MangoSmoothie, I appreciate the concern, but rest assured — I've done probably over a thousand hours of research, visited and held and interacted with different types of parrots, and talked to friends extensively about the pros and cons of the species and subspecies they own. I'm well familiar with the websites, forums and Facebook groups. I've also tamed and cared for a few cockatiels, although I know they're not as demanding as other species. (Highly recommend it, by the way! They are pretty much the least demanding birds. They are also not too loud. My tiel, who I've had for 20 years, is uncaged and shares communal living space, but she pretty much plays by herself, with the exception of perching on us at mealtimes.)
I ask for recommendations because 1) I love them all and find it hard to choose one above the others! and 2) I haven't started grad school yet and am basically asking for advice, from those who've been there, on how much free time it's realistic to assume I will be able to give and which species others have successfully cared for. That's why pyrrhura conures (green-cheeked, black-capped, crimson-bellied, etc. — personality-wise, even breeders say they are indistinguishable) and pionuses appeal — I don't think I'd be able to commit to a cockatoo or a grey, much as I wish I could!
Btw, Quakers also have a special corner of my heart, but they're illegal in California, where I'm moving for my PhD, because escaped pets have bred there and become an invasive species. The noise is a concern, too, because I'm fairly certain I'll be in an apartment for the foreseeable future.
Ballwura, again, I appreciate the concern, but I do know what I'm getting into and I do want a parrot, not a canary! I know many people buy birds impulsively and then don't want to dedicate the proper amount of time, but given how long my enthusiasm for them has already lasted, I don't think I'm at risk of neglecting or regretting a larger bird. I'm a bird person !