Different Species' Behaviors

[Commtalonn]

I grew up with an umbrella cockatoo and a congo grey. I want a much smaller--and for lack of a better term, 'starter'--baby to take care of and to love that will still have some of the amount of cuddliness that my 'too had and the intelligence (not necessarily talking ability) of my grey. I heard parrotlets are fun, as well as african ringnecks (saw one at a local pet store that just cooed and cooed when I pet its head). Any suggestions/comparisons? Anyone near GA interested in selling me one? I really want to be adopted. Thanks for all your help!!

[Commtalonn]

I read some other posts about so-called 'cheap' birds, and I feel I need to clarify myself.

Right now I need a bird that is small enough to travel with me if necessary as I am in a Bible college w/my husband right now. We may have to go to another part of the country, or another country altogether. Plus, my husband is not willing to put a lot of money up front for a darling that may live 80 years that we may be forced to part with at some point, which would emotionally destroy him/her. But I am going to be home alone soon, because I am getting out of the military and my husband is going to get deployed to Iraq (again, we were both there for OIF), and I really miss my feathery companions. I really don't like being home alone. Seeing how we are not planning on having kids, I want someone to spoil!!

And I know I said 'starter' bird. I didn't mean it in the sense that it can be just thrown away--I would probably be in the same internal battle as the owner of Samson Bell if I was ever in that situation (paid $7,000 in vet bills). I meant that I want to see where I'm at in say, 10 years so I can see if I will be able to make a commitment to the baby I really want, an umbrella 'too. Also, I want to save up medical money just for him/her in case of an emergency.

I really want to become somebirdie's slave. Thanks for all your info and help.

[okieparrots]

Quakers are cuddly little devils and anyone who owns one will tell you that they are every bit as smart as the larger parrots...(I have to be sure my quakers cages are locked well. They will actually help each other escape. In their old cage one would lift the door and let the other out, then the now escaped bird would hold it up while the remaining one made its get away.) Ringnecks are very independant birds but have their own unqiue charms.

Jardines are another HUGE favorite of mine. Great talkers, very mellow, cute to boot and very easy to handle. Love these guys....(And I'm so happy my new pair is working their nest!!!! fingers crossed) I think this is one of the all time great companion species and one of the most likely birds in the world to succeed in a companion setting.

Of course there are also the diminuative Pyhurra conures like the Green cheeks, etc. They make great pets and are small enough to manage in most homes, even apartments. Plus they are relatively inexpensive.

Good Luck!!!!

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

Originally Posted by okieparrots

Of course there are also the diminuative Pyhurra conures like the Green cheeks, etc. They make great pets and are small enough to manage in most homes, even apartments. Plus they are relatively inexpensive.

Of course I'm biased here since I have two green cheeks. ;)
Archer was my first, and he is such a character. He is smaller than my cockatiel, but very very smart. He learned to let himself out of his cage (and back in if he got bored). He has started to talk, although he's pretty hard to understand most of the time. One time he was bothering Kira (my other GC), and I scolded him. He looked at me and said 'good boy!' He always makes me laugh. I'd be glad to tell you more about them if you'd like. :D

The Feather Tree sells a video called "Pyrrhuras, the Quiet Conures"
http://www.feathert.com/videos2.html

I have an awful copy of this video that I got off ebay, but I still love it.

I live in a VERY small apt with my GCs, and they are usually quieter than my cockatiel and budgie. It doesn't help that my budgie now makes most of the noises in Archer's repertoire!

When I only had Archer, he always wanted to be with me. It was very sweet. I have a little dish of pellets near my computer for when he flies over here to be with me. I do not regret adding Kira to my home however. :)

[Monica]

I'd also suggest Caquies even though I don't own one. They are the clowns and will always be having fun. I'd suggest for maybe you to look into these clownish birds!

Whatever your decision though, good luck!!!

[Casa Amazona]

Oh, yes! Either a green cheek or a quaker would be wonderful. My experience with quakers is that they're a bit louder than green cheeks, but such great companions.

[okieparrots]

Since you mention you may have to move to another country altogether, you will want to determine how likely that reality may be. It takes an enormous amount of work and effort to take your bird to another country. In some countries you won't be able to do it at all, others have very long and strict requirements which are only made worse by the difficulty of bringing your bird back into this one when you return.

If moving to another country is very real possibility you'll want to evaluate that effect on a potential pet.

[Lora, Archer, & Kira]

...you also want to be sure Quakers are legal in your state, should you decide you want one.

[The Outlaw]

Here's another suggestion. Since you aren't sure where you'll be in the future, why not simply do some volunteer time at a shelter or rescue. That way, you can learn a lot about all kinds of birds, get to play with a bunch of them and certainly be first in line for the right rescue bird. I also think that Quakers are terrific, silly little things. In fact, next to my macaws, I think my Tilde might just be my favorite. She's the funniest bird I've ever seen.

THE OUTLAW

[Casa Amazona]

Lora makes a good point. Quakers are NOT legal in Georgia.