What types of Parrot is right for me???? HELP!!!!

[edgy13]

Hi I am hoping to get a parrot that has a lifespan of 30-50 years. I don't want screaming but loud chirping and occasional sqwauking is fine. Talking is preferred but not a necessity and size isn't important. I don't want to get a parakeet as that is the species I've already had. Color doesn't matter but personality does, I would like a bird that is known to be sweet, comical, and very affectionate. I want a snuggler!:) I can't pay more than 300 dollars for the bird but will go over for the right bird. Any feedback would be great because I have no clue where to start.

[Pajarita]

Any species can be sweet, loving and not too noisy although not all are cuddly but none of these conditions go so much by the species but by how they are treated and cared for. Do you live by yourself, with a significant other or a family? Are you young, middle aged or older? Do you work from home, have a full or part time job or just stay at home? Is your life stable and will remain stable for the next 20 years? Do you have a room with nice windows that you can bird-proof and will not care if things get destroyed in it?

[Michael]

Trouble is $300 won't get you far with any parrot. There's no point at looking too much into your other considerations because with that budget, the only birds that fit that amount are budgie or cockatiel. The price of the bird doesn't even matter that much, it's more about the cost of setting up and keeping that kind of bird. $300 won't even pay for the cage, let alone all other supplies of bigger parrots. But based on the temperament, not lifespan, Cockatiel fits your description reasonably well with some work. Spending more money on a parrot will not necessarily get you more of what you are looking for though so I'd say go with a Cockatiel or hold out for a different parrot when the situation allows and you know that's what you want.

[GreenWing]

Cockatiel fits your description, but they are more whistlers than talkers. Why not look into a rehome parrot, like an older Senegal past sexual maturity and can talk? Sennies can talk with the cutest voices and are affectionate. Caiques are wonderful little clowns but aren't known for their talking ability and I doubt you could find one for less than a thousand. I know you've said you don't want parakeet but male budgies can be great talkers.

[Pajarita]

Parrots remain sexually active all their lives - if they are healthy, of course! I have a 32 year old amazon hen cougar (her husband is unaged but I estimate he is about ten years old - she had a 30 year old boyfriend, he was never a 'husband', but the younger bird dethroned him -LOL) and she did not only lay a clutch last year, they've already started canoodling at dawn (I can hear her moans of happiness from outside the door -LOL)

[Scotty]

$300, yes, not going to get you far in the parrot world from a breeder, but you might buy a nice parrot from someone needing to get rid of it.

I might not be correct here, but it's my understanding Cockatoos are the most cuddly of parrots and my Noelnani is extremly cuddly, in fact she loves to constantly cuddle and have you pet her. Cocaktoos can be a bit loud at times, but Noelani has not been bad at all.

Green Cheek Conures are my favorite to get into the world of Parrots, Green-cheeked Conure (Pyrrhura molinae) is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura.

The GCC is the most playful and friendy of all the Conures and WOW what amazing birds for their intlelligence, playfulness and the tricks you can teach these little guys, just amazing!

[Pajarita]

Cockatoos are screamers which is something she specifically said she doesn't want.

[JaydeParrot]

? How much is a Sennie generally then? I got two for under $300, although they were 2nd hand and very untame.

If you're looking to get a bird for such a little amount, I'd look around rescues or second hand sites (the preloved site is popular with some), see which birds are cheapest and then look the species up to see people's opinions on the pros and cons of different species. I saw an unmbrella cockatoo going for what's equivalent to $600 on preloved- Wouldn't recommend one though, unless you're completely deaf and have no career or social life, .


One of the best things to do is to choose a species, go to youtube and type in, e.g.- 'senegal parrot' screaming, to see if you could put up with the noise, mess, e.t.c. Youtube sucessfully put me off getting a Goffin, .

I personally think senegal's are awesome, from what I hear, Vasas and Pionus are supposed to be quieter than most other parrots.

[Harpmaker]

I love my little Meyer's parrot . Individual parrots may differ from each other more than the average difference between subspecies, but there are few complaints about Meyer's. Mine is still very young, but she loves my husband and I, and accepts my adult children, likes to cuddle in the evenings, does tricks, whistles signals for us, and is starting to imitate my laugh--but her version is EVIL.

That said, from what I've read on this forum the most universally adored parrot subspecies here seems to be Green Check Conures . They are supposed to be among the least noisy of the conures, and most of them seem to be smart, affectionate and funny.

Your best bet is to go to a rescue and see if a particular parrot adopts you.