green cheek conures..

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Tell me what I need to know…

It’s starting to look like against my better judgment I’ll be taking a youngster home… 4-6ish months… been sitting on it for three months and he’s still available, and so adorable and sweet. The shop moved him to a different cage a few months ago and took his info down because he was pooping red, but it looks like they feed him a red pellet feed. I had all of these grand plans to slowly accumulate bird items, prune my home into a bird friendly one, and get a Caique in a few years as their personalities have really captured my heart… but then this one comes along. I don’t even have any of the stuff but mentioned the parrot off hand to someone and they’re giving me an old cockatoo cage in an attempt to enable…

I don’t have teflon cookware, but I do have cookie sheets that are a questionable material… Toss? Is cast iron ok? No fresheners or scents in the home…

[Sugarwells]

If you like a loud screaming and squawking go for it. I’ve owned African Grey’s and I would not get a conure. That is just me though. Oh and they seem to be biters more so than any other bird I’ve known.

Also not sure if a cockatoo cage and it’s bar spacing would be the proper cage for such a small bird. I could be wrong.

I love all birds but about the only bird I would say no to is a Conure. These are just my opinions and others may vary.

As far as cookware the baking sheets should be fine, however replacing them might be a good idea. Just be sure to keep the bird away from the kitchen. Cast iron should also be fine.

I don’t use toxic cleaners or any chemicals in my home. Invest in vinegar, baking soda and citric acid.

There are some bird forums and also groups in FB that are a wealth of knowledge.

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@Sugarwells

If you like a loud screaming and squawking go for it. I’ve owned African Grey’s and I would not get a conure. That is just me though.

Also not sure if a cockatoo cage and it’s bar spacing would be the proper cage for such a small bird. I could be wrong.

I love all birds but about the only bird I wpuld say no to is a Conure.

I haven’t heard him scream, but he does chatter. I’ve been told his breed is quieter than other birds? Is that not the case?

I’ll double check the cage bar diameters. The person offering to give it to me is a bird person and has a few of her own birds and said conures are great “starter” birds.

What is your african grey like? I admire them from afar. Such intelligent animals.

[Sugarwells]

I love parrotlets, have you ever seen them in person?

What bird experience do you have? Have you owned any before?

I started with finches, canaries,then cockatiels, parrotlette, …you can see my progression

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@Sugarwells

I love parrotlets, have you ever seen them in person?

What bird experience do you have? Have you owned any before?

I started with finches, canaries,then cockatiels, parrotlette, …you can see my progression

Yes, I’ve seen (and handled) them in person.

I had a wood-duck, but never owned a parrot. I don’t think the two compare, though I just absolutely adored my duck.

I’m not a fan of leaping before looking which is why I haven’t had a parrot yet… I’ve always pushed it off, but it’s been something I’ve been interested in for a long time.

I’m not a fan of finches, the ones I’ve handled have been too flighty and they’re too small. I also don’t think they thrive on human attention the way other birds can which makes getting them out of their cage/enclosure hard and I don’t think it’s a good life for them. Cockatiels I am ambivalent on. I like some of the ones I’ve interacted with and not liked others. I do not like budgies. They’re adorable to watch but I never enjoyed handling them.

What attracted me to the conure is that like the caique, they’re the more playful parrots and love human interaction, which means I can really bolster their QOL by keeping them out of the cage while I am home and in a parrot-safe room.

@Bartleby thank you for the forum link. I’ve been a member there for a few years and really get a kick out of the breed feature threads. Thanks for the suggestion about chop too. I’ll have to double check the dimensions of the bar spacing now that you mention it.

[Sugarwells]

Finches are not for handling way too delicate of hearts. Just wondering if you have experience with bird care.

I love to enable, but for a 1st time bird owner and especially that type of bird I would highly recommend a hand fed baby.

Then again if you have the time and money (just like a horse) to invest go for it. The little guy could be your new feathered best friend.

[Sugarwells]

Also I suggested a parrotlette is because they have the parrot personality with a much smaller need for care. My Tito was a pretty decent talker a total clown too.

Do you have a bird specific shop near by? I’m lucky to live by one shop that one man has owned for over 50 years, I love buying my food from him and just hanging out and talking bird. I have been able to see so many different types of parrots in person, my mind has changed a millions different times regarding what will be my next bird of choice.

[Marla_100]

@Sugarwells

I love to enable, but for a 1st time bird owner and especially that type of bird I would highly recommend a hand fed baby.

.

We learned the above the hard way. Try as we might we just could not train the vicious biting out of our conure.
We were told if we decided to try again, ONLY get a hand fed one. Serious biters!!

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It is hand fed, and he hasn’t bitten me (yet).

I’m going to do more research. I’m getting conflicting information on this!

[Bartleby]

GCC are GREAT birds, much better options for a first time bird owner in comparison to the larger conures (aratingas). They are easier to handle and manage because of their small size and comparatively smaller cage and toy requirements and they are nowhere near the noise level of the larger conures or other species. I don’t believe in “starter birds” because all parrots when taken care of correctly have the potential yo live decades.

If you want a friendly, interactive smaller parrot and don’t want to deal with the dusty species the conures are great.

I started with a 1 eyed, abused, adult male Amazon. Turns out Sterling is mid 20s likely wild caught and he is feral. I’ve had him for 4 years and never touched him, except once when he was under anesthetic. Our relationship is complicated, but I appreciate him for who he is and respect him for what he is.

I just wanted 1 parrot, but obviously I didn’t get the relationship I thought I would. So a few years back I got a hand fed, flock raised fully fledged Macaw. Ripley is amazing and wonderful and we’ll likely grow old together. But she is not for the faint of heart. The birds now live in my guest bedroom which has been turned into a giant cage for them. Still it is not adequate space. Whereas a GCC could get useful exercise flying around the house I have to take Rip out and fly her on kite line at the park.

[Bartleby]

There is no guarantee that buying a handled baby will get you a relationship. I picked up Rip’s sister at the same time and Perry went to a friend of mine. Both raised EXACTLY the same. Both babies were friendly, but reserved with me. However in the few hours we spent together Rip seemed just a little more inquisitive and willing to give me a chance so I picked her as mine. Perry and her new family just never did connect. She was always screaming and a little too bitey and big and intimidating for them. It wasn’ bad, but just not like Rip and I. So they rehomed her to someone who she did develop a good connection with. Birds are fickle, they need to pick you just as much (if not more) than you pick them.

The point is if you already have a connection with this bird, through visits and handling, then forget the background and go with that. These are fully autonomous wild animals, not domesticated species that have been bred for generations to want human connection and interaction.

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Thank you Bartleby. I’d love to hear more about Ripley and your amazon Sterling. I love the idea of you taking her flying around the park on a line… that must be a sight – do people ever go up to you? I’ve heard GCCs and Caiques both can be easily harness trained.

The dust is why I considered a caique. I know I would not have the space or the ability to house a bigger bird - especially not a macaw. They are so beautiful but would be too much for my novice hands… The same goes for African Greys - I absolutely love them but the dust would be too much for me.

I’m still mulling this over in my head. I’m due for catfood soon so will see if he is even still available. I went last week and I will say he does recognize me now since I ask to see him every time I visit.

Here is a picture of him from last week when I visited:

[Bartleby]

He is very cute! What is his name? Because, let’s face it you’ve got to get him. If you’ve wanted a parrot for a long time, done your research, feel you’re ready and now have formed a connection with one, well than it’s fate I say! But I am a terrible enabler and also, often, plunge in head first when it comes to pets.

Caiques are very enchanting with their crazy antics and I totally understand the appeal. But most experienced people would warn that they are not for a first timer. They have something of a reputation of becoming unpredictably aggressive at maturity. While I would never caution someone away from them if their heart is set on one, I will just urge anyone to make sure you’re fully prepared for some of the darker possibilities with that species. Not every person is a bird person and not every bird person is a caique person. The chances of a new bird owner being successful with a GCC (or conure in general) is much higher than with a caique.

Surprisingly beyond the space and expense issue Macaws actually make wonderful first birds for many people. They are certainly easier to get it right with than say the 'Toos or Greys. A good 'Zon is also an awesome choice, but again developing a relationship with one prior to bringing it home is vital. Otherwise you can wind up in a world of hurt.

I wish I could share some pics of mine, but this forum is not accepting them from my phone and my desktop is not accessible right now. If there is anything in particular you want to know I’m happy to give it a shot. And yes, people do stop us from time to time but mostly we go during the weekdays so not too many observers.

[Sugarwells]

@Bartleby

Surprisingly beyond the space and expense issue Macaws actually make wonderful first birds for many people. They are certainly easier to get it right with than say the 'Toos or Greys. A good 'Zon is also an awesome choice, but again developing a relationship with one prior to bringing it home is vital. Otherwise you can wind up in a world of hurt.

I strongly disagree. A Macaw is the last choice in my opinion, for a 1st bird owner.

[Bartleby]

@Sugarwells

I strongly disagree. A Macaw is the last choice in my opinion, for a 1st bird owner.

Like I said, “for many”, not all by any means. Hands down, IMO and many professional’s as well, the last choice for a 1st time bird owner will always be a larger 'Too. Which are consistently the most rehomed birds by percentages.

Adult Macaws are actually, as a group, not nearly as active or noisy as most of the other species I’ve mentioned. They do sound off (loudly) in the morning and evening, but otherwise are relatively quiet in comparison to the constant chatter/noise from many others. They are often less prone to the emotional neediness that results in the plucking and mutilation seen more frequently in 'Toos and Greys. They also tend to lack the emotional volatility that results in the nasty wounds you see from some other species.

This is why many rescues/rehomers will place Macaws in 1st time bird owner homes who have shown sufficient commitment and will not, under any circumstances, place 'Toos or Greys in 1st time homes.

Parrots and horses are very similar, you have to develop a connection with the individual you plan to own. It is not at all like picking a puppy or kitten. While Macaws are obviously not the same as budgies and cockatiels they are indeed successful first birds for many households. Again, not all but many.

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Any other advice or tips?

Still on the fence. He was there this weekend, very bright and curious.

I spent most of my Saturday watching videos of conures vs lorikeets vs cockatoos vs caiques vs parrotlets to really get a good grasp of their noise level. I was surprised how loud the ring-necked parrots can scream!

[chestnutmarebeware]

No parrot advice (I have canaries), but you’re obviously drawn to him—and a lot of “issues” become NBD when you love an animal and decide to share your life with them. I say go get him. Good luck!

[TheHotSensitiveType]

I am sorry to say I have no positive information to share about my experience with a green cheek conure. If I could go back, I would slap myself in the face and then dump a bucket of ice water on my head about considering a green cheek conure.

Everything I researched suggested they make wonderful pets that love to play and interact with the family! Who wouldn’t love that?!? I even found a nursery that ‘seemed’ like they knew what they were doing and interviewed us to make sure we had considered what a small parrot entails. To jump to the end of my story, we lasted a year before having to find a new home for the bird. FWIW, I don’t re-home pets lightly…

My takeaways that I didn’t know about until searching for specific key words:

• They often pick one family member to bond with. This means they tend to bite their not chosen person, hard and breaking the skin. After he bit my daughter hard under close supervision and tore into my husband’s finger, that was the final straw. This isn’t to say he didn’t try to bite me, but he didn’t try that often. The bird picked me, the person that is gone most of the day even though this was supposed to be my husband’s bird.
• Cage territorialness is quite common (‘nursery’ did not know this… Great, I got screwed over). That means they go psycho on any hand that enters their cage, and this is why you see people use sticks to get their birds out of their cage.
• You need to potty train them or they will crap A LOT all over wherever they are. They poop. A LOT. I can’t write how surprised I was by the volume of waste. I am not home enough to do potty training and since he would bite my husband any time he could it didn’t happen.
• Their call is incredibly shrill… It pierces the ear drums and can drive the household crazy.
• They are like terriers in bird form but worse: stubborn, willful, independent,and testing boundaries all the stinking time! I like terriers BTW.
• They throw food EVERYWHERE. When you feed them fresh fruits, you will find it across the room on the wall.
• Keeping his attitude in line with me sucked. I don’t have pets to feel like I need to watch their every eye glance to make sure there isn’t a bit of 'tude behind it. Every interaction with him was an analysis session and correcting him made me go to places I never want to go again… I am only partly joking on that.

IMHO, these bird’s positive qualities are emphasized too much. If I had known the above, I would have nixed one of these in a heartbeat.

[TheHotSensitiveType]

I didn’t mean to kill the thread… I wish someone had been this honest with me when we were considering getting one. It would have saved both the bird and us a lot of heartache.

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@TheHotSensitiveType

I didn’t mean to kill the thread… I wish someone had been this honest with me when we were considering getting one. It would have saved both the bird and us a lot of heartache.

You didn’t kill it! I just haven’t had a chance to reply and I’m usually off COTH on weekends. I’m sorry to hear of your experience. That is really too bad

Bird is still there. I’m still weighing pros/cons in my head. I appreciate everyone’s insights.