Some basic questions

[CRToon83]

Hello,
Some of you may recognize me from the Conure forum... I am bringing one home in a couple weeks. However, my girlfriend is really wanting a parakeet again... I honestly am not too fond of them, mainly due to the time you have to put into training before they can even be handled. I'm used to bigger birds. I have heard a lot about parrotlets, and I am wondering due to their size are they just as difficult to tame as a parakeet, or are they going to be more like a conure, takes a little to build trust, but not that long?

I'm gonna get one for her for her birthday in a couple weeks... aside from the obvious price difference (which isn't a deal to me... it's her birthday i want to get the best one for her), I already have a decent sized cage i'll give her with it, which would y'all think is better?

Also, are parrotlets as messy as parakeets?

[Shutterbugmom]

Our parrotlet was re-homed with us after being somewhat neglected, and she "retamed" very fast. And she's a little nut, too! I think parrotlets make great pets.

And I just wanted to mention that another small bird you might want to look into is the lineolated parakeet - otherwise know as the linnie. Whereas the usual parakeets you see are from Austrailia, these birds are from South America.

Here's a website: LINEOLATED PARAKEET I am in no way associated with this breeder. I'm in Texas, and this site looks like it's in Canada. It has a lot of pictures, however. These little birds hang upside down and are generally very funny and sweet. I just fell in love with them, and if I were going to get a third bird, it would be a linnie.

[Courtney8526]

I got my parrotlet from an elderly lady who couldn't handle him. He was 8 years old when I got him. I got him home and took him right out of the cage and he hopped right on my finger and started talking to me. I can't speak for the comparison to parakeets because I've never had one but I've had 3 parrotlets and they all took to me very quick, especially the two I had that I got when they were babies.

[Sally]

Make sure you ask lots of questions here before and also after, if you get one. They need flight cages, lots of toys and rope perches as well as other perches.

Most breeders and stores tell you the wrong cage size. They are active and love toys and they need room.

Taming can easily be done, just takes time, sometimes weeks and months. My Chipper took a few weeks, but it was well worth it. She is adorable!

She flies in the house and has gyms and a large flight cage.

She isn't messy or loud.

Parrotlets are adorable!

Patience is the key with "taming." We just slowly earn trust that is all it is. No forcing out of the cage etc.