Newbie struggling to decide

[CowardMan]

Hi all,

I've recently decided I want to get myself a little feathered friend though I'm struggling to decide if I would like to get a Cockatiel or a Green Cheek Conure. Having gone to a couple places over the weekend unfortunately the places I went didn't have any Tiels about but they had some conures who stole my heart. I had a cockatiel as a child and I remember liking him a lot until a sibling left his cage open and he escaped.

Just a bit of background info, I live alone in an apartment though I have 3 walls not attached to anyone else's apartment, work from 9AM to 5PM with roughly 30 minutes commute each way. Not much of an outgoing person, maybe go and see friends twice a month normally in the afternoon. I have space ready for a modest cage dimensions, 89cm (H) x 80cm (L) x 52cm (W) with 10mm bar spacing and have a bunch of perches, toys and pellet food in my amazon basket. I've also looked at the list of toxic substances and have gotten rid of any offending things I have

As for what I'm looking for I just want a lil guy who likes to hang out play, be a bit hands on but also doesn't mind chilling doing their own thing. I'm pretty much going with the idea that if I'm home the cage door is open for them to come and go as they please. My biggest concern is having something that is happy to be handled and be around me.

For a couple pros and cons I've seen of both, I prefer the look of Green Cheeks, they look more parrotlike to me than a cockatiel.. I like that they're not dusty, they seem to have really fun personalities. I have been told their call can be quite sharp and loud though the ones I saw at the weekend just made lots of little squeaking noises, I'm not sure if that's the call people talk about? I've also been told that with their personality they can be a bit bitey? For cockatiels I like their sing song whistles, I like that they're a little bigger than the green cheeks and I like that they generally seem to hiss before biting as a warning. I don't like that Tiels are dusty, I always remember when I was younger all the downy feathers and fuzz being everywhere, I also don't like that Tiels are known for night frights.

I was also wondering if people can comment on hand-reared vs parent-reared babies? There's 2 places I've narrowed down to where I'd like to buy from. One uses parent rearing and seems to have Green Cheek babies available soon, I don't know if they have any tiels due. The other place I haven't visited yet goes by hand rearing (not sure what they have at the moment)

Really appreciate if folks can give thoughts/tips for me. Thanks!

 

[Rebel]

I know youre here doing research. Please continue to do so until all of your questions are answered. Some of the characteristics youre looking for is not guaranteed with any bird species, especially parent raised.
A question from me to you. Did you research avian vets near you? Some people buy birds without even thinking about a vet. Its one of the most important things to consider. My vet is 2 hrs away. Some people have to travel twice that far. Something to think about.

 

[CowardMan]

I know youre here doing research. Please continue to do so until all of your questions are answered. Some of the characteristics youre looking for is not guaranteed with any bird species, especially parent raised.
A question from me to you. Did you research avian vets near you? Some people buy birds without even thinking about a vet. Its one of the most important things to consider. My vet is 2 hrs away. Some people have to travel twice that far. Something to think about.

Hi, yes have looked into vets luckily there's one about half an hour drive from me

 

[Rebel]

Hi, yes have looked into vets luckily there's one about half an hour drive from me

Avian vet? Some are listed as avian vets but are only nail and beak trimmers.

 

[CowardMan]

yep, a specialist avian vet working with both private owners and zoos, I've lucked out on that front!

 

[Rebel]

yep, a specialist avian vet working with both private owners and zoos, I've lucked out on that front!

You lucked out big time.

 

[tka]

If there's a specific type of character you want, it might be worth looking at rescues or rehomes for an older bird. Babies are very sweet but will inevitably go through puberty, and psittacine puberty can be a hormonal rollercoaster. Older birds are often - but not always - a bit more settled and predictable. All birds will continue to change as they respond to their home and flock, but you have more of sense of what you're getting by adopting an older companion.

 

[SillyGoose]

Hello ! Congratulations !! Its such an exciting time bringing home your first fathered friends. I am going to attach a couple articles that i wish i had read before bringing my birds home ( 2 Cockatiels and 1 Conure) Pamela Clark is an EXPERT on all things parrot and has some amazing insights on how to add a bird to your flock. Parrots and Proximity ( Blog post about proximity and parrots )

( You tube video ALL about green cheek conure ) BIG questions to ask yourself 1. Are you ready to feed FRESH chop every day ( chop can be made in large batches and frozen ) Do you have recipe for a good chop recipe to start making ? ( I have some if you need help 2. Do you have an idea of which PELLEt to use ( NEVER seeds) and how to convert your parrot from a seed diet to pellet one ? 3. Are you aware of how hormonal parrots are and how to spot hormonal behaviors ? do you have a large enough cage and 2-4 hours every day for your bird to be out ? This is a TON of info - i hope you watch the you tube video and read the blog post. My HIGHEST recommendation if you really want to do this right is do a 1;1 Q and A session with Pamela Clark she will be able to help you and get you set up and she is the leading expert in the parrot field. Let me know if you have any questions !! SO excited for you

 

[Respect]

My green cheek does lots of little squeaks like you’re describing, and it’s so cute! However, he can also be MUCH louder and will have periods of screaming where he gets excited, lasting around 15 minutes each. Although he is not nearly as loud as larger parrots, it is still quite loud and high-pitched. Mine has about two screaming periods a day, however I will say that I encourage it by joining in and screaming with him. I imagine he would do it less often if I did not give him the attention while he does it

Green cheeks, especially juveniles, are very nippy. I have heard that they grow out of being so nippy as they get older. In my experience, babies will also bite hard enough to bruise if they do not yet understand the strength of their own beak. Knowing how to properly respond to bites to discourage them is HUGE. They don’t do it out of anger or fear, they’re just exploring the world around them by feeling with their beaks and tongues.

In general, green cheeks seem to be very cuddly and hands-on birds. My boy has no problem entertaining himself when he’s alone, however I have definitely heard of other green cheeks in a single-bird home becoming very clingy and distressed when the owner is away. Teaching them how to play and setting healthy boundaries for how much direct attention they get is important, especially in the first few weeks.

With how clingy they can be if kept as an only bird, it’s also important to know how to handle hormones and how to properly socialize your bird. It’s also worth it to keep in mind that their personality can change once they reach adulthood, and the “puberty” stage is often rough and filled with a lot of “undesirable” behavior.

Cockatiels seem more skittish and less cuddly than green cheeks, but they definitely have a personality of their own. Though I have a lot less experience with them, so I can’t comment much more than that.

If there's a specific type of character you want, it might be worth looking at rescues or rehomes for an older bird. Babies are very sweet but will inevitably go through puberty, and psittacine puberty can be a hormonal rollercoaster. Older birds are often - but not always - a bit more settled and predictable. All birds will continue to change as they respond to their home and flock, but you have more of sense of what you're getting by adopting an older companion.

Many rescues also often have great education programs with lots of good information about taking care of parrots and local resources. If there are any in your area, I would check them out!

 

[AussieBird]

 

[Emma&pico]

For me it’s hands down gcc but I am not a fan of tiels
I had a female tiel 10years ago and she did nothing but scream her screaming and morning (all day sickness) drove me insane

I have two gcc remi and pip personality wise are both very different
Remi hardly ever nips/bites and if he does it’s super soft
Pip on the other hand was super nippy his breeder said everyone who came to look at babies love his personality but then he bite them and no one wanted him
My hubby went to get him and nearly left him there because he bite him a drew blood
But we have worked on it
Pip favourite thing to say is no biting
He rarely bites now though even learned to move onto his flat perch away from bowls so I can change them sits there saying no biting pip pip
So to me even the bites/nips can be worked on

remi more cuddly pip more playful

I work 2 12hour shifts a week and they are happy as long as they have their foraging toys filled up and loads of toys to shred balsa wood cork sola 1/4 pine from seriously nuts a shop on here lil monsters is also great for toys

I love gcc I think they are amazing little birds full of personality and so clever I don’t think they are noisy they can be morning and evening but it’s not long lived and if there foraging toys are filled at bedtime they aren’t at all in morning they are very sociable birds I think
so they would get my vote

@Xoetix as both Tiels and conures but her votes different to mine so hopefully she pops on and gives you her side

 

[CowardMan]

hey all, thanks for the responses! I have looked at rescues but unfortunately there's not many where I am, most people tend to sell birds they no longer want on facebook and similar sites which I'm wary of, just cause people like to be a bit economical with the truth! Also I'm not like dead set on personality but from what I can see Conures and Tiels both seem to be in the realm of enjoying time with their people and are okay without being hands on all the time so I think it is much of a muchness.

Looking at the breeders round me it looks like they only have Conures in this year so I think my decision is made for me! There is one place that does have Cockatiels but looking inside the place it doesn't seem like a good place to buy from, lots of dirty small breeder cages they keep the birds in and I think they clip wings when sending them home.

 

[Emma&pico]

Where abouts do you live someone maybe able to help you find good breeders recuse etc

 

[CowardMan]

Where abouts do you live someone maybe able to help you find good breeders recuse etc

I'm in south of england. There's 2 breeders I really like the look of but both of them haven't had any Tiel eggs this year but have conures already hatched

 

[Emma&pico]

I am in south too

 

[Emma&pico]

I'm in south of england. There's 2 breeders I really like the look of but both of them haven't had any Tiel eggs this year but have conures already hatched

Which breeders are you looking at ?

 

[Emma&pico]

A’s birds nest & parrot rescue | Stoke-on-Trent

A’s birds nest & parrot rescue, Stoke-on-Trent. 888 likes · 43 talking about this. Hand reared birds and pet supplies… Birds that we handrear are: Cocktiels Conures Quakers Ringnecks Cocktoo...

www.facebook.com

if you can travel this lady does both Tiels and conures
Have t had a bird off her though

 

[CowardMan]

the 2 I like the look of are riverside Aviaries and K&G pets. The one I saw that I don't particularly like is Heathrow Pet Center. I'm thinking I'm going to go with Riverside, they have parent raised babies which I've been told is a bit better for their longterm development and when I went to visit the place was really nicely set out and the people there were so friendly

 

[CowardMan]

A’s birds nest & parrot rescue | Stoke-on-Trent

A’s birds nest & parrot rescue, Stoke-on-Trent. 888 likes · 43 talking about this. Hand reared birds and pet supplies… Birds that we handrear are: Cocktiels Conures Quakers Ringnecks Cocktoo...

www.facebook.com

if you can travel this lady does both Tiels and conures
Have t had a bird off her though

yeah that's a bit far for me! I'm down near Guildford, and for the pick up I'll be relying on family or friend to take me as I ride a motorcycle and don't think it's fair to stuff them in a saddle bag for the drive home

 

[Emma&pico]

the 2 I like the look of are riverside Aviaries and K&G pets. The one I saw that I don't particularly like is Heathrow Pet Center. I'm thinking I'm going to go with Riverside, they have parent raised babies which I've been told is a bit better for their longterm development and when I went to visit the place was really nicely set out and the people there were so friendly

Riverside aviaries are good I’ve lived In pribright