Green cheek compatibility with other similar sized parrots

[Mookii]

Hello everyone a lots been going on in my life and Im due in march to have a human baby. Ive wanted to get another parrot around the size of my 1yr old gcc guts since i got him practically so that he may potentially be friends with this bird but if not will have someone similar to talk to when I'm not around. Ive been looking into cockateils, quakers, and sun conures and I know each bird is different personality wise but also know certain species are more inclined to be certain ways, my question is what do you guys think would be a good fit? Im a but more inclined to the sun conures since Im definitely a macaw/conure person but wanted some other peoples opinions on the matter also Ill be transitioning to full time at home for the foreseeable future and the birds will get the time and attention they deserve no matter how many human babies come into play, I couldnt live without my fids and will do everything in my power to keep them happy and healthy! Thank you in advance for replies! -Haily

 

[Emma&pico]

Hi
I personally would wait until your babies born when are you due human babies take up a lot of time I would get settled into a routine first with baby before adding to your flock

adding a new birds hard work especially if they don’t get on at first
Gcc are little monkeys and aren’t scared to start a fight with anything bigger than them and from my experience take a while to accept a new friend
I have two gcc and a blue crowned conure my blue crowned is so much bigger than my gcc but my gcc are the boss my blue crowned just flys to me when my gcc go near him they will forage or bath close sit close but my gcc will take food off him and try to boss him about
My gcc didn’t get along at first we had a few fights and it took a lot of effort and time to get them where they are now and adding blu was just as much work
If I was to add to my flock I would probably stay in the conure family personally I do think they do have an understanding of each other

@Pixiebeaks can tell you more about Quakers

@T. gillii About suns and gcc mixed flock

@Xoetix can tell you about gcc with mixed size flocks

 

[Emma&pico]

I love suns so that would be my vote when your ready

 

[Emma&pico]

Meant to add if it’s for company of your gcc now then another gcc would be your best bet

 

[Mookii]

Meant to add if it’s for company of your gcc now then another gcc would be your best bet

Im open to getting another gcc but Id love to see what different species are like, plus pyrrhuras are nippy as all hell Im not excited for the constant baby bites again lol. Also if anyone mentions noise I fostered a military macaw for a good 6 months so Im very ready for and aware of noise

 

[Pixiebeaks]

A cockatiel and GCC have a very low chance of being buddies. And a green cheek has high chance of bulling them . They absolutely can be flock mates and learn to tolerate . But they aren't likely to preen each other and be buddy buddy . They have more trouble reading each other bird language.

When I had my green cheek lose her life partner and I brought home a very young happened to wean very young quaker they did become buddies. But after I lost him ,my current quakers aren't buddies with any of my GCC . They are fine to chill out in my home in a loose flock . But when I brought home a green cheek , he attacked one of my quakers and I had to really manage and juggle, and work on postive association untill he quit attacking her . This took time . Now happily everyone can be out together and leave each other alone . I love quakers very very much , but I caution because they like to make noise likes it's their job ! They are very social and need a lot of interaction and activities..s bored quaker is 90% going to turn to frustrated screaming.
Edit : quakers are very territorial of cage . Any fingers in cage will be bites!! Mine are doll babies unless I'm trying to mess with their cage with them in it ! They loose their mind screaming attacks . So I just have them come out of cage before doing anything

I have seen many GCC and sun conure buddies. But no direct experience. But I would vote Sun if you are wanting buddies

 

[Mookii]

Hi
I personally would wait until your babies born when are you due human babies take up a lot of time I would get settled into a routine first with baby before adding to your flock

adding a new birds hard work especially if they don’t get on at first
Gcc are little monkeys and aren’t scared to start a fight with anything bigger than them and from my experience take a while to accept a new friend
I have two gcc and a blue crowned conure my blue crowned is so much bigger than my gcc but my gcc are the boss my blue crowned just flys to me when my gcc go near him they will forage or bath close sit close but my gcc will take food off him and try to boss him about
My gcc didn’t get along at first we had a few fights and it took a lot of effort and time to get them where they are now and adding blu was just as much work
If I was to add to my flock I would probably stay in the conure family personally I do think they do have an understanding of each other

@Pixiebeaks can tell you more about Quakers

@T. gillii About suns and gcc mixed flock

@Xoetix can tell you about gcc with mixed size flocks

Thats what I was thinking, theres tons of quakers and cockatiels in my area for some reason so thats why Im entertaining the idea a Sunnie would be preffered though. Id also like to start the process before babies here to get into a good routine and so guts can have someone to chat with when im busy doing mom things. Do Aratingss seem to be as bossy as green cheeks? Honestly Id love a dusky but their very hard to find out here

 

[Mookii]

A cockatiel and GCC have a very low chance of being buddies. And a green cheek has high chance of bulling them . They absolutely can be flock mates and learn to tolerate . But they aren't likely to preen each other and be buddy buddy . They have more trouble reading each other bird language.

When I had my green cheek lose her life partner and I brought home a very young happened to wean very young quaker they did become buddies. But after I lost him ,my current quakers aren't buddies with any of my GCC . They are fine to chill out in my home in a loose flock . But when I brought home a green cheek , he attacked one of my quakers and I had to really manage and juggle, and work on postive association untill he quit attacking her . This took time . Now happily everyone can be out together and leave each other alone . I love quakers very very much , but I caution because they like to make noise likes it's their job ! They are very social and need a lot of interaction and activities..s bored quaker is 90% going to turn to frustrated screaming.

I have seen many GCC and sun conure buddies. But no direct experience. But I would vote Sun if you are wanting buddies

Thats what i was worried about with cockatiels I've never owned one but have heard their more like doves personality wise and my gcc absolutely would bully, I have two pigeons free flying in my house and their usually not around each other but in close quarters Guts will try to rush them seemingly out of territorial conure shenanigans Quakers sound amazing and not at the same time, Im sure the level of acceptance theyd have together would be up to the birds but if conures are more likely to like each other then Ill go with a sun Id like the best odds possible for them to be friends. Ive had to do the juggling birds dance before with my pigeons and macaw (none of them got along and the macaw was never left anywhere near the pigeons) so I know a bit of what to expect. Thank you for the insight! Its very very appreciated

 

[Emma&pico]

Thats what I was thinking, theres tons of quakers and cockatiels in my area for some reason so thats why Im entertaining the idea a Sunnie would be preffered though. Id also like to start the process before babies here to get into a good routine and so guts can have someone to chat with when im busy doing mom things. Do Aratingss seem to be as bossy as green cheeks? Honestly Id love a dusky but their very hard to find out here

I don’t own a sun conure would love to but don’t have personal experience of one just blue crowned conure and green cheek conures

 

[Mookii]

I don’t own a sun conure would love to but don’t have personal experience of one just blue crowned conure and green cheek conures

Thank you for the insight regardless I'm trying to see everyones general experience mixing gcc with other birds So everything helps!

 

[Emma&pico]

Thank you for the insight regardless I'm trying to see everyones general experience mixing gcc with other birds So everything helps!

@T. gillii as both
I think @April had both but not at same time so they might be able to answer your questions about suns

 

[Emma&pico]

My blue crowned conure is no where near as bossy as my green cheeks he’s so laid back just loves watching world go by chatting away

 

[Pixiebeaks]

Thats what i was worried about with cockatiels I've never owned one but have heard their more like doves personality wise and my gcc absolutely would bully, I have two pigeons free flying in my house and their usually not around each other but in close quarters Guts will try to rush them seemingly out of territorial conure shenanigans Quakers sound amazing and not at the same time, Im sure the level of acceptance theyd have together would be up to the birds but if conures are more likely to like each other then Ill go with a sun Id like the best odds possible for them to be friends. Ive had to do the juggling birds dance before with my pigeons and macaw (none of them got along and the macaw was never left anywhere near the pigeons) so I know a bit of what to expect. Thank you for the insight! Its very very appreciated

I love quakers and I am sure you would.
But I say the odds are extremely high a sun conure and green cheeks will be preen Buddy eventually. I have had forum friends multiple that has this success. But take some time with them meeting, GCC sure do seem to be territorial of the home. Let them see the other one across the room for a couple of weeks first . Then postive association. Walking them by and giving treats , alternate sitting outside ones cage and hanging out handing out treats . Do not let anyone get on the others cage while they are inside always leeds to fights . Do not let a squabble happen at first meeting ( when you are ready for thst ) as GCC hold a grudge for a long time if this happens. I don't have them meet until they are non reactive to the other being nearby with me .
I keep an envelope handing when letting them meet , so I can slide between them to block any charges if thst was to happen

 

[flyzipper]

Having taken the different-species path, I am envious of the greater potential for connection that is possible between birds of the same species. So much so that I will likely endeavour to find buddies for my current guys when the opportunity presents itself. That said, I know people with multiple GCCs and none of them like each other, so there are no guarantees either way.

I fostered a military macaw for a good 6 months so Im very ready for and aware of noise

Sun conures are a different frequency and amplitude of shrill

 

[Pixiebeaks]

Having taken the different-species path, I am envious of the greater potential for connection that is possible between birds of the same species. So much so that I will likely endeavour to find buddies for my current guys when the opportunity presents itself. That said, I know people with multiple GCCs and none of them like each other, so there are no guarantees either way.


Sun conures are different frequency of shrill

So true , I love having same species buddies here

 

[T. gillii]

All of my suns and jenday get along. No playtime with GCC. Body language is very different, and green cheeks are instigators. Just make it so the green cheek can’t land on the sun’s cage, and you should be good. If you want a gentle, good natured conure, I would highly recommend dusky conures. Mine is the sweetest in my entire flock

 

[Ksommer63]

I love quakers and I am sure you would.
But I say the odds are extremely high a sun conure and green cheeks will be preen Buddy eventually. I have had forum friends multiple that has this success. But take some time with them meeting, GCC sure do seem to be territorial of the home. Let them see the other one across the room for a couple of weeks first . Then postive association. Walking them by and giving treats , alternate sitting outside ones cage and hanging out handing out treats . Do not let anyone get on the others cage while they are inside always leeds to fights . Do not let a squabble happen at first meeting ( when you are ready for thst ) as GCC hold a grudge for a long time if this happens. I don't have them meet until they are non reactive to the other being nearby with me .
I keep an envelope handing when letting them meet , so I can slide between them to block any charges if thst was to happen

Envelope is a great idea!

 

[April]

@T. gillii as both
I think @April had both but not at same time so they might be able to answer your questions about suns

So sorry never got a notification for this tag,just happened to be reading through the thread and saw it.

I did have 2 Greenies and a Sun at the same time and it wasn't a good experience. Peanut(Greenie) was absolutely terrified of Simba(Sun) after he attacked him with no warning one day and in all the chaos Nala also was drawn into the fight and from then on she absolutely hated Simba. She would go out of her way to attack him and chase him around pulling his feathers out. It didn't matter that he was twice her size in bulk and beak size she had absolutely no fear of him. Thank goodness he only wanted to escape her had he turned to fight her I have no doubt in my mind she'd have been seriously injured. The size difference between them is too risky in my opinion. I'd get other small conure if you don't want another Greenie you can try a Pearly,Rosifrons or Black Capped Conure for a better chance of them being able to co habitat safely.

 

[~Drini~]

I have a GCC and a gold-capped conure (very closely related to sun conures). They are cage mates and snuggle and preen each other and sleep together, but the GCC does bully the gold-capped sometimes. I also used to have another GCC with a sun conure (both have since passed); they would snuggle and preen each other, but the GCC was also a bully. My two GCCs used to be cage mates, and while they were not pair bonded, they got along so so so well. They did not treat each other like they treated the aratingas.

In my experience, aratingas tend to be laid back and go with the flow (more dog-like), whereas the GCCs are more particular (more cat-like). If you want a companion for your GCC, I'd recommend another pyrrhura. You can get an aratinga/macaw for yourself at a later date.

You cannot get a cockatiel, as they produce dust that is dangerous to conures/macaws.

 

[Pixiebeaks]

Totally cat lik

I have a GCC and a gold-capped conure (very closely related to sun conures). They are cage mates and snuggle and preen each other and sleep together, but the GCC does bully the gold-capped sometimes. I also used to have another GCC with a sun conure (both have since passed); they would snuggle and preen each other, but the GCC was also a bully. My two GCCs used to be cage mates, and while they were not pair bonded, they got along so so so well. They did not treat each other like they treated the aratingas.

In my experience, aratingas tend to be laid back and go with the flow (more dog-like), whereas the GCCs are more particular (more cat-like). If you want a companion for your GCC, I'd recommend another pyrrhura. You can get an aratinga/macaw for yourself at a later date.

You cannot get a cockatiel, as they produce dust that is dangerous to conures/macaws.

Totally cat like !