Which bird do you think might be suited for my lifestyle?

[Mirokiki]

:] Yay, my first post here on Bird Board! ^_^

I've been wanting a bird for a long time, and after the last offer fell through, I'm more determined then ever. I'll list some qualities that I would want here;

1. I want it to be able to talk. And I want it to take some time to teach it to talk, not like a TAG where it learns really quickly, but like a cockatiel, where it takes a little longer.
2. I want it to be moderately quiet. Not to where it never makes noise, but not where it squaks constantly.
3. Not huge, but not tiny. AKA, not a macaw, but not a parrotlet.
4. Price range wise, not over $200, or a pair - $300?
5. Easy-ish to breed, kind of like a finch. Mom wants to breed. -pokes her-
6. I want it to be a companion, not something to look at.

So feel free to suggest anything that might fit that small-ish list. I'll do research on all suggestions. :)

[Isaac-1]

I don't have any specific suggestions, but do have a couple of points of comment. First it seems talking is very important to you, if this is the case look for a bird that is old enough that it is already starting to talk, as even some birds like African Greys that are known as great talkers will have some individiuals that don't talk at all. Secondly consider adopting, or rehoming an older bird, while not a great way to save money, it certainly can help stretch your budget.

Ike

[Mirokiki]

:) I'm going to be looking at rescues and Classified ads before I go to breeders or pet stores. Age is a big thing for me, because, even though I have owned birds before, I'm a first-time parrot owner. I don't want a baby.

Talking isn't my main concern. I've owned budgies before. Maxi was my first fid, and she was my baby. She couldn't talk at all, but she still gave kisses and sang when I talked to her. She was my companion for 6 years before she died of old-age. (we got her when she was 3.) I know they can talk with a lot of persuasion, and I'd certainly get them again given the chance.

[Monica]

1. I want it to be able to talk. And I want it to take some time to teach it to talk, not like a TAG where it learns really quickly, but like a cockatiel, where it takes a little longer.
If you want a talking bird, get one that already talks... but even then there is no guarantee that it'll continue to talk once in your home... just a better chance of a talking parrot than if you get one that doesn't talk at all...

2. I want it to be moderately quiet. Not to where it never makes noise, but not where it squaks constantly.
There are people who can stand a budgie but would not be able to stand a macaw scream... likewise, someone who owns a macaw may not be able to stand a budgies noise...

3. Not huge, but not tiny. AKA, not a macaw, but not a parrotlet.
Medium? Conures? Pionus? Quakers? Caiques? Poicephalus? Pois and pionus are said to be quiet but I have heard a rather LOUD sennie... leaves ya ears ringing... quakers usually are not that bad, conures usually depends on species, caiques... I've heard both noisy and quiet....

4. Price range wise, not over $200, or a pair - $300?
Would that be for the bird alone or for all of it's supplies? i.e. a cage, perches, toys, dishes, food, etc (usually, the supplies will put you out more for the money than the bird itself)

5. Easy-ish to breed, kind of like a finch. Mom wants to breed. -pokes her-
The smaller species tend to be easier to breed... budgies, cockatiels, maybe lovebirds... of course, if your going to breed you'll need all the necessary handfeeding supplies, and be prepared to be awake every 30-90 minutes if the need arises to handfeed a chick... and I'm talking around the clock! why does your mother want the bird to reproduce?

6. I want it to be a companion, not something to look at.
A breeder bird is more for "looks" than companionship. On the majority, you cannot have a pet AND a breeder at the same time... as a breeder will be protective of it's mate, nest, and offspring. That's not to say that it's not impossible to have a pet when the bird is NOT breeding...

I'm going to be looking at rescues and Classified ads before I go to breeders or pet stores. Age is a big thing for me, because, even though I have owned birds before, I'm a first-time parrot owner. I don't want a baby.
I'm a little confused by this, as you mention that you've had budgies before, yet never owned a parrot? Budgies are parrots.... (well, you say it like you've never owned a parrot before)

Your right though, they (budgies) can talk! 9 is a decent age but not quite old age. It's easier to teach a male to talk than it is a female... therefore, best to get a young male if you want a talker... but truth be honest, don't let a birds talking ability determine whether or not you want it... as you could possibly be setting your self up for disappointment.... besides, talking is like the icing off the cake! You buy the cake, not the icing!

[Mirokiki]

For some reason, I didn't think Budgies were parrots. Lol. I must be a little tired this morning.

To be honest, I'm trying as hard as I can to get a single bird, because I know breeding birds can get territorial. I had two budgies, Sammy and Angel, who were breeders. They wouldn't step up at all, and would nip at your fingers. The only way they would come to you is if you said it was nightnight and brought them back to the cage (we left the door open.)

I'm looking at a female Quaker right now who can already talk. She seems friendly enough, and with the right amount of persuasion, I think Mom will leave the breeding thing alone. I think the main reason I don't want to breed is because I think baby birds are ugly. No offence to people who think they're darling ((I love little jelly beans (baby rats), but most people think they're disgusting.))

Maxi was getting there, though. She was being stressed out. We bought Sammy and Angel for companions for her, before we found out they were breeders, and she freaked out. She was a people-bird, not a bird-bird. She started plucking and we started to keep her away from the others, but because of her age and the stress, she keeled. She was my first fid, though. I miss her.

[Lori~D]

I agree allot with Monica. I on the other hand disagree about Quakers - the sounds they make annoy me and I have a COCKATOO,lol. My breeder birds are not pets and rarely have I met a reproducing bird that wishes to have human companionship - it does happen - but it is rare indeed.I have BOTH. They have no use for you as a companion. My Cags are the quietest and most talkative. Some may never talk and some take up to two years to talk! That gives you plenty of time to train. You wont get one for under $300 that is for sure. If you manage to rescue for that you will get baggage. Not all companion birds can reproduce well. Handfed babies don't get the imprinting from their parents on care and feeding and if they do hatch eggs you may have to care for them from hatch. If your not ready for a baby how can you be ready for feedings every half hour to a pinky size chick??
1. Now for my suggestions. Study each species carefully before making a decision.
2.If your mom wants to breed, tell her to get her own bird. Breeder birds are not pets.
3.Do more research on breeding (all you can) and then go to a few bird rescues and see how many birds there are that nobody wants before creating more.
4.Talk to breeders about your desires and hear different opinions from all of them.
5. DON'T buy a bird from a pet store -you will most likely be sold something you DON'T want and pay incredibly too much for it.
6. Only purchase a healthy weaned BABY from a breeder if you don't want it to come with baggage.
7. You did the right thing by asking on here, now continue to do your research, ask single specific questions to experienced owners and breeders.

[Monica]

LOL! Well, so long as you keep researching I'm sure you'll do fine in the end!

And as for the parrot comment... well, I've heard of people who didn't think cockatoos were a parrot.... or that the only species of parrots were cockatoos or red macaws!

My first birds were budgies as well... I've had birds since I was 12 and of course I had a lot to learn then! Right now none of my budgies are tame but they'll eat from my hands...

YouTube - More Budgies!!!!

Of the birds I have now, I've had Casey the longest, and she was handraised from day one. However, she's by far not the oldest!

YouTube - Troubles Rewarded

I do love quakers though! I don't own one but have interacted with some! I've met one girl who loves to be fed from your hands. If you ask her "What do you say?" she says "Thank you!" and then takes the treat! Shes a sweety even though she prefers men!

[Lori~D]

I guess the wild Quakers in Florida used to drive me absolutly crazy on a sleep-in Sunday morning. OOooh I could shoot them> And they are screaming on a high power line a half mile down the friggin road!!!!lol

[Mirokiki]

"2.If your mom wants to breed, tell her to get her own bird. Breeder birds are not pets."
LOL. Yeah, she would just stare at me and say "Forget it. No birds." >_> She's a liiiiittle stubborn that way.

I got Maxi when I was 5, for my birthday. Then I got Angel and Sammy when I was 8 or 9. I gave them away, after Maxi died, because they didn't like anyone. I think a breeder took them in. -shrugs- I'm not sure.

LOL. Wild Quakers most likely aren't the same as tame ones. ;P Though, I think I would go crazy if a bird did that. xD I wake up at 6:30-7 AM every morning, and here in Minnesota, the sun doesn't rise until 9. ._.