Best bird?

[mishalee]

I have done research on pet birds and have decided that a bird would be the best pet for me. In a few years I am hoping to get a bird, so I can earn enough money for vet checkups, supplies, and of course, the bird! However, I need to find out what breed would be good for me. I'd like a bird to be quiet(very important), yet able to talk, and affectionate. I would also to take the bird out of its cage. I can only provide my bird with 2 hours (maximum) of playtime out of its cage. If you know of any birds that fit my criteria please post. Any replies or advice would be helpful and appreciated.

[Kevin]

I'll be the 1st to welcome you to the site...

Well a bird that would probably do best would be a cockatiel or budgie ... Not too loud at all really, at least nothing thats gonna penetrate walls and piss off neighbors...

[mishalee]

Thanks! I forgot to introduce myself..

[mishalee]

I forgot to add:I'm not to concerned about the cost of purchasing a bird, my main concern is about the time I am going to spend with it. Since I have school, I can probably provide some interaction in the mornings and evenings, and of course more time in weekends and the days I have off. I am afraid the bird will be lonely in between but then again I am thinking of putting my bird in the family room so he/she can get attention when I'm away.

[Candice]

I think Keev gave you some good birds to look into.. I just came by to Welcome you to the board! :D

[Tiki]

Maybe two cockatiels of the same sex so they don't breed but at the same time don't get lonely?

[mishalee]

That sounds like a great idea, but I have two problems: My dad probably won't let me get two(he grew up with two cockatoos which he hated and said were obnoxious and loud, I'm lucky I can even get one) and I hear birds might not bond or be as trainable when you keep them in pairs or groups(is this true?) By the way, thank you all for your warm welcomes. The people here seem alot nicer compared to another forum I go to, and there's more users(at the other forum, it takes a day or more for people to respond!).

[Monica]

Well, since you can only get one bird, I'd say go for a handraised cockatiel, or pyhhura conure (green cheek or maroon bellied for example). These birds, if handraised, can make wonderful pets!

[mishalee]

Thanks. I'll look into those and keev's suggestions. Actually, when I was in third grade, my grandpa had lost his Timneh African Grey. He posted ads and 'Lost' signs and a woman called saying a little green bird was at her house following her daughter. My granpa caught the bird. It,of course, was not 'Ellie' my Grandpa's bird but instead a conure(I think they found out this by the screeching noises she made). They later named her 'Sweetie'(I'll post her picture when I find it)
She was supposed to be given to me but was given away to a nice lady who had conures. My grandparents she would be too noisy for us. Anyhow, I'd like to know if green cheeked conures are quieter. I forgot to add I'm homeschooled so I could spend time with him/her more often. However, I don't know if I'm going to public school. If I do, I will probably only be able to give my conure 2 hours tops of attention a day, but the bird might be a family pet so he/she could get attention from everyone when I'm gone, as stated above. Will this suffice for a conure?
I am also considering a canary because they're so beautiful and they sing, even though they don't require handling. I have also have one more question of: Can canaries be tamed and be affectionate? Just curious.

[Monica]

If one were to handraise a canary, then it might be tame or if gotten at a very early age. Softbills are not well known for being pets but rather for looks or for their song and chirps. Handraising softbills though is quite challanging to do and is not recommended for most people. GCC have a high peirced screech, but on the noise level they usualyl are hte medium to quieter type birds even if they are a bit louder than tiels. An aratinga conure would do although if their needs are not met within a certain time frame (as when they expect to get their food and water, as well as when to get attention) they will emmit a loud ear shreaking squawk (though not high-pitched unless you bought one such as a sun conure or a jenday).

Another thing with the aratinga conures, they sometimes tend to be one person birds, so that is why I suggested the smaller pyrrhura conures as they don't tend to be one person birds nearly as much as the aratingas. Cockatiels can be great family pets as well. Best to look into getting a handraised chick and socializing with the whole family. This can make a whole lot of difference, in most species (even sometimes in aratingas who usually pick favorites). It really depends on the bird, and how it was raised as well as with training.