Birds can be amazing pets. I posted a few articles over time on some of the brood our family has. Several cockatiels, a few 'keets, a green cheek conure and a style of ring neck parrot (that a local pet store tells me is actually a species of parrotkeet, but I don't know what makes the technical difference, and from size alone, I'd call a parrot).
The ring neck we have is smart and entertaining in her own way. She loves french fries, pizza crust, bread, and potato chips and will occassionally do a thank you head bob after getting those treats.
The green cheek conure is a fascinating little critter that loves to hang up side down in his cage, walking on the roof of it that way. Watching him eat is kind of entertaining as he makes use of his claws to hold food items, rotating them this way and that, and getting a good grip on things. Before we got him (and later the ring neck which does the same thing) we didn't realize birds would use their claws in that manner, as the cockatiels and 'keets just use their beaks and nothing else when dealing with food.
The green cheek is our best communicator, though not a 'real' talker. He mumbles words, some of which are very intelligible, others of which you are left thinking you've just heard Kenny on South Park (who always mumbles and is almost never able to be understood).
In anycase, while birds can make great pets, they also can be a bigger obligation than people realize. Some species of birds can live for many, many years. If you ever think of getting one as a pet, get your homework done first, and find out how long your new pet will be with you. Also be aware that birds spit and flick seed hulls all over the place, and can be quite the little mess makers. Not quite as odorific as a cat with it's litter box, or as noisy as a puppy dog can be, but still something to be aware of and prepared for.
