Helping to choose my first bird in a few years.

I have grown up with cockatiels and absolutely love them, my grandmother had two. When they considered me old enough (5 probably too young, but he was a very patient, loving, and playful birb) they gave me my first cockatiel and we were the best of friends, but my apartment didn't allow birds when I moved to college and sadly he passed peacefully of old age before I graduated and moved into the house I am currently in. At my job, I have gained some experience from my work with larger birds, but I prefer the smaller sized birds like the cockatiels. I would absolutely love another cockatiel, but I was looking into different birds like sun conures and other conures. I know how to take care of a bird, but I have never really looked into different breeds. I want a funny, playful, and loving little clown. I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on what breeds to start looking at and how their average temperament is. I will basically be spending from the time I get home till I go to bed at night and a little in the morning before work, as well as my fiance he goes to work 2hrs earlier than me and gets home 2hrs before me and we both work day time/1st shift type jobs. I will also do lots a research on the birds I get recommended so I can make sure 100% he/she would be a perfect addition to our home.

Hello & Welcome!
You have come to the right place for sure.

“funny, playful, and loving little clown“

Look into Caiques

Conures really are funny little clowns. If you want something a little more unusual, and have the budget, you could consider a smaller toucans/toucanets - I’ve heard these can be pretty wild little energy balls.

A little more traditional and still very fun would be a mini macaw: Hahn’s, noble, yellow collared, to name a few.

note that toucans / toucanettes aren't actually parrots and require highly different maintenance and a lot more space

Have you considered a Caique.

The videos I have seen sure make them look playful.

I would love to have one but would not be able to give it enough one on one time

I agree with the above. I have an Alexandrine, which I don't think would meet your requirements, but I have fallen in love with caiques. I think they need A LOT of stimulation, but they definitely fit the "funny, playful, funny little clown" profile!

Caiques are wonderfull parrots indeed- very popular atm, but they are also described as ADHD-birds.

They appearantly cannot play/ concentrate on *anything* longer than 2 minutes tops and they also get sold on/rehomed because they turn from playfull to agressive "out of the blue" and have the habit of actively chasing down humans when they do and *really* bite.
(Not just the chomping down motion, but also hanging on and grinding)


No personal experience- just the things I've read about them (I adore their plumage and energy, so I've been thinking about getting one or two of these birds - but the greys got here first...)

They also get bought a lot by the same type of people who buy a macaw "because it looks c00l and is a statussymbol" and not because they want to be parronts/ birdkeepers per se.
(sorry- not political, but you know what I mean )
That just might influence the things I've read and heard about them a bit ...

I was trying to decide between a Caique and a Green Cheek. After researching, I decided on the GCC.
I homed a 3 month old Pineapple and couldn't be more pleased. He is now 7 months old and a real clown. He is highly energetic and a real acrobat. He has no fears at all and loves being handled. He eats almost everything I give him. He is not loud at all but can be a bit noisy when he plays with his bells.

The only "problem" I have is that he wants to be with me 24/7. Although he plays with his toys in his cage, he refuses to interact with his playground.

I have no experience with Caiques but came verrrry close to getting one.

Well I have a GCC, 2 sun conures and a cockatiel (I prefer smaller birds as well lol). My conures have way more “play mode” than my cockatiel. If noise is a concern, suns are loud - but they are also really snuggly, funny, playful and interactive. My GCC is quieter in volume - but plays like a madman, is a monkey, likes people and loves to fly. My cockatiel is the quietest in my crew, likes to be on people and is far less enthusiastic about toys and games. I have to say that I love conure personalities - but sometimes I just want to sit with my cockatiel who wants her head scritched .

I definitely think that a GCC would be best, but a caique would fit your needs if you can handle the painful bites. Maybe even consider another tiel.

Thank you for all the suggestions I looked into Caiques and idk if they would be the best fit with us with the biting (we have a young niece over some). I went to my local pet store (not a big chain just small local to me) for some fish supplies and came across a turquoise green check that was a rescue up for adoption and I remember they were suggested to me as well. Did a lot of research and have visited this little guy a few times now and we have the adoption process started hopefully within the week little Zazu will be home.

So you want a little "clown"? Yes, a Green Cheek Conure would fit the bill...HOWEVER....

Have you considered a Quaker Parrot?

I have both a Green Cheek and a blue Quaker, and my Quaker is definitely, without a doubt the comedian/clown of the family...And they are also amazing talkers, and mine is also a snuggler/cuddler...