Hey I have been researching birds like crazy over the last month. I have been wanting one for a while, and now that our ferret is gone I can get one!
Btw I am 20 yrs old, married, and fully capable of owning a bird and am aware of the commitment and responsibility the take.
I really like the Conures and African Greys, but Im not sure if they'd be best. *money is no issue.
I would love a bird that could fit these traits: Very playful Affectionate, loving, cuddly A talker
My husband however is not happy about the conures tendancy to screech and few times a day. So a quieter bird would be best. And we both work full time, so only the bird would only be out for 20 mins in the morning and for 3 to 5 hours in the evening during the week (weekends of course are the exception.)
So! Which bird would best suit me??
Sry for long post!
2011-08-16T09:25:31Z
Oh forgot to add Im more in medoum to large birds instead of small ones!
Calypso2011-08-16T10:06:17Z
Favorite Answer
I think a green cheek conure would be suitable for you. I don't think you have enough free time for an african grey. Greys are also not paticularily cuddly and they are not playful. I don't know what your future plans are, but if you and your husband are planning on starting a family I would really really advise against a Grey. Greys are very very needy and prone to feather plucking if the are stressed out.
I don't know if you have looked into them, but you may want to do some research on Caiques, they are funny playful birds, about the same size as a conure and not as loud as most conures. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxkY1FM5NzQ I think that they would fit your needs very well. :-)
As far as talking, there is no gaurentee that any bird will talk ever. I have met several people with African Greys who do not speak.
Alright. Since I am guessing you've never had a bird before, right? You have money, but work full time. That means that a big bird isn't something that you want. A conure or a cockatiel I'm guessing would be the best for you. DEFINITELY NOT an african grey. The reason why?: The larger the bird the smarter which means more out time outside the cage is needed to have a happy healthy bird, and one that isn't trying to bite your fingers off. That's why so many large birds end up with no homes and at shelters. Because people see these large animal on a stand in a petshop, then it talks to you, and offers you a nut, and the next thing you know you've got a bird. But these birds are capable of A LOT! Temper tantrams, flying around, screching fits, breaking pin feathers, attacking peope, ripping up furmniture. I'm not trying to discourage you into getting a bird, just trying to enliten you on the fact that you've never owned a bird before, and even though you've done resa=earch, its the hands on expierence that counts. So try looking up lorikeets, or caiques. Both those birds are very playful and loving. CConures are great, but like any bird, their extremely prone to personality changes, and have been known to defend their territories. Cockatiels are EXTREMELY sweet. They cuddle up to you, will play, a male will talk a bit, and hey're excellent whistlers.Cckatiels would be my recomendation to you the most. It was my second bird, and my favorite! Good luck, just don't get in over your head!
African Greys are very smart pets that are playful and cuddly and learn to talk and do many tricks but if you don't spend lots of time with them, they bite... and hard! Also they are very loud. Conures are also great pets that also need attention and are very loud and learn to talk but not too clearly. You could get any bird and as long as you treat them well, they will treat you well too.