Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / May 2005

The Maroone bellies are a member of the Pyrrhura species, from the best
I can tell all share the same traits (just different colors). You may
consider trying to find a Pyrrhura breeder in your area if you decide
to go with Maroone belly.

I was just recently comparing the Quaker and Pyrrhura's myself and
ended up going with another Green Cheek. I've spent hours talking with
a few people I know about this to help make my decision, one of which
has breed Quakers and Pyrrhura's at differnet points over the last 13
years.

http://www.pyrrhurabreedersassociation.com/rosifron.htm

Here is some general information:

- Lifespan:
Quakers average between 30-35 years, Pyrrhura's 25-30 years.

- Noise level:
Quakers are inconsistant when it comes to noise level, some can be very
loud some aren't so much. It depends on the bird and what it learns.

Pyrrhura's are one the quitest of companion birds you can own.

-Origin:
Both Quakers and Pyrrhura's are native to South America.

- Ability to talk:
Quakers have excellent talking capabilities.
Pyrrhura's are not such great talkers, but it seems most learn a few
words.

- Cuddle
Quakers and Pyrrhura's can both be great cuddle birds, depends on the
bird and what they learn.

- Playful/Active behavior
Pyrrhura's are a bit more active than Quakers and should have more toys
in their cage. Pyrrhura's are known to be "little clowns" and love to
dangle upside down, by one foot, etc...

- Nippy behavior
Any bird can bite, training is going to be an important factor
regardless of what you get. I've heard the Quaker can have a very hard
(painful) bite and will often break the skin. Quakers should be well
socialized and handled with/by the entire family it will be living
with, otherwise it may form agressive behavior towards some members and
bit them.

Pyrrhura's of course can bite as well, but if they are well socialized
most tend to not show agression towards people they encouter daily.

Either bird could bound to one person and appear most happy in the
company of that person.

-----

In my area, Quakers are the best selling companion birds next to
"normal" Parakettes (budgies)  and their prices are $150-$200 for the
normal (green) colored ones. I don't have any breeders around here that
breed Blue, Yellow or Whites, but I've been told a Blue Quaker can go
for around $350 here.

Pyrrhura's range in price, the normals and maroone bellies go from
$180-$250. Cinnamon's and Yellow-sides $300-$350.

excellent companions, so I don't know if you go go wrong either way.

Bad points:

Conures are noisey bloody things.

Good points:

Mine shuts up when hit hard around the head or thrown at pace into a
brick wall.

With some research and last minute assistance from this newsgroup I chose
a green cheek conure a few years ago.  He talks a great deal. I have
learned, most of his siblings do also including one owned by  a woman who
also has a quaker.  She said the green cheek actually talks more than the
quaker.  I chalk it up to breeding, though unfortunately the breeder I
bought him from no longer raises green cheeks :(.  Conures have
absolutely stolen my heart :)  He seems a bit unusual compared to other
peoples conures in that he does not seem to enjoy chewing on wood
*headscratch*  The avian vet says there is nothing wrong with his beak.  
It seems he would just rather fight with a bell toy than chew on any of
the wood toys I buy for him.  I see a few nibbles on wood toys, but thats
about it.

He's only extremely noisy when something frightens him.  Or when someone
knocks on the door lol.  He's like an extra alarm/doorbell.  At times
when I have been home either week-ends or ill, he's mostly quiet if I
leave his radio on.  He's not silent, but I don't usually hear him if Im
trying to sleep.  Sometimes if he's noisy and Im not feeling well I bring
him back to the bedroom cage.  He settles down since I am in the room
with him.