Newbie with a ?

[Imblessedwth6]

Hello,
I hope I can get some opinions here.
We've had birds before, cockatiels and parakeets. Now I've been thinking about getting another bird. The cockatiel that we had was very loud so I'm not sure about that again. I was thinking about a parrotlet ( a friend has one) but recently was told by a breeder (of different types) that Parrotlets do not make good pets at all. She said they become very mean unless they are handled 4-6 times daily by different people. So......then I talked to another breeder and she disagreed with that. She used to breed Parrotlets and said she liked them. Said they get "cranky" at about 6-9mo but then get over it. She also suggested a black capped conure. Saying that they are very sweet birds and not loud like the other conures.
So please........what do you all think about these two birds??????

Sherry

[anbrownucsd]

I do not know very much about the Black-capped conure or the parrotlet, however, before getting a conure you should be aware that they are usually very loud. My fiance's parents own a Sun Conure, and he is much much louder then a Cockatiel could
dream of being :-). Saying that they are quieter then 'other' Conures does not mean very much to me at all.

Just a thought.. have you considered a Senegal Parrot? Perhaps I am biased, because my Hermes is the love of my life, but they are some of the quietest birds I have ever experienced. They also tend to be very sweet. Many of my friends own Senegals (b/c they loved mine so much) and they all seem to be incredibly sweet and tame. I have also not noticed my Senegal bonding with just one person and disliking others in the family.

Perhaps you should just look into the Senegal Parrot. If you want a very quiet smaller bird that will stay sweet you should definitely consider it. Here is one expert's opinion:

"Hand fed Senegals make extraordinary pets, and are known for being comical and entertaining. They are colorful, relatively small, and have the ability to talk and mimic, although they tend to be considerably more quiet than many other parrot species."
This is from: Senegal Parrots You should check it out!

Sorry... I didn't mean to steal your thread or anything, a parrotlet or a black capped conure may be a better choice for you. :-)

[huntress]

LOL, I breed parrotlets. Check out my website. They make great pets and NO they dont need to be handled 4-6 times a day MY GOSH ppl make me crazy. Ive had lots of different birds and I like my big birds for pets but I would have a parrotlet over a budgie anyday for the noise level. Females go thru a cranky stage during the spring or early summer but there are ways to shorten that. My female pet was a real sweetie and I did not get her out everyday. She is a breeder now and I can still get her out when she doesn't have babies. Pyhurra conures do make good pets ( and are the "queiter" conures) but they need to be handled regularly to not get so nippy. AND with either I would never call it "cranky". Baby birds learn what you teach them and with the wrong "kind" of discipline during the exploring, testing stage they will learn to use there beak on the wrong things...YOU! LOL.

[Imblessedwth6]

Thanks for the advice !! It helps so much to hear others opinions.
I'm going to be doing a ton of reading. LOL!!
Huntress......I noticed "Rosey Bourkes" in your signiture. These were also suggested to me at the place I visited. Do you think they make good fun pets too?


Sherry

[Lucky Feathers]

If your cockatiel was to loud for you then a black cap or green cheek is more then likely going to be to loud for you also. They are considered "quieter" then most conures, but they are still loud and in my opinion louder then a cockatiel - cockatiels tend to sing and whistle more then anything and conures tend to squak and scream more then sing. If you really liked your last cockatiel and would like another minus the noise, have you thought of getting a female? They are much more quiet and I have found they tend to be more cuddly and sweet then the males.

Let's see I also love a Meyer's they are awesome birds and so are brown heads, red bellies, and senegals. They are all in the same family and very nice birds. They are fairly quiet and make wonderful pets. I also find that parrotlets do make very good pets and do not need to be handled 4-6 times daily thats a bunch of bull. Maybe Sally will be here soon with some info about her princess Chipper.

[Astrid660]

I've heard of many parrotlets being great pets.
People have strange theories on things sometimes. *shakes head*

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by Imblessedwth6

Hello,
I hope I can get some opinions here.
We've had birds before, cockatiels and parakeets. Now I've been thinking about getting another bird. The cockatiel that we had was very loud so I'm not sure about that again. I was thinking about a parrotlet ( a friend has one) but recently was told by a breeder (of different types) that Parrotlets do not make good pets at all. She said they become very mean unless they are handled 4-6 times daily by different people. So......then I talked to another breeder and she disagreed with that. She used to breed Parrotlets and said she liked them. Said they get "cranky" at about 6-9mo but then get over it. She also suggested a black capped conure. Saying that they are very sweet birds and not loud like the other conures.
So please........what do you all think about these two birds??????

Sherry

Half Moon Conures are small, pretty quiet and very sweet.

[dancelady]

No one ever mentions lovebirds...they are very small, and if you get a hand-tamed one (male probably) they can be easy to love. But don't get a pair, which will put you into breeding forever. They make less noise than other parrots.

[RonNe08]

dancelady i see you have lovebirds. i just acquired one. i did a lot of research before i bought him(at least I call him monty). He looks like he is maybe 3 to 4 months old he has black in his beak still. he is sweet so far. i just wanted tips to make him happy. i would like him to be more tame. not afraid of me when i reach in the cage and able to come out of the cage and allow me to put him back in. however if i dont achieve that it is fine. i just wanted to know if he will be o.k. alone i really did not want to get another lovebird(i have 4 gouldians 2 zebras) and if i buy another bird my husband will probably put me and my flight cage outside on the patio. but if i have to i will get another one if monty does not adjust to me as his friend. if you or anyone else have extra tips for me i would appreciate it.

[Flappuccino]

I would try not reaching in to get your new lovie. Open the door,sit nearby, doing something quiet, talking softly to him. Lovebirds are very curious and he will, in time, come out to investigate. Play with some beads, or paper, write a letter, eat some little chopped up carrots or something.
With time and patience, they are wonderful, cuddly pets. Mine is so sweet, she lays on her back in my hand and lets me kiss all over her belly.
Go slow, and he'll come to trust you in no time!