Suitble Parrot Suggestions?

Hello

I am in the process of trying to decide what species to next add to my flock.
I had my heart set on a male Eclectus after meeting the sweetest guy, but someone didn't think it was the best for our home dynamic.

Here is what i'm looking for:

*1 - Doesn't bond with just one person
*2 - Sweet & gentle personality
3 - Likes to cuddle (don't need full on mauling, but i want to be able to pet, scratch & 'hug' it)
4 - Good with a lot of people (can deal with loud, energetic music students coming in & going all night, will let strangers hold & pet him without getting freaked out or nippy. (a bird prone to phobias or nervousness like a Grey is not a suitable match for that environment!)
5 - Isn't too dependent on us (like a clingy cockatoo)
6 - Good vocalization would be a very happy bonus
7 - Likes to play, but happily independent when my sitting with my husband while he works on his computer or teaches a student. (won't get upset it it's not the center of attention).


We love that out Quaker is very hands on rough & tumble when it comes to playing, but he's attached himself to me (supposed to be my hubby's bird) & he has SO much attitude! My Linnis is sweet & loves cuddles, but still attached only to me & has a nervous breakdown if she leaves my office for more than 3 minutes.

I would love to hear everyone's suggestion & why they think it's the right fit

Thank you!

*1 - Doesn't bond with just one person

THAT IS A FUNCTION OF HOW WELL THE BIRD IS SOCIALIZED. BUT ON IT'S FACE, YOU SEEM TO BE ELIMINATING ALL THE PAIR BOND SPECIES...

MOST BIRDS WILL PICK A FAVORITE PERSON. EVEN FLOCK BIRDS. DOESN'T MEAN THEY WON'T GO TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS HAVE A FAVORITE PERSON THEY PREFER. IT'S JUST THEIR WAY...

*2 - Sweet & gentle personality

AGAIN, DEPENDS ON HOW WELL THE BIRD IS SOCIALIZED. THEY DON'T COME THAT WAY WITHOUT BEING HANDLED. THEY DON'T STAY THAT WAY WITHOUT BEING HANDLED.

3 - Likes to cuddle (don't need full on mauling, but i want to be able to pet, scratch & 'hug' it)

THIS IS VERY MUCH A DEPENDS ON THE BIRD SITUATION.

4 - Good with a lot of people (can deal with loud, energetic music students coming in & going all night, will let strangers hold & pet him without getting freaked out or nippy. (a bird prone to phobias or nervousness like a Grey is not a suitable match for that environment!)

AGAIN, THAT IS PRIMARILY A PRODUCT OF SOCIALIZATION...

5 - Isn't too dependent on us (like a clingy cockatoo)

SINCE CAGS ARE OUT, THAT WOULD SEEM TO ELIMINATE ALL OR MOST OF THE FLOCK BIRDS. (WE'VE ALREADY ELIMINATED ALL THE PAIR BOND BIRDS. WHAT'S LEFT?!)

6 - Good vocalization would be a very happy bonus

7 - Likes to play, but happily independent when my sitting with my husband while he works on his computer or teaches a student. (won't get upset it it's not the center of attention).

YOU ARE BASICALLY DESCRIBING MY PANAMA AMAZON...

AMAZONS, HOWEVER, ARE PAIR BOND BIRDS, AND HAVE TO BE SOCIALIZED PROPERLY IN ORDER TO ACCEPT MORE THAN ONE PERSON HANDLING THEM.

IF ALLOWED TO OVERBOND... THEY WILL!

SO THAT'S A TRAINING ISSUE...

If you don't mind a potentially louder bird, have you looked into sun conures? Also, do you have any parrot rescues in your area? Even with same species personalities can be very very different. If you could meet a few birds and get to know them a little you may find the perfect match, regardless of species.

Mark, you took the words right out of my mouth. The very first bird that came to my mind was a young hen Panama Amazon

She will need to be socialized from a young age - consistently. Panamas can make exceptional family companions!

Kiwi pretty much charms everyone she meets... BUT she was raised correctly from the get go... EVERYONE LOVES THAT BIRD!

I think an Orange Winged Amazon or a Red Lored Amazon could fit the bill, too. (females!!)

JerseyWendy said:

I think an Orange Winged Amazon or a Red Lored Amazon could fit the bill, too. (females!!)

Click to expand...

Lilac Crowned Amazon is another one.
Mealy Amazon is another one.

But if you want a talker, your best bet would be the Panama for both disposition and vocal abilities.

Amazons intimidate me. The only experience i've had is with Amazons that can't be trusted.
So not the male Eclectus? I thought that their eagerness to bond with a whole family & their gentle personality was the best suited.

I really don't think that my husband would be able to teach music very well over the volume of an Amazon.

The parrot rescue around here only has cockatoos.

If you are contemplating an Eclectus, please have a look here. The thread contains a good amount of helpful links regarding Eclectus, too.
http://www.parrotforums.com/eclectus/59639-wanting-eclectus-questions.html#post545819

FYI, Ekkis 'can' be quite loud.

Yellow shoulder amazon. Smart, good talkers but yet a quiet bird. Small too like 300 grams maybe 9 inch. My SALTY socialized easily. But he is not a snuggly bird, but thats an individual thing.

If you are intimidated by an Amazon, why not look at a close relative, the more sedate Pionus? They are about the size of the very smallest Amazons, so a medium sized bird.

They are exceptionally independent birds, love to play, are quiet (which is ideal if you have students coming over), and a well socialized female will usually have a pretty even and trustworthy temperament. Another plus, Pionus are typically not super active (meaning not hyper), therefore, Raven can be trusted to stay in a general area, and not roam or get "into things" or start trouble the way some birds are inclined to. They're often said to be 'calm'. Like the Amazons, they have deliberate body language which shows their moods, and males 'can' be temperamental. I think Pionus are the 'easiest' parrots. Easier in many ways than many birds smaller than them.