Hi -- I am doing much research, as I would like to get a parrot. My criteria:
1.) Relatively quiet 2.) Medium to small 3.) Social 4.) Potential to talk. I am looking at Poicephalus, Pionus, and the small but mighty Pacific or Celestial Parrotlet. Now, in my web searches, I've often found species descriptions like this one:
"In captivity Cape Parrots are often referred to as the "Gentle Giants", they are an extremely intelligent medium sized bird. At least as smart as African Greys, Cape Parrots can learn to talk quite well. They have large powerful beaks capable of cracking any nut but at the same time are rarely known to bite."
Then I go on to a forum, for example, and the real-life experiences seem to be all about harrassed, frantic humans with large bandages on their fingers, begging for help in order to modify their attack parrot's behavior. How am I to reconcile this? I read descriptions of the Jardine's, supposedly the perfect parrot, then other descriptions stating the Jardine's are reputed to be nippy. My friend told me her friend's green-cheek conure is schizophrenic, so loving one minute, then drawing blood the next. I can understand mouthy: I have a german shepherd dog, and they are mouthy. You can find a photo of the original Rin Tin Tin sitting beside his owner, his owner's elbow in his mouth. Pure GSD, and the behavior is easily deflected onto toys, for example.
Should I give up on my dream of a beautiful Jardine's companion? Should I get a Parrotlet, so small that what could he do to anyone?
Thanks, Deborah
