Need a bit of information on zebra finches and sun conures

[aaabirdman]

Hi


I would be most appreciative if you would answer my most inquisitive questions on the beautiful sun conure and the amazing zebra finch.

Which bird is more docile and easier to care for?
Which bird is louder?
Which bird is better for a kid?
Can you train either of these marvoulos birds to go on outings with you without flying away?
What is a general and common price for the stupendous sun conure and zebra finch?

Thank you in advance for any constructive responses you may give thou.

 

[quintinp]

Hi

I would be most appreciative if you would answer my most inquisitive questions on the beautiful sun conure and the amazing zebra finch.
Which bird is more docile and easier to care for?
Which bird is louder?
Which bird is better for a kid?
Can you train either of these marvoulos birds to go on outings with you without flying away?
What is a general and common price for the stupendous sun conure and zebra finch?
Thank you in advance for any constructive responses you may give thou.

1.) The Zebra finch will be much more docile than the Sun Conure (at first, but if you train the Sun Conure, it can be even nicer than the finch) The finch would be easier to care for as it doesn't require as much space, or food.
2.) The conure is known for SCREECHING!
3.) I don't think either would be good for a kid as in (10-16) I recommend a Budgerigar, or Budgie, a Lovebird, or Parrotlet. The Sun Conures can and will bite very hard. The finches do bite if you hold them with your hand wrapped around them.
4.) I don't think you can train finches to stay in place when kept outside, unless you spend an ample amount of time doing so. The conure can be trained with much more ease, but I wouldn't try it.
5.) The sun conure runs around $400-700, the Zebra Finch is usually about $10-25, the Budgie is usually about $5-25$, Lovebirds are $35-100, and Parrotlets usually run around $100-150.

So, are you the "Kid" that is wanting the parrot, or finch? Or are you the parent that is inquisitive about what you should get the kid?

I would Recommend a Cockatiel, as they have a big personality, but I have yet to find one that isn't mean. I don't believe that they are all mean, but as I have said. I know that the other birds I have listed can be trained to be nicer.

By the way, Whatever bird you decide on BE SURE TO DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THAT BIRD find out if that bird fits your family's lifestyle, and by the way, finches are a lot like fish, and are mainly to look at, and usually need a partner.

Make sure that the Kid getting this bird is responsible, and you trust them. This isn't just a gift, this is a Life that is being trusted in the hands of a Kid.

 

[quintinp]

If you have any more questions, and I or others haven't answered, just PM me.

 

[aaabirdman]

Actually my friend has a kid that is about 13 years old and my friend tells me he loves the sun conure and also likes the zebra finch. He is very mature and responsible for his age. At least it is what I have noticed and heard. He says he isn't the type of kid that hangs out with friends every week. He says that he's the type of kid that enjoys reading. He isn't a computer person either which is a good thing. (sometimes)

I just have a few more questions

Should you keep 1 zebra finch or more?
Frankly do you think that a sun conure should be left in the hands of a teenager? (Even if they are responsible)

Also, how much attention do either of these birds require?

 

[quintinp]

Actually my friend has a kid that is about 13 years old and my friend tells me he loves the sun conure and also likes the zebra finch. He is very mature and responsible for his age. At least it is what I have noticed and heard. He says he isn't the type of kid that hangs out with friends every week. He says that he's the type of kid that enjoys reading. He isn't a computer person either which is a good thing. (sometimes)
I just have a few more questions
Should you keep 1 zebra finch or more?
Frankly do you think that a sun conure should be left in the hands of a teenager? (Even if they are responsible)
Also, how much attention do either of these birds require?

Personally I wouldn't place the life of a Sun Conure in the hands of a teenager.
Although that doesn't mean that a Sun Conure's life is more important than a Finch's life.

2 Zebra Finches should be fine.

I only recommend the finches, because they reproduce like madness, as opposed to the Sun Conures that don't reproduce as fast, Finches aren't exactly as intelligent as a Sun Conure, Finches aren't going to be a huge loss if they die at the hands of this teenager, because they are a lot cheaper too.

I hope the parent of this 13 year old makes the right decision for their child's well being, but more for the well being of the bird that is going to be left in the hands of this teenager.

Have they thought of getting this teenager Doves, or Pigeons, OR CHICKENS! They aren't as sensitive as the caged birds mentioned above.

 

[aaabirdman]

They live in an urban area, would'nt chickens be too loud? Also can't pigeons reproduce a lot?

 

[latrine]

I used to raise zebra finches from eggs, and since they were hand raised, they were just as cuddly and lovable as any cuddly parrot I've ever had, I was able to bring them outside no problem and have them return to me (don't suggest doing that with any bird without training, obviously) Any parent raised zebra finch I had, however, stayed kind of 'crazy' although they did get used to me, they did not want to be handled in any way, really. There aren't very many people hand raising finches though so you may want to go for something a little bigger like a cockatiel or budgie.. or the conure you mentioned.
Unless you did manage to find some hand raised finches, the zebra finch is going to be more of a pet to look at while a conure is more of a pet to interact with.
The sun conure is definately a gorgeous bird, but probably the loudest conure your going to find.. I think they can be a difficult first time bird, you might want to consider a blue crowned conure or another type, something not quite as high strung, for your first parrot, if not, just be aware that you may have a little monster on your hands >

About the teenager thing.. I hand raised my Blue and Gold Macaw from 4 weeks old, when I was 15 and I had been raising birds and parrots for many years at that point, so it depends on the kid. (I was always just a crazy animal person)
If they are responsible enough, it shouldn't be a problem, just have to keep an eye out, and if you think your child matches the needs of the bird, then hopefully they do. Just have to make sure the teen understands that these are extremely intelligent animals and they need a certain amount of attention every day..as well as nutritional/health needs. They have to be willing to devote that and to remember that as they get older and gain interest in other things.. as a Conure may be around for 35+ years.
Best of luck

- Sarah

 

[Nambroth]

A few things to keep in mind...

A conure can live 30+ years. What will happen to the bird if your son goes to college and cannot take the bird? Most dorms won't allow parrots, and many apartments won't allow sun conures-- their screaming can easily go through walls. This bird could be with your son until he is in his 40s. That's a long commitment. And it's very unfair to these intelligent animals to plan on finding them a new home later on.


Conures can be trained to accept a harness (I recommend the Aviator) so they can be taken on outings. Zebra finches-- even if you found ones that are human-raised and tame-- could really only be safely taken outside in a cage.

I have kept parrots for 20 years now, and I am convinced without a doubt that a friendly chicken makes a much better pet than a parrot does. Don't get me wrong-- I LOVE my parrots-- but they are like having loud, messy children with great emotional dependence on me. A chicken, however, is sweet, will sit on your lap and let you pet it, you can take it outside without fear of it flying away, they live simpler lives, etc. If you can properly care for two friendly chickens, they make very good pets. A parrot is more of a companion/child.

 

[latrine]

Yepp, having a parrot is like having a perpetual 3 year old human child.. My African gray is 34 years old and my Amazon is 27.. The gray is two years older than me!

- Sarah

 

[jak2002003]

You have chosen 2 very different types of bird here!

Hi

I would be most appreciative if you would answer my most inquisitive questions on the beautiful sun conure and the amazing zebra finch.
Which bird is more docile and easier to care Zebra finch is easier to care for in terms of feeding, and time you need to spend with them to keep them happy. They are also not destructive to furniture.

Zebra finch is interesting to watch (espically if you let they raise chicks). They are more lively and will not sit on your finger for long! They don't like to be petted.
Can you train either of these marvoulos birds to go on outings with you without flying away NO. Any bird will fly away if startled and in an unfamilar place. You can get a harness for your sun conure, you can also clip its wings (but I hate this as birds enjoy flying and its good exorcise for them in the home).
What is a general and common price for the stupendous sun conure and zebra finch? Zebra finches are very inexpensive and Conures are lot more expensive.
Thank you in advance for any constructive responses you may give thou I would not recommend a sun conure simply becasue of the noise. Its very ear splitting. Zebra finches should be kept in pairs or a small group to be happy, and the sun conure can only be kept singly if you are able to be with it most of the time. If you have to go to work and leave it alone it will be very lonely. 2 will still be tame.