Conures?

Question
I am in the process of looking for a conure parrot.  I heard they like to take baths, hang out on the shoulders, and are really loving birds. Now is that all Conures? Do you know of good places to buy Conures?

Answer
Hi. Thanks for your question. Conures, like most parrots, can be really loving birds. They are sweet, loving, and sociable by nature however, like any pet, they need time, attention, and training in order to be well-behaved and good "people" birds.
In general, most conures (there are different species and species subtypes) are excellent pets.  There are several things to consider when you decide to purchase a conure.
The number one factor (IMHO) is where you live. If you live in an apartment, condo, with roommates, or in any type of similar situation, I would strongly suggest against a conure. The reason being..for their size conures are extraordinarily LOUD! In fact, I got my sun conure his original owner realized just this and was almost evicted from her apartment! Conures of the Aratinga species (suns, nandays, jendays, etc.) are known to be the loudest of the bunch but in general, all conures are noisy.
Another thing to consider is life span. In general, conures can live anywhere from 15 to 30 years. That is quite a commitment to make to any pet and is the reason why so many birds end up in shelters or rescues. Changes in a persons life (marriage, divorce, moving, family moving in with you, having children, death, natural disasters, new pets, etc.) are bound to happen within that timeframe. Owners end up having to surrender their conure when such a life change does not accommodate their conure. Although no one can predict the future,  please consider this when you choose a conure. Additionally, although loving, conures tend to choose their "favorite" person in a household. Everyone else (guests, spouses, children, other pets, repairmen....anyone else entering the house) can be the object of aggression for the conure. They may bite, attack, chase, or generally display jealous behaviors when anyone else is around them or their "favorite" person. This is why some parrot owners experience difficulty after the birth of a new child or when their favorite person begins dating/marries someone. Conures can also become jealous or aggressive with other pets. On the contrary, also consider what pets you may already have as dogs, cats, etc. may pose a threat to your new conure as well.  
Another consideration is your budget. Although conures range in price, plan to spend at least $500 on the parrot itself.  You will also want to buy the biggest cage you can afford for the size of your conure. Annual costs include wing/nail trimming, vet trips if necessary (you should try and find an avian vet if possible), food, and toys. Conures can be very destructive to items such as clothing, jewelry, furniture (they love to chew!) It is good to keep them stocked with toys to help satisfy their chewing desire.  
Finally, consider the amount of spare time you have for training, interaction, playing, cleaning cages, medical care (if your bird should fall ill). Conures are like children...they need plenty of attention and time from their owners. A neglected bird can become aggressive, destructive, noisy, and may even begin feather plucking. Please consider how much time you have available before you buy.
I know it sounds like I am trying to talk you "out" of a conure. This is not the case. I simply try and warn people who are taken in by the beauty and personality of birds without first considering all that comes with parrot ownership.  I have seen so many birds be taken to rescues, shelters, given away, returned, et. sometimes multiple times because their owners simply could not "handle" them.
Everything I have mentioned thus far is in regards to parrots/conures in general. As far as selecting the type of conure you want, there are many varieties to choose from and they all come with their pros and cons. I suggest you purchase a conure/parrot guide (you will need it anyway when you buy the bird) or research the different species online. There are many sizes, colors, and personalities to choose from. You may also want to visit a breeder or pet store to handle and view the different types of conures available.
As far as where to get a conure, i would suggest first of all finding a hand-raised conure. they are easier to train and more tame as they are "used" to human contact/handling.  you can find hand raised conures from local breeders (look them up online or in the classified section of bird magazines, such as "Bird Talk" magazine). there are also travelling bird marts and pet stores. i would suggest buying directly from a breeder at their aviary or at a bird mart.
another option would be adopting a "previously owned" bird from a rescue. there are many bird rescues nationwide who have birds that are already tamed, trained,  and in need of good homes. usually they charge an adoption fee but its less than the price of a "new" conure. also, you are giving a second (or third or fourth) chance to a homeless pet. the same can be said about adopting a conure from someone in the classified ads of your newspaper, Petfinder.org, or craigs list. i would be careful however when going through the newspaper/craigs list/classifieds however just because there are alot of "weirdos" out there and there is a chance that you may be unknowingly taking on a bird in "bad shape". rescues medically care for the conure they take in and attempt to socialize them prior to putting them up for adoption.
i really hope this helps and please choose wisely! alicia