>>>Is there a good breed of "starter" parrot? >> Not really. Even parakeets can live 10-15 years,
>I meant in terms of easiest to get along with (for example) that might be >better for the beginner parrot owner. Renee: Parakeets (Budgerigars)gotten young make good pets. Male parakeets have some of the largest vocabularies of all parrots, but they have a very high-pitched, sometimes hard to understand voice. Lovebirds can be nice pets if hand reared, although they sometimes go through a pinchy stage. Hand reared cockatiels can also make very nice pets. These species are "relatively quiet" compared to most other parrots, don't bite as hard as most can, and are small enough to fit in most households and still have a roomy cage. As Karen mentioned, they still have a pretty long lifespan and require the same lifespan commitment as a dog. Do not get a parrot if you are not home most of the time. They really do need a lot of interaction. Leaving a bird alone for 8+ hours a day can be detrimental mentally and physically. Cherie
