What is a good intermediate bird owner bird?

Question

i have had budgies and still own a cockatiel

Answer 1

It depends on what you're looking for in a bird.  Once you look past the small bird stage there are hundreds of different species to look into.  Parrotlets, Lineolated Parakeets, Bourke's Parakeets and Lovebirds are several common kinds of small birds with wonderful personalities.  They will usually fit into about the same size cage as you already have (be sure to take into account each species particular needs) and can often share the same food mixes.

Medium sized birds live longer but you won't need to include most into your will.  Conures, Caiques, Pionus, Poicephalus, and some of the smaller Ringneck species fit into this category.  Their personalities and noise levels vary greatly from the boisterous and deafening Conures and Caiques to the more reserved and quiet (for a bird) Pionus.  

Large birds start somewhere around the African Grey size and go up from there.  Be sure to know what you're getting into with these birds because most can live to 60 or more.  Their beaks are bigger and they're usually brilliant, especially when it comes to destruction.  Most of what we think of as "parrots" are in this category.  

You can e-mail me for more info.  Check any local bird rescues you may have access to, they can tell you all about their individual birds' personalities and you can learn a lot there too.  Keep in mind you don't necessarily have to "graduate" from what you have if that is what makes you happy.

Answer 2

I started out with parakeets(still have 3) then got a cockatiel, then a quaker parrot. Had a blue and gold macaw for all of a day. Didnt take long to realize that was waaaay to much for the experience we had. (Much bigger-bite much harder!!) Id say research a few other breeds you might be interested in. Something like a conure or other similar size bird might be a good choice. I would like to have another parrot or macaw one day myself. Id suggest that whatever you get, get it young as you can handle them much better and they bond with you more readily. Hand feeding a baby bird is no small task though. Just find out as much as you can before you commit. Good luck!!

Answer 3

If you fancy a bigger bird and can afford it, I would buy a hand reared baby, then you will have much better luck than with an adult. Good luck