Hi

Apart from their size, there is very little care & maintenance that differs between the 2 species. Both are desert dwellers. Both do great on a rich colourful, dark green veg, sprouts, grassy & seed food diets. Both should only be offered fruit as a treat as it is not a natural food for them in the wild & too high in sugar. Both can be as noisy or as quiet as one another. The noise level can be an individual thing. I have a male cockatiel who picks his moments of being rather noisy. A noisy household or noise outdoors can also impact on the noise level of your bird.

There is no bird more or less social than the other. It depends on the social up bringing you & your family give the bird. They're the ones who learn to live & learn behaviours from us.

(IMO) as a first bird with young kids you should start with one. Learn as you go along with this one & then if you want to extend the family you can. If you have a lot of time your bird won't get bored. Shop around in local papers etc...I'm not sure what price you have seen them at but they shouldn't be pricey, looking around & looking through breeders you might find them cheaper.

I believe it is also important to have your kids interact (with strict supervision) as it will give them a lot of experience & understanding of how they should be handled & cared for.

The 2 for sale could come at risks. You don't know a lot about their background, how they've been cared for, if they will come with 'baggage'. How bonded they are to one another. It is very possible you may not have them bond to anyone in the family. If you're prepared to take the chance that is great. But as long as you're aware 'second hand' or re homed birds may not be so easy to care for & reluctant to be friends with you.

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