Senegals and conures- What a decision!

[KatyKat314]

After a very long wait-it's finally time- I get to choose my new bird bud soon and I couldn't be more excited.

But I am having some trouble deciding on which species to settle on. I know I want to have a slightly larger bird seeing as I have had tiels before, and I think I'm quite capable since I have handled and been around conures and other larger birds.

My decision has whittled down to a heavy debate between a conure (green-cheek, sun/jenday, blue crown) or a senegal.

We have a highly reputable breeder where I live and I wouldn't have even considered buying a bird if I hadn't been so impressed with her qualifications.

I went into her store thinking "Sun Conure" no doubt, because they are so playful and silly but I was suprised when she strongly reccomended the blue crown.

She told me that it was a slightly larger but sometimes more quiet bird. truthfully, what I am looking for is a bird that easily bonds and is for the most part a peaceful and affectionate fellow, though I do understand that varies from bird to bird.

Which is what brought me to the senegal. Actually, I have had BB members recommend the senegal to me after I described what I was looking for. I am very devoted to my pets and I have the time to really bond with my bird.

From everything that I have read, senegals seem very affectionate and devoted, quAlities which are appealing to me. While the conures affable and quirky nature is attractive as well, a long term, close relationship with my bird is what i truly value.

I have a friend who adores his sun conure above the rest of his birds (green cheeks) but I haven't met anyone with a senegal.

I have handled the green cheeks, the blue crown and the sun/jenday's in the breeders store so I have a feel for their size but not necessarily the senegal's.Is it much larger? How much do the conure's personality's vary from eachother would you say? Other than what I have surmised myself- the sun is a character, the green cheek can be demure and the blue crown is somewhat a combination.

Talking ability and appearance is not as important to me as a strong personality. Based on what I've said, I was wondering if anyone who owns any of these types of birds would have a reccomendation. I would greatly appreciate it. I know having a bird is a huge commitment and I just want to make sure I pick the one who I will get along with best.

-Katy

[atalantae]

Hi Katy.
The decision has to be totally up to you.

I personally would love to own a Sennie or a Myers. Have you looked at the Myers yet? ( Not to take you off your current course)

I think that bothe are adorable!!!
I have heard that both will bond with the owner once they are settled in and used to his/her surroundings.
I have 5 birds and 4 different species.
I have an Alexandrine, Kasey. A Mexican Red Head Amazon, Jasper. A Nanday Conure, Buddy. 2 lovies, Zeus and Ares. All mine are male.
The MRHA, NC and 1 of the lovies were rescues.

But as I said the decision is totally up to you.
take care and good luck

[homebird]

It can be hard to tell which is larger - some Sennies are big but generally I think that the Blue Crown would be the biggest of the lot you just talked about. I haven't owned either so I can't comment.
The Meyers is noted to be a little gentler/sweeter than the Sennie - just not as common. At the pet store, nearbye, they have both & the Meyers just wants out of the cage & does all sorts of tricks to get your attention - if I was buying I'd get her - lots of personality in that bird for sure.

I think it ends up with personallity over anything. If you like this breeder, get her to help you choose a compatible bird - if you can't choose a type. After all they're all so beautiful. You want a fid that's willing & likes you.
Good luck - this can be the hardest part of Parront-hood.

[bekfreak]

Red Bellies are in the same family as the Sennie, Meyers, and I've read they're rather nice birds. Also a Jardines or if you want to spend the money an Un-Caped parrot are nice birds. I spent time looking at these guys and eventually settled on a Timneh Grey.

[Johelian]

If you dont mind the crazy levels of noise, conures have much to be recommended; all of the people whose posts I have read love their conures zest for life. They generally seem to be very friendly, playful birds who quickly bond to their people, yet dont seem to have as many of the overbonding issues that many other parrot owners complain about. I think literally what stops them from being more popular pets is their passion for using their voice; it is possible to reduce their noise level in many cases by adjusting the way they are treated and so on, but I think all conure owners should be prepared for a good dose of noise :) The greencheeks are meant to be quieter, but its probably going to be a bit of a much-of-a-muchness between the BC and the Sun. Both have high, grating voices that I personally find hideous, and arent afraid to use them repeatedly! If noise isnt a problem, they apparently make fantastic pets when properly socialised and taught how to behave.

Senegals are reputed to be the extremists of the poicephalus family; they seem to experience everything with great passion, be it fearfulness or fearlessness. For this reason, some regard them as more complex than some of the other parrot families. They can become obsessed with details consequently, like controlling their cage environment and/or their human "mates", and so a lot of problems senegal owners come across are biting and territorial related issues. They do however put as much energy into play as their other passions, and can be playful acrobats; I once got to watch a sennie having a whale of a time lying on his back and kicking his little feet in the air, clearly absolutely delighted with himself. They are generally quieter than the conures, but have a high pitched shriek reminiscent of a conure that they can use; on the plus side, they dont tend to "chain scream" like a conure in my experience, but will intermittently squawk if something isnt right. The sennie I heard screaming was bothered by my presence as he was wild, and pushed his voice quite a bit. Its high and irritating; the same as the conures, only the conure tends to be expected to make this noise more often. Other birds in this family are similar temperaments; the meyers, the jardines, the brown head and the red belly are the most popular. Be warned though that volume increases with size, and that a jardine and a cape have quite big voices (which they dont usually use according to most peoples accounts, but its there just the same).


And now the disclaimer; I havent owned either of these birds :( All of what I have written is based on reading a lot of literature for some time, both on and offline, and from personal experience with many different species in many different forms. I imagine there are big gaps there, and its hard to know just what a bird will be like before you take it home, which renders a lot of this irrelevant. Everyone will tell you a different story; I think its part of what makes birdkeeping, on one hand agonisingly unpredictable and full of pitfalls, but at the same time so completely interesting. The one thing I will tell you for fact though - make sure you can stand your birds vocalisations. This means getting to hear your chosen species making a racket. Dont go by what anyone tells you - hear it for yourself, as chances are you will be hearing this noise for the next 30 years or more. It saves a lot of agony :)

[NikiAndBeyond]

I am having much of the same difficulties. I'm trying to choose between a GCC and a sennie. Personally I think senegals are not attractive. I too am looking for personality though. I want gentle, affectionate, and quiet. I met one Tuesday that squeaked twice in three hours. Unfortunately when I held him, he was much more fascinated with my clothing, and completely regarded me as nothing more than a perch.

I haven't gotten the best impression, but don't want to be disuaded by one bird.

[kiwilito]

we have(had) two GCCs, one is a yellowsided, who are so much fun to have around. GCCs are FEARLESS!!!! They chase after cats, people with shoes. That's what makes them so much fun, though. They have BIG personalities in little green bodies!
Mine are on the quiet side. They never screach, just make great little birdsounds. Some talk more than others. Mine only said his name, Kiwi, and green.

[denmor55]

I have all GCC, Nanday, Sun's, Blue Crowns and Senegals. they are all equally appealing in there different ways. Best to let the bird pick you. You will know when that special one pics you, just keep looking until you are sure.