Budgerigars (small parrots).

They're active, smart, and social. They fly.

So I made them a flight cage that takes up most of the room they're in. I'd prefer a full walk-in aviary, but don't have room in my apartment.

Cleaning isn't bad, I just shop-vac out the litter tray & refill it with a 20lb bag of corn cob bits. Fresh food in the mornings, take it out & replace with pellets around noon. Clean water daily. Millet treats when I let them out (about an hour per day to interact with them).

Feathers get everywhere when they molt. And feather dust. Their room has its own HEPA filter.

Vet appointments are more expensive for exotics than cats & dogs. There are fewer exotic vets, and I always go to a board certified avian vet. Boarding when I go on vacation is also more expensive (about $50/day), especially since they're flighted.

They're not anywhere near as loud or destructive as larger parrots, but that doesn't mean they're quiet. Just means they might not damage your hearing from the next room. They wake up with the dawn, and let you know about it.

They're extremely sensitive to airborne toxins (avian respiration is rather different from mammalian). That means absolutely no teflon cookware use, no air fresheners, etc.