Which Conure Breed Is The Best As A Family Pet, And Where To Get It?

[Coturnix Quail]

I'm thinking of buying a conure but not sure on the best breed yet. I already have 2 Budgies, 2 Zebra Finches, and 31 Quail. I'm looking for it to be a fun family pet that everyone will love. But I'm also wondering where to get it. Some people say pet stores and some say breeders, but for me it's difficult for me to find a breeder near where I live.(Ulster County NY) If you know where I can find and breeder or what breed of conure is the best or where I should get it from, please tell me and remember to leave why I should follow what you say! Thanks!

 

[Pyxis]

What made you decide on a conure?

Parrots are a whole other ball game in terms of a pet. They are like children. They need attention all the time. They might not do well at all with small children who have poking fingers and squeezing hands and they will bite if provoked so a home with small children is not a good idea. Don't know if you have any but want to throw that out there.

You're looking for a friendly family pet, so conures aren't too bad an idea. They tend as a whole to be outgoing and good for the family. However, don't get a parrot if you can't deal with the fact that it may indeed be a one person bird. Species is no guarantee of personality. Sun conures, for example, are supposed to be outgoing, friendly birds that like everyone. Mine was a one person bird. He wanted nothing to do with anyone but me, so be prepared for this possible outcome.

What size parrot are you looking for? Conures come in many sizes from the small green cheek to the big cherry headed. How loud can you stand? Sun conures and jendays are some of the loudest parrots around.

How big a cage can you have? Whichever species you can get is going to be dictated by how large a cage you have space for and can afford.

All that said, a breeder is the way to go. Pet store birds tend to come from 'bird mills', breeders who are just in it for the money. The birds tend to not be well socialized and they can be sick. Birds are very good at hiding illnesses. If you find yourself interested in green cheek or sun conures, I can point you towards Pinfeather Friends as a breeder in your general area. You may have to drive a few hours to get to them but it is well worth it for a well bred, healthy, proper socialized baby. If you find yourself leaning away from conures they do breed some other species too.

 

[ownedbymybird]

Yes, Definetly get from a reputable breeder. For a first bird, a conure isnt too bad. But they are second place for loudest parrot right next to cockatoos. Conures tend to be outgoing friendly birds. And as a rule for conures, if you have a loud household you will have a loud conure, I would suggest green-cheeked or maroon-bellied for first bird. Suns ad jendays are very loud. Blue crowned are very intelligent and large. And also! Conures being parrots are VERY destructive!!! They will chew anything without proper super vision! They need plenty of wood toys and things to channel their curious foraging instincts. But they will reward you with a great buddy! Kids will need to be taught how to properly behave around a bird. But conures are generally good. Do your research...

 

[sonjab314]

As a breeder and multiple bird owner, I suggest a green cheek conure. They are not as lound as the aratinga specie of conures (suns, nandays, jendays) and are very silly and affectionate. Most pet stores over charge for a bird regardless of specie and the other posters are correct.....a reputable breeder is the best place to get a well socialized baby for the family. Im going to share a link of local birds in your state. I am on this site quite often. While I am not endorsing any of these breeders as I do not know them, I have bought several birds from breeders from this site and have always had remarkable birds and experiences with the breeders.....quite often turning into repeat purchases. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and I will help you in any way that I can. Adding a parrot to the family should always be a well thought out process and based on a solid foundation knowing that the baby will be in your family for many years to come. Here is the link and remember Im just a PM away

http://www.birdbreeders.com/birds/NY

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Thank you all so much for your help!

@Pykis
I've been thinking about getting some kind of parrot for a while, and reading through some books and websites, I always hear that conures make a good first parrot, so that's how I've decided on a conure.

Also, I do thoroughly understand they require tons of attention, like children. I have an 11 year old (going to be 12 soon) that can spend hours with it. She knows not to squeeze or harm the birds, so we're clear on that. I'm also ready for any personality, we'll do our best to work through it and form a bond.

I'm looking for a small to medium sized conure. I do t want too big of a conure for the first time. As for the cage, I'm going maximum around $290-$350. I'm specifically looking into a green cheek because the seem to "fit" for what I want out of a conure.

I can assure you I'll definitely look into that breeder, thank you!

@Ownedbymybird
Destruction might be a very tiny problem because I do have quite a few bits of furniture made of wood... I'll figure out a way.

Definitely seems I'll be going to a local breeder.

I'm seeing slot of suggestions of getting a green cheek, so I might be going with that.

And lastly, I'll make sure my daughter knows how to treat him/her right, and trust me, I'm already doing alot of research, thank you!

@sonjab314

Thanks for the breeder! Same, deciding on a green cheek... You're right, they're very silly, I once say one hanging upside down and walking around!
Thank you for your offers!

 

[Pyxis]

Sounds like a green cheek is a good choice. A word of caution though - it seems like you're banking the need for attention on your daughter, which is fine for now, but in just six or seven years she's going to be 18 and probably looking into going away for college or moving out on her own. Make sure you have a plan for what's going to happen then, because these birds live for up to 30 years. It would be absolutely devastating for the parrot to suddenly lose the attention it was getting before if no one else is going to be able to fill the gap. Plus if your daughter becomes its favorite person and then suddenly leaves, things like depression and behavioral issues like screaming and plucking can result, and most colleges wouldn't let her bring her parrot with her to the dorms.

Definitely check out the breeder I linked for you - they breed green cheeks in lots of varieties. They even had some babies available as of a few days ago

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Thank you! I'll be sure to help socialize with the green cheek so that it will distribute its love envenly among the family. I'll be sure that it doesn't get all its love into her. Thanks!

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been looking for a while but i cant find any places! The place you reccomended is out of them for now.. Thanks!

 

[chicken pickin]

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've been looking for a while but i cant find any places! The place you reccomended is out of them for now.. Thanks!

Was wondering if you ever found your family a conure? We just got our first conure, a cinnamon green check, she is an amazing bird.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

LUCKY YOU! I actually haven't found a conure sadly. Well, I'll keep searching just in case