Seriously see if you can volunteer at a rescue so that you can hav first hand experience with many different species.
I do think budgies are overlooked as awesome little parrots. That said, I am not of the school of thought that people need to start off with smaller species.
While it doesn’t always end badly, I cringe when people get a particular species to “learn with” or because they “can’t afford” the species they really want or because their parents or bf or partner are only okay with something small. Craig’s List is full of birds being rehomed literally because they were a step off bird and the owner finally got their dream bird and no longer has time for the step off bird.
I’m not implying that you would ever do this but I don’t think anyone INTENDS for that to happen. This actually kind of happened with me. Skyy was not a species I’d ever had an interest in. She was offered to me by a bird store I frequent. She had been in the store 9 months and bit everyone that tried to handle her so they couldn’t sell her. They gave her to me so she wouldn’t spend her entire life as a store bird.
I WANTED a Macaw. I ended up with a Blue Crown. I love Skyy. I don’t regret her. I STILL want a Macaw but stick with smaller species because of Skyy. I feel obligated that I don’t bring in anything larger or louder or more colorful than she. I love that bird and her comfort is my primary concern. I’m too old now for a Macaw unless I adopt an aged bird as a bird that size will looong out live me.
Find your dream bird species , find a good breeder that will help you navigate the care. Start off with the bird you are dying to own and you’ll be happier in the end.
From 1-10 one being the most important 10 being the least, what qualities are you looking for? There may be species you haven’t thought of.
