What species of parrot is best for families?

Emily: What species of parrot is best for families?
I am looking to get a parrot. Since I live in a family and not on my own, I am looking for a species that usually bonds well with the entire family, rather than one that bonds strongly to one person and doesn’t like anyone else. I live in an apartment, so it also needs to be “quiet” by parrot standards. I’d like it to be a playful, affectionate species. I also prefer larger birds. Any suggestions?
I’ve heard that African greys are shy, one person brids…?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Brittany
African Grey!! their awesome

Answer by maggiesmom
I would do a lot of research beyond Yahoo Answers. 60 Minutes had a piece on parrots a few months ago and by and large everyone who they interviewed regretted getting a large bird. They loved the birds, but weren’t prepared for all of the disadvantages of owning them. They are extremely loud for one thing. Also, they need a lot of interaction with people, not just when you have time for them. Otherwise they become depressed and will pick their feathers. You might go to CBS and see if they have a podcast of the show. It was very well done.

Answer by paws.claws.wings
Cockatiels by far are the best! They may seem boring, but I have to admit I love mine and have bonded closer with my tiel’ than with my conure! However, My conure makes a great family pet, too. (He’s a green cheek conure) Budgies/parakeets make good family birds also, but aren’t quite as… Social I guess you could say? Any bird raised in a family situation or a younger bird in my opinion would make a great pet for a family!

For a quiet larger bird though, I would suggest a conure. (Careful with what breed of conure though, some can be loud!
avoid: Sun conures, (They’re LOUD!) Blue crowned, sharo tailed, Black masked are loud too.
Good: Green Cheeks! (They have lovely colored feathers, and are quiet(er).) All parrots are some what loud! I think nandays and jendays are a bit quieter also.

Conures are VERY playful, and have all the charachteristics of a larger parrot in a small package 😀

Answer by Sascha
I would get a rainbow lorikeet but they like to talk and apparantly they make alot of noise but it depends really. i think they dont make as much noise if you spend time with them. cockatiels are really afectionate but they are small and budgies are really playful but they are small too. I would get a rainbow lori 🙂 i want one.

Answer by Cacille
You’re not gonna get all of your wishes here. I’d say go with a cockatiel. While they bond with one person sometimes, they can get along with multiple family members that treat it nicely. Cockatiels generally don’t chirp loud, or if they do, it’s only for short bursts. They are playful definitely and can be affectionate if you teach it about the joys of Neckrubs!
You need to get one not only handfed, but also handraised. Meaning they are interacted with more than just at feeding time. Breeders and Mom&Pop bird stores are best for those types. Search for one in your area, that’s what I did and found a great breeder and my little dream bird who loves me.

Answer by Cookie
You are right about the African Grey. They also have a lot of feather dust, in case you have any allergies.
I breed the Eclectus Parrot because I feel they have all the good qualities found in other species of parrot. Beautiful, extra sweet, quiet, (if you hear them scream, it is cause you have an intruder of some kind, or they are hurt), talk very well, not dusty, loving, and best of all they do not bond like other species of parrot. They may have a special person, but will go to all. There are some small exceptions, but they make the best family pet. Especially the male. In the wild they will take more than one mate, which I guess is why they will like more than one person as a domesticated parrot.
Check out www.landofvos.com to see them and read about them. The female is red/purple and male is bright green & red under the wings.
If you have more questions about them, let me know.

Answer by bstar
one and only answer: BUDGIESSSSSSSSSSS

Answer by Kibibi
Whether it bonds to one or more people depends a lot on how it is raised so whatever type you decide on, you should probably consider getting a young bird and focus on socializing it correctly.

Check out the link to the Pet Parrot Picker below. Hopefully it’ll help you. Good luck 🙂