heard they talk well. Parrotlets also can talk and are otherwise pretty quiet and they sure are cute!

Julie

[stepht25]

Our Quaker, SKittles, says several things and is always mumbling something under her breath. She's about 2 now I think - I have trouble keeping them all straight!) and still says new things regularly. She's very cage aggressive - we work around that by removing her from her cage before cleaning, using a hand held perch to remove her from her cage or let her come out on her own, etc. Once out she's usually very sweet, likes her scritches and kisses and to hang out with my daughter. She loves to beat up her toys - especially if we're near her cage! She calls the cat to bed every night in my daughter's voice and laughs at appropriate times. She can be a little on the loud side when she wants to be - but it's not a daily thing and usually from boredom or jealousy. (she's not fond of seeing my daughter pay attention to the other birds - though she'll tell the birds they are a "good boy/girl" then bite my daughter! LOL)

Conures - I don't know if many of the conures are known to be good talkers - but maybe the Aratinga conures are better talkers than the Pyrrhuras? Our 2 conures are from the Pyrrhura family (the quiet conures) and though they both say a few words - it's not near as clear as our Quaker's speech. Both of the conures are sweet, playful, cuddly and just fun to watch. I don't find them to be as moody as Skittles. They can have moments where they are nippy - but we don't really have a problem with it. Maybe more of a few pinches here or there - but nothing on a reg. basis. The main draw backs to the Aratinga conures would be the pitch/loudness of their voices when they start calling and whether or not it would bother you.

Honestly - I don't think you can go wrong with a conure or a quaker! Of course you have to realize that even though some species can talk well - it doesn't mean every bird will. So if your heart is set on 1 that talks - best to go with an older bird already talking or one that tries to start mumbling a word or 2 by the time it's weaned. (not sure how common the latter is) If you're not sure which bird to go with - go meet as many as possible till you find one that picks you!

[Joel]

Originally Posted by rchyrch

Hello all, I am considering a new bird- I want something that has the ability to talk, but not wanting one of the large sized birds. I think I have narrowed it down to the quaker or conure of some sort. Im looking for advice from people that can compare these two types of birds. Thanks

Do you consider a TAG a large size bird? I don't and if you don't, then I would suggest that species or even a Congo Grey (slightly larger). Quakers are one of your best smaller type good talking birds but can be too noisey for my liking. Conures (most) are also too noisey IMO and IME and aren't that good in the talking dept. (IME).

Where might you be located?

[kathleen]

You are going to get all kinds of answers here but this is a great place to sort out the information.

I have a quaker and he is not aggressive at all. Mostly anyone can go near him and his cage unless he REALLY doesn't know you, then, he tries to get away. He squaks but I can now tune him out. He doesn't talk at all and is two years old but I still have hope.

I have been around conures and found them noisier at a higher pitch.

I did consider the grey's a bigger and didn't think I could handle it but that is definitely in my future.

Good luck with your decision and ask as many as questions as possible. If you can try to spend some time with the types of birds you are interested in because that will help you decide.

[swanwillow]

indian ringneck parakeets.
if they are played with daily, they can become quite the talker and mimicer, and are in the size range your looking at.

They are just like budgies, but bigger!

otherwise, I'm a sucker for conures, but theres not much of a chance for speech.

[tielmama]

My Senegal Lukey, is a pretty good talker. She is hilarious. She laughs, and here is a list of things she says:
Wolf whistle.
Hey NayNay, What chu doing?
Naaaay Naaaay!
Abbey! Abbey!
Abbey go potty.
Abbey, Phoebe, or NayNay, Step up!
Step up!
Pretty Lukey!
Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty bird.
It's GOOD!
He's a good boy.
Well, that's all I can think of. She is pretty much a one person bird though, and she is a little aggressive to my other birds, so I have to keep her separate.

[rchyrch]

I decided which bird to get today and it wasnt one that i was even considering. I guess it chose me. I now am the proud momma of a Sunday Conure. He so sweet and so far a bit bratty (wont leave my glasses alone)haha and I heard that they were loud, boy thats right! But for some reason he stole my heart- So Charlie now has a new home with me.

[stepht25]

Congrats! Post pics when you get a chance!