Choosing my new pet bird... can't decided

[applechew]

Hi,

I'm going to be getting a new pet parrot soon, when I can figure out what I want... I have a few breeds in mind but would love some opinions on them before I make my final decision... My bird history is a hand raised cockatiel and a rainbow lorikeet of my own, and babysat a red-tailed black cockatoo for 5months. It's been several years since my last bird and I really miss having one, and I've decided to get my own again. The types I'm looking at are either a white/umbrella cockatoo, a moluccan cockatoo or an amazon. I really can't decided, I like the cockatoos because they're so playful and funny to watch, and to be honest I think the "chubby" look of the umbrella/moluccan cockatoo is ADORABLE. But, I love amazons because of their beautiful colours and ability to talk.

I know all 3 can be very loud which I am fine with, I live in rural Australia and I don't have close neighbours, (closest is about another large house distance away, and lots of trees etc block out sound a bit, it's pretty quiet. You don't even hear wild birds.), and I am very patient, plus I have been around loud birds before. Even my lorikeet could make your ears bleed some times...

So I am just looking for some suggestions on which you guys think would be the best choice. At the end of the day what I'm looking for is a bird that I can have out with me when I'm at home and do things with me, study, watch TV, cook dinner, get ready for work etc, but also a bird that I can take out with me. I want it to be cuddly/affectionate too...

Are there any major flaws with the types I want?

Thanks.

[parrotsareyay]

Amazons are very infamous for their hormonal problems and may be the most aggressive of all! Cockatoos are VERY demanding and one small mistake could make it crack. If you cuddle too much, it will get too dependent on that and get really jealous of even the mail man coming.

By your experience, Amazons may be your bird. Cockatoos are incredibly hard to take care of and many expert bird owners still are not qualified for the intensity of Cockatoos.

In my opinion, an Amazon MIGHT be able to give you a little more experience and get you closer to the expert-ness in order to care for a Cockatoo.

If you really want that feathered teddy bear, there is a place called www.mytoos.com which have a lot of info on these hard but cuddly birds

[GlassOnion]

Have you considered a Rose Breasted Cockatoo?

[applechew]

@parrotsareyay: You make a good point, I do understand how hard cockatoo's can be and being in australia where they are so easily bought and so cheap, there are a lot of cockatoo's left in small cages when people can't handle them or get sick of the screaming... it's sad.

I have had a think about what I really want out of my next pet bird and it's cuddles and affection, I spoke with my mum who had a good point which was what I lovedso much about my lorikeet was that he was little and would ran around and be silly, and when playing on my computer or something he'd just chew on the keys or the mouse or try and steal what I was eating or something or climb up on my class and try and drink my drink.. if I had a big bird like a cockatoo it would be a lot more chaotic and probably wouldn't be able to let it do that stuff. I'm not sure I'm making sense... lol. Also larger birds have big claws and scratch and destroy stuff more then little birds...

Have you considered a Rose Breasted Cockatoo?

I did think about a galah but I know a few people that have them and they're all horrible... it's really turned me off them. lol.

I have really thought about it and I think maybe I will get something smaller again like a conure or a quaker... they've got the personality I want but not as demanding as a big bird, you know? What do you guys think? Especially nanday and sun conures, they are SO beautiful.

[parrotsareyay]

YES!
with your experience a conure or quaker would not be very difficult.

(if it was me i would get the sun conure )

Conures are such little clowns and GREAT cuddlers!
Quakers.... they seem about the same! They're like little oatmeal mascots

[Mr.Darcy]

I think that the Caiques are really cute and cuddly. They seem like major clowns and the type of bird you can "man handle" so to speak...I dont actually know this first hand but they seem really cool....

My brother and his wife had a Moloccan and she was nuts! they had to give her away to an animal santuary. One of the major issues with her was her dander. Everyone developed allergies to her dust....just some food for thought.