There is definitely a pretty big difference in the time and resources a bird demands between small birds and large birds. Little finches or canaries being happy without a lot of contact and attention if they have another birdie to live with. Parakeets and tiels are a step up from those IMO (though I also do not profess to be any expert, just by my personal experience), though I think parakeets again can be just as happy if their main companionship is another parakeet, and tiels seem to crave more affection and people time even if they have another tiel companion.

I know that in my experience, female parakeets and female cockatiels are far less vocal overall than the males, but it is probably very different with the large parrots. I have never had a finch or canary type bird before either.

This thread has been interesting