Beginner Bird?

[Rossman777]

Hi! I have wanted a bird for years now, and I currently only own two cats. The reason the I am stating that is because I have never had any experience with birds. I would like to get one, since I have been fascinated with them for years. I am in middle school, so I want to plan for a quiet bird for an apartment in college. I am debating on a Quaker, a Green Cheek Conure, and a Cockatiel. I really have my heart set on the Conure. But, my question is, what would be the best bird for a beginner? I would like it to be cuddly, trainable, and good with others. I am open to all species. Thanks in advance!


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[Pinkbirdy]

Hand fed cockatiel :)

[Turquoise]

Hi Rossman777 and welcome to the flock/forum. :th_greet13:

My personal choice in your lineup would be the Green Cheek because I had one and they are super sweet when they grow out of the normal nippy baby/adolescent stage and beyond the hormonal years. That is supposed to be a hint to you what you can expect from any of the parrot species you may be thinking about getting in the future. :) Green Cheeks are usually not an overly noisy bird and even when they are tend not to be super loud. Cockatiels would be my next choice for you, tho I don't have as much experience with them. They are really good birds to keep as well. I have never owned a Quaker, I have read they can be very noisy in the way of loud for a smaller bird. I don't think they are considered a good choice for a first time bird.

My main concern is if you have a place to keep your future bird away from your cats as they can be a big threat to a defenseless bird. Especially when it is out of it's cage interacting with you. And are your parents ok with your getting a bird at this time in your life? Since you don't have prior experience with parrots I suggest you read all you can about their care and not just about the ones you are interested in. Read the pros & cons of bird keeping in general and species specific so you have a very good idea what it will mean to share your life with a small ball of feathers, beak & claws that has the ability to find its way into your heart and live with you for many many years to come. :th_biggrin:

Check the forum out and you can find a great wealth of knowledge and useful information to help you along in your quest for your first feathered darling. :th_wink:

[Rossman777]

Thanks! The cats will not be a problem, as they spend most of the day downstairs or under my parents bed. They are fat and clumsy and do not have any hunting instinct in them. But I will be cautious. It will take a bit of negotiating with my parents but, knowing them, they will let me keep one if I play the responsibility role. I do not plan on getting a bird until I know about the species like the back of my hand. I plan to spend months researching. Again, thank you. I believe the Green Cheek is for me.

[Honesty]

Hello Rossman777 and welcome to PP.

I agree, a GCC would be a great first choice. Its great you are doing lots of research first :)

[spiritbird]

Please do not assume the cats will be OK with your bird. Instinct takes over in a cat or dog to chase a bird. I keep my cat in another room with the door closed whenever my birds are out of cage. I do agree with hand fed cockatiel. Quakers are not really a quiet bird, especially if there is more than one.

[Debra]

Hello and welcome to our forum. I have no experience with the gcc, but I do have cockatiels and quakers. I would recommend a hand fed cockatiel baby for you. Quakers would be a little loud in an apartment in my opinion. Mine can get going pretty loud -- although I have two and when one gets going the other joins in. They are especially loud at night when it's time to cover them and also sometimes around 3 in the afternoon they have a scream fest.

I'm so glad you are doing your research on this. I look forward to your decision and eventual obtaining of your feathered baby.

[Rossman777]

Thank you all! The next obstacle to getting a bird is convincing my parents.

[Maddy]

Out of your choices, I also think a Green Cheek Conure would be wonderful for you. Most of them are very sweet, and they aren't terrible loud.

I have a 5 year old Pineapple Green Cheek Conure. Peatree is strongly bonded to me, but she doesn't like to be touched by other people. She will happily talk to them or sit on their head. With me, she is like a magnet. She would rather be right next to me then anywhere else. She isn't very loud, although she does have these moments when I leave the room and she squawks until I come back. Her squawks aren't very loud. She also 'sings' really loud when I have music on. She is very talkative! She clearly says her Peatree, Cookie, Pretty Bird, and Mommy. She also mumbles a bunch of other stuff, and gives kisses, laughs, and beeps. Peatree LOVES music. She dances and sings whenever I turn it on! The only trick she knows is to turn around. She isn't very picky when it comes to food, she'll eat almost everything I give her. Her favorite foods are blackberries, banana, and sunflower seeds.

I hope you'll let us know what you decide on, and if you do get a bird, that you post lots of pictures! (:

[Grey]

Of the three, the Green Cheek fits the bill followed closely by the cockatiel. Since you are exploring your options right now, also consider the maroon bellied conure and the Bourke's parakeet. The Maroon Bellied conure looks a lot like the green cheek and is similar in personality, though everyone I know that has them says they are sweeter than the Green Cheeks. The Bourke's are quiet have a pretty song, though they are not necessarily cuddly. A quaker would be the last choice from the list because they are noisy, they have a tendency for cage aggression, and they are illegal to keep in several states if you should ever move or go away to college. Good luck on your search and keep up the research

[Rossman777]

It may be a while before I get pictures up. I'll see you late summer! Thank you for all the help.

[Wasabidactyle]

I have two cockatiels and they are lovely birds. Before you get a bird, please consider that caring for birds is expensive. They need vet care, good quality food (not just seed) and a sizable cage.

Good luck with your choice!

[Minamommy]

I had a cockatiel for my first bird. One word FABULOUS!!! Loved it. They are such great stared birds. They talk interact great very very loving relatively quiet. I mean they will whistle and talk when you are around but any bird will do that. Hand fed baby's are so so sweet and they come in a lot of colors. You can have a really nice size cage for them but the good thing is like when you go home wherever the main cage isn't you can make do with a much smaller carrier. Also I think over all if you do research and get on from a good source they are very health with fewer problems then a lot of species. Good luck finding your baby can't wait till you tell us about it.