I've decided I want to buy a parrot (or similar type of bird), any suggestions as to which make the best pets?

Start with http://www.realmacaw.com/pages/rightpet.html and http://www.the-oasis.org/suitable1.php

Then decide what you want from a pet bird. Do you want one that sticks to you like velcro? One that wants attention, but not cuddling? One that doesn't even need much attention? How much noise can you tolerate? How much feather dust? How much trouble are you willing to take in preparing food (parrots don't eat just seed)? How many years are you willing to commit for? How much space do you have for a cage? How much can you afford for the bird, cage, and vet visits?

Some species you might consider (answers can only have 10 links, or there would be more), in order of increasing size:

finches - tiny, low maintenance, but not personal

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/finches/a/zebrafinc...

Budgies (aka parakeets, in the US):

http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa081399.htm

lineolated parakeets - small, quiet, easygoing, cuddly:

http://www.parrotchronicles.com/mayjune2003/lineol...

Pyrrhura conures (e.g., green-cheeked and maroon-bellied) - the quiet conures, playful and cuddly:

http://zoologica.wordpress.com/2008/09/11/living-w...

cockatiels - the classic beginner's bird:

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww21eiii.htm

quaker or monk:

http://www.quakerparrots.com/quaker-parrot-faq/

poicephalus (e.g., Senegal or Meyers):

http://proaviculture.com/poicephalus.htm

diamond dove:

http://www.diamonddove.info/bird04_Living.htm

The type of bird you get should depend on how much space you have, how much time you spend at home, and what you want it for.

Most bird from the parakeet family make good companions/friends but the smaller varieties like Budgies and Cockatiels don't have as good a talking ability as some of the bigger types like Amazon's, African Grey's or Cockatoo's. Budgies, finches and love birds tend to be able to survive without much human attention depending on how much they were raised with, while larger birds tend to crave attention and don't do so well being left alone all day while you go out to work, they can start pulling feathers out and destroying themselves due to boredom and stress.There is a lot to think about before buying a bird they are very social animals.

I have a Quaker Parrot, he's the same size as a Cockatiel though cost a lot more to buy, he has a great vocabulary is very loving towards me and my daughter but not so keen on my husband or son. He is so funny with the things he does and can be vary naughty at times which just adds to the entertainment value.

Throughout my childhood I've had Cockatiels, various finches and a budgie. The Budgie was great we got him as a baby, he slept in an old glove of mine when we first got him. He was left out of his cage during the day and closed in at night, he would sit on the edge of your dinner plate an help himself, he could count and whistle various tunes and just loved being where ever you were, till one night he vanished without trace, I think he flew outside when the dog opened the back door to come in! I had a Cockatoo (Lesser Sulphur Crested) for a few months but had to get rid of him when my Husband was found to be allergic to the dander(dust) he gave off and this is why I now have my little Quaker Parrot.

Short answer is---they don't make good pets---any of them.

Parrots are obnoxious, loud, and destructive---also highly intelligent and emotional. It's like having a horny being that has the intelligence and emotional IQ of a small child and a can opener on it's face, not to mention one that can fly and flings food, poop and feathers EVERYWHERE.

I'm not saying this because I don't like birds---I have two pet parrots and I love them dearly---but they're a hell of a lot of work.

Pleease, please do your research beforehand---DO NOT listen to the pet stores employees.

These are wild animals that need to be part of a flock (i.e. YOU)---so that means group showers everyday, group meals and hours of time hanging out on a daily basis etc. Can you do that? How about for the next 10-15 years at a minimum (the lifespan of the smaller birds like cockatiels, linnies and budgies)? 15-40 (Conures, Caiques, Poicephalus etc)? How about the next 60-80 plus years (African Greys, Macaws, Amazons, Cockatoos etc)?

Add to this food that you prepare weekly (means lots of chopping of fruits, veggies...lots of sprouts to grow), high-quality pellets (costs me $40 a month), and all the treats, toys and etc. (at least $100 a month)

Then there's playstands, vet visits (you need a specialiazed exotic vet), carriers, UV lighting, humidifiers, air purifiers, travel cages.....

There's also the high probability (ok, no it WILL happen at least a couple times) that you'll get bitten, chased, masturbated on, screamed at or for, and that your loved ones/friends will be attacked, chased, bitten etc.....

You see where I'm going with this?

It's a hell of a lot of money and time---and restrictions on YOU.

If you want to share your life with a parrot and be a 'bird person' than do your homework.

If you still want a parrot---there's no automatic good 'first bird'--depends on you and what you can provide.

I would stay away from the Cockatoos and big Macaws definetly though.

If you have respiratory issues---stay away from the powder down birds (African Greys, Cockatiels, Cockatoos)

If you live in an apartment---that cancels out most of the bigger birds and the loud ones (certainly no Amazons and forget most if not all of the Conures)

So see there's really no recommendation I can give you---it depends on your situation--if you add more details maybe I could be of more help.

I would definitely suggest getting a Senegal Parrot!!

i did tons of research before getting mine and he's amazing!!! here are eight reasons why i got one.

1) they can entertain themselves. one of the worst things about having parrots is they need as much attention as dogs. This bird can entertain its self for a good amount of time with out starting a fuss. This is good if you need time to yourself, have to go out, have a couple of things on your schedule.

2) very quiet. they only get loud if they're hungry, but its not like the piercing screech most parrots have. its very cute even.

3) while being quiet and self entertaining. these birds are also EXTREMELY affectionate and playful.

4) Playful. They're fun to play around with, without making a mess or breaking anything.

5) Gentle. This is the best thing about the bird. they play gently. When some of the bigger parrots get mad, they can snap your finger off

6) They can learn how to mimic fairly well too if that's what you're looking for and are really easy to train

7) They are only 9-12 inches long which makes them easy to carry around.

8) They can cost from $200 - $500. i got mine for 250 and he's just as good as 500 except they have different colour feathers.

i trained a number of different birds and this is one of my favourites. ive got nine birds right now and hes one of the best behaved. (im not saying i lov him more then my others, hes just a really good bird) i hope this helped :)

Sorry yet I agree together with your mom. according to risk look for an excellent poultry thats plenty extra much less high priced like a budgie. A cockatoo can stay an extremely long term and you won't have time for it for the period of intense college and school. they choose toys and a few interest to be satisfied. they are in a position to be very noisy and it will consume a honest quantity of seed and a few fruit or greens so some funds a week for that. you will choose a enormous cage , seed dish, water dish, grit dish and a few toys. The cage needs cleansing each few days. you may practice an person poultry to step up onto your hand, and to declare some words. It needs to income which you wont harm it , and you prefer to be careful approximately it biting you.

The bigger the bird is, the more interesting it is. I like cockatiels, which are not as expensive as conures or real parrots. I had one that got very familiar and close to all family members.

He was only eating sunflower small size special seeds.

I tried budgies, finch, love birds, but I have never had a better bird.

Regardless of what breed you decide on, a baby raised by hand.