What type of parrot makes the best pet?

Answer 1

I have macaws, a Military Macaw (all green wings, red band across top of beak, blue back and red, blue and yellow tail feathers) and a Greenwing Macaw (all red body, blue and green bands on their wings).

They are AWESOME. I couldn't possibly tell you all the things about them that make them the best friends in the world to me. To me, they are much more than pets. I consider them 5 year old children with can opener's attached to their faces. LOL

They talk, they sing, they crack jokes, they goof, they're like having live in comedians right here in my livingroom.

They're challenging. My philosophy is that you never just "keep" a bird. Every day they challenge you to earn their trust, and be worthy of their affection. And every day, you're expected to challenge them just the same.

Good luck...a life for me without my birds, I don't think is a life worth living.

Answer 2

The question should be : "What kind of people make the best parrot owners?" Parrots are definitely not your average domesticated pets. It takes a certain special someone to be a good pet owner and they are a rare breed. Some parrots will require a specific type of owner due to certain special characteristics like having an extremely loud voice (eg the cockatoos, macaws and amazons) or being cleverer than some (most?) of the people you've met. Do you research.. Do lots of it.

Answer 3

This question is hard to answer due to the fact that parrots come in so many different sizes.
Small: Quaker
medium: goffin cockatoo, yellow nape amazon, African Grey Timneh, African Grey congo, African Grey cameroon, etc.
Large: Blue and Gold Macaws,All other macaws.
Their lifespans are between 15 to 80 years or more.
I own goffin cockatoo, yellow nape amazon, Quaker, African grey timneh,.....They all have very long life span,....Some up to 70 years or so. They require alot of attention but are lovely pets. They require alot of patients and understanding. All of them talk well and two that are learning are doing great at it. Not all parrots will talk. It is a gamble you have to be willing to take. Don't ever purchase a bird and think it will talk. Takes alot of time teaching some breeds to talk,...while others learn easily and on their own.
African Grey are the best talkers. They have intelligence level of 5 or 6 year old. Escape artist. should work in construction jobs. LOL
Goffin Cockatoo talks good. Escape artist. Has intelligence of a 2 or 3 year old. Also would do great in construction jobs. LOL
Quaker parrot talks good. A clown. escape artist. :)
Yellow nape amazon are great talkers. Has intelligence level of a 4 year old.

Answer 4

wow what a question! Here's the deal. Choosing a bird is very personal to your personality. Personally I find lovebirds pretty boring. I love cockatoos but they can be pretty needy and it's cruel to leave them alone too much for too long. They can also be pretty loud. African Grays can be mean and like to bond with one person. Not good if you have a family or kids. Conures are noisy and in my experience not very smart. .. and they are also loud! Cockatiels are very sweet and take up less room but won't live as long as the larger birds. Mexican Parrots are a small/medium parrot and will talk but not as quick as some of the larger birds. Amazon parrots are larger/medium birds and are loving birds, beautiful plumage and can be good talkers. But that's just me and you're not me. I've been around a lot of birds and know you have to do a little research on your own to find who suits you best.

Answer 5

it depends what kind of thing you are looking for. different people prefer different kinds of birds.
the cheapest kind is probably a cockatiel, budgie, lovebird or a parakeet. these birds are fun and playful and will do everything a bigger parrot will do, except talk. they are expected to live about 15 years.
other parrots that live longer are ones like the african grey parrot. it lives for a really long time and becomes very attached so you need to be sure you want one.. =)
amazon parrots (25-50 years) and ringneck parrots (20 years) the same thing goes for them. they will make a very good pet but can be hard to train, expensive, and live a long time. they are lots of fun but you need to be very sure about it.
i hope i helped.

Answer 6

IT DEPENDS....
1. how much $$ to spare?
2. How much time to spare?
3. How much space in your home to spare?
4. How many kids under 10 do you have? (kids make parrots nervous) will they have access to it?
5. How often do you go on vacation?
6. How much do you know about parrots?
7. Are you willing to invest the next 20 to 100 years of your life caring for this bird or providing for it after you pass away?
8. Do you live in an apartment or a home? it matters!
9. Do you have problems with depression/bi polar disorder?
birds are sensitive and WILL mimic your moods, making them much worse for you and the bird.
10. Are you willing to meet the birds needs: vet bills, cage requirements, nutritional needs like fresh veggies daily?, entertainment needs like toys, music when you're working and out of the cage time with you?

MOST IMPORTANT....DO YOU SMOKE???
IF SO...GET A DOG OR CAT OR ANYTHING BUT A BIRD! PLEASE?

Answer 7

I think U should go with a small hooked bill parrot, unless if U want a large hooked bill parrot 2 bite off UR fingers. So get a small one because their bites are not that painful.

Answer 8

African Grey - they're very smart and loving. I will caution you, however, parrots live a very long time - if you get one it's a life long commitment, the bird will probably outlive you.

Answer 9

Alot of great answers here already.. you might try joining this group they helped me out alot and have a parrot placement page...smile:

http://groups.msn.com/BirdBrainz

Answer 10

A stuffed one