Adding a new family member. Opinions and Advice greatly appreciated!

[Kuki23]

Hello everyone!

I would really love some advice. At the beginning of this year, we lost our baby, a young Parrotlet that belonged to my baby sister. Now, as her birthday approaches, my family would love to get her another pet.

Now I must explain that I have years and years of experience with Parakeets and no other birds. (Our Parrotlet was only with us for a few months but we suspect that she was sold to us ill and too young.)

Now my question is, what would you reccommend as a breed? We rather not have Parakeets since we liked having a Parrot-like bird. And we have a budget of nothing over $300. We've considered Cockatiels, Lovebirds and Conures. Those three are high on our list, but again we don't know much about other bird types out there that may be even more convenient. We would really like a bird that likes a lot of contact since it would be a pet for a 12 yr old girl.

Thank you so much for any help and all advice!

[KDK241]

A hand fed cockatiel is the perfect bird. I don't know much about lovebirds but I have read that most conures can be a little loud and nippy. I have a handfed female tiel that my 4 year old cousin has held and pet and she was perfect. They really are great birds and they tend to not become one person birds like some others can if they are handled regularly. Males can learn how to talk and whistle, I have one that whistles Old MacDonald, and both males and females can be sweet and cuddly. My birds love to be with me and hang out with me but they are just as happy hanging out on their playstand or in the cage. They are usually pretty easy going as well.

[kali]

^^^ says the girl with like a million cockatiels lol..


VOTE ONE FOR GREEN CHEEKS LOL

[mmr]

Cockatiels are great birds.

[Kuki23]

Thank you so much guys. I appreciate it!

[cockatiel92]

id say get a cockatiel they are awsome birds and they love to make you laugh. the are so cuddly and iv had mine for 2 months and have never been bit. he is suck a funy and loving bird. so id recommend a cockatiel. males are awsome at immitating random sounds.

[platimore]

I have had A lovebird, conure and a cockatiel. I now a Quaker Parrot. I agree that a cockatiel is the best choice. My cockatiel was a sweetie. Never bit me, would follow me around the house, watch me with facination put my make-up on. They just have a very mellow personality. THe other ones are quite demanding and if she has friends over that are active, when the conure or lovebird get nervous they can bite pretty hard. Also they are loud. Get a baby that is handfed. My boys lost interest after a month so it ended up to bond me.

[Astrid660]

i'm a huge 'tiel fan too, I have four and they are all very individual and sweet in their own ways. Cockatiels are just cheery birds, I love it.

[drheather]

eh, 'tiels are ok. No I'm kidding they're cool. I grew up with one that my parents got when I was like 13 and she's still kicking 14 years later. Only problem that I had with her is that she SCREECHED like the dickins. They have a very distinct scream. My neighbors (down the street! Not next door!) have one and that thing goes until midnight some nights and I can hear it like its right outside my window. But they are sweet and mellow and not big nippers unless you're a piece of wood.

I'm a little biased but have you looked into lineolated parakeets? They may be a little too budgie-ish for you though...

[Kuki23]

Once again, thank you for the advice! I'm really leaning towards a Cockatiel now. (I have always loved them, but I needed your guys help to help convince our Parents. Haha) The size always intimidated them.

One more question, hand fed is being reccommended, but is there really much difference if they aren't hand fed? I'm not sure we would be able to get the bird from a breeder and would depend on Pet Smart or Petco. I'm sorry for being so ignorant!