Affectionate and bonding birds

[smallonion]

Hi everyone, in all your opinions, what is the type of parrot (besides Cockatoos) who you consider the most affectionate and/or most able o bond deeply with their human companion?
Just wondering for the distant future...thinking about what I might look into.

Michele and Humph

[The Outlaw]

Unfortunately, those that seem to bond the strongest seem to be the ones that are most likely to self destruct. They need us more than we can provide. I think that the Ekkies and greys are amazing, but then you likely have to deal with plucking somewhere down the road. Far too many, like the toos, wind up naked no matter what their loving owners do.

You know I'm gonna recommend a BG macaw. They aren't for everyone, but mine are like toos in that they love to be petted and smooched on. In fact, I have yet to see a too that was more tactile than my Margarita. If you're frightened of the big birds then may I suggest a little Quaker. They are so much fun and mine at least loves to cuddle. He's a great little talker and even when he decides to nip, its quite tolerable. And, he's far less destructive than any other parrot I have here. Frankly, he cracks me up. He laughs loudly all the time for no apparent reason and hasn't a clue he's the smallest guy here. He really is very special to me.

THE OUTLAW

[Monica]

Since Outlaw said a couple I thought of, I shall add the little clownish caiques that should always keep one laughing! The other bird I'd say would be a fully handraised quaker, though any bird handraised from day one are usually sweeter than birds that may be raised by humans at a later stage, however it all depends on the bird(s), and the person raising them. You could look into some of the smaller cockatoos which usually don't seem to have as many problems or as loud as the larger of their relatives, just thought I'd mention the smaller cockatoos as most people think of the larger 'toos when talking about them in general...

[LMPego]

I'm partial to Poicephalus. I love my Sennie and we are thinking of adding another Poi some time in the future. Cory is a cuddle bunny, but will play by herself in her cage if I am busy. She is a "one person bird", but not to the extreme. If we're both at home, then she only really wants to be with me, but if I'm at work, then she's perfectly fine with her daddy.

Michele -
Have you tried any of the games with Humph that were discussed last week?