Which bird is best?

Hi! I have been bird-sitting for an umbrella cockatoo for the past three years, her owners are going to be getting her soon. I am thinking of getting a bird of my own but not sure which would be best. I do know however that I do NOT want an umbrella! While she is very sweet and friendly, she is much too loud, messy and always wants to be ON me. Just too demanding for me.

I am looking for a sweet natured, and preferably talking parrot that can be held but also doesn't mind being left to their own devices at times (without screeching and destroying things).

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

Hmmm, probably should go get one of those stuffed parrots, do an audio CD of how it should sound, because that may be the only way you will find a bird that meets your requirements.....

Most parakeets are pretty self-entertaining and are not overly loud.....

Welcome to the forums.....

LOL....that's funny!! No, I have no doubt there is a parrot that would fit with my situation. I simply know I do not want another umbrella due to not having 24 hours out of my day to spend with it. I have had many folks describe these types of birds as "velcro birds".

I also know there are parrots that talk, do tricks, and do not mind just hanging out "with" you without having to be "on" you at all times. I had hoped I could get some suggestions here....apparently not.

Unfortunately all birds are mess and work. If you want something independent, try a poi or a pionus. Friendly, cockatoos. If you want friendly and independent, you're almost out of luck. Your best bet is to do lots of research on breeds, and more importantly on parrots themselves. I recomend Parrots for Dummies. Reading that almost turned me off of birds because of the size of the responsibility; no matter what kind you get, it's like having a toddler for life. It has all the info you need to get started on parrots and maybe the general personality of a species will speak to you. Just please make sure you know everything you'll ever need to know about them before you make a decision. Good luck

Thanks, I will look into those types of birds. I have had birds before, so am not a total amatuar at birds I do know they are messy, and work, but worth it if you have the right one. In the past I had babies from the start, but am thinking of this time around of adopting a bird that needs a new home.

A couple breeds I have considered are greys, amazons or green cheek conure.

Please remember, too, that there is NO guarantee that a parrot WILL talk, regardless of the type it is. Some just don't. Then there are the ones who aren't as known for talking and do....
Just don't have that as a criteria, because many parrots have been given up because their people were disappointed when the bird never did start talking.

I think if you are prepared for the mess, the noise and the time needed to care for a bird then there are several that are less messy, less noisy and less needy than an umbrella. However as stated above ALL birds are noisy and messy! Please make sure that if you get a bird that is known as a great talker however doesn't talk that you are still going to want it. The only way to make sure that a bird talks is to get an older bird that is already speaking and then it may change somewhat with a change in location. I think if you want a bigger parrot then an African grey is a great choice, they have the ability to talk and if you rescue one you will know if it is a "talker". They tend to be independent however still like to be near you. On the smaller side however don't tell them that is the green cheek conure. They are silly little clowns, can be very cuddly and can talk although not all do. My daughter has one and I have fallen in love with the little guy!

I have an African Grey and he is very easy, talks a lot and is not too noisy....he is will be two in August and I have had him since he was 12 weeks old....talks up a storm...very entertaining and he is in his cage most of the time since I have other animals also and don't want any "accidents"...he lives in the same room as we spend most of our time in and goes in a sleep cage at night....good luck with your search...

you may see my suggestion as kind of biased, but have you considered Alexandrines?

I have 3 of them. They are not too noisy (my neighbours only hear them if they (neighbours) are outside, cage is kept by the widow) dont get me wrong they can be loud and shrill if excited. Apart from wood chips and broken toys, if they are fed messy foods in one area are not overly messy.
They have the abikity to talk if they so choose.
They are a smaller sized bird with a big bird attitude.
Are not overly cuddly but are happy to hang out on your shoulder or head preening themslves or you and are quite independent.

tgey are very entertaining little clowns.

Thats just my 2 cents

the only "negative" i find is that they are avud chewers and if not provided with enough things to chew on, or get bored with what they have, may take to redecorating your house.

My daughter will be getting her Hahns Macaw in a month for her sweet 16. We did lots of research. Timneh greys are known to be a bit more interactive then the African greys. Greys have great mimicking abilitities, mimic in actual correct tones too ( no gaurantee they will talk), they enjoy company, but are not typically cuddly and demanding of physical contact, happy to hang out with you and play with their toys, very smart and can get bored easily.
There are some big conures like the Patagonian that have better talking abilities but may want some serious play time with you. Alexandrines can have a cute mimicking voice, you will get out what you put into them,they are known to regress quickly if you do not interact on a regular basis with them. They can get by without your one on one interaction, just don't expect them to be warm and cuddly if you haven't made that a priority in your daily regimen. Read and read some more. I agree with you that you probably don't want a cockatoo if you don't want to have to dote on it morning noon and night, their bonds are very strong with their owners. Every bird varies, also consider life span, size, cage size required, dander related to species......

Out of the birds you listed I'd say a grey is probably what your after. My aunt has one, never heard it screech but he whistles, talks mimics sounds, he's not clingy, just give them plenty of toys.
Amazons have the ability to be loud. But have many great attributes. Good luck with your search.

All birds can be loud, and messy. Yes, toos are know to be more extreme then other parrot species. And yes they are called Velcro birds. Not all parrots will ever talk. Some may even stop talking in a new environment. I am getting a Hahns macaw and will work on the talking with it. If he does talk that will be great. I currently have a green cheek conure. She may never talk but I like her anyways. She can be cuddly (and am hoping the macaw will be that way too) but can also play with her toys, hang upside down on her cage etc. She is not loud to me but other conure species such as sun conures are know to have a high pitch call. Also, bear in mind sometimes people regret that their birds can talk, the bird picks stuff to say that annoys them, or they will not shut up are a broken record. The Hahns macaw will be my first larger parrot. I like conures but if I had a very big parrot maybe a African Grey would be a good choice for me. Africa Greys are good talkers but from what I read they are very smart, sensitive so they need someone that has researched and could take care of them. The reason I am getting a hahns macaw is because my dream bird is a macaw. I love their beauty. Yes, it is cool that a bird can talk but I also like the affection they show, playfulness, and intelligence (one reason I also like conures). However, I might be over my head if I got such a large bird. Birds can be good pets but they are a social pet. They are not like a cat nor do they want a master like a dog does. How tame, etc your bird is will be due to what you put into it daily. It requires patience and your ability to calmly stand your ground without yelling, anger, etc.