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At present, I have a mitred conure. Also had a blue fronted amazon, but he passed on from a sudden respiratory affliction. Conures are a step up from pet shop sized birds, but still smaller than african greys or timnehs-and way smaller than macaws.
Birds are smart, but the morning event of 'flock calling' is not for the weak of heart or sensitive of ear. (They see you as one of them and call to you) Sam can just about remove paint when he wants to, and sometimes will raise the dead when I want to watch TV or listen to music.
Not unlike cats, birds know bird people. I had a customer some years ago with a goffin cockatoo-she'd sit on my shoulder and play with my hair or earring while I was remodeling a bedroom in their house. Another customer had a janday conure, and that little one could chat up a storm.
Going to a bird specialty breeder is your best bet. You'll pay more for a hand raised bird, but from a quality breeder you'll end up with a true pet quality bird of good health. Do some net research, talk to other bird owners, and select a type that matches your lifestyle and time commitment.
One of the most lovely creatures I've ever seen was a hyacinth macaw-cobalt blue with taxicab yellow eye rings-the largest of the macaw group, adult males can attain 4 foot wingspans, and handfed/raised babies fetch ~$10K. A breathtakingly beautiful bird, though.
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There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity -Big Daddy
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