Sun Conure a good choice??

[Cyberhawk]

Hi everyone.
Im looking to get a new bird. I have had 1 bird in the past, a cockatiel that my parents got me from the pet store. Not being handfed I tried and tried to get it tame but never could so I recently sold him. Now, I want a Sun Conure. Are Sun Conures good birds to get?? My parents are asking me a billion questions before I can get it so I was just wondering what you all thought. Thanks

[Merlie]

Have you done any research into owning a Sun Conure? Why do you want a Sun?

Conures in general can be quite vocal, so if noise is an issue, they might not be the bird for you. I'd hate to see you get another bird, only to have to get rid of it again.

[Cyberhawk]

Yes I have done plenty. And I know alot about cockatiels. Its just the bird that was sold to my parents is alot older than they said and he was very grumpy. And I want a Sun because I have read they are very playful and very pretty and I just liked them ever since I saw them. But, thats also why im posting here. What other birds do you suggest?

[JNS]

My Sunny is not very loud, but she has her moments, that's for sure. She screams a few times a day but generally stops when we either give her her breakfast or supper or we just completely ignore her. They are fantastic little birds with a ton of personality. Noise and mess is always going to be an issue to a certain extent.

[FirstTimeBirdie]

Yeah, my sister just bought a Sun, still being weaned, so not home yet, and a friend of hers made her all nervous and said that they scream no matter what you do. I was like, don't be ridiclous. She also told her that it's a one-person bird. I told her any parrot will end up being a one-person bird if you don't teach it any different. Thoughts?

[Angelwing]

Originally Posted by Cyberhawk

Hi everyone.
Im looking to get a new bird. I have had 1 bird in the past, a cockatiel that my parents got me from the pet store. Not being handfed I tried and tried to get it tame but never could so I recently sold him. Now, I want a Sun Conure. Are Sun Conures good birds to get?? My parents are asking me a billion questions before I can get it so I was just wondering what you all thought. Thanks

Doesn't matter if it was handfed or not, it depends on how well socialised the baby is and if the petstore employees/customers continued to socialise. What tactics did you use to try and tame the cockatiel? For how long did you attempt them?

[Cyberhawk]

Ok guys. Thanks.
Well, do you suggest any other birds?? Like even dif types of conures in case I cant get a Sun that is playful??

[Merlie]

Where are you thinking of getting your new bird from?

Keep in mind, no matter what type of bird you decide on, there are never any guarantees.

Starting with a hand fed baby can be easier, but just because they are sweet as babies, doesn't mean they'll stay that way. Training, environment, daily interaction, diet .. all factor in as well.

All birds have the potential to be loud. All birds will be messy, and all birds will bite at some point (I believe when it comes to owning a bird it's not a matter of IF you'll get bit, it's a matter WHEN you'll get bit).

You really have to think about the dedication to bird ownership. I take it you're a young person and still living with your parents. Please don't take this wrong, but I'm always a skeptic about young people getting birds. I see so many ads out there "rehoming our bird, got it for the kid(s), but they don't have time for it anymore/lost interest".

Birds are way, way more complicated pets than others. A dog or cat will love you, allow you to pet it even if it's been weeks since you showed it the time of day .. a bird .. not so forgiving.

All I'm saying is do you homework. How much time do you have to dedicate? Who is ultimately responsible for the care? Who is going to be responsible for the costs involved (toys, food, vet visit, cage .. etc.)?

All this being said .. what type of bird to get is ultimately up to you, they will all have their up sides and their down sides.

I think if I were getting my first conure .. I'd go with a Green Cheeked .. they are very cute, playful, smaller than a Sun .. I've heard good things about them as a beginners bird.

JMHO

[Greycloud]

I used to breed sun conures and basically what you have heard here is true. Suns are absolutely beautiful! They are little clowns and love to cuddle. They are fair talkers. They need a bigger cage than for a tiel and must have several different kinds of toys to keep them entertained. The more they are kept busy the quieter they are. Are sun conures loud? You bet!!! They screech. Some just a couple times a day some all day. Would I own one myself, NO! But thats' just me.
I agree with the other post on here about a green cheek conure. Though not gorgeous they have many mutations that will take your breath away. They can whisper talk, cuddle, play. Relatively inexpensive.
One of my most favorite birds is the brown head parrot. The body about the size of a sun but no long tail. relatively quiet, mine are excellent talkers, very playful and cuddly. Will usually go to anybody.
I highly recommend you purchase from a breeder and not a pet store. They tend to work with their babies longer on socialization. The back of bird talk has hundreds of adds listed by state. Also type in species of bird and search will bring up breeders.
I hope I was helpful. Good luck. But remember, read, read, read!

[brdfvr]

I would suggest a green cheek conure. Quiet, playful and so beautiful! Or maybe a black capped conure, about the same as a GCC, just in a slightly smaller body and different feather color, I will be o so jealous if you do end up getting a black capped, that's the next kind of conure I want!