Gcc, irn or quaker?

[diddy81]

Hi, I'm after some advice, we are looking to get our first bird, I can't decide between a green cheeked conure, quaker or Indian ring neck.
I live in a house joined onto another by 1 side only and my partner works nights so will be asleep during the day so noise level is some consideration, I normally finish work around late afternoon so need a bird that will be OK by itself for a good few hours but after this is when it will get all the attention, I plan to have the cage doors once I come home until I go to bed, I'm willing to put in the work to train, but I also want one that will socialised with both myself and my kids (11 and 18), any advice would be great as we have only ever owned a dog and degus before
Thanks

 

[Xoetix]

Hello and welcome!

Aw degus! I love those, they're precious.

Any bird is going to be noisy. Quakers are REALLY loud, but not constantly. Conures are really pitchy, but I don't think the volume is quaker level. I think IRNs are the "quietest" of the options... But I can't say 100% as I've oy spent limited time around them. have you spent time with any of the species? At a rescue or pet store or anything?

 

[Pixiebeak]

I vote GCC
My quakers are very loud, you can hear them outside my home on the street. Quakers tend to enjoy making vocals all day long . It's a very common theme for quakers to be rehomed because of noise. I love them , but really they are kid they like to be loud as species generalization.
Indian ringnecks are lovely , but you really want a well socialized one who readily steps up, they can be more fearful of hands

 

[sunnysmom]

I have no quaker experience because they're not legal in my state. Which is something to check on to make sure you're even able to have quakers where you are. IRNs are usually quieter than conures but they also tend to be more hands off, but some gccs can be nippy. So pros and cons of every species. I suggest meeting some to see what kind you gravitate to more.

 

[Emma&pico]

I think gcc they are amazing remi is definitely quieter out of my lovebirds and gcc
They can be very nippy @Pixiebeak explains it like a cat and this is so true
But they are amazing clever funny and loving

 

[Parutti]

Welcome!

I agree that if you can meet any of them, it might help you decide. I fell smitten for an African ringneck when I was thinking I'd end up with a GCC since the rescue had quite a few GCC. I currently live with an African Ringneck, a Quaker, and a long term foster Cockatiel (he's a little dream, so sweet).

It also helped me to read all the good bad and ugly threads here, and to look in all the species sections to read what people have trouble with and what people really enjoy.

My Quaker is noisy ALL DAY LONG except when he's sleeping My neighbors don't hear him since I've worked hard to reward him for normal volume chatter. He spends a lot of his day foraging for food or moving toys around and cleaning his sleeping platform, but he is vocal non stop. He needs a lot of mental stimulation to keep him busy, but so far this has prevented screaming. I also personally feel quite strongly that Quakers should not be kept as single birds. They're used to living in a group with complex social dynamics, different from a more typical flock.

When I was trying to narrow down the species I wanted to try to meet, I definitely had some people say things like "these species are NOTHING alike" and that's true. It's so hard to know which ones you gravitate toward, like choosing between a dog or a cat when you've never had a pet.

One thing to consider with IRN is that because they can be very hands off, does your family know what you want or expect personality wise? For example, do you want a parrot that will interact with everyone, or would everyone be ok with a parrot that might only like one person or might not want to interact with anyone at all unless training and treats are involved? There are of course some ringnecks that are very friendly, but there are also lots of threads asking about how to build trust with an IRN. My ARN likes to be part of the action from the sidelines and is very observant, but he doesn't want attention ON him, for example. He was not socialized at all as a young bird, though.

 

[Lo_]

I have an IRN and a GCC and just between the two of them I’d recommend a green cheek. They can be noisy but not constantly. My little one chatters all day long but not screaming. When my IRN makes noise it’s much louder than my GCC but she is a very quiet bird. She was hand raised but is still afraid of people, women mostly, and won’t step up (we’re working on it) while my GCC loves to be on me, around me, talking to me, etc. I don’t have any experience with Quakers so unfortunately I can’t speak to their behaviors.

 

[cab124]

I have had a GCC for about 5 years. Noise is not a problem. She only calls when she wants some attention. Otherwise, I can't imaging a more cuddly bird! She loves to sleep in my palm, and also loves having her cheek pressed against mine. I am not sure if most green cheeks are like this, or if this is just the way my bird behaves.

But, as others have said, they can be nippy.

 

[Emma&pico]

I have had a GCC for about 5 years. Noise is not a problem. She only calls when she wants some attention. Otherwise, I can't imaging a more cuddly bird! She loves to sleep in my palm, and also loves having her cheek pressed against mine. I am not sure if most green cheeks are like this, or if this is just the way my bird behaves.

But, as others have said, they can be nippy.

Remi same first thing he does when I get him out is rub his face on mine and makes kiss noises then rolls onto his back hanging on my hair and touches his beak to my lips I honestly can’t believe how amazing little birds they are