@DoubleTake Umbrella's are in all honesty what I see commonly as companions. I'm happy to provide any extra information that anyone wants (I wasn't really sure what to provide and I didn't want to throw an over load of information).
Yep I am a complete novice with these birds and I'm not afraid to admit that as everyone was one once.
I'm UK based and most 'toos go for about £1,000-£800, which yes is something I can happily afford and add on with the upkeep.
For what I'm looking for in a bird is definitely one that talks, but that's not everything of course as the one I might get in the future never will. Also they have these vibrant personalities and are just initially stunning.
I can deal with noise, temper tantrums and biting and all the things that come with a bird who likes a lot of attention, which I know they need a bit more of, or so I've read.
I have two conures and two parrotlets. The pairs don't get on, not so much because of the size difference but because the conures are very territorial over their cage and so they are in different parts of the house.
The reasons for the difference threads is because I don't know which one appeals to me more. Africans and Cocktoos are ones i wanted since I was a kid, Indians and Amazons are a new discovering for me.
Any more information you need I'm happy to provide, I apologise for not being more informative.