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Our Quaker, SKittles, says several things and is always mumbling something under her breath. She's about 2 now I think - I have trouble keeping them all straight!) and still says new things regularly. She's very cage aggressive - we work around that by removing her from her cage before cleaning, using a hand held perch to remove her from her cage or let her come out on her own, etc. Once out she's usually very sweet, likes her scritches and kisses and to hang out with my daughter. She loves to beat up her toys - especially if we're near her cage! She calls the cat to bed every night in my daughter's voice and laughs at appropriate times. She can be a little on the loud side when she wants to be - but it's not a daily thing and usually from boredom or jealousy. (she's not fond of seeing my daughter pay attention to the other birds - though she'll tell the birds they are a "good boy/girl" then bite my daughter! LOL)
Conures - I don't know if many of the conures are known to be good talkers - but maybe the Aratinga conures are better talkers than the Pyrrhuras? Our 2 conures are from the Pyrrhura family (the quiet conures) and though they both say a few words - it's not near as clear as our Quaker's speech. Both of the conures are sweet, playful, cuddly and just fun to watch. I don't find them to be as moody as Skittles. They can have moments where they are nippy - but we don't really have a problem with it. Maybe more of a few pinches here or there - but nothing on a reg. basis. The main draw backs to the Aratinga conures would be the pitch/loudness of their voices when they start calling and whether or not it would bother you.
Honestly - I don't think you can go wrong with a conure or a quaker! Of course you have to realize that even though some species can talk well - it doesn't mean every bird will. So if your heart is set on 1 that talks - best to go with an older bird already talking or one that tries to start mumbling a word or 2 by the time it's weaned. (not sure how common the latter is) If you're not sure which bird to go with - go meet as many as possible till you find one that picks you!
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Stephanie
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