Possibly adding a pionus. . .need help!!

[Amie]

(((BACKGROUND)))
So, my fiance and I have been looking for a bird to add to our family as our ekkie is NOT okay being an only bird. She has been plucking since our CAG died, and no matter what we do, we can always get her better, but never fully-feathered. We were pretty much told that everything we're doing is exactly what we should be doing, but we shouldn't expect any significant improvements past what we've already gotten until we add a companion for her, as that's why she's plucking to begin with.

(((Why I'm Writing on the Pionus Board)))

So, we're searching the area for another CAG, new cage, etc. In the course of our regular routine, we have to get more food for my schnauzer, and we went to a Petco we've never gone to before because they were more convenient at the time. And they have a White Capped Pionus there that's been there for about 6 months.

I walked in to look at a conure species I had never seen before (Yellow sided?) and this little guy comes to the edge of his cage and puts his head down, begging for scritches. My fiance decided to take him out and visit with him---and he fell in love!!!

Now, I know we're not supposed to support petstores, but IMHO, the poor guy deserves no less chance at a loving home than if I had gotten him directly from the breeder. He's only getting out of his cage when we go visit him, apparently (which, of course, makes my fiance go visit him much more) He was hatched July 28th of last year and is the sweetest pet store animal I have ever met. He's a little smaller than I was originally looking for, but he seems so perfect for us. He has many of the same cuddle quirks as our ekkie (don't give him scritches when he's on your finger, but the ground, or your leg, or whatever, he's fine. Loves kisses and tried to give us hundreds before we were comfortable enough to let him. Wanted to be as close to our bodies as possible, etc)

The only concern, really, is how well he may or may not get along with a larger bird. Scarlett is pretty sociable with all birds bigger than a tiel, so I'm not really worried about her. She loves the smaller Amazons my friend has and the few Sennies she has that aren't intimidated by Scarlett. But is the Pionus going to freak out?

Also, what's the average price for these guys? He's $700 right now after a $100 discount, but they've hinted that they'll work with us on the price. I don't want to pay more than is fair for me.

I knew NOTHING about them before this, and there is only a limited amount of information available on the web. The diet will be no problem because I have an ekkie so I'm okay with fresh greens and such. But i think we've fallen in love.

My fiancee has already named him/her. It's that serious.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the long thread!

[DarwinTheSun]

So are you interested in the white-capped pionus or the yellow-sided conure?

I think in either case, you should be prepared for the birds to not like one another. If they didn't like each other, then they would always have to be kept separate. If they chose to be friends, I don't think size would be an issue. GCCs are tough little birds with HUGE attitudes.

[Amie]

Hehe, sorry, I realize now that is unclear. The White Capped Pionus. I was looking at the conure, and the Pionus came to the side of the cage and begged for scritches.

The conure was a bit nippy. . .as conures in pet stores seem to be.

[loganzheroz06]

With the issue of the pionus freaking out about your ekkie, I dont really think it will be an issue (but than again all birds are different.) I have a 5 year old White cap pi and a 5 month old CAG and my pi is not afraid of her at all even though she's made it clear that she does not like him, they have to be supervised at all times when there out together since she's such a brat to him. As far as the price goes that sounds about right for a pet store, when we got joker we adopted him from a private pet shop at the age of 4 and they still charged us $700, but he is totally worth it. He's not a cuddle bug but will let you give him scritches for hours! He's pretty easy going, loves to walk around on the ground/or sit on your shoulder going room to room. Have you check out Pionus Parrot's Website
her website is pretty informative and accurate, one thing i forgot to mention is he can be VERY stingy when he wants to be, i swear he's bipolar he seems to have the zon' attitude when its mating season but i love him all the same!

[DarwinTheSun]

I love pionus birds! I am going to be very jealous if you get him!

[Amie]

Haha, we'll try not to brag too much if it comes down to it :)

Thanks! And loganzheroz, we did see that web site. Unfortunately, it's pretty much the only thing out there about them! I did notice that this little guy is much darker and duller than the pictures on her site, but I'm wondering if that's because he's young. . .. somewhere on there it says their feathers continue to brighten with every molt for the first few years.

[sunnyshine]

I would love to have a Pionus one day, I have heard many good things about them. I don't have any personal experiences to offer, but just wanted to wish you luck if you go through with it.
And of course we'll be waiting for pictures!

[cody123]

I got a pi
He was a kinda a re home and he is a great bird
I love him b/c he is still very loving but is very independent.
He doesn't really play with toys. really not that much work.
BUT LET ME NOTE THAT EVERY WC PIONUS THAT I MET IS A
1 PERSON BIRD mine only likes men since his previous owner was
one.
I hope this helps!
best of luck!

[cody123]

O and I got mine for $400

[Amie]

Originally Posted by cody123

BUT LET ME NOTE THAT EVERY WC PIONUS THAT I MET IS A
1 PERSON BIRD mine only likes men since his previous owner was
one.

From my years with rehabs and rescues, favoring one gender is usually a result of abuse or neglect by the other.

I've heard that pionus' (pioni?) aren't one person birds at all (of course, in general. . . I've had one person birds be family birds and vice versa before)

It is obvious while handling the WC that he/she prefers my fiance over me, but he (will be calling it a he from now on) has never been nippy with me and steps up quite willingly and has no problem being with me. And that's okay, as this would be my fiance's bird (I've already got MY little girl. . . .and Brian gets quite jealous when Scarlett will have no one but me, and quite excited when she actually chooses to be with him over me, like last night. Scarlett is usually a family bird, but it's obvious at times who her person is.)

Well, let's just hope we're moving to Indiana. . . .because the extreme savings we will have due to the much lower cost of living will be what we're using to get our baby. We should find out in the next two weeks. Here's hoping!