Q: I do live in a condo right now.
A: That is a huge limiting factor, but it's doable. I had a Meyer's parrot in an apartment for years and no one complained. While every bird is an individual and any bird can and will be loud on occasion, I found her to be relatively quiet in the sense that she was not a constant screamer and when she did scream, her volume was low compared to equally sized birds known for being loud (some conures) or larger birds like macaws. I also find some species' calls/screams (lovebirds) to be sharper and more irritating than other species that might be louder, so make sure you do your research.
Q: I never own a bird before.
A: Have you tried fostering, volunteering with a rescue or meeting any friends' birds to see how you like birds? They are so different from other commonly kept pets, and it takes a different psychology to live with them so they thrive and trust you.
Q: I would like to have a cuddly bird.
A: Honestly, I've never understood why so many people on this forum get defensive when someone says they want a cuddly bird. Every bird is an individual and certainly any bird could be NOT cuddly, but so can any other pet. I don't think guinea pigs are cuddly at all. A lot of popular small mammal pets (guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, gerbils, etc.) generally hate cuddling and being held for extended periods of time. They tolerate being held and some may enjoy being stroked. Very few of the cats I've met in my lifetime enjoyed being cuddled in the traditional sense of the word -- some liked to be pet on their terms, most enjoyed trying to suffocate me in my sleep.
The only pet I think you can reliably say likes to cuddle is dogs, and even then they are individuals. One of my dogs loves to be pet and hugged but hates cuddling on the couch or while she's "relaxing," and will not sleep in the same bed with another dog or a human; the other dog loves cuddling at all times.
That said, I've found a lot of the birds I've kept (budgies when I was a kid, my Meyer's as an adult) craved physical contact and loved cuddling up in my hand, on my shoulder against my neck/head or on my chest under my chin or in my shirt pocket. My CAG likes head scratches and will occasionally like to rest on my chest for some pets, but I would not call her cuddly at all.
YES, I will keep repeating that every bird is an individual and you could end up with a bird that does not want physical contact and that you should not make it a top priority, but I don't think it's out of line for people to say they are looking for a bird that is more affectionate than it is aloof. That said, it's not good to trigger hormonal/breeding responses with your physical contact, and an overly need bird that always wants to cuddle is a huge pain that can interfere with your daily activity or result in constant screaming, so be careful what you wish for. You also have to be watchful about your own safety around your bird's beak.
I highly recommend adopting an adult parrot whose needs, personality and behavior are more apparent and understood, although nothing is guaranteed because a parrot's behavior is highly tailored to how they feel about a person and situation. I adopted my Meyer's when she was 17 and while she was the angriest bird I've ever met, she became very cuddly and affectionate over time.
Q: I have minor allergies.
A: Do you know what your allergic to? And how bad are your allergies? My allergist said I should not have any pets, but here I am. Volunteering or fostering birds will help you gauge your sensitivity so you and a bird aren't put in a bad position later on. I have an air filter right next to my CAG's cage and another one just several feet away in my living room.
Q: I would love to do training with my bird, and I would like to be able to flight train it.
A: I have no personal experience with this.
Q: It would be a bonus if he or her could talk, but it is not that important.
A: Good not to make this a priority because even birds that talk don't talk on cue, won't say what you want them to when you want them to, and can become too fetishized by people. My CAG has a huge vocabulary but actually doesn't talk a ton. She was adopted so she came with that vocabulary and has added to it over time.
Q: I know each bird is different but what species generally speaking would be good for me?
A: I'm very partial to the poicephalus species: Meyer's, Senegals, etc. They aren't small and they aren't big. They generally aren't known for being screamers. (Do I need to keep repeating that every bird is an individual and there are no guarantees, or, can we just accept that every comment and recommendation comes with that caveat?) Senegals are often found in rescues needing adoption. I did find with my Meyer's and have read that the species tend to be aggressive with other birds.
A: I also wonder if a male or female would be good.
Q: I think this issue can vary depending on the species you are considering. My Meyer's was female and my CAG is female, and I've had no special issues with them. Females may occasionally lay eggs, so you have to consider the possibility of any health issues that come with that. If they do lay eggs, you have to let them sit on them for awhile so they don't keep laying, and they can be very territorial during that time (1 month or more) and are completely hands-off.
Good luck.
