Which Parrot is best?

Hi all,

I have my eye on either of the following: male ecclectus, hanz macaw, Jardines Parrot or white fronted Amazon. My children are 3 and 6 so needs a family parrot. I am home all day so it will get a lot of attention and out of cage time. Which do you recommend? I want a parrot that is cuddley, able to train and can talk/mimmic sounds (doesn't need to be the best talker, would just be nice).
At first I wanted a chattering Lory but the poop scarred me off. Are these birds okay "poop" wise? I am stuck as what to get. Please could people give me some advise as to which and why they think is the better parrot for a family.

Thanks all.

I'd recommend you do more research before deciding if a parrot is the family pet for you.

Asking for a cuddly bird is tricky. Petting a bird anywhere other than their head can lead to hormones, which can lead to sexual frustration and aggression. For cuddles, mammals are better at that - dogs don't think getting petted and hugged means anything sexual.

And if you do a little bit of initial research, you'll find that ekkies are not allopreeners and are more inclined to be the furthest from cuddly. And ekkies are opportunistic breeders, not seasonal like most other parrots, which means you can trigger their hormones anytime of year if you aren't careful with touch, diet, sleep, etc.

In addition, talking ability is really up to the individual bird. Just like humans, some humans can sing, some humans don't care to. If you don't give the time and attention needed for a toddler (because that's the mental and emotional capacity of a parrot), then they often start plucking and screaming.

All parrots are cool but all the ones that you mentioned need alot of care and time if you are a starter id reccomend budgies or cockatiels and never one but always 2 since almost every parrots needs a feathered friend

Honestly, this is a tough one. Any parrot can be the best and any parrot can be the "worst". Parrots are unpredictable and their personalities can change upon puberty. I agree with charmedbyekkie that maybe you need more research. Also, being around a parrot is the best research you can do. If you can do that, you can maybe experience first hand what it's like to have one in your life. In my own humble opinion and speaking very generally, of course, none of the parrots you mentioned would be my suggestion for an "easy" first time or family parrot. Not that I believe in starter birds-I don't-but I do believe there are ones that are easier to deal with and are more forgiving for a beginner. I am assuming this is going to be your first bird or at least your children's first bird. I would recommend a cockatiel. Super sweet and lovely pets. The males are more likely to talk and the females more likely to like cuddles (again, this is a generalization). I see an Amazon on your list and while I don't have experience with white fronted amazons, of my three birds my blue fronted is the most challenging and requires the most experience. I would not recommend him for children as his bite can really hurt even an adult. Hope this helps and good luck with your research!

Loiries do have that wet poop lol ugh
But all parrots poop several times an hour, pooping machines! And when it dries it's sticks like concrete.

As mentioned ekkie aren't big into bring touched, and have a very specific diet requirements,.

I'm not much experience with the others.

You might consider some of the larger conure species, or pionus. Or a Quaker. Quakers can be loud. They are cage agressive, but good away from the cage. You want a parrot that chooses you. If you get a baby it must be fully weaned, and well socialized of any species. It must be will be to jump up on your arm when you meet it.

Any species is going to have times they are loud and get on your nerves. They are all messy. They all will chew and destroy stuff they all need to be a full member of your family , and you have to adapt to them.

Like all smart social needy beings , the relationship takes work, and commitment.

Hey guys,

Thank you for this. I have been doing research left righ and Centre. I have spent a lot of time with ekkies and the chattering Lory. I fell in love with them both. Like really fell in love with them and they seemed to have really enjoyed me too. No this would be my third bird. I've had a rainbow lorikeet in my teens (my late grandpa was not doing so well so my father shipped him off to keep him company) I my second bird was a cockatiel. I hand reared him but really didn't speak to me like the others do.

I have spent little time with the white fronted. However no time with the Jardines or hanz. I've had many people say that the Jardines would be the way to go.

Thanks for all your input guys.

Hi there. A good family parrot is the Yellow Winged Parakeet ( or parrot). Latin name Brotogeris . A bit bigger that an parakeet or budgie. Also known as a BeeBee parrot, Pocket Parrot. These are birds that actually seek out human company on the wild. Ours was a total love bug, able to be handled and cuddled by anyone in the family. Most don;t talk well, but whistle up a storm. Known as Pocket parrots because they like to snuggle in shirt and blouse pockets. Sometimes hard to find in the pet trade, Green Cheek COnures seem to have taken their place as a very commonly offered pet, but well worth checking out. Ours jumped up to me out of a bunch of them, and wolf whistled in my face - yup, I had been chosen.

Amazons away from the hot 3 ( Yellow nape, double yellow head or blue front ) tend to be mellower in temperament, but that is relative - there are many mellow hot 3 individuals, and individuals of smaller Amazons that are one person birds or are nut jobs. All parrots are individuals, and may not conform to commonly thought attributes.
Thats a good thing to keep in mind as you search.

Actually you and your children should probably have your individual pets. Even if it turned out to be parakeets, or a mix of bird, kitty and pup. Don't foist your desire on others. jh

Parrots and kids are complicated--- it can be done, but you are basically adopting another toddler with wings and a beak (with tons of respiratory sensitivities)--often prone to tantrums and the potential for jealousy
1. No cuddles. Some birds like them....in the same way some people like S*X...if a bird is seeking or allowing "cuddles", it is sexual and shouldn't be indulged or initiated by a human. It leads to behavioral issues and health concerns.
2. All can bite- hard. Bigger bird=more damage. Bigger bird=louder screaming.
3. All will change your whole cooking/cleaning routine (no more candles, aerosols, household cleaners, scented products/air fresheners, or products containing Teflon/ptfe/pfoa/pfcs---hidden in most things that heat or are intended to be heated---including pots/pans/trays/space-heaters/irons/blow dryers, air fryers, ovens, toasters etc etc)
4. Parrots can get jealous and possessive---and babies are always nice---they all change at puberty and often push away from those they loved ad babies---which is why I recommend adopting (not shopping) because then you will have a slightly better understanding of the bird's basic personality.
5. Parrots require 10-12 hours of sleep nightly on a schedule. Can someone make sure that happens every morning and night at the same time?

**Parrots can be great, but they are very complicated and challenging compared to any other type of pet and even the small parrots (parakeets etc) are as intelligent as many of the larger varieties--- budgies are often cited as some of the most intelligent parrots, despite their "discount" status (compared to some). A dog/cat is WAY more intuitive and much easier to keep healthy...a dog/cat is also WAY less messy, much quieter and a smaller time commitment**

Birds are re-homed more than any other pet, so just keep that in mind.

The best parrot.....the one at someone else's house.

Think about this carefully and from another person's perspective.

Parrots can live A LONG TIME! My mom got her Amazon 16 years ago and it never occurred to her it would out live her. A few years ago she got dementia and my father didn't have the time for it. It was fed...that's it! When I saw three inches of garbage on the bottom of his cage and no feathers on his body I brought him home with me that day.

I didn't want him but I couldn't let him die. Giving him away could put him in an even worse situation. I fix two bowls of food a day before work , I feed him one and the wife feeds him the second in the afternoon. I fill his water and pellet bowl in the morning also. Every weekend I dismantle his cage, scrape and scrub it, make new toys, then give him a bath. Everyday with every trip through the house I stop and give scritches, talk to him, and pick him up (which he hates). Birds require a lot of time and work.

All this for a bird someone else didn't plan ahead for. Since the bird will out live me also is it fair to dump it on my son when I die?

Sorry for my rant but I cringe whenever I read about someone wanting to get a bird. Sure they're a neat pet....for awhile. I know providing for a bird in your will might be a bit much but think ahead.

Just think......where will that bird be in fifty years????