What is the best kind of bird to get as a pet?

I'm hoping for a bird whose colourful, friendly, cute and maybe not super expensive?

a parakeet they are very beautiful and they also live longer

I have a cockatail and he's very friendly and tame. He let's us take him out of his cage and play with him. I'm not sure how much they run for since my dad raises them and gave him to us.

Cockatiels may not be as pretty as a Budgie (parakeet) but they are a really good starting bird I've heard and can even be taught to say a few words. I've known 2 of them and they were very friendly they each learned how to say each others names and hello. I don't think they are super expensive either, just make sure you read up on how to care for whatever bird you decide to buy so they get the proper food and shelter they need.

I've owned several lovebirds since I was in middle school. They are so cute and like miniature parrots. You can find them in pet stores for about $60-$100 dollars, and I say they're worth it! Piece of advice though, if you want to bond with your bird, no matter the breed, get only one. If you feel you won't have the time to properly interact with the bird, get two, but don't expect them to want to interact with you as much, they prefer their own kind!

Parakeets have a shorter life span then Parrot average life span if given a correct diet about about 10-15 years. They are inexpensive average cost is $10-$20. You need to get a very young bird so you will be able to hand train it. Maybe you could find a local breeeder, and if you are really lucky the breeder took the time to hand raise it. I have lost count how many parakeets I have hand raised. Many people asked me why I put the time into hand raising them, I found that if they are hand raised they are the sweetest pet, and besides I always had different baby birds all at the same time when I was hand feeding so what was a few more mouths to feed?Sapphyre Certified Avian Specialistwww.borrowed-rainbow.comJoin us athttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/BorrowedRainbowAviary/

a goldian finch. they are cute colourful and their sounds like animee, easy to take care.

Here is a list of the top five birds:http://birds.about.com/od/breedsofbirds/tp/topbirds.htmThe top ten reasons for choosing a bird as a pet:http://birds.about.com/od/adoptingabird/tp/birdsgoodpets.htm1) Parakeets/BudgiesThe common Parakeet, or Budgerigar to be exact, makes a wondeful pet for children or those who are new to keeping birds. These hardy little jewels come in an array of beautiful colors, and require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. They are quite intelligent in spite of their small size, and while most are content to whistle and sing, some have been known to learn a word or two. Average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.2) CockatielsThese medium sized birds are simply a delight to keep. Members of the parrot family, these Australian natives are known for their surprisingly advanced whistling and singing abilities. While Cockatiels are capable of learning to talk, many owners find that their birds prefer to whistle, and tend to mimic quirky, random sounds such as the ringing of a telephone. These birds are available in increasingly diverse color combinations and have an average life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.3) Sun ConuresSun Conures are another popular breed of bird. At 12 inches in length, Sunnies require less space than a larger parrot. The colorful birds display plumage of red, orange, yellow, blue, and green. Some Sun Conures grow to become great talkers, but prospective owners should know that these birds are very vocal and often screech and scream - they may not be the best choice for those who dwell in apartments or duplexes. The average life expectancy of a Sun Conure is between 20 and 35 years.4) ParrotletsParrotlets are one of the smallest known parrot species. These fiesty little birds should not be overlooked in favor of more widely known breeds of birds; any Parrotlet owner will tell you that these birds possess all the intelligence and attitude of the largest of macaws. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. At around 5 inches long, the Parrotlet has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.5) African GreysAfrican Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds, some boasting vocabularies of up to 2,000 words! Because these birds are so smart, they tend to be demanding pets, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. If you are looking for a highly intelligent and affectionate friend, however, the African Grey may be right up your alley. Greys typically live 50-70 years.Photos (c) 2005 Alyson Burgess licensed to About.com, Inc.

well, the kind of bird that i have is a zebra finche. they are somewhat colorful. they have black and white striped feathers on the back end. the males have orange cheeks. they are small and fun to watch and listen to

Grey parrots are really friendly when you hold them alot and they look lovely

We have a lovebird. Find a bird store vs. going to Petsmart or Petco. What you want to find is a place that sells hand-fed babies. When they are weaned, they are ready to go to a home. We got ours that way...and yes, only ONE. He has bonded with me and my husband and is super friendly. He's a violet mutation of the Peach Faced. He's got a purple butt, green blue body, gray head with a cream crown. They are funny little clowns with alot of personality.They cost about $80 and will live 10+ years.

get a cocktail they live 13-20 years and can mimik sounds like crazy and they are so loving and smart. have even herd cases where they pick up words. no more then a sentence or so but its still cool

Depending on what you consider "super expensive". If you can affored the cost, I think a Sun Conure would fit you. They are very friendly, comical, and train easily. They are very colorful, in that they are bright red/orange/yellow. They are slightly larger then a cockatiel. They are not know n to be good talkers. Depending on where you buy them they cost from $350-500.Too expensive? My next recommendation is a cockatiel. I prefer Latino's, only because they look nicer then the regular gray cockatiels. Cost around $100.Need more advice, contact us at our website.StudlyCertified Avian Specialistwww.borrowed-rainbow.com

The best bird for you is dependent upon your lifestyle. But by the description you gave, a parakeet or English Budgie would probably be the best choice for you. They come in about any color you could want and do not cost an arm and a leg. They do not live as long as larger parrots obviously, but can be the best, cute little pals you could have.Another advantage to Budgerigars is that they are not too loud, actually, as a English Budgie breeder, their cute little chatters are quite pleasant.The bird that best fits your description is the parakeet or English budgie; who are certainly colorful, friendly, cute and are probably one of the cheapest birds out there.