Which Bird!?

[Guest smokey]

Okay whats up every one, how everyone doing? So here goes my little dilema, I want to get another bird asap, i've been thinking about this for a while. It's just I can't decide on which one to get, so for any one who knows or owns a Rose Breasted Cockatoo, a Caique, or an African Grey (any of them)that even know aliitle bit, I want to know your advice, personal experience or knowledge on these wonderful animals. Mind you I currently have a 2yr old Congo African Grey. What I want to do in the long run, if the next bird i get and Smokey my grey get along is have them in the same cage, but thats a whole other subject in it's self, and for all i know may just not work out, I already know it's not as easy as it sounds to do that, but my main question is WHAT BIRD DO YOU GUYS PERFER or RECOMMEND!? PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE, it would be very much appreciated!<br><br>Post edited by: smokey, at: 2009/04/08 05:24

[SchroedersJen]

What kinds of qualities do you want your bird to have? They are all very different birds with different personalities.

[oppie]

Hello,

 

I feel that if you want them in the same cage, you should get another AG. I would be afraid of putting any two different species in the same cage. Also, if you do get another AG, you should get a new cage. Putting a new parrot in the old parrot's cage is never a good idea. The old parrot thinks of the cage as his, and will probably defend it. A new cage is "neutral ground"

[Lyric]

I agree with Ralph, you are going to need a new cage for whatever new bird you get. You'll have to keep them apart at first anyway to quarantine the new bird and be sure it is healthy before you allow the birds together.

I personally like Timneh greys (but I admit I'm biased! :silly: ). They tend to be more active than a Congo and generally a little more laid back but still with a grey personality! Read all you can about the different breeds you are interested in and even visit a breeder if you can to see them and interact with them personally. Make sure you have enough extra time to give a new bird adequate attention and keep giving your current grey the amount of time and attention he is used to. Always do everything for your first grey first so he doesn't feel he has been replaced as the top bird in your flock. Good luck in your decision!

[cflanny]

My new love and when and if I get another bird will definatly be a White bellied Caique. I have been around a few lately and they are a constant show. When they say they are the clowns of the parrot world they are not exagerating. My friends was doing a headstand in his food the other day, feet not touching anything just sitting there, he also constantly plays on his back and does summersaults. Was so cute he just went thru a huge molt and he would sit and itch himself with his talons or whatever tool he could find. I laugh the whole time I am around them. they are not huge talkers but personality takes over. heres a link to a little explanation about them

 

http://www.caique-parrot-pet-birds.com/

 

make sure you see the photo laying upside down in the dogs arms!! that explains them perfectly.

 

 

YOu would probley never be able to put this bird in the same cage as your grey, they are much smaller and a grey could hurt them easily but my friend says he has never met one that didnt love every bird /person they met.

 

Good luck with your decision what ever you get I hope it brings joy and happiness to you and your grey.<br><br>Post edited by: cflanny, at: 2009/04/08 18:39

[BaxtersMom]

I agree with the others. You will need separate cages for each bird. Their own cage is their home and sanctuary and where they go to be safe.

 

I do have an conure that sometimes visits my grey and they will share the same cage for an hour or two while visiting but they always go back to their own cages. It is their home.

 

I think it depends on the birds themselves if they get along or not. I feel I am lucky and it's rare that my conure and grey get along so well.<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/04/08 20:08

[Eckobird]

The next bird I would want to get is a Caique! My mom is getting a black headed Caique in a couple weeks and I am really excited! I heard they are very cuddlely and playful. They are also very beautiful with bright colorful feathers! Good luck on your decision and please let us know what you choose.

[Guest smokey]

Thanks everyone who replied it is very ,uch appreciated. I know i needed another cage no matter what, getting another cage isn't a problem it's just deciding whuch one, i seen caiques and like cflanny said it was a constant show around them, do they tend to be nippy? Does anyone have personal experience with Rose breasted cockatoos? Also the conure and grey story was interesting being that there so different in size but thats cool. I considered another grey and that might be the most sensible answer but i'm leaning towards another bird so i can expericene differetn behaviors in different species but i'm not ruling them out, they are great birds! Just have to do a little more thinking, if anyone else has any morre advice it would be very much appreciated. Thanks every one.

[BaxtersMom]

I have 4 different kinds of parrots. A CAG, an eclectus, a conure and a double yellow head amazon. I think it is fascinating how each one is so different from the other in just about everyway!! I really enjoy seeing the difference in the species. All seem to have their own specific traits so i do think it is wise to really research what kind of "birdie behavior" you would like to add.

 

Oh yea, I wanted to ad that my grey and my conure are the ones that are really close buddies and it does look cute because of their size difference. But size does not matter at all. My small conure will attack and dive my amazon and try and beat him with his wings:ohmy: :angry: . The amazon is the largest bird we have but my conure doesn't care one bit. He hates him for some reason. I have to keep a close eye on them because my little bird would beat up my big bird:S

 

Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/04/11 18:14<br><br>Post edited by: BaxtersMom, at: 2009/04/11 18:15

[lovethatgrey]

I agree that it really depends on what type of personality you expect in your new parrot. I have a grey and a pionus parrot. They get along very well but of course have separate cages. My situation is that I already had my pionus parrot first and then introduced my grey. Not sure how it will work in your situation since your grey is already 2 years old. Here's a picture of my pionus parrot.

 

{Love-0002011D}

[judygram]

They are very colorful birds too and I am sure you enjoy yours immensely, thanks for sharing a picture of yours with us.

[Guest smokey]

Thanks for sharing a picture and I just need to look into behaviors more like everyone is mentioning, thamks alot.

[judygram]

Yes that matters more, what kind of bird fits in with what you already have and what kind of personality would be a good fit for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide to choose.

[MrsB]

I would suggest doing a lot of reading on Cockatoos in general as pets. I have been told, and read many times that they do not make good pets. I have also read that they are the #1 re-homed bird, they are loving, and cuddly and sweet, but they are emotional, needy and clingy. Really do your reading, there are many other species that would be "easier". If you work outside the home, or don't have hours a day to devote, I would reconsider the cockatoo. IMO...

 

Good luck with your decision, and keep us posted.