I think a conure has picked me to be its mom

[katriord]

Help everyone.

Newbie here.

I'm a happy mother to a 4 1/2 year-old male Havanese puppy named Sweetie, who is the love of my life. I have not owned any birds as an adult, but had parakeets when I was younger that my grandfather kept for me, so I really have very little to no experience owning and raising birds.

I had the unexpected surprise recently of having a bird reach out and tug at my heartstrings, a little sun conure, and now I'm obsessed with trying to determine whether or not I could be a bird owner, and not just a bird owner, but a responsible, good bird owner.

I've been trying to do all the right things--read everything I can get my hands on, figure out the pros and cons, investigate cages, do research ahead of time, handle that bird and others, talk to other people who are experienced with birds, and so on. Which brings me to this board to solicit advice.

My husband is retired and we are both home much of the time, so amount of attention during the day wouldn't be a problem. We do, however, have other circumstances to consider. Currently, we live seven to nine months of the year in Florida, and go north to Wisconsin in the summertime (that could change in the future, but is our current reality). We have sometimes driven that, and other times flown. Our Havanese is wonderful in the car and has adapted well to travel, both by car and by airplane, and to staying in hotels. In fact, he thrives on that.

I wonder if it's irresponsible to get a bird knowing we live in more than one home. We've made our Havanese such a part of the family, and I would likely do the same with the bird, but wonder if I went out of town for the weekend if I'd take the bird with me or travel with it.

Second, I wonder about mixing birds with other household pets. I've had my Havanese around birds a lot the last couple of weeks, including that conure, to see how he'd do (and how the bird would do). Any advice in that department would be appreciated.

In the process of researching the birds and spending more time around them, I've also held two green-cheeked conures this week who were cuddly and adorable, so I'm wondering whether I'd be better suited to the sun or a green-cheeked. I appreciate input on the pros and cons of both.

At the moment I'm investigating cages. Everything I've read says to get the biggest cage possible. I saw a Prevue-Hendryx that I loved but it was only 18 x 18, which seems much too small for either breed of conure.

I'm really at the investigation and research stage, but am really captivated by these lovely birds and have been spending a lot of time in the last couple of weeks trying to be around them and learn more about them in order to find out whether I'm to be a bird's mom.

Any help and input anyone can give me here would be appreciated.

[Monica]

So long as you make sure that you acclimate your conure to a variety of situations, like you would a dog, I see no problems taking your bird with you wherever you travel!

As for pets getting along... no one can tell you. Some people have pets that completely ignore each other (such as my dog who'll ignore the birds, for the most part, and at best, they get sniffed - whereas the cats enjoy watching the birds, particularly the smaller species cause they are more flighty). With that in mind, someone lost their eclectus(es) to their schnauzers(?), who for years, had ignored the birds without issues... and one day, that changed! They can and do live in harmony without issues... but that's not to say it'll be the same for you. Then again, you never know if one day instincts will kick in. Having a well trained dog will certainly help.

As for suns vs green cheeks... well I don't own either, however conures in general tend to be nippy, especially the smaller guys. Sun conures also tend to be much louder than green cheeks, but that's not to say that green cheeks, in their own right, can't be loud, either!

As for cages, I would not recommend one smaller than 2' square, unless it's a travel cage/sleep cage/time-out cage. There's Flight Cages which I'd recommend, and considering their size, they are pretty cheap! (even with rising prices).
13221 HQ Flight Cage 32x21 - Presented by My Bird Cage
13221 Flight Cage
Centurion Aviaries & Cage Co. & Century Mutations (not as cheap, but they have the flight cage with seed guards, if you'd prefer that! and thus has it's perks over the others)

Otherwise, if you don't go for one of those cages, I'd recommend a cage that is 32" wide by 23" deep...

When choosing cages, be aware of fancy designs - they could pose a health hazard to birds... such as scrollwork, and anything that can create a "V" (particularly with legs, bars that make a half circle, etc)

Be sure to read up on a proper diet!!!! (which is, in itself, a controversial subject)



Oh, and btw, it's species, not breeds! So to speak, there are no breeds within parrots!

[Young]

As an owner of 2 Sun Conures and 4 Green Cheeks, 2 Cockatiels, and 2 Dachsunds, I think I have a little bit of insight. We also travel a few months of the year to Utah and Nevada during the summer months, Washington State being our home the other months of the year.

As we are both very active people, also retired, we take our animals with us virtually everywhere. Camping, boating, hiking, drives, weekend getaways.. etc.. We don't like to leave them home, so a hotel/motel that accepts pets is our "best friend". It does take a little more effort, but worth every bit in the end. We even get "Pet" passports to go into Canada so our babies can travel with us safely without the treat of being quarantined or worse.

As for our dog/bird relationship? Well we used to have a dear Pomeranian who recently passed. Our birds loved her. They would poke at her and tease her til she finally said no more, and would herd the birds back to their respective cages. They still call out her name when they see a white dog walk by on the street.

The two dachsunds? They are just terrified of the birds. They want nothing to do with the nippy little beaks. Even though the dachsies would never purposely hurt the birds, we know that the birds may hurt them enough some day that they may defend themselves. So, we make sure the birds don't have access to the abused and beaked dogs, lol.

As for the personalities.... both the Suns and GCC's are loving and cuddly. I would definately say that the Suns are much louder, but I have become accustomed to their "voices" and it no longer bothers me. I might add, they are usually only loud when they need love now, want something now, or feel they are not getting what they need now. But then again, that applies to my GCC's as well. They just don't have "as" loud voices. Umm.. well it can be that loud when all four of them start demanding at the same time.

I guess the only advice I can give you is to go with your heart. Get the baby, if you decide to get one, that you feel the closest to.

As a note... All my conures love to climb into my shirt and ride along or just take a nap. The Suns love it just a tidbit more though. Like I said.... All are true lovers and worth every minute of each day.

Please PM me if you have any questions..

[kali]

i bought a GCC and realised he wan't the right 'fit' for me. i wanted a sun all along so i rehomed him to my friend while he was still only a few months old where he is happy now.

i got my dream bird (SUN) and am so much happier.

having both, sun's are waaay more snuggly. but the GCC can be WHEN HE WANTS TO. Squibly is my partner's bird (we still have him) and is very independant. wants to explore alone most of the time while Boo constantly wants to stick his hea din my mouth or snuggle in my top.

[crystalusagi]

I don't have much experience with GCC, but I can attest that suns, when they love you, are the snuggliest, most affectionate birds. Really a joy to be around with, even with their loud voices.

[katriord]

Thanks to those who've responded with helpful advice, insight and suggestions.

Sunny (the sun conure baby) did indeed adopt us to be its parents, and came home to live with us.

I'm still adjusting to being the mom of a sun conure, but Sunny is cuddly and lovely, wants lots of TLC. Biggest problem I'm having is convincing him to go back in his cage when he loves so much to be out of it, and keeping a watchful eye on the interaction between Sunny and my dog, Sweetie.

Will post a pic later. Baby sleeping at the moment.

[crystalusagi]

=DDD Yay~ Congratulations! Please ask us if you have any questions at all about bird care!

[katriord]

Originally Posted by crystalusagi

=DDD Yay~ Congratulations! Please ask us if you have any questions at all about bird care!

Oh, I have thousands of questions already, but will let everyone enjoy Christmas first. Thanks again.

[Young]

Woo Hoo!!! Congratulations to both you and Sunny.. Merry Christmas! Pictures, pictures, pictures...

[Adinah]

Congrats!
And to add to the above requests, pictures! :D