great bird for kids?

[IcyWolf]

I have to go with the male 'tiel suggestion too! Conures are beaky birds and can be loud. another option you may want to consider that i've seen hasn't been mentioned is a dove or pair of doves. They're very very quiet and loving birds. They are fragile though, just as any bird! But they're good nursery birds because of their quiet cooing as opposed to the sqwak of a parrot.

Edit// also, as far as i know, a "bite" from a dove is much less painful than that of a hookbill

I said the same thing about a dove! They are such great birds, it's a shame they are so often overlooked. I've known quite a few kids that have even free flight trained doves and pigeons without too much difficulty. I had some ringnecks a few years back and they were just awesome. There's also a feed store near me that has a resident pigeon, they let him out of his cage and he will fly around the store, all you have to do is whistle and hold your hand out and he will come flying to you! So cool

 

[Joeyx]

what about meyer's or senegals?

They can definitely be as dominant and nippy as conures. I don't think I'd recommend them for small children.

ohh, good to know! thinking about getting one myself.... if i ever find one
here. ;( preferably a meyer's.

 

[roxynoodle]

My sister's Meyers was a holy terror, although I suspect she had something to do with that. Prior to that she had a CAG who was also a holy terror. I think she may not be as much a bird person as she thinks she is.

This may sound funny, but can you have chickens where you live? Big and sturdy for little hands and I've met some super sweet hens.

 

[mtdoramike]

what about meyer's or senegals?

I call Senegals the Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde of the parrot world. One minute they are sweet as sugar and will cuddle and give kisses and the next minute it seems a switch is flipped and they turn into this moody bitey bird. At least the 5 that I have been around are.

 

[evesta]

I chose to get two baby lineolated parakeets after first thinking of getting GCC. They seem to me to be the perfect family bird or first bird. I have been told they can be kept together and still stay sweet, are usually pretty quiet and have a pleasant noise(it is an adorable sound!) and aren't usually nippy. I like that they do a lot of big parrot things, like using their feet to pick things up or hang upside down. I think they are cuddlier than some but also pretty independent, especially if they have another linnie buddy or another quiet bird like a bourke. They also have these big black eyes and come in lots of different colors. They are harder to find than tiels and parakeets but you might want to research them. Good luck!