[slodave]

I love birds and had a number of parakeets over the years. The last two were English Parakeets. They look like a normal 'keet, but are larger and were bred as show birds. If you do get a bird, stay away from Parakeets. Australia banned the export in the late 1800's and because of this their gene pool is very polluted (inbred). It's hit or miss with longevity with them. The normal variety can live up to about 15 years and the English will live to about 10, if you are lucky. They can also die within a few days of buying one.

Using parakeets as an example... If you have one, they will become attached to you and family, as it will adopt you as part of its flock, interact with you. If you have two, all bets are off, as they will become good friends and pretty much ignore you and your family.

Lastly, I do not believe in clipping their wings. Birds are meant to fly. All my birds had free range of the house during the day. They seemed happier and definitely had longer lives. You do have to be careful with open doors though.