Conure Or Something Else ?

**Jammin31** · 04-15-2012, 01:15 PM

Hi All,

Ive not kept a Conure before and am looking at possibly getting one shortly but wondered if i can have your help and suggestions.

My basic aim is to get a bird thats very very friendly and tame so is a Conure best ?

What sex is best to get ?

At what age can i get one so that i have maximum chance of taming it correctly ?

Any advice tips / suggestions very much appreciated.

Thanks

**Marrie** · 04-15-2012, 01:49 PM

Any bird species can become tame and friendly. Some tend to be more cuddly than others, certain conures tend to be more single person oriented so also depends how many people you want it to be friendly to and how much work you want to put into socialization with others. A lot of people prefer males just because they don't have the nestiness issues that a female does, but both genders can make great pets. As for age, young hand raised birds who have no negative experiences and are from a good breeder are probably the easiest, but any bird with enough care and patience can become a good companion. A lot of it also depends on the bird not just the species.

Really need more information on what you are looking for exactly to give much advice.

**Jammin31** · 04-15-2012, 01:59 PM

it will be for me and only me i would like to build a strong bond and was told Conures are best, ive also heard quakers are great but just want advice from someone that has actually owned one to tell me their opinions.

Ive been offered a 4 week old hand reared conure and just want to make the right choice for me and the bird.

**Marrie** · 04-15-2012, 02:48 PM

Well, building a bond with a bird depends on the bird. Also depends on the bond you want. My cockatiel for example is always on my shoulder, flock calls me when I leave the room, favorite thing in the world is to get chin rubs (finger shy, so I get to give him pets with my nose or chin) and a complete velcro bird. I know Green Cheeks who cuddle into their owners hands, shirts, etc and love scritches, very sweet birds. It all varies and most parrots form VERY STRONG bonds with their human companion after they learn to trust them. So in that, species really doesn't matter.

You don't mention what kind of conure it is - Sun, Jenday, GCC, other? General personality traits vary. GCCs as I mentioned can be cuddly, they are playful (in general) and very sweet birds.. if my tiel wasn't such a brat about trying to pick on anything larger than him, I would get one in a heart beat. Only real negative I have heard is several members when they got their baby GCC had a nippiness issue - they love to explore with their beaks when they are young and sometimes that can lead to bruises, they aren't trying to hurt you, they are just curious and with no hands, beaks are what they use to explore. You can train it out of them if you get that problem, but it can take time and a few bruises. Suns are playful, friendly but LOUD and the volume of a sun has made many people unable to have one, they are not recommended for apartment dwelling if noise would be an issue. They are gorgeous though and so funny. Other conure species I am not that familiar with.

For any bird though - FOUR WEEKS is TOO YOUNG. Unless you have hand feeding experience. At four weeks they are not weaned yet and if you have not hand fed a chick before, you could kill it. A lot of breeders like to rush the chicks out the door so send them home with inexperienced hand feeders with the assurance that it will cause a stronger bond, but it often ends in tragedy.

So unless you know how to hand feed or the person is willing to keep the chick until it is older, I would decline that offer.

**Jammin31** · 04-17-2012, 11:42 AM

I think im going to go for a Green Cheek Conure as they seem to be the quietest and i have heard so much about them thats good.

I have approached an official shop that has some 9 week old babies ready to be sold so i may go down that route but im still waiting to find out if these are the best birds to go for or maybe i should try something else so any suggestions would be great.

Ive heard alot of good things about Maximillans also.... Any thoughts ?

**Marrie** · 04-17-2012, 11:59 AM

Pionus are very sweet birds too - Dan the admin of this site has a Pionus, not sure if he is a maximilian pionus or not though. You can look up his threads about his Pionus by searching for Martin.

Martin has been to more countries than I have too.

Without knowing more about what you are looking for in a bird, no one will really be able to give you many suggestions. Friendly/tame and a good bond with only one person means pretty much any parrot fits that specification. I would suggest going to a bird club meeting and meeting owners / birds of various species and talking to them, get to know their birds and then decide which one you want. If you can find a good breeder, they can also discuss the pros and cons of specific bird species with you and help steer you towards one that fits your life well.