considering a new pet bird.

We're going to be looking at a new pet bird in the near future but I'm not quite sure what species. We lost our pet budgie a month ago and my daughter misses him. She found his food and treats in the cupboard today and is still sad he's gone. I talked to her about getting another bird and I think she's ready to start looking.

So, to start looking and thinking....

I've had budgies since I was 5, and one cockatiel over the years and this time I kinda want something different, maybe... We may go with another budgie anyway.

I'm looking for a smaller bird, has to be interactive and OK with gentle handling and snuggling. We're also think about finches since DH likes them, but I think my daughter would be dissapointed since the wouldn't likely want to snuggle with her. The birds I have in mind at the moment are, another budgie, a parrolette, a lovebird, maybe a cockatiel or another type of smaller parrot?

So what do you think? Advice on different types and their different needs would be appreciated for sure.

You could get Button Quail or a Silkie chicken. I know Silkies aren't THAT small, but they are very friendly and soft and you can house train them and stuff. Here's my Silkie.
I'll start with her earlier pics.
This is her at 2 days.



At 3 weeks.

At 5 weeks.





She's a partridge coloring and she's going to grow a lot bigger, but Silkies are known for their snuggles!

Lol, DH has already made it pretty clear the chickens are outside pets. I have to say though... I still am shocked at how sweet and cuddly some of them are

Ducks are nice too. And pigeons. I had a parakeet, two actually. But one flew outside and never came back again and the other one got outside at the same time but he just sat in a tree until I climbed up and got him. He died of old age.

You already have a cockatiel, but that's what I'd recommend

I'm kinda torn between a cockatiel and a parrolet right now. I had a female cockatiel when I was a teen, she was an older bird that someone gave us because they were moving out of the country. I remember her being very sweet and I think I would like another. The parrolets look really fun and my daughter really likes the look of them but I don't have any experience with them.

I have owned parrots for 10 years now.
I would suggest a cockatiel for a couple of reasons. They are domesticated and parrotlets are not. Therefore, tiels are more predicatable and friendly to more people. Parrotlets may develop a bond with one person and bite others. They will definitely bite your daughter's friends because they are not part of your flock.
Cockatiels are ussually sweet tempered and listed as the best bird for beginners.
Let me know how it goes.

hmcrainey said:

I have owned parrots for 10 years now.
I would suggest a cockatiel for a couple of reasons.  They are domesticated and parrotlets are not. Therefore, tiels are more predicatable and friendly to more people.  Parrotlets may develop a bond with one person and bite others. They will definitely bite your daughter's friends because they are not part of your flock.
Cockatiels are ussually sweet tempered and listed as the best bird for beginners.
Let me know how it goes.

Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I needed to hear. I'll post more again when we find the right bird

Personally:

I think asiatic parrots make the best pets when you're looking for a bird that will accept everyone. Generally speaking, they don't bond too much so they are open to all people.
However, they also don't don't much, so they don't enjoy being snuggled with.

Conures can be a bit nippy, but they can be open to new people and love snuggles. However I've found them to be a bit flighty, yet personable.

hmcrainey said:

I have owned parrots for 10 years now.
I would suggest a cockatiel for a couple of reasons.  They are domesticated and parrotlets are not. Therefore, tiels are more predicatable and friendly to more people.  Parrotlets may develop a bond with one person and bite others. They will definitely bite your daughter's friends because they are not part of your flock.
Cockatiels are ussually sweet tempered and listed as the best bird for beginners.
Let me know how it goes.

Click to expand...

Yes, from what I've heard and my own experience, cockatiels are more even tempered.