Between my sister, my brother and I, we've had 5 budgies. I love them! They are SO cute and adorable. So soft and fluffy.
They cost less because they more common and probably easier to breed. And, of course they eat less than larger birds, so that's cheaper too. I grew up with a couple cockatiels, but nothing bigger. However, from what I've heard and read, budgies are a lot less complicated when it comes to behavioral problems. No bluffing phase, less prone to plucking, biting, etc. than other birds. (One of my sister's birds did pluck for a short time after her mate died, but none of our others have.)
They are great for apartments, because they don't have ear-piercing screams, and since they're so tiny, they can still be happy in a smaller space. (My guy lives in my 13'x14' bedroom, which lets him fly to his little heart's content, whereas a macaw would get like two wing flaps in).
And did I mention they're seriously adorable?!
That's really true, I like that it is easy to tell their gender. I have heard they are quiet, but that they chatter throughout the entire day. I am worried that I'd get annoyed easily by that. Is the noise quiet enough to kind of "fade into the background," or is it one of those things that's really prominent?
In my limited experience, two were quieter than one! I would recommend to find a Youtube video or something of budgies singing. Personally it never annoys me, no matter how much he does it, because I find it to be a beautiful sound. I love when he sings. His prime singing time is around 12-4pm, plus whenever I have the radio on. He gets quieter in the evenings.
The only noise that can be annoying to me is when he'll "squawk" a bunch of times in a row. However, while his mate was alive, he never did this. After she died, he realized I exist, and I became his flock. Now, if he wants my attention he'll squawk or "contact call" (look that up for examples too--- this one is not annoying to me at all either, but could be to some people). While his mate was alive, he never had to squawk for attention because she was always right there.
I love all three of mine one was a rescue one was an adoption and the other was petco purchase but she is still my favorite, i got her during a hard time in my life shortly after the suicide of my best friend of the last 20 years and she is almost a year old now she helped me through a lot and they all have their own weird personality (In the picture left to right Poof (she broke her tail feathers in a toy), Captain Jack Parakeet, and Nugget(used to be Rick))
I have two budgies. I got Sweetpea a year ago. He loves to fly around and land on my shoulder. He is a big bird in a little body! He likes to fly onto my shoulder and get into a staring contest with me and try to bite my nose. He flips out over his toys, especially ones with bells. He's always calling out "Hey Baby, how you doing?". He's a sassy little brat and I can just watch him for hours!