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I am wanting to add a bird to the family, we have a grey now that is spoiled rotten. I have children and our house is very busy, we have dogs and cats and fish. I am home all the time so attention is not an issue. I am trying to decide what kind of bird to add to the family??? I like my grey very much but thought I might like to try a different type of bird. I like a bird that can talk but that is not the most important thing. I have fostered many birds in my time and I do know I dont want a Too or conure.

Just thought it might be fun to hear some ideas!

We also have a Grey but love our 2 macaws. We have a Greenwing & a B&G. Either one would work.

A male eclectus! I am not speaking from experience - just reading. I would love one myself someday. The diet is a bit more demanding, but on the other hand they tend to be more of a family bird, not as vocal (screaming) as some of the other parrots and the are gorgeous!

It is funny that you say that because my top choices are an Electus, Lory or Brownhead.

A rascally Caique would love your busy househodl !!!!!!!!!! I cant say enough good things about our small "terrier" of the bird world.

Freddy

If you dont want a very large bird you could try one of the smaller macs. I know you said you didnt want a conure but you might consider a patagonian which is about as close to a macaw as you can get. They are a totally fun bird and not too small. ----Yogi

I think if you got the Brown Head, you couldn't go wrong. From what little I've read about them, they sound like great little birds. One parrot I think is often overlooked is the Pionus. For my first bird, I was down to two choices - a Pionus or a Grey. I ended up getting a Grey, which I love and fits in very well with my personality, but I still really like the Pionus. Plus I LOVE their sweet musky smell. If I hadn't ended up with two rehomed Cockatoos, a Rose Breasted and a DuCorps, I would have definitely brought home a Pionus. I don't see many getting rehomed (none in my area), and I think it's because they are great medium sized parrots.

I think a pionus would be a lovely choice. I've heard they are wonderful birds. If I had a house, I'd have me one of those. LOL Instead I opted to adopt two cockatoos that needed a home. Actually, I always wanted a macaw but ended up with two greys and two goffins. So now I just pretend I have two McGoffins. LOL

Good luck with whatever you decide. Have you considered adopting?

Bev

I have a blueheaded pionus female, Ivy.....she is a wonderful bird! She goes against alot of what they say pionus are supposed to be like......she's very cuddly and affectionate and gentle, and loves attention and being held and petted and all that! she is also very noisey at times, and both those things are not supposed to be typical of pionus. I also love the Pi musky smell! I love that Pi calmness she seems to have at times. I had made up my mind way before I got her that I wanted a pionus and she turned out to be everything I ever wanted! Her only fault....she is terrified of strangers! I have to take off her seed guard to fit her cage through the doorways and move her into another room if we have more than few people over!
Ivy also gets along well with other birds.....her and my lovebird are good buddies! Actually, my lovebird is in love with her! She is a great bird, my little lovebug and I would recommend a pionus definitely......even though I know they all have their own personalities and you never know what you will end up getting......I think pionus tend to have alot of good qualities, and as long as the bird was raised right with lots of handling and attention, then I think you probably can't go wrong with a Pi! I also just love the big brown puppy dog eyes of the pionus! They are just adorable!

There are several GREAT birds taht you could add. I will say that a Pionus (white cap) is a fun bird. The one I have is very nice and LOVES to be with you and hang out. I heard so many bad things about them, but I would get another one in a heart beat. i think it all depends on the age you get it and how you raise it. Good luck!!

I would second the vote on a Blue Headed Pionus They can talk and Are beautiful and really great additions to the family. I have worked with a few in my years. I have always said if I got the chance to adopt one I will jump at it.


Another option for you would be to stay with the African species.
I know there are a lot of great birds in the Poicephalus (I know I may have messed that spelling up) Parrot family.
They include the Senegal, The Jardines, The Cape, The Red Bellied The Meyers, the Brown Headed parrots.
You can do a search on Google for more info on them. I think my spelling is right I may be off a letter or two.

I also love the Caiques they are a bit smaller than your grey but such a clown of a bird. These are another dream bird for me.

Depending on where you live and if you do not mind going to the smaller group The Quaker (they are illegal in some states so check) are a Great small to med. parrot that has been known to be Very talkative. Frankly I love them.

Good Luck

The Quaker (they are illegal in some states so check) are a Great small to med. parrot that has been known to be Very talkative. Frankly I love them.

Ohhhhh, my sister has two quakers! They are very bold and brave birds and tend to be bitey, BUT they are so adorable and smart and tend to be very good talkers! She had her first quaker for about 4 or 5 years, then got a baby blue quaker.....both males. She has always brought her quaker for family get togethers, and on thanksgiving and he is the life of the party! We always have so much fun with him and he really seems to enjoy all the people and attention! Very social! Her older quaker can talk up a storm! He sings whole songs! What are ya doin? Be a good boy, and Oh my god! he says all the time, plus he immitates people when they laugh. When she got the new baby quaker, her other quaker was teaching him to talk and within a month he was saying the same things! They are very funny birds......very cute, and quite the characters! I know they can be very territorial and bitey.......her older quaker can be nippy, yes, but they are very entertaining, fun.....AND I think it's pretty cool that they are one parrot that can withstand the cold temps outside.

If you want a smaller bird that is a good talker then I would say a Alexandrian Parakeet. They are smaller birds and not alot of people have them. Mine doesn't make alot of noise and is a excellent talker. He doesn't really like to be touched or cuddled however does like it when I carry him around with me and give him kisses on the beak. He enjoys being with me. I just love him to death.

Hello, I have a CAG right now but have had a brownhead, caique and bluehead pionus in the past. My favorite was the brownhead. Peepers was an excellent talker, did not mind a loud household and would go to anyone. My bluehead pionus I hatched and handfed. He was also great but tended to be alittle shy and jumpy. Though he was the most beautiful. He talked well too. He could really scream at times. My caique was a little girl and she was very active. She too could get worked up and start screaming. She talked too.Out of these three birds the pionus was the largest, though still a medium parrot. The caique(blackhead) and brownhead were about the same size. Goodluck and let us know. Judy