Gouldian Finches Vs. Parotlet

[ppeluso]

I have been debating between a pair of Gouldian Finches and a Parotlet. I really would love to own Gouldian Finches but was wondering if you can you train & tame a Gouldian Finch? I dont want to try and train them to step up or sit on my shoulder if it is going to cause to much stress to them that it may kill them. In regards to the Parotlet I was told that I could not pair up the Parotlets in the same cage because they would fight each other. I also work full time and was concerned about the amount of attention they would require.

[expressmailtome]

Finches are able to be "tame" if they are handfed. However, they are hard to find and I would guess expensive. Finches tend to be skittish. Parrotlets can be very sweet. Many people have them. I have never heard about not being able to keep two together. However, like any birds before putting them together follow quarentine prosedures and monitor their behavior and reactions to each other. I hope that this helps.

Matt

[Monica]

Well, if you can't "tame" wild birds (finches and similar species or other wild birds) then I guess you can't tame a gouldian???

Parrotlets would be easier pets to keep because people handraise them. Not many people handraise gouldians... with that said, you can still tame a parent raised bird! It'll just take more time and a lot of patience on your part! You'd start by offering food to the bird from your hand while sitting next to the cage and not staring at the bird. Gouldian or parrotlet, both need good sized cages and both would probably benefit from toys! (although parrotlets are more likely to play with toys than finches, I've still seen photos of finches who enjoyed toys!)

If you were to get two birds then they would be able to keep eachother company, however this means more work on you to ensure they remain tame. Granted, I have a handraised cockatiel who lives with other cockatiels and budgies, and occasionally a conure, too. She doesn't need any extra special attention to remain tame because she flies to me to get scritches daily! She's the only tame tiel (out of 5), as well. With that said, one of the other female cockatiels has been flying to me daily to get fed from me. This was completely by *HER* choice, not mine! She wont allow for any more hands on interaction, but she is actually eager in the mornings for me to feed her by hand! Given time, I know she'll get used to me even more although I don't know how far she'll allow me to interact with her. That is completely up to her.

[expressmailtome]

Sorry. I guess I was wrong.

Matt

[Tom Lawless]

On the whole, and this is a generalization, I would say you are comparing apples and oranges. If you are looking for a bird that will interact with you, that will hang out on your shoulder and learn tricks the parrotlet will be more likely to bring you that. The price for that is they will require attention like any other parrot. They are often called big parrots, with big personalities in little parrot bodies.

Finches on the other hand are very pretty, their chirping is pleasant but they are less likely to interact with you. They are a low maintenance pet because they don't require the individual time that a parrot would. Feed, change water and keep their cages clean are necessary but you don't have to make sure you spend personal one-on-one quality time with them every day like you would with a parrot.

I'm sure others will disagree but this is what my research has shown.

[expressmailtome]

Originally Posted by Tom Lawless

On the whole, and this is a generalization, I would say you are comparing apples and oranges. If you are looking for a bird that will interact with you, that will hang out on your shoulder and learn tricks the parrotlet will be more likely to bring you that. The price for that is they will require attention like any other parrot. They are often called big parrots, with big personalities in little parrot bodies.

Finches on the other hand are very pretty, their chirping is pleasant but they are less likely to interact with you. They are a low maintenance pet because they don't require the individual time that a parrot would. Feed, change water and keep their cages clean are necessary but you don't have to make sure you spend personal one-on-one quality time with them every day like you would with a parrot.

I'm sure others will disagree but this is what my research has shown.

That is more or less what I was trying to say. You just said it better than I did I guess.

Matt

[Monica]

Matt, most people don't try taming finches because they are so fragile and flightly creatures to begin with! And many are of the assumption that only handraised birds can be tamed! Which doesn't make sense when you factor in the fact that a lot of budgies, lovebirds, and cockatiels sold in petstores are parent raised!

That and finches don't normally bond to humans like parrots do... however, I'm sure that finches can be tamed, the only thing is that people (myself included) don't recommend clipping finches because they can't fly... but they'll recommend clipping parrots because they *CAN* climb thus doesn't greatly hinder them.....

One thing is for sure... 'tame' can be interpreted in different ways! As in, does the bird enjoy sitting with its human? Do they prefer more contact such as head rubs? Will the birds allow you to do anything with them?

For a finch, I'd say it would be tame when it flies to you to be talked with, but doesn't necessarily ask for any more hands on interaction. With that said, I have seen [pictures of] handraised zebra finches who enjoyed getting scritches!


PS, Tom, good points!!!

[christie99]

With my last clutch of Gouldians I handled them daily, even though this is not reccomended since they are prone to abandoning the nest. I do have two that will sit for skritches for 45+ minutes, but the instant you stop, they are more like their wilder parents. They do not like to sit with you like a parrot does.

Yes, Gouldians are very fragile and do not have a long lifespan. They also do not do well by themselves. Finches are a social creature that does thrive in the company of others of their species.

I would say go with a parrotlet or other small parrot. They will be able to be tamed and will be much easier to find when they do fly away from you. You can always get a few finches later as a "pet" for your parrot. My Indian Ringneck loves the finches I have and gets mad if they are out of sight.

[hollyhawkz]

Any parrot species will take a great deal more of your time, and one on one handling. This was one of your concerns about going to work. It is a lot to think about.

I have fostered four parrotlets now and two males can't be kept in a cage together. Really the same room can be a problem. Often when you have a female and male they will bond and or become mates, then you loose your relationship with them as "pets". Sometimes the males will become very protective and aggressive when paired up. Mirros in their cages are not a good idea because they think it is a mate. As small as they are a parrotlet bite is ugly, they will sink in and hang on like a pit bull. (personal experience) Research them well as they have a very long life span, they are a true parrot and they will take the same commitment as you would any parrot.

Finches on the other hand will never have a playful type of parrot personality, as beautiful and sweet as they are. They are pleasant to have around and make such nice calming sounds.

There really is a huge difference, you have to figure out what you want, and what you have time wise to offer your new family member.

I have a friend that used to breed parrotlets named Adel, she highly recommends the following link...

The Parrotlet Ranch Home Page

Best of luck.