thinking about getting a cockatoo or African grey or a quaker (monk) bird

[kathleen]

I am thinking of getting one of these birds. I am leaning towards the cockatoo. I am concerned about screaming. I live in a apartment. Is this a potential problem? I would appreciate any realistic infomation - Pros and cons of each bird. I am a first time owner.

Thank you in advance for any input.

Kathleen.

[Samm]

Cockatoos scream.
Quakers squawk.

Cockatoos will tear up your eardrums. (also your neighbors)
Quakers aren't quite so bad.


If you live in an apartment, go with the Quaker....

[Crebain]

I'd get the grey. 'Too's go crazy when they hit puberty, and I mean "psycho crazy", not "funny crazy", and Monks are among the loudest screechers there are.

/waits for 'Too and Monk owners to flame.

[Samm]

Sorry, I didn't see the part about the Gray......
Mine can get loud when she wants to, but she's pretty quiet most of the time. They pick up the bad language before they pick up the phrases you want them to say.

Crebain, my Quaker doesn't screech too much...when she does, she tells herself to shut up.

("Screeekkk---Screeeekk!! Shut up Phoebe!")

Thats her new phrase....it's funny, the things they pick up

[Graehstone]

Hi there Kathleen, first off, Welcome to the group.
Now as to your wanting to get a Cockatoo when living in an apartment, I don't think there will be one person that would recommend that.
Noise being the issue here, they can't help it, but they are among the loudest of all Parrots.
Now to your getting a Quaker, make sure you do not live in a State that has made owning a Quaker Parrot illegal. In some States they are not allowed at all.
The African Grey on the other hand ... hmmm, I have two of those, one of each type plus a Cockatiel and a Senegal and a Budgie and we all live happily in a two bedroom apartment alongside several hundred Orchids and other houseplants and, oh, I almost forgot, there's a wife somewhere in that mess too, lol.
That all having been said I have to add that our Senegal is the loudest of the whole lot with the budgie of course being the least loud.
If I may be so bold as to inquire your reasons for wanting a Parrot, this information would help us a great deal in giving you a choice of appropriate birds for an apartment setting.
Sorry for the long windedness of my response to you (in all reality it's a pretty short one for me, lol).
Hope to hear what you finally decide to get.

[mamalovesrico]

Kathleen,
Please do not get a cockatoo. I have one that just turned one. He is extremely loud. When I say loud, he set off our house alarm. I love it when he gets going and when he does, be prepared because everyone will hear it. I live in a brick house that is insulated well. When Rico gets going when I have all the doors and windows shut, you can hear him in my driveway.
My neighbor, across the street and three doors down has a cockatoo also. When they are gone at work and I am outside I can hear theirs also.
You live in an apartment, you will definately get complaints...guaranteed.

[Crebain]

Originally Posted by kathleen

I am thinking of getting one of these birds.

What is it that's attracted you to these 3 kinds of bird? Just wondering...

[basketbagley]

Kathleen,
Welcome to the group! I'm new too!

Have you ever considered a Princess of Whales Parrot? They are suppose to be quite quiet and great for apartments. They are also among the most beautiful birds! And they are suppose to be good talkers. I'm saying suppose to be on these, because that is what I've read and have been told. I don't have mine yet, it is being hand fed. So I have about 7 weeks to wait for it to be weaned.

Under the birdtalk forum I have a thread looking for other POW owners, several people gave me some great links to read up on them.

Everyone I've taked to says how sweet and loving these birds are and beautiful. and many are great talkers.

No matter what kind of bird you select, it would be very beneficial to you to get one from a breeder that handfeeds and tames your bird for you, and please don't try to hand feed yourself, this is not for us amatures!

Oh, have you considered cockatiels? My baby, 9 weeks old, is very quiet! and oh my goodness is he/she affectionate!

Just make sure that you have plenty of time to give if you only get 1 bird. They really get lonley fast and that can lead to behavior problems and being destructive!!

Keep us informed on what you decided!!!!!

[kensbuns]

Kathleen
First of all Welcome to the group and everyone is right. Unless you plan to be moving really soon out of your apt. please dont get a cockatoo. If you do and you dont plan to move you will be making an unplanned move. They are extremely loud screamers. I would go with the Grey!!!!

[kathleen]

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiry even the long winded ones. LOL! I will try to touch on some of the questions I received back. I was talking to a friend whose Quaker recently started talking and thought it was adorable. He suggested a store called Bird Jungle and I just went there "to see". I am somewhat skitish when it comes to birds because I'm afraid they bite. Anyway, I walked into this noisy store and there were birds everywhere, in cages and not. A BEAUTIFUL affectionate cockatoo just walked over to me and offered its foot as to tell me it wanted to step on me. It was just the cutest snuggliest thing I had ever met and totally fell in love. I fought the urge to buy him but was definitely heartbroken. I knew I needed to find out more information. My life is generally structured but there are days I'm home a couple of hours late. Could this be a problem with a Grey or a Quaker? I heard Greys can be moody and bite. I've seen infant Greys and wondered how long before they could travel? I would like to bring it home to my mom's house to socialize it. Hopefully, making it easier if I need them to babysit. Sorry if I sound naive but don't know much about birds and I'm hoping just to learn as much as I can before I make a decision.