Introduction-I am new and I need some help!

[Parrot-Tamer]

You could try a green cheek conure . I've heard they can tolerate cuddles well. You could aslo try an Electus Parrot. They're decent for beginners and not too big but not a small as a parakeet either.

Josh And Puffle

[Grey_Moon]

I love greys (but I'm a bit biased ) but I do not recommend them for anyone who is in their teens or young adult years.

Why? Been there done that, we're still together after 7 years together (I'm 21 and she's 13) but it has not been an easy journey and I certainly did not and do not have the typical 21 year old life.

Greys have been found to be emotionally and socially quite similar to the cockatoos (and for everything cockatoo my favorite site is mytoos.com) annd as we know most people are not cut out to keep cockatoos.

Read these when you get a chance:
http://www.parrothouse.com/sfjh1.html
http://www.parrothouse.com/sfjh2.html

I own a TAG (which is actually quite a bit more of a resilient and sturdy bird than the Congo as they are almost a separate species---maturing faster with a different habitat and social structure)---and I can tell you that even as the 'easy-version' of an African Grey---she is a handful.

I love her more than anything and find greys to be the sweetest, most beautiful and sensitive souls. They are introspective, communicative and very intelligent---I find that their eyes reflect an old soul. I, being my grey's person, have a bond, trust and understanding with her that is so deep and strong that it is unlike any other bird I've lived with. They really read your mind and reflect yourself back to you emotionally and spiritually. They are extremely empathetic.

All this praise being sung aside, I find them to be like an emotionally-sensitive, self-aware precocious and very gifted child. Sometimes you need to almost protect them from themselves as they can and do emotionally self-destruct (which usually results in plucking or worse) if they feel something isn't right. They're known for extreme flight or fight responses, feather or self-mutilation, being finicky/minipulative/gender chauvinists and complex. These are not 'easy come, easy go' personalities.

Jacko came to me as a feather plucker, and it took me seven years to figure out her desired sleeping arrangement. She doesn't want to sleep in a cage---and wants to sleep next to me--but not on my pillow except for cuddles. She wants to be on her tree right next to me---otherwise its chewing sounds all night and feather down in the morning. She needs wind down time---not lights just shut off---she needs tv time to get snuggled and get comfy before she dozes off.
This means of course I get jumped on by an affectionate parrot at just after sunrise (5:30 AM this time of year!) but I don't mind.

She still plucks btw--but every day she becomes increasingly free of her old demons and health issues that cause it. She may never kick the habit of course and that's ok with me.

If you do take the plunge be prepared to be a single mum in school (and as we all know that's tough) and be prepared to modify your lifestyle. Your life will be no longer your own and you'll have one greybird who needs and wants a lot from you

[sophiajp123]

African grey can be alot of wOrk. I agree with previous posts. If you want a huge parrot personality in a small parrot body a parrotlet would be good for you. If yOu want a medium bird a conure would be a good option. Keep doing your research