I have experience with cockateils, lovebirds, conures and budgies. I am 16 but I will be taking my parrot with me anywhere I go. I have a family of 4 and my mom is always home and she loves birds and will be there for the bird too.
I would get a caique. Macaws are a massive leap from conures, not really what you want. If you think you are ready for a macaw, do your research and find a decent breeder. Browse around this forum, you will find a load of info and people asking the same questions. It is a lot better than yahoo, there is no motivation for answering so people are less inclined to just say something stupid.
http://www.parrotforums.com/
A caique.
In my experience, any macaw is loud, messy, and aggressive, regardless of upbringing. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love macaws, especially my "baby", a blue and gold macaw who I spent about two weeks with during my vacation in March. He was absolutely adorable, spoke a couple phrases, and was very friendly. However, he was loud and messy and that beak is something I would NEVER want to get too close to. They are a massive leap from any species of conure and require at least nine months of research before one even considers owning one.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Caiques are playful, friendly, but mischievous. Always keep an eye on these guys when they are out of their cage. They become bored easily so keep them supplied with lots of toys. They are as loud and messy as any conure but less so than the blue and gold. They are always so full of playful antics. They are the real clowns of the bird world. I bird-sittted a black-headed caique a year or two back and he was so adorable. He was very needy for attention though. It's something I would keep in mind.
caique, but if you've done at least 6 + months of reading & are gonna be living with someone who's gonna be home 24/7 in college, and you think you are ready, you can go for the macaw. understand that macaws need 6 + hours of attention a day, scream LOUD, take up $ 150 - $ 200 a month, and can inflict nasty bites if not properly trained. they also cost $ 800 - $ 1,800 ( blue and golds). they're not like what you see on youtube or TV (talking, dancing, singing, fun macaws) without lots of training! they're poop need cleaned lots (you can buy bird poop remover at any petstore, really, and it really works). macaws are also on the endangered species list, so no trying to hand feed a 1 day old chick! get a weaned or VERY close to being weaned macaw, because without some experience, it's bye bye birdy!
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com the caiques are a little easier to take care of, but i don't know a lot about them, sorry!
good luck!
I would get a caique, they are not as loud or as destructive as macaws. Also since they are smaller they are a bit easier to manage, and won't be as intimidating for your friends and family. Caiques have great playful personalities!
Good Luck! :-)
