BEST Bird?

Question

Me and my boyfriend have been thinking about buying a bird, but we have no idea what kind we'd like. We do want one that will pick up on words and that kinda thing but we dont have alott of space and we cant have one thats TOOO loud, I mean sqwaking (spck) is fine but not something thast will drive my apartment CRAZY. My budget isnt a problem, so which would you guys refer and whats good or bad about them. thanks!

Answer 1

BUDGIES-
There are lots of names for this beautiful little bird from Australia. Its scientific name is Melopsittacus undulatus meaning "song parrot with wavy lines". The Aborigine term for the bird was something close to "budgerigar", their phrase meaning "good to eat". They would eat budgies for snacks. The English explorers who met the aborigines and saw the birds shortened this to "budgies". Since they looked like little parrots, they're also called "parakeets" or "keets" for short. A lot of names for a little bird! Budgies are friendly, easy to train, might learn to talk, and are flock animals. They either need a human around all the time or some parakeet flockmates. They live from 7-15 years if taken care of well and are not breeding. Some have even been known to live to 20 years or more.
COCKATEIL-
The average lifespan of a cockatiel is 12 to 15 years. It is not unusual for a cockatiel to live to 20 years of age and the occasional cockatiel makes it to 30!

To insure your cockatiel has a long and happy life provide:

a clean cage
daily exercise
a healthy diet including fresh fruit and vegetables offered daily
plenty of activity and companionship
Regardless of your cockatiel cage size please remember that in order to remain healthy and happy your cockatiel will require time out of its cage. It needs to exercise , so let your cockatiel out at least once a day - whether it is for a fly around (if its wings are not clipped), a walk around, a sit on your shoulder or simply to sit out on top of its cage.

The minimum time out should be one hour per day, but ideally your cockatiel should be able to come and go as it pleases, within reason, and depending on your home environment.

Do not keep your cockatiel locked up in its cage day in and day out. It must be allowed out each day.
QUAKER-
Size: Around 11"; weight range is 85-150 grams, but the "average" Quaker is about 90-120 grams. Quakers are about the size of a large cockatiel, but have a stockier build.

Life span: Barring accident or disease, a Quaker can be expected to live around 20-30 years.

Quaker legalities: While it seems hard to believe, Quakers are actually illegal in some areas! This is due to a fear that feral Quakers will harm native wildlife or become an agricultural pest. To some, this is a very legitimate fear, as non-native sparrows and starlings have certainly harmed native birds and become nation-wide pests, and Quakers in their native South America eat and damage crops. To others, both these fears are completely unfounded as Quakers are not likely to survive beyond the cities where they have established themselves, because they rely upon humans for food. Regardless, some states have outlawed Quakers, and others require a permit or have certain restrictions. Make sure to read up and research your local laws before beginning your search for a Quaker! There's an online list of state laws concerning Quakers at this page: "Are Quakers Legal in My State?". Some of the states Quakers are illegal in are California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Tennessee, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Various other states have restrictions so stringent so as to basically outlaw them, or require a permit that is impossible to get.

Price: Quakers are relatively inexpensive; expect to pay around $100-$200 from a breeder depending on where you live and whom you buy from. Birds from pet shops average a little higher, from $250-$350.

I really hope this helps on your quest. I give my best wishes to you and your boyfriend and happy hunting.=D

Answer 2

Birds are messy. It doesn't matter if it is the smallest bird out there... they are messy. Your first consideration will be, where you are going to put the cage. In an apartment, you have to be careful about damage. I would cover the wall behind the cage. If your apartment is carpeted, I would also consider covering the floor for a foot out from the cage on all sides. So, with this in mind, decide what the largest cage your apartment can comfortably accommodate. This will have the biggest impact on what kind of bird you can get.

As a rule, the larger the bird, the better the speaking capacity. All parrots have the capacity to vocalize to some degree. (whether they will or not is another matter).

How much time do you want to devote to the bird each day? That is another consideration that will determine what kind of bird will be best suited to you.

Due to living in an apartment, noise is going to be a big consideration. Do NOT get a cockatoo! Conures are also inclined to be excessively loud.

If you want a semi-large bird that can be kept in a reasonable sized cage (so long as you take them out with relative frequency) and with excellent talking skills as well as a pretty good temperment, try an African Grey.

If you are looking for smaller birds that could be kept in a cage on a stand.. you can visit any pet store that carries birds and choose a cage size that is appropriate to your space requirements, then find out which birds are suitable for that environment. Then go on line to a few of the bird sites on the web and determine which species meets the greatest number of your criteria, then do a lot of research on that specific bird.

With all of the niceties out of the way, you can then start looking for a pet store or breeder in your area for that specific bird.

Amazons are a nice sized bird and they are talkers too. There is no guarantee that the bird you pick will be a talker... it will take some work from you. But, in the end, the decision you make will be based upon the pre-requisites of your lifestyle.

Answer 3

you should go with a parakeet, cockatiel, or lovebird. they are very personable and cute. if you want one that is nice and not to loud- a female parakeet would do. they are all different though so if you get one that is biting at you a lot, thats just a personality you have to train to improve. cockatiels will pick up words pretty easilly and they seem to be fairly calm and nice. female birds though will be calmer and less talkative then male birds. if you want a bird to talk, than get a male cockatiel. theyll be your best bet. lovebirds are good but i dont know much about them. they still make good birds. NEVER GET A FINCH! and canaries arent as good as good either.

Answer 4

A cockatiel is a great bird. They can learn to talk. See if you can find a male, they're more vocal. Pay a little more for a hand fed one. It gives you a head start in making friends with him.
They rarely scream. The only ones I've heard of that scream are the ones that are abused.
Good Luck

Answer 5

Quite a few good answers. It really depends on you.

I have 2 Red Sided Eclectus's that are great talkers and very little squawking. Not too large, and not too small. Have great colors and love being on the shoulder.
They do have a pretty picky diet (nutrition wise) over most birds, but I believe they are well worth it. Excellent coloring.

Answer 6

I would say a lovebird, budgie, cockatiel or conure, they aren't as big as the other parrot species.. Try doing some research on birds. Here are some pages if its any help.

Lovebirds:

http://www.prettybirds.net/Lovebirds.htm

http://www.aviannetwork.com/lovebirds/

http://lovebird.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/page2.html

Budgies:

http://www.boaf.com/article_2.htm

http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa081399.htm

Cockatiels:

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/cockatiels.htm

http://www.pet-cockatiel.com/cockatiel_best_petbird.html

Conures:

http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/1492/conures.html

http://www.concentric.net/~conure/conures.shtml

http://www.crittersonthings.com/conures.htm

Answer 7

cockatiels they are very smart and they learn different whistlings sound if you teach them parakeets on the other hands they make loud noises constantly but they are cheaper on price like 14 dlls and cockatiels about 60 dlls and they dont make much noise only if you want them to and whistle with them and if you stop they usually stop with you bye

Answer 8

if your budget is not a problem i would say an african grey parrot they are very talkative .sometimes funny too. they are usually a quiet bird except when they play wiyh their toys sometimes.they are great companions also.

Answer 9

I'd love a cockteil. A white bossy one.

Answer 10

parakeets..... i have 2...they r good birds.