Hi guys! I have been thinking of getting a bird for some time now and have kind of honed in on an IRN vs a Quaker. Sorry in advance from the novel but trying to give as much info as possible:
Some of my background: I do have *some* bird experience, having previously owned cockatiels. My last cockatiel passed away about 10 years ago and I've been missing a bird buddy. I am in my late 30s and have a pretty big house that I share with my husband, very small kiddo (1 1/2 years), and 2 dogs. My husband works from home in IT, I'm finishing up my masters (online) and currently a SAHM, but plan on re-entering the work force eventually (hopefully finding sometime PT or remote, but not guaranteed). This is what I'm looking for:
-a bird with a lot of personality
-cuddling isn't super important, but I want a bird to be a companion, hang out with me, teach it things, etc. I have a big office that I was hoping to turn into kind of a "bird room" that has multiple perches/toys and the bird can hang out with me while I'm working during the day, painting, etc. Also, since I do have 2 dogs, a lot of the out of cage time will happen in here (don't want to take any chances). I do plan on keeping their cage in a main area of our house and letting the bird have out of cage time here too, when the dogs are outside/in another room.
-I'm fine with loud noises and occasional screaming but would prefer a bird that doesn't scream *constantly*. I adore sun conures, but don't think I could handle their noise levels.
My cockatiels never bothered me and they were in my bedroom, but I know they are pretty quiet birds comparatively. I realize every bird is an individual, and I would never re-home one for being "too loud", but it'd be nice to start out with one I might have a better chance of NOT screaming incessantly.
-I do have a toddler that won't be able to handle the bird until they are much, much older... But I can't guarantee that they won't, from time to time, stick a finger in the cage... so I don't want a super territorial bird that will go ballistic when this occurs (this makes me Leary about the quakers)
-one with talking ability (also realize they don't all talk. But it'd be a big bonus)
-a bird that's happy with me being around it often and interacting, but can be independent too. I can't give it my undivided attention except for 1-3 hrs per day (due to school/family life).
I think an IRN would be a great fit for us from what I've read about them, and I'm not too concerned about the bluffing phase, as it is a "phase" we'll just have to work through. Moreover, I'm concerned because we do have a tendency to have a loud household (ahem, toddler), and I'm not sure if that'll be too stressful for an IRN? I did consider a cockatiel again because they are SO sweet, but would love to have a bird that is a little bit 'more bird'. I am not awake of any quaker breeders where I live so would have to likely go out of state or try to find a rehomed one. There IS, however, an IRN/eclectus breeder in my town that hand feeds babies/ raises them around her grandkids and seems very reputable. Any advice or thoughts is appreciated, especially if anyone owns both of these guys. Thank you!
Some of my background: I do have *some* bird experience, having previously owned cockatiels. My last cockatiel passed away about 10 years ago and I've been missing a bird buddy. I am in my late 30s and have a pretty big house that I share with my husband, very small kiddo (1 1/2 years), and 2 dogs. My husband works from home in IT, I'm finishing up my masters (online) and currently a SAHM, but plan on re-entering the work force eventually (hopefully finding sometime PT or remote, but not guaranteed). This is what I'm looking for:
-a bird with a lot of personality
-cuddling isn't super important, but I want a bird to be a companion, hang out with me, teach it things, etc. I have a big office that I was hoping to turn into kind of a "bird room" that has multiple perches/toys and the bird can hang out with me while I'm working during the day, painting, etc. Also, since I do have 2 dogs, a lot of the out of cage time will happen in here (don't want to take any chances). I do plan on keeping their cage in a main area of our house and letting the bird have out of cage time here too, when the dogs are outside/in another room.
-I'm fine with loud noises and occasional screaming but would prefer a bird that doesn't scream *constantly*. I adore sun conures, but don't think I could handle their noise levels.
My cockatiels never bothered me and they were in my bedroom, but I know they are pretty quiet birds comparatively. I realize every bird is an individual, and I would never re-home one for being "too loud", but it'd be nice to start out with one I might have a better chance of NOT screaming incessantly.
-I do have a toddler that won't be able to handle the bird until they are much, much older... But I can't guarantee that they won't, from time to time, stick a finger in the cage... so I don't want a super territorial bird that will go ballistic when this occurs (this makes me Leary about the quakers)
-one with talking ability (also realize they don't all talk. But it'd be a big bonus)
-a bird that's happy with me being around it often and interacting, but can be independent too. I can't give it my undivided attention except for 1-3 hrs per day (due to school/family life).
I think an IRN would be a great fit for us from what I've read about them, and I'm not too concerned about the bluffing phase, as it is a "phase" we'll just have to work through. Moreover, I'm concerned because we do have a tendency to have a loud household (ahem, toddler), and I'm not sure if that'll be too stressful for an IRN? I did consider a cockatiel again because they are SO sweet, but would love to have a bird that is a little bit 'more bird'. I am not awake of any quaker breeders where I live so would have to likely go out of state or try to find a rehomed one. There IS, however, an IRN/eclectus breeder in my town that hand feeds babies/ raises them around her grandkids and seems very reputable. Any advice or thoughts is appreciated, especially if anyone owns both of these guys. Thank you!