What bird to get?!

Question
My boyfriend has a blue-crown conure.  She likes me, but she'll never love me the way she loves him.  He and I have been talking about it and he thinks I should get a bird of my own.

I've done a lot of reserach about different types of bird.  I went to a bird mill (just to check out birds) and fell in love with a Severe Macaw. So, I thought that was the bird I wanted. I did some reading, and found out that they were as noisy as full grown macaws. Then, I went to a nice small parrot shop and saw the Eclectus.

I bought a book and read about them.  They are beautiful birds! Although they can learn a decent vocabulary, they don't seem very playful.

Then, I have been doing some reading on the Senegal.  They seem like an ideal pet.

I just don't know which type of bird would be the best for me as a 1st time bird owner. It seems like every owner LOVES their type of bird.  Many of the books do not give the downside to the speciaes.  My boyfriend has offered to HELP with the bird but he reminds me that it is MY bird to train and take care of (which I have no problem with).

Answer
This is a dilemma that every first time bird owner faces! :)

For a first time owner, I would like to suggest one of the more..."manageable" species. A macaw as you mentioned, even one of the smaller species, probably isn't the best choice for a first timer. True, they can be quite loud, but birds in general have their moments mainly at dawn and dusk, as well as contact calls. It us as "owners" who cause them to be "noisy". By creating behavioural screaming, etc.

Eclectus as a general rule are beaky birds and get pretty bad, from what I've heard, during puberty. It takes an experienced bird owner to deal with these sorts of behaviours in order to "model" proper/acceptable behaviours. Personally, the beakiness of the eclectus has never turned me off to them, I'd still love a female (even tho they are even worse than males, lol), and even after I held a female and got my hands nipped to heck. Anyways, not the best choice for a first timer.

Now, the Senegal, from what I hear, is an AWESOME first time pet. They're small, cute, and extra playful, as well as super smart!! They can have quite a good vocabulary as well. I haven't found that this particular species is very nippy either. And if you are able to easily handle your boyfriends Blue Crown, then a Senegal shouldn't be too difficult for you. :D They are about the same size.

That is the unfortunate part about books, they don't give the cons to certain species, and they really NEED to. I think that's another reason why there are so many birds up for readoption, because people don't know what to expect (due to lack of proper research). You're off on the right foot!!!!!

Some other species that I might suggest would be Cockatiels (one of the BEST for first timers), Green Cheek Conures, Maroon Belly Conures, Meyers... just trying to think of good first time "pet" birds.

It all really depends on what size you're looking for, and how playful of a pet. The conures as a general rule are QUITE playful, especially Green Cheeks, and they're adorable too, smaller than Blue Crowns tho. Meyers, Senegals and any of the Poicephalus species are pretty playful, some more laidback than others, but all great for first time bird owners.

Here are some great sites you can check out:
http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww18e.htm
(I would look through the entire birds'n'ways site, its EXCELLENT, has many articles on different species, behavioural problems, proper housing, care, etc.)
http://www.petstation.com/whatbird.html
(this site goes over quite a few species, pros/cons, etc.)
http://www.avianweb.com/companionbird.htm
(just some general info.)

One species you might start to consider, but I do NOT by any means suggest for a first time owner is the Cockatoo. Yes they are sweet and cuddly and absolutely adorable little sucks, but it takes a lot to raise these guys properly, and they are quite prone to feather plucking. I personally have an Umbrella Cockatoo is quite insecure because she was unfortunately force weaned (which I did NOT appreciate from the breeeders in the least) and at about 3 years of age she started plucking when I got a new job and had to change my schedule slightly. She isn't as bad as most plucking cockatoos and she does allow her feathers to grow back in for a time...but we've tried everything, even giving her extra attention hasn't done it. Once they start, its hard to get them to stop. Anyways, just want to warn you about Cockatoos, there are far too many homeless 'toos out there.

I hope that I've provided you with enough information to make a decision!!! :D Good luck, and I'd love to hear from you again.

Take care,
Sarah