My brother-in-law gave us a young parakeet and a cage last year.  He raises parakeets and cocktiels, but he doesn't train them.  We had parakeets when growing up, so I knew a little about them.  But I've learned a lot since then, and would recommend parakeets as pets.  However, I would recommend reading about them first so that you can care for them properly.

Our little "Peeper" is quite a songster, although he doesn't talk.  He does respond to us when we whistle, though.  He always climbs on our hands and likes to nibble on my hair.  He can do some amazing acrobatics and is very entertaining. ...