The following is intended as a brief guide to help you understand the needs and care of parrots, as well as the basic personalities of some of the more common species of parrots available. It is certainly not intended to be a complete reference on parrots, as this would take a large library of books, as parrots can be quite complex creatures.
You should be aware that all parrots, even of the same species, have very individual personalities. If you plan on purchasing a young, newly weaned handfed parrot, the pet that will develop will depend, in large part, on you and how you handle your bird from here on out. I will attempt to discuss some of the general characteristics and personalities of the different species of parrots, (ie., disposition, noise level, talking ability, etc.). However, as previously stated, all parrots have very individual personalities, and others' experiences with various species of parrots may be different from my own. I would therefore recommend to you that you visit and talk with as many different breeders and parrot owners as possible before you make your decision as to which kind you want. The local bird clubs can give you valuable insight in this regard, and will enable you to meet many owners and breeders of all kinds of parrots. I will be happy to give you information on the local bird clubs, as well as the national bird clubs, and names and numbers of other breeders in the area. Most parrots, if given proper care, will live an extremely long life, and it is therefore important that you consider your choice very carefully. Keep in mind that everyone's individual preferences and opinions, as well as the personalities of their birds, will differ, so you are like to encounter many different versions of what is the "perfect" pet parrot.
The above information is not meant to discourage or confuse you - we only want you to have as much information as possible before you decide on what kind of bird you want. All too often, I've seen people fall in love with a baby bird and buy it immediately, without giving any thought to what the adult bird will be like, the kind of training and discipline necessary for that bird, whether it will be compatible with other members of the household, neighbors, etc. Unfortunately, these birds usually end up being sold after a year or so, and often sold many times before they end up in the hands of someone who will keep them. The end result of the classic "pass-around" parrot is a bird that is neurotic, noisy, and unpredictable, making them unsuitable as a pet for anyone. Such birds usually end up in the hands of breeders. Not that this is necessarily bad, as most breeders provide their birds with the best of care, and many birds are happiest with a mate. But consider the worst case scenario - they may end up with someone who knows nothing about their care, wants them as a mere novelty item, and neglects or even abuses them. I've seen birds that started out as a sweet and lovable handfed baby end up in such a situation. If you buy one of my babies (or anyone else's for that matter), I'm counting on you to see that this doesn't happen. Its much better to resist impulse buying and thoroughly research your decision, (and this includes what you will do if you find yourself unable to keep the bird). I want what's best for my babies, as well as what's best for you.
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