Too many choices!

[Adalii]

There are too many birds to choose from and I need help!

I made my intro post yesterday so if you want to go read that to learn a bit about me please do c:

Basically price of the bird and supplies doesnt matter. I am not looking at any huge birds because this will be my first bird...ever.
No matter which species I choose I WILL be researching more specifically on the one I will be getting.

In an ideal world I would like a bird that...
Can talk(I said can, not will. Doesnt have to be perfect)
Is cuddly/affectionate
Bonds with their owner
Can be handled(after taming)

That's pretty much all I want!

Birds I am looking at
Sun Conures
Green Cheek Conures(love these!)
Nanday Conure(love these too!!)
a few other conures that slipped my mind
Cockatiel

Birds I do not want
big birds, no Amazons or Macaws. I am a new bird person!
Finches
Lovebirds

Not sure about Parakeets or Budgies yet. Leaning towards no because I am not sure how handleable and bonding they are? Feel free to enlighten me.

I would appreciate anyone dumping information at me. I absolutely love information and I am really clueless on which bird is right for me! I have emailed a bird breeder and I asked if I could meet adult birds to see which I liked best..but still ;P

~Olivia

[PlaxMacaws]

It's easy to tell you are intent to determine the best species-fit for you, Olivia ... and I think that's a very wise thing! Your ongoing research efforts and your serious considerations about your options are a very commendable approach. I'm sure you're aware that not everyone takes the time to plan and learn before acquiring a bird, as you have been doing. I'm impressed with your efforts :)

What I have assessed from what you've posted so far is that the Green Cheek Conure should probably be at the top of your list. But I think the thing to do may be to visit each of the species your considering and make a final decision based upon your resulting impressions. Many folks say: "Let the bird pick you!" You might want to consider an attempt to facilitate that theory. It's a thought at least.

Whatever you do, I wish both you and your future feathered companion the very best of happiness and fun together :D. Maybe others have some further thoughts for you as well.

[Cedardave]

I think its great your researching instead of running out and just picking a bird from a petstore.From your list ,
greencheeks,jendays and sun conures all with training can fit what your looking for.If you dont mind an additional consideration, look into a hahns macaw.All the character of the big birds in a teenie tiny package.Whatever you choose...your already on the right track by asking questions.

[Adalii]

I do like the Hahns Macaw, but there's only one breeder and she's very far away! I could ship but then I feel like it would cost so much...which wouldn't be a problem but I am a worry wort!

I am leaning heavily towards Green Cheek Conures, as I found a fantastic breeder and if that doesn't work out I know good places to get one. I really appreciate all the help!

Are there any good books I should be looking into?

[jessicas94lt1]

Green cheeks are very sweet and cuddly. They are also not nearly as loud as some of the other species.... Unless you happen to have a sun conure around it.. Then it picks up the constant screaming. Lol..... But a green cheek is a very good choice.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[jtbirds]

I would not recommend a Hahns for any first time bird owner. Mini macaws are not mini in there attitudes and tendencies, I love minis. I have two personally and they are the most amazing birds, but they come with big macaw attitudes. The grams of difference is nothing to these guys and takes someone that knows a good bit about macaws and birds to be able to handle them. This being said with enough research i am very sure any bird could be your first, with the exception of certain species/ rescues.

I would slightly recommend a green cheek they are great birds and super animated. I have pretty much enjoyed every green cheek I have been around there attitudes are so big.

One i would recommend is a cockateil they are great for a first time bird. Generally easy to get along with and train and can be very animated. If you have any other species questions that anyone can answer please do. While I have a lot of rescue experiences I can not make your mind up only help you!:)

kind regards,
Justin

p.s - welcome to these wonderful forums, any knowledge you want can usually be gained here.

[alnoble89]

All I know are Grey's and I highly recommend them. Love my babies. However conures are cute, but I am not a fan the one I knew liked blood.

[Pinkbirdy]

I have a Greencheek ,Sun and Nanday . The Sun and the Cheek are a lot alike. }These guys are beggars [they want your attention.] My Cheek talks more than my Sun [but he is male].its good your looking into a baby. These guys are terrible if they get stuck in the nipping phase.. The birds Ive gotten from stores have been the hardest[the ones sitting there a year im sure getting poked at]. I always recommend Caiques [their very expensive]. Greta was my first bird . The conures nip harder than the Caiques at my house.

[jtbirds]

I have a Greencheek ,Sun and Nanday . The Sun and the Cheek are a lot alike. }These guys are beggars [they want your attention.] My Cheek talks more than my Sun [but he is male].its good your looking into a baby. These guys are terrible if they get stuck in the nipping phase.. The birds Ive gotten from stores have been the hardest[the ones sitting there a year im sure getting poked at]. I always recommend Caiques [their very expensive]. Greta was my first bird . The conures nip harder than the Caiques at my house.

I agree with most of this, but rescuing is a good path to do as long as the rescue takes measures to do behavioral work before adoption. Which at my rescue I do a huge behavioral evaluation before adoption. Caiques are a little head strong though but amazing birds. I will say the caique in my house is one of my worst biters though and the conures i've experienced are nothing compared to pickles. Pickles only bites when he shows body language though and he is blunt about when it is gonna happen.

[Pinkbirdy]

Ok then ,she should come see you :)

[jtbirds]

She has many choices to make in this decision! I'm sure the right one will be made. I think a conure or cockateil is the right mindset! and when i say conure I mean like the green cheeks and so on:).

[Adalii]

Would you suggest 'rescuing' one from a petstore or going to a breeder? I found one breeder who has two babies available, but four other people are interested in them! They aren't DNA tested and are weaned mid June. I would have waited for the next clutch because I don't really have any supplies yet, but this is her last clutch for the year!

The other option is a few months ago at my 'favorite' petstore they brought in a GCC weanling. He isn't full sized but from what I can tell he seems pretty friendly(however he lives in a glass container D:)
Do you think I should 'rescue' him or go to a breeder? The other hesitation is I know if I bring in the GCC he probably won't have any manners because I have NEVER seen him being handled, so I would have to start from scratch on training, and while I am not saying I am horrible...I AM a new bird owner.

Advice wanted! haha.

[Pinkbirdy]

I bet the one from the petstore will be nippy . Until it gets used to being handled . I would get your supplies ready ,go see ALL that interests you.Im sure you will be able to know which way to go then:) Good luck

[jtbirds]

pretty much any petstore bird is the breeders left overs:/... non hand tamed and so on. You could try to find an actual rescue around you to support which would be able to give you a possible better idea. Or wait for the breeder i guess:). I have minimal experience with buying from a breeder as all my guys are rescued.

[jessicas94lt1]

I believe pet store birds need a chance too and don't deserve to spend their lives behind glass. Go to the store and ask to hold him/see him watch how they take him out. Watch how he acts. You can tell immediately if they and how often they handle him. And even if they don't he may just choose you. He may have an immediate connection with you that you will never understand.... I use to work at a pet store and have seen a bird who was never messed with(that was before I worked there) instantly take to a person... Definitely go see him and all the ones you are looking at, get a chance to hold and interact with them.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[94lt1]

Depending on the pet store.. Alot of birds are handled at them daily.. The quality of the handling and training will vary depending on the staff and experience..

Rain was neglected almost to the point of death at a pet store.. But I've seen some stores that have great people working wth their birds.

And I'm not trying to Butt heads here.. But many pet stores put in orders from breeders, and actually wait for hatchlings.. Just the same as you or I would.. Perhaps different practices among what we've been exposed to? Idk..

Either way.. Definitely look around.. Find the bird that chooses you.. :)

[kendrafitz]

Olivia - I don't know much, as Rosie is my only bird. I got her from Bird Paradise a huge bird store in NJ. When I say huge, it's over 10,000 sq feet and has hundreds of birds. Most that are out and can be handled. So my experience is different.

That being said, I have to agree that you might want to go and ask if you can handle the bird store bird. See how it goes. If there is a connection, great!!

Also, where I am there are a lot of rescues with conures. We have some great ones here that are VERY specific when giving out descriptions. So you know exactly what the birds personality is like. They really want to make sure the birds go to their forever homes. So you may be surprised that a very friendly guy/girl is waiting at a rescue just for you.

Oh - I did want to add that any baby you bring home isn't going to have manners. Just like children, you have to teach them. Lord knows I am still working with Rosie and she is two. ;)

Whatever you decide, best of luck! Make the choice that is best for you. :)

[Adalii]

thank you all! I will be going to the petstore soon and I will ask to see him. I remember when I first saw him we looked at eachother for a minute, but sadly I had to go as I had my two dogs with me who were getting antsy. He seems like a sweet boy I can tell! I will tell you how it goes!

[Cedardave]

Well its fun to see everyones opinion on what is a good first bird.While my suggestion of the Hahns has been discouraged,I stand by my recomendation.The question is when someone says a first bird...does that mean they plan on adding more.Alot of what a person will experiance with their first bird is based on how much time can be put into training.Of course there are lots of birds who are predisposed to screeming or are more challenging because of their learning abilities.I think its neet to see everyones opinion.

[Mare]

I suppose any species of bird can and probably will, be challenging at times. My first bird was an umbrella cockatoo and many, many folks would steer you clear of them, of course I didn't know this at the time. Eventually we worked it out and I couldn't ask for a better companion bird. A Hahns macaw sounds good to me!! :)

Olivia, I hope your bird chooses you, that would be perfect!