Can't decide on our new baby

[Dynaglide625]

Good morning everyone! So far we have 1 cockatiel who was a little shy when we got him, but has really come around. He loves to cuddle and have his head scratched, and gives kisses to our daughter (who handles him the most). We are definately hooked on birds now, and plan to bring another in soon. We already have the cage ! Can't decide between a Lilac Crowned Amazon or a Blue Crown Conure. Both seem to have the same personalities, Lilac is a bit prettier than the more subdued Blue Crown, but looks aren't everything! Any feedback pro or con on either bird is immensely appreciated!

[Islandzoo]

Hi and Welcome to BoF :)
I personally don't know much of either bird, but many peeps on here who know a little more and can advise
I'm Kristie from the UK and we have an Umbrella cockatoo and a Quaker Parakeet.

[vmtwriter]

Dynaglide, welcome to the bird forum. I'm a bit partial to conures myself, as we have a Sun Conure. His name is Bailey. When he adopted us a couple of months ago, he was really shy, but he's coming around.

If you have questions about particular breeds, ask away. I'm sure there's someone here who could answer you.

[Sue]

Hi :wavey: and WELCOME!!!!

I don't have personal experience of either but I know one thing, Bailey is ADORABLE:wub:
I am also from the UK and have Toto 21 year old moluccan and Ollie 15 year old tiel.

You will get tons of help from people with experience of the birds you are asking about.

[Dynaglide625]

I have never been to a chat room (let alone a forum) and this is a great experience. My daughter spends alot of time in forums-I can't wait to show her this site when she gets home. Like I said before, we are torn between the 2 types of parrots, and it really helps to get your input. There's practically NO information on the Lilac Crowned Amazons, and not a whole bunch on Blue Crowned Conures. I understand the Lilacs are not widely bred (like Greys or Tiels), because there isn't much of a market for them. Regarding the Blue Crowns, it's beyond me why more are not available for sale-who wouldn't want such sweet friends? And the Conures are such playful little clowns! Well, I'm looking forward to chatting later (have a Girl Scout meeting to run). Thanks to everyone :D

[Jean]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v387/jeanaskins/welcome%20-%20friendship/daffodilwelcomegreeting.gif To Birds of a Feather!

I see you are interested in a Lilac Crowned Amazon. They are a beautiful and very colorful zon. You are correct, not at all as available as other zon species. Amazons are probably one of the most independent of the parrots. They will play for hours as long as they have the proper chew and play toys. They love to chew wood. With children in the house, it is often advised to get a hand fed baby to be sure it is allowed to bond to the family at an early age. They can become testy and lunge and attack someone that they feel is a rival to their mate. Some will cuddle at times, however when they are not in a mood . BEWARE, they can get independent and moody, then is when you have to watch out for bites. In many ways they are pretty much like many other species, need love, patience, understanding, and bonding to trust in someone. "Some" often do better with one person rather then a family of people.


Blue Crowned Amazons are one of the adorable conure species. They are witty, playful and love human interaction. They can amuse you for hours on end. "When" handled, played, cared for by different family members they usually make a good overall family bird. Most species of conures can be a very congenial. Making a good overall family companion.

I read you are new to the chat forums. I started 2 1/2 years ago and was never on the internet or in a chat room either. Feel free to ask, chat, and read all you want. We are a great group that love to help one another. :dance:

[Junkzoo]

Welcome to BoF DG625! Hope you enjoy your time here, and ask away on anything you need to know ,,,we are all here to help, and really enjoy helping out,,,,:wavey:

BTW: What part of the planet do you hail from? Just wondering where you are from, always hoping for more members to be from my neck of the woods,,,Indiana,,,:wavey: LOL

[birdnerd]

Howdy stranger!

I don't know much about either species first hand. I have a pi and 2 squawkatiels. It's my understanding, though, that amazons are not quite a hyper as conures.

I can tell you, though, that conures don't generally like me. Amazons generally do, however. *shrug* Maybe they know I have a pi, which is closer akin to amazons than conures.

[The Flying Yoshi]

I'm on here more often than she is, so I'll anwser for her.

Unfortunatly, we're no where near Indiana (Sorry. :( ) We're way over here in New Jersey. Hope to find more people like us. ^_^

[Shirley]

We have a member here, JennM, who has two lovely Blue Crown Conures (BCC). I had the pleasure of meeting these earlier this week on our way home from Florida, and they were quite friendly.

Both conures and amazons have quite the voice, and can be quite loud, and Amazons talk very well if they do in fact talk, and most do.

Conures can talk, too, but are not known for talking the way Amazons are.

There are HUGE differences between their personalities... I've not owned either species, but have friends who have both and who raise 'zons. How old is your daughter? 'zons can be a handful and can change who their "person" is on a whim.

Neil (Morgavin) has an Amazon and posts regularly here... read the posts in the species forum... I've posted pics of us with Jenn's conures in Squawk n Talk, I think that's where I posted the pics.

Edit: Not in squawk n talk. Thought I posted the pics here... but they are here on TRT:

Jenn and her blue crown conures with us (http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/showpost.php?p=464566&postcount=11)


Also, regardless how sweet and adorable the babies are... they grow up with their own personalities and choices of who they will like or dislike... Amazons are very independent, and very emotional too. They can have serious issues and become pluckers. They may love your daughter and not you, or vice versa, or may like you both... Hang around several adults in a HOME not a bird store, and during their loud time of the day, and see then if they are the bird for your family. Same with the conures. They can split your ears, but can also be very clownish and entertaining.

Do your research really well before making this major decision... they live longer than I will! :D

[Dynaglide625]

Shirley-Thanks for info & pictures of Jenn & her birds. They are beautiful! Glad to hear you had a safe trip home. Also took a look at your website on the reef tanks. I don't think I have ever seen anything so phenomenal. My husband & daughter went snorkeling a couple of times in the Carib, so they can really appreciate these pictures, can't wait to show them. This might open up a real can of worms though, cause we were thinking of getting him a tank for Father's Day. Looks like we'll have to do a lot more research on tanks (kind of like the bird decision). Always liked tanks tho, it's very calming to the nerves to watch. Thanks again!! Anne

[Shirley]

Hi Anne,
The reef tanks are VERY calming!

Join Thereeftank.com and do a ton or reading before you buy anything... much $$ is wasted if you start buying before you have a plan and some knowledge first. Ask Q's at TRT and read the major books, not the cheap easy-to-read ones... the library usually doesn't stock the "good" ones. The tech and industry is changing and improving faster than the libraries tend to keep up...

Sadly, most LFS (Local fish stores) give insufficient or downright incorrect information, not on purpose, just 'coz. Many of those "kids" were selling burgers last week... or the long-timers don't "own a reef". Or ... sadly ... they want to earn $$ instead of educate and help you do it slowly and correctly.

Nothing good happens quickly in a reef... Patience... is a necessity... so is $$. You can find EXCELLENT deals used... empty reef systems.

Our site is really old... and the pics are really out of date, but it is running strong, looks different now, but is a joy daily to watch. The tanks are 6-1/2 and 7-1/2 yrs old now.

Here's a link to all sorts of year-old pics that are very much "up-to-date":

Tank of the Month photos for TRT (http://shirleymorgan.com/misc/TOTM-120/)

Join TRT! (http://thereeftank.com)

:dance: :dance:

[NHMarie]

Welcome to the forum! I have a conure, but not a bcc. Mine is a Patagonian. If you love the conure personality and want a larger bird, look into Pattys, if you can find a breeder. I love all Amazons, if i was going to get one, I'd love a white fronted. They're the smallest of the zons and gorgeous!


Marie

[Jean]

Gret pics! :heart: I was glad to hear you were all going to be able to make a stop over to visit Jenny. Looks like you had a good time.

[The Flying Yoshi]

How old is your daughter?


I'm 15 1/2 years and counting. About to finish my freshman year in high school.

TFY :greenguy: