Done a lot of research but need more

[KikiDeAnime]

I've been doing lots of research since August 2018 about owning pet birds but I need more info or advice.
I've been wanting to own either a Conure or a Cockatoo but I knew I needed to do lots of research before I got one.
My grandmother owned birds years ago and I had always loved the ones she had.

Any info or advice your could offer?
Is a young bird or an adult better to get?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Conures are loud birds. They will bust out your eardrums. Cockatoo can have lots of emotional problems and end up plucking themselves. I personally have owned an Amazon parrot for 27 years. If I could go back I might pick a smaller bird myself like a parrotlet or another love bird. Some smaller conures aren't quite as loud, but I personally would pass on them because of that screech.

So are you committed to a bird long term? Can you stand the noise, mess and constant responsibility that never ends? Conures are shorter lived but cockatoo can live very long lives. It sounds easy, but owning an animal for that long can be too much on some people. Some birds will outlive their owners.

Personally if I were to pick I might go with the conure as they are easier to find, and don't live as long, but it's not up to me. Definitely take your time. The bird will be your companion for a long time.

Another thought is if you are younger and still not settled and own your own home you may not be able to take a noisy bird with you to an apartment to live. So make sure you are in a place where you can keep it.

Yet another consideration is the bird you pick if young may not like you when it's older. My Amazon ended up a female, and her heart is set on my husband, so I can no longer handle her like I used to, but I still need to care for her just the same.

Perhaps you could find a parrot rescue in your area and go talk to them. They would know what is best and they may be able to help you find exactly what would suit you. I know many parrots are given up because people didn't realize how much work they are.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Conures are loud birds. They will bust out your eardrums. Cockatoo can have lots of emotional problems and end up plucking themselves. I personally have owned an Amazon parrot for 27 years. If I could go back I might pick a smaller bird myself like a parrotlet or another love bird. Some smaller conures aren't quite as loud, but I personally would pass on them because of that screech.

So are you committed to a bird long term? Can you stand the noise, mess and constant responsibility that never ends? Conures are shorter lived but cockatoo can live very long lives. It sounds easy, but owning an animal for that long can be too much on some people. Some birds will outlive their owners.

Personally if I were to pick I might go with the conure as they are easier to find, and don't live as long, but it's not up to me. Definitely take your time. The bird will be your companion for a long time.

Another thought is if you are younger and still not settled and own your own home you may not be able to take a noisy bird with you to an apartment to live. So make sure you are in a place where you can keep it.

Yet another consideration is the bird you pick if young may not like you when it's older. My Amazon ended up a female, and her heart is set on my husband, so I can no longer handle her like I used to, but I still need to care for her just the same.

Perhaps you could find a parrot rescue in your area and go talk to them. They would know what is best and they may be able to help you find exactly what would suit you. I know many parrots are given up because people didn't realize how much work they are.

Long term. Noise, mess, and constant responsibility are no problem for me.
I'm 22 and still live with my family. I also don't ever want to live in an apartment, they're terrible places to live.
A parrot rescue is where I had planned on getting one.
And I would never ever give up a pet for any reason. They are family!

 

[Doublete]

Was just gonna say don’t get a cockatoo unless you are working from home and your schedule is VERY consistent. They don’t do well if you change things on them or aren’t around...

I myself have had green cheeks... quiet in comparison and very sweet and playful.
I also have my amazon who is an amazing bird. She also self entertains.
Both are good choices if you have time to spend but can’t devote your whole day to them.
Conures live max 30 years usually more
Around 20.

Amazons live 60.

 

[KikiDeAnime]

Was just gonna say don’t get a cockatoo unless you are working from home and your schedule is VERY consistent. They don’t do well if you change things on them or aren’t around...

I myself have had green cheeks... quiet in comparison and very sweet and playful.
I also have my amazon who is an amazing bird. She also self entertains.
Both are good choices if you have time to spend but can’t devote your whole day to them.
Conures live max 30 years usually more
Around 20.

Amazons live 60.

I'm currently self-employed as a digital artist so I'm home all day. Only day I'm gone for most hours is Saturday because my family started a tradition of going out to breakfast together every week, unless my parents go on a trip.

I really love the cockatoo that our local feed store has. His name is Koko and I think he's now around 13 years old. I sometimes get my parents to take me there just to see Koko.

 

[Doublete]

Cockatoos are like two year olds in a persistent form....
I couldn’t deal with that.

 

[Doublete]

And based on the sheer number of ones that have plucking and other health issues, neither can most people. (They aren’t meant to be pets- they require a LOT of interaction and exercise etc)

 

[Parront]

I'm currently self-employed as a digital artist so I'm home all day. Only day I'm gone for most hours is Saturday because my family started a tradition of going out to breakfast together every week, unless my parents go on a trip.

I really love the cockatoo that our local feed store has. His name is Koko and I think he's now around 13 years old. I sometimes get my parents to take me there just to see Koko.

I would second some of the others on the time spent with your bird. Dylan the Aftican Grey in my avitar is 25 and I have had her for 3 years now. She has had at least 2 previous families. When I went to meet her, she stepped up on my hand right away when I offered -- rare for her, or most birds meeting a strange person. She was already older, and no feather problems. The bird you know in the shop sounds like it is used to being around strange new people and has no feather plucking problems. That is a positive sign. I have wanted a Grey since I was your age, and finally got one when we retired. I kept and bred cockatiels and parakeets and chickens, ducks and geese. Still wanted a big smart Grey! Go ahead, follow your heart! (That is my 2 cents, for what it's worth).

 

[KikiDeAnime]

I would second some of the others on the time spent with your bird. Dylan the Aftican Grey in my avitar is 25 and I have had her for 3 years now. She has had at least 2 previous families. When I went to meet her, she stepped up on my hand right away when I offered -- rare for her, or most birds meeting a strange person. She was already older, and no feather problems. The bird you know in the shop sounds like it is used to being around strange new people and has no feather plucking problems. That is a positive sign. I have wanted a Grey since I was your age, and finally got one when we retired. I kept and bred cockatiels and parakeets and chickens, ducks and geese. Still wanted a big smart Grey! Go ahead, follow your heart! (That is my 2 cents, for what it's worth).

African Greys were my 3rd choice if I ended up not getting a Cockatoo or Conure from the rescue I plan on getting from.
If I may ask, how big is the cage you have for your bird? I know the birds I was talking about getting are different sized birds but I wanted to get an idea of what would be a good one.

 

[Parront]

She has a cage, but most of the day she is on top of it. She has a dark night-time cage that is smaller. Her area is about 8x10 in the same room where I am most of the day. This is the view from my desk. This cage would be too small if she were confined to it all the time. She has a floor area where she gets to scratch and forage in toys and pine cones.The cage is 20" wide by 39" tall inside the cage itself.