General Advice                                                                                                                               There are many pet parrots for sale, however that does not mean that all are appropiate for you, as alot depends on the circumstances of the person and the environment they can provide. We are often drawn towards the large brightly coloured parrots, but often the most practical pet for a small home can be the little African parrots and conures etc.

Lifetime of caring Many of the larger parrots can outlive their owners. And it is an unfortunate fact of life that in general most of us will find changes in our circumstances that mean having to give up our lifelong companion. We do it all the time with our human companions. So before you go and buy that large Macaw, Amazon or Cockatoo, give some though as to how you are going to provide for it over a very long period of time.

It has also been my experience that pet parrots or even aviary parrots in general suffer stress as a result of being constantly moved or in the case of pets being passed from one owner to another. Sometimes this becomes quite evident as feather plucking or just giving up the will to eat. And often some hidden disease will suddenly appear as a result of the addtional stress, often resulting in death. 

A large Macaw, Amazon, African Grey or Cockatoo can live 70-80 years, smaller parrots and conures live between 15-40 years.

Noise level One of the most asked questions, and not always the easiest to answer. Some parrots may win the most ear shattering screaming competition, but others may equally become quite irritating because of their continuous chattering or alarm calls when disturbed. In general the larger the parrot the louder can be their call, but some parrots use their voice much more often than others. And of course the pitch and content of their call/shout can vary enormously, so often it isa question of what the owner or neighbours find distressing.

Most parrots are calling/shouting for a reason, sometimes as an alarm to warn others of their species (even if there is none in the immediate vacinity!) . Others may be searching for a companion by testing to see if anyone returns their call. And often that companion is you!

Caiques as Pets

George Smith the first to breed the Caiques in England made this comment in his writing.”Once it becomes known what a pure delight a perfectly tame Caique can be, extra incentive must be given to breeding the bird to satisfy the pet trade. For as a house pet, the Caique can have few equals amoungst parrots”

My opinion is the same, as they are very much at home in the company of children and other pets as they are as aviary subjects and probably in most cases are the ideal pet bird, not apparently as susceptible to many of the behavioural problems associated with many of the larger parrots. 

Caiques websites

http://caiquesarepeopletoo.homestead.com/AdoptACaique.html 

http://www.caique-parrot-pet-birds.com/index.htm

http://caique-crazy-capers.co.uk/http://www.cleos-corner.com/

Caique photogroup

http://www.flickr.com/groups/caiquescaiquesandmorecaiques/pool/page7/

Eclectus as pets
Eclectus parrots can learn to talk quite well, although occasionally can be noisy they do not have prolonged periods of screaming, as do Amazon parrots for example. Their voices are loud and harsh but are not used that often. It is said that often males make better pets because the male is of a less temperamental nature. But is a generalised view and some hens can appear just as gentle as cocks. They do not appear to generate so much feather dust as perhaps African Greys or Cockatoos, which can be beneficial in a domestic situation. 

http://www.landofvos.com/

Eclectus  photogroup

http://www.flickr.com/groups/eclectus/

Dwarf Macaws as pets

In general these Macaws make excellent pets where perhaps there is not enough space for the large Macaw species. They can quite loud and some individuals can be quite nippy in character similar to some of the conures are which are closely related. The Hahns (Red-shouldered) are most often kept as pets and often will learn to talk quite well. The Yellow-collared Macaws are more common in the USA where they have a good reputation as talking parrots and good temperament. The Illigers, Severe (Chestnut-fronted) and Red-bellied Macaws are less often kept as pets. The Blue-headed is so rare in captivity that they are usually not available as pets.

Macaw photogroup

http://www.flickr.com/groups/macaw/

Poicephalus parrots as pets

This group of parrots as pets have many similarities but also less apparent differences. It has been my experience that the Senegals and Red-bellied appear more similar in temperament. All these parrots  often show the behaviour of bonding closely to one person or of a particular sex, and then appearing quite defensive/aggresive  whenever someone else tries to approach them or their preferred owner/mate.

Talking ability or mimicry appears to be more easily achieved with Red-bellied than Senegals, but both these parrots perhaps a little better at mimicry than Meyers or Ruppell's.

In general I found Meyers & Ruppell's more similar in behaviour than Senegals and Red-bellied. Often here the hens seem to be more ascertive than the cocks, whereas for Senegals and Red-bellied the cocks seem the more dominant sex. However this is just my opinion and I am sure others may disagree.

Poicephalus photogroup

http://www.flickr.com/groups/poicephalusparrots/

Small Conures as Pets

These conures do make very adorable pets and are excellent when living in small appartments or where cage space is limited. They rarely can talk more than a few words, but can be extremely devoted to their owners. Some individuals can be nippy but they are unlikely to cause any injury to young children as their beaks are relativily small.  

Conure photogroups

http://www.flickr.com/groups/27564855@N00/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/theconurechatter/

http://www.mytoos.com/

Cockatoo photogroup

http://www.flickr.com/groups/cockatoo/