I am surprised I am the first to say it - one bird will be lonely, if you can, get two. If you can't get two at the same time, bond with the first bird and then get a second soon after. Parrots especially are not solitary birds. Birds in general, at least the ones you can have as pets, are most likely to be social birds and therefore need a companion. Companions don't necessarily need to be the same breed. I love cockatiels, they are great birds overall, I have two of them! They're cuddly, sweet, kind and very very cute. They're also picky eaters, picky toy choosers, small little birbs, they love to whistle in mirrors, come in many different mutations (what's your favourite?), can be super fussy and can be a little naughty (like all birds!). My first bird was a canary, but the first family birds (my brothers, I believe) were two budgies, I think the first was moonbeam and the second was something like rainbow. Budgies are sweet, smaller than cockatiels and loving. Lovebirds are beautiful too, I cannot say much since I have not kept them in the past, but they have a very cute chirp.