New and deciding between a S.C.Cockatoo or a SunConure?

[kianga2007]

I live in Brisbane, Australia and love BirdBoard! Can some of you advise me .. I'd love to get either a Sun Conure or a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (greater) and have done loads of research on both but am still unsure.. I want a really cuddly bird that I can stroke and spend a lot of time with. We have a cockatiel (gorgeous!!) already but want to get a larger bird and have friends with a cockatoo (which I love), so are quite used to the size and noise, but I love the colours and personality of Suns. I have 3 sons and a husband (male dominated household!!), 2 dogs and a cat also. Thanks for any advice!!

[stepht25]

Welcome to the board! Would love to see pics of your tiel! What ages are your sons? I don't have any experience with cockatoos - but from what I have read - most people don't recommend them in a house with children. I'm partial to conures (though I don't have a sun). Several members here have them and they are beautiful, cuddly and full of personality! I'm sure people with with more experience with too's and sun's will come along and give you better view points than I can! Best of luck!

[kianga2007]

Thank you for your warm welcome Stephanie. It seems to me through lots of asking cockatoo owned people, vets and pet shops in Australia, that we don't seem to have as many rehoming problems as there are in the States.. I dont know if thats because our main type of cocky is the Sulphur Crested or not. I do know they are dusty, affectionate, loud, and need lots of attention (which is good as I don't work full time). I love both the Cockys and the Suns and am torn as to which one to get!! My boys are 10, 8 & 5 and our cockatiel is a white faced grey boy called Misty who is the light of our lives! I will try to post a piccie of him as soon as I can.

[Monica]

Welcome to BB! I too would love to see pics!

As for the issue of too many animals here in the states... I think it has mainly due to the fact that a lot of Americans just are not very considerate of animals and think of them less than a family member... I say this because I've seen a lot of animals, not just birds, being cared for less than adequate, and the owners just don't really care to take better care of their animals, even if given advise on how to.... and then they wonder why they have issues with their pets, and then get rid of them. Also, we have less rules on pet keeping than some countries, such as those found in Australia and Sweden. Of course, I've heard some of the Asian countries have worse pet keeping techniques than those here in America... but of course this isn't to open up a debate!

As for a cockatoo vs a sun... can't really advise you on that! Many will say that having a large bird in the house with small kids is a BAD idea, but I know many that have made it work out just fine. Many will say that the dust is not good for young kids, mostly infants and toddlers, but your kids are a bit older than that. Cockatoos ARE loud, and so are suns... the question is though, can you handle a suns squawks? I know some who can easily put up with screaming macaws, cockatoos, amazons, etc... but when it comes to conures, earplugs wont even help them...

I LOVE conures, and think they are an absolute joy! But I couldn't say to NOT get a cockatoo either!

[ROYJOY]

I have a sun, had him 2 weeks now havent heard any thing from the neighbors yet. tiki is a bundle of joy. i dont know much about too's, but a sun is pure delight.

[kianga2007]

Thank you for your comments, I have been offered a 21 year old Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (who has been surrendered to our local avian vet) and she is very timid and not handled much , but a delight! She is not a biter ( thank heavens) and doesn't screech! The vet thinks she will be lovely (with a lot of work) and she already comes to me for head scratches altho I've only met her 3 times in her cage. My dilemma is that my 'dream' bird is a sun conure (no I dont mind their screeches) but I love the cockatoos. I am convinced that the vet wouldnt have asked me to take her if he didnt think I could handle her or be willing to put in the hard work. He also knows we have the 3 boys.... and wouldnt suggest a bird which would bite... I know all birds CAN bite, but she hasnt tried to bite them once since she's been there in 4 weeks. So you can see my dilemma! A sun conure in the future sometime, or a cockatoo very soon??? ANY help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[tielmama]

I love my Umbrella Cockatoo. We have a 6 year old granddaughter who lives with us and she is forbidden to go near enough for the U2 to reach her. He has not attempted to bite in 2 months. He even has been in situations where I know he thought of it as an option, but did not use it. He used self control, even though he was a little scared. I will still keep the 6 year old away from him and my Senegal until she is MUCH older. She is allowed to hold cockatiels. I do not want to be responsible for her getting an injury. Sounds like you have your heart set on a Sun. It could give a bat bite to a child too. You should get what you want, and make it your bird with the kids just being spectators until later. Just my opinion.

[kensbuns]

Originally Posted by Monica

Welcome to BB! I too would love to see pics!

As for the issue of too many animals here in the states... I think it has mainly due to the fact that a lot of Americans just are not very considerate of animals and think of them less than a family member... I say this because I've seen a lot of animals, not just birds, being cared for less than adequate, and the owners just don't really care to take better care of their animals, even if given advise on how to.... and then they wonder why they have issues with their pets, and then get rid of them. Also, we have less rules on pet keeping than some countries, such as those found in Australia and Sweden. Of course, I've heard some of the Asian countries have worse pet keeping techniques than those here in America... but of course this isn't to open up a debate!

As for a cockatoo vs a sun... can't really advise you on that! Many will say that having a large bird in the house with small kids is a BAD idea, but I know many that have made it work out just fine. Many will say that the dust is not good for young kids, mostly infants and toddlers, but your kids are a bit older than that. Cockatoos ARE loud, and so are suns... the question is though, can you handle a suns squawks? I know some who can easily put up with screaming macaws, cockatoos, amazons, etc... but when it comes to conures, earplugs wont even help them...

I LOVE conures, and think they are an absolute joy! But I couldn't say to NOT get a cockatoo either!

I have to interject here Monica. That sun conure screech does not come anywhere close to the peeling paint yell of a Cockatoo.

[tielmama]

I love that peeling paint yell! It's kind of like honking your car horn in the house. It's also like the severe weather drill. My sweetie likes to do his in the morning, but he waits until about 9:00am. Then he's pretty quiet until around 3:00 or 4:00. You can NOT be ready for it until you actually hear it. All my cockatiels and little birds fly circles around their room each time he does his call, and the big dog leaves the room.

[garys mum]

I have had a sun in the past and she developed a huge jealously problem with my late Gary. When this problem developed she would scream and scream. To this day it still amazes me how such a small bird can have such a loud piercing grating scream.
Molly (My GSC2) has found her voice and my opinion (just my opinion) is her scream is far less ear shattering and grating than a suns. She only lets go for about 5 mins in the morning and 5 mins at night.
As far as your kids, I too have three, 12, 10, 8. Molly does not like my 12 year old, but then again my 12 year old is not fussed on Molly. Solution, they leave eachother alone!! Everyone else gets on well with her.
My answer to your question based on my experience, get a GSC2.