I would have to totally agree with a cockateil being a good starter bird.
Parrots are great, but you really should try your hand at something a bit eaiser to start with. They don't require a large cage, like a parrot. A handraised teil is wonderful companionship. Males can talk, but it is not one of their big points, and you really have to work with them.
As far as one bird or another not spreading seeds all over. Sorry, they all do it. Birds are messy no matter how you look at it.
