as great as a penguin would be (esp on of those little minis from australian-man i want to scoop one up and bring it home) i think parakeets make good pets. they can be affectionate, make little noise or mess and don't require a whole lot of care or food (although mine seems to eat alot. he's such a fat whale). but they are good pets if you are not home alot
someone in my cong just got a gray parrot. i should go check that out.
i knew someone who had one. they are nice, and very very good talkers. but they also are very expensive, loud and messy. projectile poopers
no poop no thanks