Large parrots are both more costly and considerably more demanding than their small relatives such as the parakeet. Parrots will become extremely devoted to their owners and should live for decades as compared to the much smaller birds that have a shorter life span. Caution should be taken around these birds because of their powerful beaks. If you desire a bird that you can work with, teach to mimic and is smaller than a parrot but larger than a parakeet, a cockatiel is a good choice. Cockatiels are good for homes with children, since it shows none of the temperamental weakness of its close relatives in the parrot family.
Cockatiels can become good mimics and the male cockatiel especially has a pleasant song.
For many people, the parakeet is the obvious choice as a pet bird. They are easy to care for, both in terms of their housing and feeding needs. They will learn how to talk quite easily, especially if obtained when young and have an attractive natural chattering call. Millions of these wonderful parakeets are kept as companions throughout the world by people of all ages. Some birds are highly valued as pets although they neither talk nor become exceptionally tame.