Hi everyone!

I'm new here, and I don't have a bird yet. Even though I don't think I'll get a Quaker, I know that you guys are knowledgable and nice, so I thought I should ask your advice.

I have been researching a bird for months now, and it seems like every time I decide on one it turns out it's too hard to find, has previously-unseen negatives that are significant, or are just plain too expensive. The bird would be my family's bird, not just mine (as it has to be since I am a teenager!). It is important to me to find one that would be right for all in my family, not just me.

The main traits that I like are: small to medium size, not more than moderately loud, friendly, playful, wouldn't need constant/excessive attention, and likes to be handled. Biting is one thing that I am unsure on, as I've never been bitten by a bird. Being around dogs so much (my dad is a dog trainer) and having dogs of our own that I play kind of roughly with, I have been nipped. It's usually that one of our dogs is going for a toy that I have and accidentally gets me. I've never bled from this, but it does sting a bit. I've really gotten used to this and it doesn't phase me anymore. Is there any comparison to this and a bird bite (albeit probably a gentle one)? I'm pretty sure I could handle some nipping in a parrot, but I would not (of course) want a breed that is known for giving strong, frequent bites. My parents would like for the bird to have the ability to talk pretty well, but to me it doesn't matter as much if the bird fits the other areas! I'm not in any extracurricular activities (sad, I know, but I've got other stuff to do! Like take care of my pets...) and my parents pretty much work at home (heh, kinda... On the same property but in a different building. My point is they aren't gone all day.) which means that the bird would be able to get daily attention (I'm guessing at least an hour from someone!).

Some birds I have been researching and seem like a good choice are:

Linnies (my number one choice! They seem like the perfect bird, good price, not loud, moderate talking ability, usually not aggressive, and cuddly. The only downside is that I absolutely cannot find any breeders in my state! I would have to get them shipped, which is extremely expensive.)

Poicephalus (though some have mixed reviews on friendliness, which I guess is normal, and they are a bit expensive for me and hard to find in my area)

Green cheeked conure (I haven't done a ton of research, but from what I've found they are little clowns, not very loud most of the time, and like to be cuddled. The downside is that they go through a nippy stage, though I'm pretty sure I could work through that, and the potential for them to be very loud.)

Budgies (This is my dad's favorite, as he's had a few when he was younger and when I was little. There really isn't much of a downside, except that I really want the 'parrot' aspect in a bird... Budgies are great though.)

Quakers (We probably won't end up getting one, but this is the bird that seems to be very common locally, besides Aratinga conures. You guys know very well their positive aspects , but I'm mainly worried about how, as a first time bird owner, I would deal with them generally trying to gain control... I'm truthfully not sure I could handle it, along with the noise. Are quakers generally louder than green cheeks?)

I'm sorry for being so long-winded, I can't help it . I hope that provides enough information. So, could you guys suggest what bird you think would best match what we are looking for? I know there is wide variation just with individual birds, but it certainly helps to understand the generalities! If you can think of a totally different bird than what I have listed that you think I would like, go ahead and suggest it! Thanks so much for everyone's help, and I hope your eyes didn't shrivel up while reading this much!

I would take ten more GCC's. I've never had a bird so sweet and cuddly. Bailey will even lay upside down in the palm of my hand. As far as noise, my Parakeet is louder.
Also, I've NEVER been bitten by her.

Thanks for the quick response!

Wow, that's certainly good to hear! From what I've seen on YouTube and such, the GCC do have the personality that closely matches what we want. Plus, for some reason that I'm really not sure of, their faces remind me of a falcon which I love

Now that you mention it, you're right, they do have a falcon look about them.

I have several of those birds that you mentioned...Quaker, Green Cheek and Linnie.

If you are looking for a bird that will almost guaranteed like every one in the family and be willing to be handled by every one in the family, then the Linnie is the way to go. They are fantastic little birds and, for their size, have a lot of parrot punch to them

They are super quiet and have a cute little giggle noise that they make. They also have the potential to learn several words and phrases. Next to my Quaker, my Cobalt Linnie is my best talker.

They are very playful and cuddly too. I simply can't say enough good stuff about this species of bird. Here is a picture of my two Linnies:



I'm also a member of a Linnie forum, so if you're wanting to check it out, send me a PM and I will provide you with the link

As for the other two...

I find Quakers can be more finicky when it comes to being handled by other people. They do have a tendency to pick a favorite and nip at the rest, so every one has to make sure to handle the bird every day right from the beginning. Out of all three, the Quakers make the best talkers.

Green Cheeks are super active birds. They are always on the go. They are the type of bird that needs constant supervision when out of the cage. Most people will agree that GCs can be very nippy, but my experience has been the same as Paula's. My Green Cheek is not a biter and has only bitten me once (and that was my own fault). She's super friendly and will go to strangers quite eagerly.

Good luck with your decision

I love my gcc as well. They are a little nippy but if they know you its more like a cat playing or puppy. Sometimes they may get a little harder than they meant to but it really isnt that bad. Mine hasnt bitten hard to mean it since i first brought him home and he was afraid. I tell people that if i had gotten him first i prob wouldnt have gotten the others ,searching for the one i wanted . I love them all and the caiques are great too but the price diff is big.

Thanks for the great info and quick responses!

I have actually been looking at the linnie forum you are on, Carrie~Anne There's great info there! The only problem is that I still can't find a local breeder, even out of those listed on the forum. It's probably worth it to get the adorable little guys shipped, anyway.

Thanks for the information, Kate. Gosh, GCC sound so great, too!

Hmm... Well, there is a bird fair that is coming up in my state that my mom and I plan on going to. My mom keeps telling me that we will probably decide at/after the fair, which I agree with. I just want to be prepared if we actually do pick out a bird there that I know what I'm getting into. Now I know to keep my eyes open for any linnies or GCC!

Keep learning and researching before the bird show. You're best bet would be to get one there instead of having one shipped, which I'm personally opposed to.

It really is worth it for shipping if it comes down to that. Sometimes though, it can be hard to find linnie breeders. They are still a relatively new species to own as a pet parrot. Many linnie breeders aren't even listed on any sort of list, which makes it even more difficult to find them.

If the bird fair doesn't pan out, I'm on several breeder listings, so if you're interested, PM me the state, and the general location, and I can try to find a breeder close to you (just make sure you have your parent's permission to give out your general location), or even have your parents PM me. Whichever works for you.

Good luck

Thanks!

I will definitely keep researching, and I actually like to do it Shipping is a last resort, because it's expensive and can be a bit risky depending on circumstances, but it just might be necessary if we decide to go with the linnies.

Thanks for the offer, Carrie~Anne! I will come to you if I can't find any here.

I don't know about about Linnies, but they sound like a great option for you.

But I did want to say, too, that budgies are just as much parrot as any other bird on your list. I've been having some issues with my two lately (just some in-fighting between my girls) and I joined a budgie forum (talk budgie)and many people have just as strong of bonds with their little budgies as us with our quakers.

Just more to think about!

Thanks for the response!

Yeah, I've read that budgies are really underestimated, and they are definitely not off my list!

We have a GCC and he is the best bird that we have ever owned and I have owned or raised quite a few diff species! I bought Buddy for myself and my 7 yr old daughter stole him from me! My husband is NOT a fan of birds as they are 9n his words noisy and messy BUT he adores Buddy. He (hubby) makes a really weird noise to Buddy and Buddy does it back and when he sees us kissing before hubby leaves for work Buddy makes kissing noises at us and wont stop til we BOTH let him kiss us! lol

I HIGHLY recommend a GCC even to a first time bird owner! If you get one you will not be sorry!

I dont know what state you are in but we are in VA and the breeder I got Buddy from has babies now that are weaned and she is awesome!!

Thanks for the reply!

That's great to hear! I'm pretty far away from VA, but that breeder still might be an option if we decide to get a GCC and can't find a good one here

Well, the bird fair is tomorrow! I'm excited ^__^ We were going to order a cage... but I guess now we'll have to get one at the fair if we end up getting a bird. Oops. Actually, I guess if we absolutely need to we could use our old budgie's cage temporarily... but I really don't want to do that!

I really do not want to get ripped off if we buy a parrot that ends up being untame when it supposedly was. What are some definate signs of a bad breeder trying to rip someone off? I know most of the questions to ask to make sure, as much as I can, that they properly raised their birds, but I don't really know that many signs of a snake oil salesman. Any advice would be appreciated!

QUOTE (Carrie~Anne @ Jul 3 2008, 06:35 PM)

I have several of those birds that you mentioned...Quaker, Green Cheek and Linnie.

If you are looking for a bird that will almost guaranteed like every one in the family and be willing to be handled by every one in the family, then the Linnie is the way to go. They are fantastic little birds and, for their size, have a lot of parrot punch to them

They are super quiet and have a cute little giggle noise that they make. They also have the potential to learn several words and phrases. Next to my Quaker, my Cobalt Linnie is my best talker.

They are very playful and cuddly too. I simply can't say enough good stuff about this species of bird. Here is a picture of my two Linnies:



I'm also a member of a Linnie forum, so if you're wanting to check it out, send me a PM and I will provide you with the link

As for the other two...

I find Quakers can be more finicky when it comes to being handled by other people. They do have a tendency to pick a favorite and nip at the rest, so every one has to make sure to handle the bird every day right from the beginning. Out of all three, the Quakers make the best talkers.

Green Cheeks are super active birds. They are always on the go. They are the type of bird that needs constant supervision when out of the cage. Most people will agree that GCs can be very nippy, but my experience has been the same as Paula's. My Green Cheek is not a biter and has only bitten me once (and that was my own fault). She's super friendly and will go to strangers quite eagerly.

Good luck with your decision

They are sure cute little birds~!!!

The thing you need to remember, all birds have the capability to be noisey, all birds can and do bite.

I'm not familiar with Linnies, and have only learned about them since Carrie~Anne got hers. They aren't real common in my area either.

Green cheeks are a hyper little bird always busy. They're cute, I don't own one myself but have bird sat numerous some are very nippy and some are quite sweet. With that said, same goes with their noise levels, For me when they really get going the sound really grates on me but High pitched things do that for me; but it doesn't for others and may not bother you either.

Another couple of great conures are the Blue Crowned conure which is just a little bigger than a quaker, And are quite sweet and very good talkers as a rule. Another the black capped conure which is very close in size to a green cheek. They have more lacing on their necks than a green cheek.


Personally, as far a shipping goes, I really don't understand why everyone is so against it. Andie and I have dealt with shipping many many birds both receiving and sending and have never had any real problems. The only time we had any problem was when one of our forum members was sending us her quaker and there was some confusion as to what airport the bird was to be flown into. But the bird arrived safe and in good condition. Its been our experience that the birds get great care in handling and all the handlers are always talking to them. We've shipped all over the US.

Hey everyone, sorry for not updating in so long, I was sick for a few weeks.

Well, we went to the bird fair and unfortunately there weren't any linnies or GCCs. But, we did get a really nice, big cage at a good discount, and a few toys and perches. My family and I decided that getting a budgie would be best, because of price and availability. We asked around about linnies, and it seems that everyone knew what they were, just not where to get them. Oh well.... We're not ruling it out for the future! A person there told us about a woman who raises really nice, hand-fed budgies, so we are going to contact her and get one sometime soon! This is pretty much the exact cage: http://www.windycityparrot.com/Merchant2/m...ode=19302242001 My mom was wondering if we'd even be able to find the budgie in it, hehe!

Wow that is a big cage! Good luck in finding your bird! It sounds like a bungie is a good choice!

If you are going to go for a budgie, consider an English Budgie. They are slightly larger then a standard budgie. The picture below, left is a standard and right is an English

Congrats on your choice, I am listening to our Budgie chatter right now! I LOVE the English Budgies, they remind me of "parakeets" on steroids lol
We had one that we got the same day as our GCC and my best friend BEGGED for him so I let her have him so I could bond more w/ our GCC, she adores him and he is starting to talk for her!! We paid 45.00 for a handfed English Budgie here but I dont know what the cost in other areas