What type of parrot is best for your family?

This varies from household to household. Here are my choices.

* Budgies. Budgies can bite but it pinches and hurts less than a larger bird. I've had my budgies since I was 5 or 6 so I know that as long as there is supervision by an adult to take the bird away if it gets to irritated, it's fine. Budgie males tend to be sweeter and more frightened while females have a larger tenancy to bite. Both genders can be trained to talk and I find them good first time pets though it requires a large cage. They are good because they do not bite frequently and will allow to be handled more roughly than larger or smaller birds. A budgie, however, needs a lot of company and/or toys. Your options include: # Getting another budgie. Same gender if you don't want a clutch of eggs. # Spend a lot of time petting, playing or speaking to your feathered friend.

* Cockateils. These birds require more attention and will not allow to be locked in a cage all day. They make great pets because they can learn slightly complicated songs (I've heard Jingle Bells sung by one of these parrots), whistle, speak, cuddle and to funny and cute tricks. They require a devoted owner but can be really fascinating. * Lovebirds. Lovebirds are like a mix of the larger parrots and budgies. They are a little larger than a large budgie and tend to have slight aggression problems if not tamed properly but can be really sweet. They obviously should come in pairs and do not seem to be very good with opposite gender birds of other species. They can be affectionate and cute. They can also be taught to speak.