Advice on choosing a smaller bird

[Michael]

One pro I like about larger birds is that their claws aren't anywhere as sharp as a smaller bird's. Since small birds mean small claws, more pressure is applied to less surface area.

While I agree that small claws are sharper, the big ones can still hurt more. When Truman's are unbearably long, he'll rip entire chunks of skin with every step. Ever felt a macaw's claws dig in? Maybe it's like a roofing nail as opposed to a needle, but with that kinda grip, hurts like hell.

[KC Cameron]

W/o trimming or grinding, a macaw's nails can be very sharp too, and they have to hold on tighter due to their weight/size. Thankfully, their weight makes their claws grind down more on concrete perches.

Smaller birds are more vicious in their biting, and hurt a lot more - IMHO. Worst bite I've had was from a "friendly" Quaker. He was like a Pitbull and wouldn't let go . . .

[LadySaphine]

IMO I would much rather take on a GCC or a parrotlet than a macaw or 'too. Although macaws are such big babies (at the bird fair I went to, there was a young one trying to take off his owner's hat!) and toos are so, so sweet, their beaks just make me so wary. At a parrot rescue there was a sweet Timneh- I felt the force in her beak when she pulled on a strand of my hair! Ouch!

But everybody has their preferences I suppose. I've only held a too once, at said bird fair. They are very sweet but definitely not the bird for me! I've become accustomed to scratches from cats, as I play with mine bare-handed. Bites may hurt but the worst bite I've gotten from any of my birds was from Peanut, in the first few days of getting her. Left me a pretty red imprint!