what kind of bird?

[bagendhens]

parrotlets are awesome little parrots, they realy arnt loud either, though they dont have much in terms of a talking ability and those that do sound like tiny little robots, but i adore parrotlets.

 

[jaimslee4u]

I personally think Cockateils are a great starting bird, however, they can be a bit loud just like other birds. Although, if they are paired they are not as loud and they will train to your schedule.

The price isn't bad and they are easy to take care of.

 

[silkiechicken]

Loud is relative. LOL

Compared to our hamsters, rabbit, fish, and crab, our two parakeets make a huge screaming ruckus in the morning if we don't get up early enough. Not that parakeet chat, full out screaming you can hear from inside even if you put them outside. And that is your 3/4 of an ounce parakeet. Shoot, if you leave a window open and they hear you outside, they will do that calling scream for like 5 minutes when they realize you're not coming in. I don't think birds are designed to be quiet. LOL

 

[Kennyog]

Green Cheek Conure.GREAT birds!

 

[Sharoane]

I'd recommend quaker parrots, but they can be loud. However, when they talk they are hilarious! My little guy, Emmie, would chatter away to my other birds and laugh. He'd say things like "what a good bird" and "pretty birdie" and "quake quake quake." He would sometimes scream, though, and while he didn't have the volume of the larger birds he certainly could get loud. He wouldn't screech while I was holding him or during his out time.

I have a sunday conure and she can be loud. I think she has the best personality of the smaller birds, though, but her vocabulary is very limited and she's hard to understand.

 

[Alkonost]

I really, really hate the concept of a "starter" bird. First of all, all birds have long lifespans, so any bird that you start with is going to be around for a long time. For that reason, you want to make sure that your first bird is one that you actually WANT and will ENJOY, not just as a practice run. I know you didn't mean it that way, but the problem is that a lot of people propagate that attitude, and I know so many people who got a "starter bird" based on others' advice and then the bird was either rehomed when those people got the bird they actually wanted, or the "starter" bird just ended up being ignored and neglected. SO. That's one thing to consider. But the other reason I hate the concept of "starter" birds is that each species is so vastly different that getting one kind of bird will not necessarily prepare you for another.

Based on what you are saying that you want: a larger bird that is smart and affection and playful but relatively quiet, I would recommend any of the Poicephalus breeds (Senegals, Meyer's, Red Bellied, Brown Headed, Jardine's, Capes) or Pionus. They are large, colorful, smart, funny, playful, affectionate birds, but are also relatively very quiet. They make great apartment birds, for that reason. Mine are far quieter than even the Budgies or the Cockatiels in the house. In fact, I'd say that the Budgies and the Cockatiels can be downright annoying sometimes, whereas the Pois and the Pi have never bothered me. They have cute, sweet little voices and only get "loud" if they are scared---and even then, it's more like a quick, high-pitched trill that isn't even audible a couple of rooms away.

All parrots require a lot of care and attention, and any bird can develop bad behavioral habits, but contrary to popular belief, those behaviors CAN be changed or averted altogether, and there is plenty of GOOD information available about how to go about doing that. I'd be happy to help you out with resources for Applied Behavioral Analysis/Positive Reinforcement/Operant Conditioning, as well as Bird Ownership, and how to go about finding GOOD breeders who sell healthy, well-socialized, abundance weaned babies.

I agree with others who have posted saying that lots of research is key, and the more time you can spend with the species you're interested in, the better off you'll be.

I wish you all the best in your search for a companion parrot!