I need your help to decide!!!!

[candi33]

I don't know what to do. I recently went into a pet store and fell in love with a Meyer's parrot. ping his chirping was adorable and he was VERY charming. then today I went back to that pet store and now i fell in love with a cockatiel! now I can't decide which bird to get! Ive been trying to find the pros and cons of each bird. one problem is that I'm seeing a lot about screaming with the cockatiels and that is definetely not something I want or would like to have to deal with. nor is it something you'll pick up on fr a quick trip to the pet store so I was wondering if you all could help me to pick out which one would be best for me and my fiance! any pointers would help! thanks! (oh ya we once had love birds inging at one time and they weren't tame at all and wouldn't be quiet ever! they were so noisy that we had to get rid of them. we need a bird that will be quiet for the most part b/c we live in an apartment)

[Erin CG]

, candi33!

Parrots are noisy sometimes, no matter what kind you get. However, you are right in saying certain species make quieter noises than others. I have read that Meyers parrots are quiter, and yet it really does depend on the specific bird. If you keep a bird in its cage all day long, and ignore it, it will develop behavioral probems and will undoubtedly be noisy.

If you live in an apartment, and are concerned about noise, perhaps a bird would not be the best pet for you. When you bring a parrot into your home, you become responsible for it forever. It is not fair to the bird if you give it up because it is "noisy." Parrots are an exotic species, and noise is thier way of communication. Condemning a bird for chirping and sqwaking is like condemning a dog for wagging his tail or barking. Or condemning a human for talking.

Whether you choose a cockatiel or a meyers, please do your research and be prepared for whatever happens. A pet bird costs much more than your initial outlay for one. You have to be able to afford vet care, special food, toys, a good cage, etc. It is an ongoing cost, and a bird requires ongoing care. I am not trying to discourage you from getting a bird, if that's what you want to do, but please do careful research.

Bird definitely bring joy and can make wonderful companions, but bringing one into your home is not a decison to be taken lightly. Others on the board may have more to say on Meyers vs. cockatiels regarding the noise factor.

[spottsmom]

Hi
I have to say I can relate to the pother poster that if noise is a issue for you or you have very picky neighbors, I would rethink the bird as a pet. They are all noisy. Some less then others Tiels can get the chirping and do it OVER AND OVER LOl till it makes you think they will never stop LOl It does not bother me but my one son would say please mom get him :haha
A female tiel can be quieter then a male. But will not likely talk or sing many tunes.
The Meyers is a quiet bird as is most that family. I have had a Senegal who was really quiet BUT The quietest bird I have worked with is a Pionus. Him you never knew he was here.

I do live in an apartment. I have great neighbors many of us have birds in the building though. The lady under me has a Amazon lovebird and a cockatiel. The one below here has 5 birds The largest is a Mini macaw he is LOUD and when the weather is nice like today well all the windows are open and they seem to call and whistle to one another LOL
I have a Quaker and a Amazon now But have had two amazons and a Senegal and a Quaker :0)
Some species are ok for apartments I would really not recommend a macaw or Cockatoo etc But the smaller ones should be ok. IF your not living next to any neighbors it might bother.

Good Luck,
April

[inging13]

The quietest bird i have ever seen was a pair of bourkes parakeets. they seriously made zero noise except for once in a great while a tiny peep that was barely audible. but also i believe all of the Poicephalus are very quiet ie meyers, senegals, and jardines. they peep like little chicks and are totally cute!

I want one of EVERYTHING!!!

[candi33]

thank you so much for all your postings!!! they have helped me tons!