I live in the heart of Los Angeles and my parrots are very much still alive and free flying everywhere. BTW we have 9 different species of feral parrots flocks and 90K parrots up and down the California coast - there have been no culling for New Castle on parrots. But, back to your questions about parrots.
There are so many species of parrots with so much variances, even within a breed, perhaps we could help narrow down your advisement if you let us know why you're interested in owning a parrot.
I sport fly my parrots (falconry except with parrots, basically), so my birds are strong and agile fliers by themselves and don't need a flock for protection from birds of prey. Budgies, especially English, were out of the question for me.
If you want a pretty bird you intend to leave in a cage for life or don't have the quality time to spend with a parrot, I would recommend a smaller song bird like a Canary or finches.
Cockatoos are the dustiest most attention-needing parrots ever so I would never recommend cockatoos (especially Umbrellas and Moluccanes) to anyone.
Whichever parrot you decide to take, please DO NOT CLIP ITS WINGS. Parrots are extremely intelligent birds with the ability to attain the intelligence of a 4-year old human. Please take the time to train and bond with your parrot so it may have a mentally healthy life. Many breeds live up to 20-40+ years. and if not well stimulated mentally and physically they can go into depression and pluck themselves bare.
1.) Caiques or Green Cheek Conures tend to be "easier" to handle for beginners and aren't too loud. They are easy get along with and tend to enjoy being part of the family.
2.) Again, too many varieties of parrots to say, but budgies tend to enjoy being in pairs or a group. Budgie males in a flock are more gentle than having all females, which will tend to be more ornery. Love birds are ferocious little birds and I do not advise them for beginners. They do better in pairs, but unless you allow them to breed, they will tear the place apart intent to mate and lay eggs. If you go with a new world parrot, I cannot stress the importance of bonding and spending quality time with it, even if you get a second one.
3.) As far as disease goes parrots are extremely clean birds and are more likely to die/get ill from chickens and dogs (saliva especially), than the other way around. and Avian vet on hand and close by is always advised.
4.) I would recommend to obtain your bird from a rescue as there are great birds out there that are in rescues. Again, parrots are super smart, so bonding with your bird will help acclimate it to it's new life. Even rescued birds who have clipped wings and have never flown before can be rehabilitated and learn to fly. The bonding experience will just be that more enriched ;-)
Pet stores = BOOOO!!
5.) YOUTUBE!! LoL -- has such a wealth of knowledge, but it can be like finding the best advice in a sea of dull needles and stale hay. you can start with these quality channels: bird tricks, parrot wizard, adventures of roku, and marlene mc'cohen. I guess Facebook might have groups too
6.) Males tend to be easier to work with than females.
7.) I kind of think of parrots like dogs. You want them well behaved, have great recall, and to be well socialized. Playing fetch and running of leash with your dog is like free flying your parrot ;-)
HAPPY FLYING!!
