Good freeflying birds?

[Shelby]

I have recently become fascinated with freeflying parrots and I think this is something I would enjoy in the future - with proper training, of course. As far as I know, none of you on here freefly your birds, but I am wondering if you could give suggestions for species of birds that would make a good freeflying candidate? This would not be my first bird - I will probably get a cockatiel first (to get hands-on experience with a more forgiving type of bird, and because I love cockatiels!) and depending on where my life takes me after college, investigate freeflying further. So this is really just a post out of curiosity....

It seems the general consensus is that birds the size of a senegal or bigger are the best for freeflying. I don't ever see myself owning a really large bird, like a scarlet macaw, so I've been looking at smallish/medium birds.

So far, I have been considering: hans macaws, severe macaws, and African Greys. They are all on the smaller side and seem to be pretty easy to get. Do any of you have hands-on experience with these birds and can tell me the pros/cons? Most of my internet research produces generic garbage like, "these birds can be fed an all-seed diet, are great for families living in apartments, don't bite, etc".

I have heard that Hans macaws are pretty nippy. I am planning to become a music therapist so my fingers will be my income source, which makes me wary of parrots with a bitey reputation. Is the nippy-ness because they are really easily ticked off, or are the owners reporting the nips just not good at reading bird body language and the birds are being pushed too hard beyond their comfort levels?

I am also aware that African Greys tend to become phobic without proper socialization and training. I am willing to do both, but am wondering if those with [trained] Greys could weigh in on this?

I had been reading about Galahs (rose breasted cockatoos) since they are very strong fliers, but I honestly wouldn't be the right owner for any cockatoo. But, they are about the size I would really like, so if you can think of any other parrots about that size, please let me know!

[GlassOnion]

I've heard that Conures make good freeflying candidates. They bond to you very strongly to clingy point, and I think that has to do with it.

[Michael]

A) Don't ask for advice about freeflight here (you won't get good answers)
B) Most forum members (myself included) are not qualified to answer freeflight questions (and answers they might give with authority could be inaccurate and misleading)
C) Forget about freeflying parrots. Unless you've had many years of experience with parrots as pets, understand training/psychology like the back of your hand, have read everything/everyone about freeflight, and have personal access to freefliers who can work with you, don't even consider it.

You should focus on what kind of parrot would make a good pet for you based on your household and lifestyle and forget freeflight completely.

[pennyandrocky]

i had an outdoor freeflighted i agree with michael it's not a good idea, there are too many ways it could go wrong it took alot of time to train him i spent years on this and would not do it again.no i didn't lose him in freeflight but after seeing others who have lost theirs in freeflight i wouldn't risk it again.

[Khaiqha]

If you're adamant about free flight, birdtricks has a $1000 program where they work in person with you for it.

Do take note though that free flight isn't training, it's a lifestyle. It's the difference between wrestling in the backyard and doing UFC. It's something that you have to work on for the rest of your life. There are safer ways to fly your bird - harnessed, batting cage, gym, etc.

Also, your species choices aren't favored in the free flight community. Cockatiels/greys/ringnecks are said to be poor free fliers.