Bonjour, à tous!
I'm looking into potentially getting myself a parrot some time in the coming year and was looking for some recommendations.
I'd really like to have a very affectionate and cuddly bird that is not too big, but not too small.
Noise doesn't bother me too much so long as it's not constant and ear-damaging. I would prefer if the mess was kept to a minimum (though I'm aware every new pet brings some sort of mess into the house with it).
I was looking primarily at Cockatiels, Green Cheeks, and Quakers.
Any advice from personal experience with these birds is appreciated!
One thing to consider, if it is not already on your radar, is to buy a parrot from a breeder that hand rears them. This means the chicks are removed from the nest box very soon after they hatch and hand fed formula with a syringe by HUMAN'S for the rest of their early development, until they are weened. This causes them to be imprinted strongly on humans. If you want a bird that really likes humans this is absolutely the way to go. Depending on the species, and even the specific bird, the results can be night and day from a fully parrot-reared bird. The argument also goes that it is better for the birds too since they tend to feel more happy and fulfilled in their relationships with humans. My hand-fed grey was always super affectionate his whole life.
Caveat #1: be sure you understand what amounts to affection for a bird as opposed to what you personally want. It even can vary, as implied both by your question and the answers above, by species. You can see, for example, parrots that don't mind being flipped on their backs and having their abdomens rubbed, et cetera. This is NOT standard behavior - most birds do not like that when they are older. Both of mine liked to do this, as well as wrestle around almost like a kitten at the very beginning. But when they got older this switched off. Parrots offer their head to each other to preen/scratch - this is a sign your parrot is affectionate. They typically don't like attention to their backs and wings, et cetera. Once you learn their body language there are ample and constant signs when a parrot loves you, or just really trusts you, if you have eyes to see. There are also ample ways to express yours in a way that is parsed by the bird. But if you want this affection to be in a form similar to a dog's for example - domesticated for (at least) thousands of years to learn how to ape and appeal directly to human modes of affection - then there is a good chance you will not get that type of expression. Violating a parrot's hardwired rules for "bird affection", or otherwise insisting on doing so despite signs that the bird is not in on the game, can even cause a long term decrease in their affection. Long story short - lean the language, and come to them. Don't insist on them them always coming %100 to what you want, or think of as, "affection". But in their own language they can be super affectionate!
Caveat #2: as implied in a few of the responses above ultimately most of the affection is a response to hard and continuing work on YOUR part. Make sure you understand what this means. Lots of daily interaction for the life of the bird, which in many case might be YOUR whole life as well. Make sure you understand before you start what makes a BIRD happy. Even ones that are hand fed as chicks, I firmly believe, are happiest with a bird companion as well. Otherwise, any time you are not actively interaction with you bird he is a social animal alone! Birds that are hardcore isolated from other birds, and for years strongly imprint ONLY on one human may be affectionate, but also can develop antisocial behaviors towards other people. There is a valid philosophical debate in such cases as to whether the bird is "happy", or just "desperate". If it is feasible consider having a second bird as a friend. One strategy is to socialize your bird to yourself strongly just after weening, and then add another bird a year later. That way you might get both the most affectionate AND happy birds - best of both worlds.
The above said, even with the best efforts, each bird is different. Some may give you everything you imagined and more. Other's may be more reticent by nature. A very big problem is parrots that are abandoned because they did not provide what their original owners wanted. These birds get stuck in many cases without real human OR bird companions. If they are lucky they get adopted, but often even then there are permanent scars. Something to keep in mind! Be realistic and flexible from the start. Its a huge responsibility, especially if you choose a species that might outlive you.
I hope the above helps a tiny bit.
