Bird for an older person??

[shadowhywind]

I am looking into getting a bird to give to my grandmother. Something that loves to cuddle/scratches, not to loud, normally doesn't bite, and loves to be handled/play with, and something on the smaller side. I know some birds will have issues or what not (aka a cockatoo with its screaming sessions wouldn't do...). But i know some species are better at one thing then another. I was thinking perhaps of a sun conure, any thoughts/ideas? Thanks

[prettypenguin]

My female tiels are quiet (for the most part) and cuddly. Boys alo whistle and are cuddly. But remember that birds live for a long time, and may not be a suitable pet in the future for an older person. An older bird is also an option.

[Triton's_Mom]

I agree that tiels would be a good option. Suns can be VERY loud!!!

:)

[SisterBlue]

My vote would be a Meyer's. They can be very sweet and cuddly, they are not generally screamers, and they tend to be on the more "mellow" end of the birdie spectrum. All generalizations, of course, because every bird is different.

I also have to throw my vote in for a cockatiel...I think they are WAY underrated and can be awesome companion birds.

-SB

[Thoroughbred]

I would have to suggest something in the poi family such as a brown head, meyers, red belly, or senegal. These guys tend to be very sweet and cuddly and are not loud. Like other posters stated sun conures are very loud - most of your conures are going to be on the loud side.

[ndeben]

I just went thru this same thing, Mother-in-law (75) wanted a bird she could interact with, (she has raised canaries in the past). She fell in love with a Sun conure, until it started to scream in the bird store.. So she has ended up with a male tiel, the perfect choice for her. She tries to take Pretty Boy out every evening, so far, its ok.

[savagem13]

Yes--a sun would probably be too loud. I'd recommend a male 'tiel.

[Tom Lawless]

Also consider a Pionus. They are great birds and not real big. They are not known to be great talkers but are also known to be very sweet, quiet birds. I love the Blue Headed Pionus but I met a Maximillion Pionus who was hands down the sweetest bird I ever met (don't tell Dave and Bing I said that). Since he had never met me that's saying something.

[Ashling]

That's really sweet of you. I was given my lutino cokatiel :) Yeah I'd definately say a male cockatiel... a rescued bird would be good, or a hand reared/tamed baby. Tiels are pretty quiet, friendly, relatively easy to care for and tame/ train, are not as long lived as other parrots and aren't as susceptable to emotional problems. Good luck with your choice.

[shadowhywind]

a tiel was on the top of my list as well, since i have one. Which she has bird sat for me on numerous occasions, when i went on vacations. It might have just been my tiel, but he hates her. When i say hate, i mean, he would fly off his cage and play ring-around-the-kitchen-table. She would bribe him to get on his ladder and walk him back to his cage, where he would fly off and repeat the game again. Along with hiss and beat his beak on the cage every time she approached. But like i said, i think that might be just him. Perhaps if i get one younger/rescued that one wont do that.
At this moment, she doesn't even know that i am looking for one for her, more of the research stage. Thanks for all the tips so far