Still thinking of a new bird

Hey everone, I have a few questions. Well, I'm thinking of getting a new bird again. I'm just asking for some opinions on which bird to get, please. I do have some requirements for the bird's personality and upkeep:

1. A bird who needs little interaction to be stimulated, I want to be able to leave it alone while I'm busy for awhile.

2. (not nessarily a requirement ) A bird thats possibly a little more 'fun' than a finch (prettier, possibly more colorful, a little more social). PLEASE NOTE: it doesn't have to be a parrot, I'm trying to further broaden my selection.

3. A bird who isn't going to empty my wallet! I can afford 10-$150, but $200 is kind of pushing it. (I'm open to your opinions though, if you think that the $200 bird is perfect for me)

4. A rather small bird, something that can fit in one of those small decorative-looking cages.

5. Noise factor. I can handle loud singing, as long as it's pretty. I'd also like to have a quiet moment in the day. I just don't want to hear screeching or screaming, I get a good amount of that with the birds I have.

6. I'm somewhat okay if they have to be bought in pairs. I'd rather not deal with them having babies, I'll be forced to sell most of the babies if I can't care for them.

Thank you for reading! Please, share your opinions.

Everyone, sorry to be so picky. I just want to make it a pleasure to own this bird or as long as it lives. If you think I'm being too strict, let me know.

Sounds like a parakeet or parolette.

Thank you for the response! Don't the parrotlets and parakeets require a lot of attention? (for the amount of time I plan on spending?)

And by the way, there are (still) more details I haven't stated yet.

The energy factor. I don't really mind if the bird is hopping around, or if he just decides to sit on his swing and look cute. (I'm saying 'he' because I don't like calling a bird an 'it'.)

Diet factor. I don't mind feeding him fruits and veggies every day, but I would like it if that wasn't 100% of his dietary needs; that could get expensive!

And remember...

PLEASE NOTE: it doesn't have to be a parrot, I'm trying to further broaden my selection.

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Get a hamster.

There are many interesting color mutations of both budgies and canaries.

Canaries might be a great fit for those criteria.

Thank you, I totally forgot canaries. They certainly fit it well, might consider that.

Get a hamster.

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Haha, very funny Ecclipse... (sarcasm)

Nope, sorry. Not a fan of rodents really.

Sorry, couldnt help myself!!!! Pity your not interested in rodents, I didnt really fancy them either but my hamster was a great pal, she used to do tricks for food and came when I called her...real legend! Canary sounds like a great option, not sure but I think that one of the sexes doesnt sing...not sure if it is the male or female, could be wrong though. I asked a breeder once about keeping more than one bird and he said that if you wanted them to interact they would have to be more or less the same size so that the lil one wouldnt get bullied. If your looking for another companion for your tiels you might want to choose a bird that is bigger but if they would be seperate and couldnt get near eachother then it wouldnt matter how small the new bird would be - on the other hand I have a seen pics of pet parrots of different sizes living together so I guess it just depends on parrots' charactors. Happy hunting!

Thank you for the response!

Wow, a hamster that does tricks? That's really neat, I've never heard of that. How blessed you are to have seen such a thing.

I was thinking of keeping them separate, but I didn't even think of putting another bird in with them. I will look into that! I don't really know how aggressive cockatiels are to other species, but my boys already fight with each other as it is.

Becky used to stand up on her back legs, lie on her back, spin around and push her ping pong ball. She would do anything for a treat...

That's really cool, Ecclipse!

Hey, I found a bird I really like. It's called the Princess of Wales Parakeet (or just princess parrot). Is there anythin that would scare me away from this species?

From what I know, they're pretty quiet. And they aren't terribly demanding.

get a budgie they are small and if you 1-3 it dosen't take much to look after

Thank you for the suggestion, I have certainly taken budgies into consideration. My only problem with them is that they are very noisy (from my past experience with them). I'm not sure if the budgie is quite what I'm looking for, I'm always open for more opinions though.

I went to a petshop the other day and there was a tiny parrot there - it was the size of a canary but looked like a parrot. Maybe it is a parrolet and has already been mentioned but it was the cutest thing I have ever seen. The owner said it was the smallest species in the parrot world...easy to handle, quiet and a lovely pet. He could fit it in the palm of his hand it was so small. I can phone him if you want and ask him what its called.

well if your not into budgies get an carnairy they are small and cheap and don't take much to look after

If you want something like a budgie but not too noisy, get a female. My females are never noisy while the males are always at it. I do like the look of a parrotlet, too. Ezza, have you ever had a canary? I had a female budgie that had cuddles every night and never escaped the cage even though I left the door wide open. I bought her off a horrible breeder who told me to add them straight to my exsisting flock. Only one budgie survived, as the female was carrying a disease and passed it on.

I have a friend with a guinea pig who plays with her cat. They're so cute and make sweet noises.

Now, my bird bias is going to show...Max, my Alexandrine, is a very independent little bird. He's small, but his long tail requires a medium sized cage, but his is a lovely decorative one. He isn't noisy at all unless he wants to be with us...and being with us means in his line of sight, not necessarily on any one. Granted, Max doesn't fly so that may change his personality when he can (he's gotten a new flight feather!). He also makes sweet little whistles and chirps when he's happy. His diet is mostly pellet with some veggies, sprouts and fruit to give him variety.

Awwww, I thought Alexandrines were quite big, or is that just me being a budgie fan?

Parrotqueen, you said to say if any of us thought you were being too picky and I think your trying too hard to get the perfect parrot - you might take someone's advice and get a certain bird/parrot because their general characteristics are what you want but their own charactor might not be exactly what you had in mind. You might get a canary who screeches, a budgy who is very quiet and not active etc. Wanting to get a parrot to suit your needs is what every owner should do before acquiring a bird but every bird mentioned by the people on the forum is met with an excuse. If your very busy and dont have enough to time to get a high maintenance pet (birds are demanding as Im sure you know) to add to your family rather just spend the time you have with the tiels you have. Please dont think Im saying this to be nasty, I just cant see how you are going to be happy with any species unless you choose the bird solely for its size/noise/colour etc. Any bird needs attention and you will never know how much until you get to know the bird and I dont think that it would be fair to get a bird on the basis that it wouldnt need as much training and attention as other species. Your a wonderful gaurdian to your tiels and any bird that you get would be loved and cared for, no bird is perfect and will meet all your requirements.

Ratzy said:

Awwww, I thought Alexandrines were quite big, or is that just me being a budgie fan?

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Well, he's bigger than a budgie, but I think he's little because our RFM is just a juvenile and she's already 450 gm

Adults average about 250 gm. Max is 200 gm and about 8 in from the base of his tail to his head. His tail alone is about 10 in. That's why they need bigger cages. He's molting now and has lost his 2 longest tail feathers so he's a little embarassed about his stubby tail.