Bird species recommendations please

[parrotntn]

Having babysit Cecil now for a month or so, we have decided that we do want to get a bigger bird than a tiel maybe even a parrot.
Being new here, I am listing the ideal things that would be the perfect bird for us. I know there are tons of articles/research/websites/magazines, but I wanted to ask you guys since you all own a plethora of avian pets.
Now, that being said, please don't flame me. I know there is no such thing as a perfect anything and I know x amount of those things are controlled by the owner. But, just as I've found out that zons can be hormonal and irritable, I know that some breeds have certain traits. I'm looking to match those traits with what we, as a family, would best be suited for. To be honest, we're pretty happy with the zon Cecil, but he is 20 and pretty set in his ways. Also, he simply hates my wife, I mean hiss' at her if he even see's her close by, and she is the most sweet woman on the face of this earth. Plus, the owner wants him back. :)

So, here is what we think would be good for us, in no particular order:
Good talker
good social skills, we're a pretty social family.
longevity
overall great pet
easy to train
disease resistant
bigger than a tiel

As I said, please understand my concerns and don't get angry at me for not wanting so and so bird, but help me make a good match for my family.
I'm taking this choice and search very serious as I don't want to get a bird, unknowing of it's predisposition and have to part with it. That's not fair to anyone, especially the bird.
Thanks!
Mark

[Maui's Mom]

Hi Mark. making the decision to become owned by one of these lovable pets is a move in the right direction and glad to see that the whole family made the decision. I have 5 in the house. have had others in the past, so I can only give my personal opinion here.

go to a local bird only store or find a breeder, if you let us know what part of the country or what country your in, that would help.

if you choose the bird only store , go spend a day. meet lots of babies and see what chooses you. I have 3 Green Wing Macaws, a conure, a Hyacinth Macaw. The GW's are gentle loving birds, the beaks are huge !! lol. they are all under the age of 2, they speak , they play games, they interact with anyone that comes in the house. I just love having them. The conure is nippy, he is my sons bird. I have been around tons of different birds. Find the one that fits your lifestyle and you will fall in love.

[Monica]

Disease resistent.... and fits everything else, too.... uhm.... a quaker perhaps?

[Stizby]

Mark:

As you can see from my avatar and signature, I have quite a few different birds. My amazon was my first parrot and I can vouch for what heart stealers they are -- such amazing personalities and mine talks up a storm. But, alas, as you have already acknowledged, 'zons may not be the best choice if socialness is a priority -- not all are one-person birds, but many are.

Of the ones I have, I think my male ekkie would best fit the criteria you have listed. Charley is very agreeable to going to just about anyone -- but I have always worked at making him social. I've played the "hot potato" game with him since he was young where he is passed around from person to person when my family visits. I believe that the more he interacts with different people, the less likely he will develop into a one-person bird. (Btw, I did this with my 'zon, too, but with much less success).

Charley has a very sweet and charming voice. I know that there are ekkies who can develop into screamers but I do not believe that overall they are known for that. Charley has an extensive vocabulary and he likes to talk to get my attention. Again, though, in a very sweet voice -- not a "parroty" sounding voice like a 'zon.

Charley is a most excellent eater. I don't think there is a food that Charley does not like!! But ekkies do have special dietary requirements which has been written about extensively and easily located with a google search. There are some special health concerns unique to ekkies like "toe tapping" but again, this is something that can usually be resolved with changes in diet should it develop. I have had Charley now for nearly 3 years and he is truly thriving.

Ekkies live long lives and would likely be a "family heirloom". They make great overall pets IMO. I was drawn more to the male ekkie than the hen -- males are green mostly and the hens are red & blue. Plus, the hens have strong hormonal urges that are difficult to cope with from what I have read. They tend to be the dominant mate in any paired relationship, from my understanding.

Anyway, the male ekkies are simply stunningly gorgeous birds. Every person not familiar with ekkies gasp at Charley when they see him. He is just that pretty. Male ekkies have beautiful red and blue feathers under their wings and I have an aunt who described Charley as a "flying flower" when she saw him fly in my home. I could not agree more. Here are a few photos of mine:

[parrotntn]

Gee folks, these are exactly what I needed:ideas to research. That ekkie is a cutie. haha. I do like the social aspect you speak of. I don't have many friends with birds and the visitors that we have here usually want to interact with Cecil. And, well, it's just sort of not good that we have to tiptoe around his moods that are apt to turn at any second. But then again, he has only been with me for a month, so he doesn't trust me either.
I live in West Tennessee. We don't have any avian resources here much. We have Petco/Petsmart and I shy away from them for the most part on a serious financial/emotional investment such as this. But I do go there to look.
I guess, as you can tell, I research a lot before I settle.
Good thing too, because a couple of years ago, I was in Petsmart. This peach mulocan (spelling?) had me at hello. He just jumped on me, purrrrred like a cat, nibbled on my ear and was really working me, like a cheap streetwalker, into slappin down 2k for him and taking him home!
Luckily, I overcame my urge to own him, took a cold shower and walked away. It was only then I read how that affection can really ruin things when you get home. I read about how they'll scream and eat everything, if you don't give them attention! YIKES...Fatal attraction. I dunno, that's what I read.
So, I'm researching what I'd like now and taking my time. Also, something that travels well, as we are campers. Dood travels great in a smaller "camping" cage.
Thanks again!
Mark

[Sally]

Charley is a gorgeous boy for sure!!!!

[RingneckedPrincess]

Ooo...I vouch for ekkies too! What heart stealers they are.

To me...no bird is more perfect that a well socialized and sweet male eclectus. They have the brains, beauty and personality. P-e-r-f-e-c-t as long as you can maintain the diet they require.

Dani

P.S. I just want to take that Charly and cuddle the dickens out of him...what a CUTIE!

[raddaughter]

Eclectus are great! They are probably the most sexually dismophic birds on the face of the earth. I had a male (didn't work out as planned) and now my heart has fallen for a SI female. However, they prefer to be part of the crowd and not center of attention like a macaw or 'too. Remember that even though a species dicription says they are know to talk, it is not guarenteed. No bird is disease resistant unless it is kept in sanitary conditions. Many things depend on an individual bird. I would try to visit a bird fair, there is one in Atlanta in March. This will give you an opportunity to spend some time with many bird species.
There are other birds out there though that would make a great fit for your family:
Macaws: If you don't want a large one, there are several types of smaller macaws avalible with just as big of personalities.
Quakers: Great little birds from what I have heard, never been able to hold one. Unfortunatly, they have been banned in many states.
Conures: Very fun, havn't had very much experiance with them, but I am sure there are people on here who will vouch for them.

Here are a few links I commonly use. Some are more descriptive than others:
Bird Channel: http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-spec...px?default=111
BirdsnWays: http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/species.htm
Avian Web: http://www.avianweb.com/parrotspecies.htm

Sorry that there aren't very many... I will get more later on. Hope these will help you!!!!

[RMSacha]

Do more research and then consider a macaw! NOTHING comes close! Macaws are loving, fun, and I think the most suitable to live with people...of course, I am partial.

If you're limited in space, consider a pionus! They don't get too much "air time" but, they can be awesome birds. Bigger than a conure or quaker, have a lot of love to offer their companion human, and just a dynamite little bird.

Good luck!

[parrotntn]

I've done some reading on the Eclectus. I have to say that I am MORE than impressed.
-Like the cuddly factor and easily sociablity..No.LOVE that part. Since we can't have a dog in the house, wife has allergies, I want something to sit on the couch and play with/pet watch TV. Or, just hang out with. I find myself coming in and picking up Cecil after saying hi to the kids, checking homework and stuff. But depending on his mood, it might not be a good thing. He's usually hisseed himself out at my wife all day.
-Not exactly thrilled, but ok with, the talk. It appears to pickup words pretty good, but the sounds are not really clear to me. Now, All I had to listen to was clips on youtube, so the quality there may not be the best.
-Like the colors...beauty of an animal. very striking.
-Like the "comic" sense of play it apparantly has.
-Like the longevity.
-One person said that they had "heard" that if there was a virus/disease even close that the breed was the first to catch it. any insights on that??
-Like the size..I think. Having not seen one yet, is it around the same size, length as an yellow nape?? one place says it's about 13 inches.
-I read some about a picky diet. Any pecularities there??
Overall, as you search online, initially here is what I find.
LOTS of written dialogue about how good of a pet they make and easy to interact with and especially with kids. I actually saw where one guy just let his fly free in his yard! I just don't think I'd ever be able to do that. When I was 12 I wanted this particular toy airplane so bad. Got it for my birthday, all my buddies were in the back yard for it's maiden flight. I put the "circling" disc in and up she went.
To this day..that plane is either still circling or compost. We cheered as it flew straight back into the woods in a straight line, never to be seen again.
So..no bird of mine will ever free-fly.

Although I'm not buying anything until we get back from a month-long camping sojourn, out west and up the west coast in June , I want to find out more, zero in on a few breeds to focus on. The ecclectus has fit the bill pretty good so far.
Problem is exposure around here. There are not many parrot-keepers/breeders around that I know of.
But..there IS a bird-fair coming up in February in Memphis about 1.5 hours from me, so I might get to see one there. Having never been to a bird-fair, what is usually there?? I know..birds/cages . But would you be safe buying from someplace like that??? Cages OR birds for that matter.
Thanks folks!
Mark
I'm not settled on this breed, so please keep suggestions coming. I'm really appreciative and the wife is as well.