Hi Emily,
Cockatiels & parakeets can be good first birds. A hand fed or already tame bird is recommended. There is a species of parakeet known as a Bourke’s Parakeet which are beautiful shades of blue and also come in a pink mutation. These are gentle and generally quiet birds, other than a sweet natural song they have.
Cockatiels and the budgerigar parakeet, which is the common parakeet, are a bit louder. Generally the males make the best pets and talkers. Both come in a large variety of colors and patterns, with the cockatiels mainly being white. grey & yellow. Any bird can become hormonal and this is typically when the weather is warmer. To avoid or minimize the behavior do not provide a nest, bird tent or anything they can shred for nesting material like paper.
Here is a link with more information on different species.
Types of Birds
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda