Experienced bird owners: In your opinion, what parrot species is the most cuddly and affectionate?

Question

Sometime in the far future (At least a couple years from now, if not more. I'm not sure when the timing would be, sometime after college likely) I want to get a conure, although I'm open to other species. I would be a beginner bird owner, but because I research things to death and I'm patient with animals I believe I could handle a medium-difficulty bird. And what I think I want most in a bird is one that with love to be handled anywhere, and that will snuggle and cuddle a lot and just sit with you for long periods of time.

So, people who've had lots of different kinds of parrots, in your experience which was cuddliest? :)
~Mynta

Answer 1

A cockatiel is a good starter bird.

My female cockatiel loves to snuggle and cuddle and will sit with me forever.

If I have a snooze on the lounge, she will snooze with me. I have fallen asleep with her sitting on my hand and when I woke up, she was still there. She's beautiful.

Her wings are clipped, though. She is very dependent on us.

Answer 2

Well if you are ready for one a Sun conure is a wonderful bird. Any conure from the Aratinga genus seem to be the most cuddliest of all the conures, though other people may have had a different experience. But really conures are all very lovable, clowns, and seem to love to be held. But not all birds are the same, which I think you know.

Green cheeks are also a good for a beginner bird owner that has done research (which it seems you have).

But I will say that my sun is not really content to just sit on my shoulder, at least not yet. He needs to always be hanging off my shirt, picking through my hair, crawling into my shirt, chewing on my ear, or sitting on my head. Very rarely does he sit nicely on my shoulder, but he will fall asleep on his back in the crook of my neck with my finger held in one foot and his beak.

I would avoid getting a larger more difficult bird such as a cockatoo, macaw, grey etc. till you have more experiance.

Try to either go through a good breeder or a shelter. If you go through a shelter they will be able to tell you what the birds personality seems to be.

Here's a great site that can help you in your search for the right bird, I highly recommend it.

http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/community/index.php

Answer 3

If you never have had a bird do not race into something large and the more cuddly they are the more attention they require.

Go for a cockatiel my wife and I have had these for yrs and they love to sit on your shoulder and the boys are great talkers and love to whistle. When you are more aware of birds and how much attention they do require maybe look look at a small cockatoo like a goffin or a sulphur crested. I say small because for one the larger ones need a huge cage that will set you back 300-1000 dollars and they need almost constant attention like atleast 2-4hrs everyday. Amazons and African Greys they are awesome birds but really if you
have never had a bird then stay away from these until you are more educated raising a bird since these birds will cost you from 1200-2500 dollars and can literally take your finger off if your not careful.

Answer 4

1. They can be wonderful, charming little companions. They can be a lot of work, too. They can be noisy and messy. Like any other pet they get sick sometimes and have to go to the vet. Unlike other pets, it can be hard to find a vet who can help a bird. Not all vets are certified avian (bird) vets--they can be very hard to find. If you spend time with your bird, talk to it, they can be amazing. I had a parakeet who would pull my glasses off and fling them across the room. He sang every morning and most of the day. My cockatiel has been keeping me company while I'm stuck at home with a broken leg. I'd be bored out of my mind without her. 2. Yes, even parakeets will bond with their owner if you put time and effort into training and taming. It's all a matter of doing some research and putting in time. You can have a lonely, bored little bird that sits in a cage in the corner of the room and does nothing or you can have a lively, friendly little companion who adores you and wants to be wherever you are, but getting there takes work and it doesn't happen overnight. 3. I like parakeets and cockatiels. Both are small and not horribly noisy. Parakeets have sweet little voices and if you have a couple, they'll keep up a running chatter most of the day--it's a pleasant sound. Cockatiels can be loud, especially if they're wanting your attention, but they can be really sweet. They bond to their "flock" very closely and they can be quite demanding. What you need to know is that in some ways pet birds are not like any other pet. They are highly intelligent creatures, accustomed to living in large "flocks" and although captive bred birds may have never lived that way, their brains are still wired for it. They need socialization. When you adopt one as a pet, you become their flock. They may bond with you quickly or it may take a while, but what it means is that when you have to be away for a while, a bird will feel abandoned. My cockatiel freaks out a little if I come home too late in the day. I won't leave town unless I have someone she trusts who can take care of her while I'm gone. A normal "pet sitter" won't really work. Birds can die of loneliness or feeling abandoned, so it's really important to have a plan for when you have to leave town. Putting down extra food and water and having a neighbor check on them once a day like you would for a dog or cat isn't really enough for a bird. Not trying to turn you off the idea, just trying to make sure you know. You probably need to do a lot more research before you make up your mind on this. Good luck.

Answer 5

the only birds i can think of are easy starter birds like cockatiel and lovebird, and the Spoiled Diva Bird: the cockatoo. i don't know anything about sun conures though.

cockatiels and lovebirds a little boring. i love my 'tiel but she's not as smart as a cat.
cockatoos have the BEST feathers in teh whole world! i can't even describe them, i can cold a cocatoo for ever! i would so get one if i hadn't messed up my (dad's) african grey already by having a JOB which the grey couldn't stand.
cockatoos are born emotionally unstable tho and they scream worse than the woman in Psycho in the shower. (i don't care about the screaming at all, but my neighbors might). but they are the #1 cuddly bird if you don't mind screaming and temper tantrums. their feathers are just so indescribable! i pet them at the pet store every chance i get.

lovebirds cuddle all the time too, but i would find them too borring tho, i would think.

i don't know anything about sun conures. definitly for you to read up on them.

Answer 6

A caique! They are a medium-difficulty bird, a little larger than a sun conure, and much more clownish. They're very active though, so that may not meet the snuggle requirement. But then, my sun conure only snuggles with me when he's sleepy anyway.

Answer 7

BIrds are like people, they all have their own unique personalities, so it's not really what species, it's how you interact and raise your bird. The more attention and love you give, most likely the more you'll get in return. Some birds do not like certain people just because they don't. Good luck and enjoy.

Answer 8

Cockatoos are the most cuddly, but they are also the most neurotic. If you do not pay enough attention to them they can become serious feather pluckers. Birds are a huge responsibility. Please be sure to really think about it before you aquire one.

Answer 9

Well it was these birds at the petshop I have no idea what kind but they had black beaks & were orange & red.I stuck my had down in the lil pen & they all were trying to climb up my arm, they were cute!

Answer 10

in my opinion...Cockatoos are the best for being cuddlers..they are called velcro birds for that reason...i have a molluccan and a lesser slupher crested and both of them are the biggest cuddlers ive ever seen..so if your budget allows i would recomment a cockatoo...hands down
good luck