What kind of bird

[first timer]

Well i was going to get a sun conure but i ended up changing my mind. I was just wanting some opinions from the bird pros here on what a first time bird owner with a family should look into getting. I have looked around on the internet for a few months and i am really getting nowhere because everyone loves their bird and thinks it would be agreat bird for a family. so lets here some no biased opinions on what kind of bird i should get for me and my son.

[alwaysontimneh]

A lot people will say a Tiel I myself have never had one but my husband had them when he was younger and he liked them. Before any one can give a good answer we need to know some things first.

How old is your son?
What is your noise tolerance and living arrangements?
What do you want from your bird (cuddly, talkative, and other things like that)?

I am not an expert and I am sure there are other things to think about but I am not thinking of them. I am sure someone else will come by soon and give you a better answer.

[Addicted to Tequila]

We would need a LOT more info:

Type of family (kids ages, other pets, etc?)
Where you live (house, apt, condo... rent or own?)

What are the very best things you can think of about owning a bird? (Pretty colors, fun, talking, inquisitive, opinionated, playful, sweet, "snuggly", etc) You cannot get them all in one bird... so which things are most important to you?

What are the worse things? (Noise, mess, talking ("Did he just say what I think he did?"), inquisitive, opinionated, feather dust, "velcro" bird syndrome, etc) Which things are true "deal breakers" for you AND your family?

Lifestyle... how much attention will you and family be spending with the bird? Daily... or just "most" days? Vacation often?

[first timer]

Well noise isnt a huge deal, but i dont really want something that just screams all day everyday. My son is four but probably wont have to much to do with the bird, but the bird will have to tolerate him. He really wants a bird but i know that wont last to long. So i want something that we can all enjoy and hopefully wont just get attatched to one of us. I own a house and kind of want a bird that does some talking and is friendly

[Addicted to Tequila]

Although I really am not fond of the one I have ended up with as a second-hand bird... a Blue-crowned conure (like the one in the movie Paulie) might be a good choice.

They can be a bit loud though. If you get one when young, the screaming is very easy to prevent... but a total bear to try and correct after-the-fact.

Another choice might be a Hahn's Mini-Macaw.

Why did you decide against the Sun?

Are you home during the day?

[xafsmom]

Hahn's Macaws are awesome pets. My absolute favourite bird species. They're relatively quiet, they're very cuddly (if socialised) and playful. They're not one-person birds and adore entire families. And, they're adorable. /nods

[fraulein]

My two cents... In the past, I have had a parakeet, cockatiel, lory and now a caique. By far, Fredo my caique is the cooling thing since sliced bread. He simply rocks. Biased, I know... but here's why.
He likes EVERYONE... except little little kids- 2-5 years old. That could be just him. The frantic reaching and grabbing stresses him. He loves my husband AND I, and my 16 yr-old son.
Caiques are ridiculously humorous, acrobatic, and self-entertaining, too. Their personalities are incredible. He's not ultra loud- and even at his loudest, he comes no where near an amazon or 'too or sun conure. Give him some good foot toys (his favorite are the cardboard toilet paper tubes and plastic bottle caps) and he's good to go for hours on his own.

BUT- He's no cuddle-bug. He's a playful bird. Rolls around on his back, goofy and wrestling bird (not bitey). Some like 'toos because they're SO lovey, but there's a lot that goes with a 'too. I wouldn't suggest one unless you're home all day, can give it LOTS of attention, and plan on a lifetime with the bird.

My thoughts, other than my first choice of a caique, would be a quaker or a green cheek. Everyone will have their favorites... I personally wouldn't do an amazon, macaw, or cockatoo. The larger the bird, typically the longer the life expectancy... I only list this as a con because you have to consider who you would will the bird to when it outlives you. And they tend to have some puberty issues...

I might have confused things for you- and it's just my opinion.

A couple of other things... man, they just keep popping to mind...
The brunt of the work is going to fall on your shoulders for the next 5+ years. The larger the bird, the larger the poop. Birds like lories usually need a bit more of a complex diet... lots of fruits and nectar, and let's just say that cleaning up after them is no treat after all of that liquid. Catch my drift? :-) It can be projectile!

Gab gab gab. I'll shut up now!

[first timer]

so if i am not home all day and i would have three to four hours a night tobe with the bird and play with him. What would be the best choice? I am just worried about getting a bird an then not having enough time to spend with it

[Addicted to Tequila]

I work from 8-5... and have to travel one weekend a month for business. I have conures that have learned to adjust. Sulk and hold a grudge... but adjust. LOL

Seriously, the two that I would avoid then are Greys and Toos. It can certainly be done... but can be a bit harder.

Conures can do well, as can Poi. Tiels are fine with being left. Not sure on the Hahn's... ask Tina!

Pionus might be a good choice, or even an outgoing Ekkie.

[NaniOokami]

I think with a youngster in the house, I would go with a medium-sized bird - probably one of the conures.

I have a Nanday, and for the most part, he does not scream all day every day. He is noisy when he wants to be, but for most of the day (unless something startles him) he keeps himself pretty quiet and entertained. He is the snuggliest bird I've ever met, and will lay sideways on my shoulder up against my neck. Loves me and the Fiance, and tolerates most visitors pretty easily. Easy care, not particularly high maintenance, and a great family companion.

I'd definitely say no to the Greys and Cockatoos. They're extremely emotional and it will be very taxing to try and get them to be a family bird, and they still might want nothing to do with anyone but one person.

I have no experience with Amazons, but people do say that Pionus are great birds that are easy to read and overall very gentle.

I will, however, say that a Cockatiel just might be the perfect bird for you, though. They are extremely hardy, and if hand-raised and socialized usually love just about everyone in the family. They can learn to whistle songs, some talk, and despite the fact that they don't come in bright colors, they're really quite pretty! :) Not to mention, their upkeep costs are a lot less than some of the larger birds. ;)