Hi there: Jump right in and get an African Grey parrot. Quick story, ours escaped twice, and we managed to get him back ... the third time, zippo. Anyway, they are great company, troubles are few but here goes ... they 'take' to either gals or blokes, rarely both! Try and get a red tail, they make better talkers, they are moody, cheeky and loveable – all in the same half-hour! Never feed them lettuce or avocados, disaster awaits. The experts will tell you this and that ... but they virtually eat what you do, including toast, biscuits, fruit of every description ... ours loved granadillas, not sure if you get them in the UK, easy to come by here in South Africa, don't try and peel it, give it whole and watch the skins fly! Great company, learn to talk only from a year old ... while they can live to be 70 years young! Enjoy your parrot endeavours!