What kind of Parrot should I get?

This is a fun section to write because I get to ramble around and talk about all the parrots I have met and give you my thoughts about them. However, your thoughts may be different. In particular your expectations may be different. You need to dig deep and ask yourself just why you want a parrot in the first place, and what you want out of that bird. You need to ask yourself what resources in terms of time, space, and money you are willing to put into this bird.

My best piece of advice to you is to take your time and go out of your way to meet a number of different types of birds before you make your choice. Realize that each bird of a species is an individual, as well as being a product of its history and the treatment it has received. Don't make the mistake of saying you have to have a certain kind of bird and miss out on a wonderful individual of some other species that comes your way.

Probably the best overall question is what size bird do you want. The sizes of parrots range from budgies (parakeets) on one end of the scale, to macaws and big cockatoos on the upper end. If you decide to have a big bird, just be sure you are ready for big mess, big noise, and a big beak. And don't short change the small birds. Some of the most kind and gentle birds (and smart!) I have ever met have been cockatiels and budgies.

Budgies are the colorful little birds you used to buy in the five and dime store and bring home in a little cardboard box. With time and attention these can be wonderful birds, and they most definitely can learn to talk. They need the same healthy food the big parrots need, and they need a big wide cage (not a tall skinny cage), so they can fly back and forth. They really are most happy when kept in a small "society" with several of their own kind.

Cockatiels are great little birds. A nice cockatiel is wonderfully affectionate and friendly. Like the budgies these have been overbred to produce a variety of colors, to the detriment of their health. And they are overlooked by many people who would enjoy them in their rush to get a bigger bird.

Conures at first glance seem like little amazons, since most of their feathers are green. Some people cannot stand their voices, others just love these birds. They have long slender tails almost like a miniature macaw, and they have an incredibly feisty disposition.

Pionus parrots are much the same size as conures, and have a blunt tail like an amazon. They have a wonderful array of subtle colors and are almost all very pleasant and mellow birds. A great choice. Someone said they are like amazons on tranquilizers, they have all the same body language, but turned down several notches.

Amazons are the quintessential parrot and are my absolute favorite. They can be quite aggressive, and may be hard to handle during the times of the year when their hormones rage. People who understand them and are confident with them don't have any trouble. Blue fronts and double yellow heads had be superb talkers and are beautiful birds. The lilac crowns and mexican red heads are smaller and more mellow. There are other species less commonly seen. They can scream and make more noise than you might like, but usually only at the start and end of the day. They only rarely feather pluck and are great clowns. They do tend to eat too much and get fat (unhealthy and bad for them) and this is something the owner needs to be alert to avoid.

African Grey parrots are the same size as amazons, and have the well deserved reputation of being extremely intelligent and great talkers. They won't all talk, and they are very sensitive birds and can develop a feather plucking habit if they are neglected in any way. These seem to be the most sought after pet bird at this point in time.

Cockatoos are the big white birds. Some have yellow crests that they can raise when they get excited. The Moluccans have peach colored crests. Cockatoos are very demanding, and anyone planning to get one needs to understand what they are getting themselves (and the bird) into. These birds can drive people crazy. They can scream in such a way as to break your lease or wreck your marriage. If they don't get what they want, they develop feather picking habits and/or horribly self mutilate themselves. Not a good choice for someone who is away at work all day. They are a wonderful and rewarding companion for someone who is willing to link their life to one of these birds.

Macaws are the big long colorful parrots that pop up in so many ads. Their beaks are big, and they have a strong personality, and some people will never be comfortable with them. As one person said, there are five things you need to know about macaws: they are big and loud, loud and bit, and demanding! All of this is true. They are active and athletic birds and need a lot of space. Any cage you can buy will truly be too small. Like cockatoos, they are great for someone who knows what they are getting into. They would if possible like to be with you and involved with whatever you are doing every waking hour. They need and love to chew and destroy things and need an outlet for this urge. They really do enjoy others of their kind, so consider having two.

There is my quick whirlwind tour to some of the parrots. I know I haven't covered them all. My advice is to meet many different kinds, and realize that the particular bird you meet may be an especially nice or nasty exception to their kind. And keep an open mind. Don't overlook that special bird of a sort you said you would never want that just happens to be the bird for you.