MEDIUM TO MEDIUM LARGE BIRDS
1. Conures and smaller Macaws: Suns, Red Headeds, Blue Crowned, Nobles, Severe, Yellow Collared etc.
“Comparative Impact Statement”
Size=4 to 6, Space=4 to 6, Noise level=6 to 8, Playtime=5 to 7, Destruction=5 to 7, Talking=3 to 7
In many ways mini-macaws and conures are smaller reflections of their larger cousins, the large macaws. Properly hand-fed chicks almost always make friendly playful pets but many tend to become nippy. Screaming often becomes a constant element in the household environment containing these birds. Their fearless temperament can be problematic for strange humans or even much larger birds. It is comical to watch a little Green Cheek conure pester or even drive away a much larger Blue & Gold macaw or cockatoo from it’s perch with absolutely no hesitation!
This is one large group of birds that is not nearly as plentiful in the pet market as when they were wild imports. Prices were so inexpensive and numbers so plentiful there was little incentive to attempt captive breeding. As a result there are far fewer birds available than before and prices have risen.
As breeders realized their oversight and turned to breeding conures and mini-macaws more chicks have become steadily available and so prices are leveling off. Today domestic raised chicks of the “mini’s” are less expensive than the larger parrot types but still provide alot of play and entertainment for their owner.
Most all the macaws and conures are heavily influenced by the “Pecking Order” law. Whoever is unlucky enough to be perceived as “lower” by the bird will be put in their place by beak and claw. Pet owners must constantly prove themselves worthy of the “flock leader” role by assuming a dominant but nurturing relationship. Be consistent in your rules and rewards and always keep the bird below eye-level. Read a good book or two on training and follow it.
Talking is usually not prevalent but mischievous playfulness is! If you want a good value in a pet bird look into this group but do be fully aware of their penchant for noise-making before bringing one into an apartment or near close neighbors.
2. Medium sized Africans (Poicephalus): Senegals, Meyer’s, Red-Bellieds, Jardine’s, etc.
“Comparative Impact Statement”
Size=3 to 6, Space=3 to 6, Noise Level=4 to 6, Playtime=5 to 7, Destruction=4 to 7, Talking=5 to 7
This splendid genus of birds contains some of the most practical pets around. Being somewhat smaller and stockier than the conure or mini-macaw group the poicephalus parrots do well in medium sized parrot cages. In addition they lack the raucous screams so common among the parrots and instead vocalize much like a miniature African gray would. This makes them a relatively suitable apartment pet.
Talking abilities are high when compared to similar sized birds and most are not near as costly as the African gray tends to be. These are basically friendly, inquisitive, playful, birds that are not as shy as the typical gray. Some can become a bit nippy during weaning or adolescence as they seek their place in the flock structure but with good management techniques this soon passes and the end result is an outgoing sociable bird.
The Poicephalus were also cheaply imported in the past and as wild fearful adults proved to be untamable. No one knew the pet qualities of a hand-fed baby so the market was not the best. Once again breeders did not invest in these smallish, skittish, all-to-common adult imports but with a rising appreciation of hand-fed chicks breeders are enjoying a steady demand and so more babies are becoming available.
The Jardine’s stands out among the four commonly kept poicephalus. Their size is closer to a Timneh gray. Talking ability is very good but Jardine’s can become little bullies. They also have large beaks for their size and must be provided with wood to destroy. Jardine’s are still one of my favorite birds. Once through the “biting baby” stage Jardine’s have the potential of developing into a playful amusing pet second to none.
All Poicephalus need toys to play with and chew on. All need plenty of time with their owners. Do not ignore the bird for long periods. It will not appreciate it if habits formed by lack of contact and bored isolation are disrupted by sudden whims of attention. Be fair and consistent with the bird and it should remain a fine pet.
3. Pionus: White Cappeds, Blue Headeds, Maximilians, etc.
“Comparative Impact Statement”
Size=4 to 5, Space=4 to 5, Noise level=6 to 7, Playtime=5 to 7, Destruction=5 to 6, Talking=3 to 7
Pionus parrots from South and Central America are somewhat larger than the African poicephalus but smaller than the amazons. Many consider them to be a relatively quiet bird but all pionus can and will scream at times. Pionus parrots are thought by ornithologists to be related to the amazon parrots. Both share many of the same mannerisms and feather structures.
Pionus have a color scheme uniquely different from the amazons and many other parrots of the world. At first glance a pionus may look like a rather dull dark bird but closer examination reveals a beautiful palette of dark iridescent green, blue and purple highlighted with a red vent. Head colors commonly include a brighter contrasting blue or white. Every species is striking in its own way.
Pionus are more “laid back” by nature than amazons, macaws, or cockatoos which is something to consider with children in the home. Most are not to “testy” or “feisty” so can be handled relatively safely by younger supervised kids.
Pionus have a musky odor which tends to be quite strong in an enclosed area. My sensitivity to this smell has prevented me from keeping them. One pionus can affect the odor of an entire room full of birds, especially if it is not regularly bathed. Some people like the scent but consider this with care when thinking of a pionus as a pet.
Talking ability is a highly individual matter. I knew of a white capped pet that learned a wide vocabulary and never seemed to stop talking. Yet, for the ones that do talk there are just as many that say very little.
If you are looking for a pet parrot but don’t have the space, time, or finances to deal with something as active, vocal, or large as an amazon a pionus might fit the bill for your home.
4. Psittacula: Ring-necks, Indian Ring-necks, Alexandrines, Moustaches, Derbyans, Plumheads, etc.
“Comparative Impact Statement”
Size=4 to 7, Space=6 to 8, Noise level=5 to 7, Playtime=4 to 7, Destruction=5 to 6, Talking=3 to 8
Ringed-neck parakeets are all graceful looking long-tailed birds native to Asia and Africa. They are all sexually dimorphic but it takes 1 to 3 years for the attractive ring to show up on the necks of the cocks. Hens are usually dominant over the cocks in a normal pairing situation so oftentimes males make the best pets. Some hens are sweet too though so don’t let the sex be the sole criteria when choosing your bird. Juveniles all look alike so it is necessary to have youngsters blood-sexed to know which is which.
Owners of these birds rate them as very good talkers. Many claim some species of ringneckeds can rival the amazons in this regard. All the psittacula genus can produce a call note which, to our ears, translates into a high-pitched piercing scream but ringnecks are usually not overly noisy.
Due to the ringed-neck’s long slender length and flight requirements true physical and psychological well-being can only be provided for in long flights capable of allowing unencumbered flight from one perch to the next. Ringneckeds are predominantly flying birds rather than climbers so the normal “parrot cage” is not really adequate unless the bird is given flight time each day outside of the cage.
None of the ringed-necks pair-bond for life but ,unlike many other parrots, will select new partners each breeding season from the flock. This behavior translates into a pet that tends not to favor one person over another as long as they are perceived as “flock members”. Let everyone play with the bird and there should be minimal problems with favoritism among family members.
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