| Hi Helen....
I am the owner of 3 conures...Mitrid, Jenday, and
Cherryhead...and my jenday (whom I have had since 4 months) was
extremelely quiet too when I was visiting at the pet store but once I
got him is his own home it was an entirely different story...although I
cannot speak against or in behalf of the nanday, I would have to say
that 90% of conures scream....as far as messy...I find my parakeets
make much more of a mess than any of my parrots...a great food dish to
prevent a mess is those ceramic ones that are one piece consisting of
a hood that tends to keep the seeds inside......or even a skirt around
the bottom of the cage......hope this helps......mary
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I would NOT recommend a Nanday in your situation. Even though he was
quiet in the store, he WILL screech at your house. I'd bet my paycheck
on it.
I've got finches of several sorts, and all sorts of other birds, so...
First off, my zebra finches are the messiest birds I have (although
I've never had lories or other fruit/nectar eaters).
If you *really* want a parrot but want one that will mostly entertain
itself, won't demand a great deal of cuddling, and will be fun for you
to TALK to, whistle at, and verbally interact with, I would consider
looking at:
One of the smaller Amazons, like a white front (spectacled) Amazon,
possibly a timneh grey, a ringneck parakeet, mustache parakeet,
Bourke's parakeet, or Alexandrine parakeet, a PAIR of budgies (that way
they will bond to each other, be very entertaining, and not demand too
much of you), or perhaps a parrotlet. Like budgies, a pair of
lovebirds will also bond with each other and entertain you without
making too many demands, and come in a tremendous range of colours.
Also consider some of the following non-parrot species as an
interesting change of pace from your zebras: a diamond dove or other
ornamental dove (can become sweet and tame, but not demanding), a
canary (many interesting types available), or a java rice bird.
/Rita
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| hi:
I OWN TWO BIRDS RIGHT NOW. I USE TO OWN UP TO 24. BOTTOM LINE, THEY
ARE ALL RATS WITH FEATHERS. THEY WILL CHEW ON ANYTHING THEY CAN GET
THERE BEAKS ON. SO YES THEY WILL MAKE MORE MESS THAN A FINCH(S) WILL.
AS FOR ATTENTION, IT DEPENDS ON THE BIRD ITSELF. FROM WHAT YOU
DISCRIBED IN THE PET STORE, THIS BIRD WANTS COMPANIONSHIP. IF YOU
DECIDED TO HAVE THIS BIRD YOU SHOULD RELAX WITH WHEN YOU COME HOME.
SOME BIRDS, IF YOU DO NOT GIVE ATTENTION, WILL REVERT TO THE WILD
(BITEING).
ONE LAST THING BIRDS DON'T KNOW WHAT CONFINDMENT IS. THE DRIVE FOR
"FREEDOM" IS BASE ON POCESSIVE NEEDS (FOOD, ATTENTION, ETC...). MAKE
SURE THE PLACE YOU WANT THE BIRD TO PURCH IS A PLACE WHERE THE BIRE
WILL STAY (I.E. PURCH OR CAGE). IF YOU GO WITH A PURCH REMEMBER THAT
A BIRD COULD FLY OFF THE PURCH AND GET INTO SOMETHING (TROUBLE!!) YOU
HOLD DEAR - REFER TO PARAGRAPH 1-.
THANKS FOR LETTING ME SHARE MY THOUGHTS
TIM MAIL-WARRENT
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| Conures are cuddly and need touch as part of their daily routine. If
you *know* even before you bring the bird home that contact time will
be limited, don't get a conure, especially a hand-fed young one or a
very tame wild-caught (imported) bird. Lovebirds can entertain
themselves for hours if given the right cage and appropriate toys.
A parent-raised lovebird might be a better choice for you than a
conure. Lovebirds are noisy at times, but conures can develop very
annoying habits in terms of screaming, unless worked with carefully
early on to set the right habits in place. Lovebirds can be as messy
as conures, though 8') /Linda C.
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