Cockatiel or Quaker?

[KalaMairi]

i wont be able to get the bird until the early summer, but i need to know where to start looking for breeders. I'm having trouble choosing between a Cockatiel and a Quaker. I'm deciding based on how friendly and cuddly the bird is, but i also have to keep in mind that my brother (who doesn't live with me and my mom, but visits at least once a week) has mild allergies to birds, so i need one that wont be too much clean up before he comes over. I want a companion that not to nippy, friendly and loving/cuddly, and i would prefer if it could talk or mimic well, but that inst a large factor i would trade a more loving bird with a super talkative bird any day haha. this is also my first bird, so any tips and advice would be much welcomed!

 

[SilverSage]

You really need to go spend time with each species. They are very very different from each other. Just go find ADULT birds in each species to spend a lot of time with. Get bitten by each, listen to them scream their loudest, listen to their normal noises, see the mess, etc.

 

[Aquila]

Well cockatiels can be dusty, though it's fairly mild and can be managed with bathing and proper cage cleaning, and possibly an air purifier as well.

Like SilverSage said, interacting with adults is important and should you look for breeders, contact them and let them know your situation. Most are very understanding and are willing to help you. This being said, you don't want someone strictly trying to make a sale as the birds might not always be the healthiest, so don't be afraid to back off if they seem pushy about getting a bird from them.

I would say look at green cheek conures as well, they can be sweet and cuddly too! Even budgies! There's lots of species to choose from and you might find a bird that you fall in love with!

 

[wrench13]

A nice first bird , i would re commend a canary wing parrot. A member of the amazons, they are about the size of cockatiels. Also known as beebee parrots, they are lil birds with big hearts. My Max was a mushball, said a few words and did all sorts of whistles, like the star wars theme, 1812 overture, allsorts of tunes. No dust, and smll enough to not really hurt even if it should bite. Might be hard to find in local bird shops, but there are breeders online. G/L.

 

[jiannotto9492]

If you want one that can talk and not be so dusty out of the two go with a Quaker. Ultimately the loving and cuddliness is something you need to work on with the bird. You need to build trust by bonding with your bird. But do take it from someone with allergies a cockatiel might be a bad choice. I've had both birds in the past and as sweet as my cockatiels were they did bother my allergies.