What is the one most important trait in a companion bird for you?

If you had to choose the one quality you thought was the most valuable to you, what would it be?

Independence?
Cuddliness?
Talkability?
Intelligence?
Playfulness?
Etc?

Personality

Before I got a bird, I thought cuddliness was my topmost quality, but when I was really looking at species, I really narrowed my top criteria as being sweet. I'm not really sure if "sweet" is a species quality or simply an individual thing though. When I was caring for a Quaker, she was uber cuddly and super intelligent, and I loved playing with her, but she'd bite me at random times for what I thought was no reason. If Sputnik nips at me it's not a bloody mess but most importantly I understand why he bit.

I love Sputnik for his intelligence, playfulness, curiosity and talking abilities, but mostly I love him because he is so very very sweet.

It's difficult to choose one trait. Birds have so many facets, and for companion birds a lot of those are important.

If I had to pick only one, it would be tolerance level. I guess I mean friendliness by that. I would want a bird I can hand to my little cousins and it won't bite them for petting it a little roughly. It wouldn't have to be all snuggly or love being with people, but it would be fine with anyone. I would WANT cuddliness and playfulness, but for me those aren't quite as important.

Adaptability. Change is not too upsetting, being able to recover from a traumatic experience, not freaking out over things. I do believe adaptability can be taught, preferably when the bird's still very young and impressionable.

Jan - Does Sputnik talk? What does he say? It always amazes me that the budgies talk. It's very cute.

I can't pinpoint one trait, it depends on the over all personality. I love different things about different birds. I like birds that like being handled.

Loveableness.

How's that for a super-scientific approach to the issue? I can't even define it really. I could make a laundry list of characteristics I'd prefer or not prefer, but at the end of the day, I want to love the little critter despite all its annoying qualities and just plain because they make me smile.

A famous horseman once said, of buying a top level competition horse at that, that once you had verified the horse had all the qualities you needed, that the most important thing was that you like him and want to see that head hanging out your stall door every morning, because he may be laid up, or things may not work out, and he'll still be yours.

I would agree with Julsie, I love a bird that likes to be handled. That and intelligence (even though this often ends up bitin me in the backside )

what i want out of a bird is the same as i want out of my dogs, love , affection, playfulness, obedience, intelligence, and no pooping on me...well ok i got all of them except the last one, but we are working on that....lol


dusty

thats a hard one...
personality is a big factor, I think. probably the biggest for me actually.
other things I like about rainbow is her handleability and her cuddliness as well as her mischevious streak.. I asked my dad if we were going to add another bird, would he want another cockatiel? and he replied "oh definetly another conure. they're so, whats the word, personable? if only they weren't so loud." which say quite a lot considering he hates(!) rainbow's screeches

patdbunny wrote:

Adaptability. Change is not too upsetting, being able to recover from a traumatic experience, not freaking out over things. I do believe adaptability can be taught, preferably when the bird's still very young and impressionable.

Jan - Does Sputnik talk? What does he say? It always amazes me that the budgies talk. It's very cute.

All of these comments are great and what I want to say too! lol.

Oh Sputnik talks up a storm! My sister says it sounds like I'm in the room talking to him when he's chatting away. : )
He says:
Pretty bird
Good bird
Whatcha doin?
P-P-P-Pipsqueak! (with the stutter too. Pipsqueak is my sister's budgie. He spent three days at her house and learned to say this in that short time!)
I love you
Sputnik
Sweet little bird
budgie
Itty bitty pretty bird
Step up
he coughs & makes kissing noises
Kiss
Poopie (often pairs this with good or Pipsqueak!!)
So happy to see you
What's up?

and that's all I can think of - I really should write them down. And then he chatters too with words I can't understand.

I must agree with Roz,Adaptability,that just about covers it,i consider adaptability very closely related to early socialization(proper socialization), you can have a great pet around the living room with you and your other , but to have a pet that goes everywhere and dose every thing and can be nonagressive with strangers is a true blessing,How cool is it that Yoshi get s to go on vacation instead of being alone at home.Having a fid who trust you completely and can adapt to any situation so long as she's with you is a very unique relationship and opens a world of possibilities.

Jan wrote:

Oh Sputnik talks up a storm! My sister says it sounds like I'm in the room talking to him when he's chatting away. : )
He says:
Pretty bird
Good bird
Whatcha doin?
P-P-P-Pipsqueak! (with the stutter too. Pipsqueak is my sister's budgie. He spent three days at her house and learned to say this in that short time!)
I love you
Sputnik
Sweet little bird
budgie
Itty bitty pretty bird
Step up
he coughs & makes kissing noises
Kiss
Poopie (often pairs this with good or Pipsqueak!!)
So happy to see you
What's up?

and that's all I can think of - I really should write them down. And then he chatters too with words I can't understand.

Oh my! That is soooo cool. Now I want a tame talking budgie.

henpecked wrote:

but to have a pet that goes everywhere and dose every thing and can be nonagressive with strangers is a true blessing,How cool is it that Yoshi get s to go on vacation instead of being alone at home.Having a fid who trust you completely and can adapt to any situation so long as she's with you is a very unique relationship and opens a world of possibilities.

Yes. Everyone loves Ducky. I take him with me to show people what their baby will grow into. I see it in their eyes - they don't want another bird, they want DUCKY!

And how many CAG's would put up with being jumped and wrestled into a harness (I should say how many owners would be left with enough blood afterwards)? Mine did with plenty of kisses afterwards.

Camping or RVing for 2 weeks - all the pet birds come along.

It ends up like having a beloved dog that you just take everywhere without a second thought.

GlassOnion wrote:

If you had to choose the one quality you thought was the most valuable to you, what would it be?

Independence?
Cuddliness?
Talkability?
Intelligence?
Playfulness?
Etc?

Seriously, I can't choose only one quality. It's like with other animals: I love them, because they bring so much joy in my life. I love to watch them, play with them, talk to them. I love the fact, that when I'm coming home from work they are there and I see them happy to see me. I guess everything matters a bit.