actually i spent about 5 months deciding and then preparing my home for the birds. i did lots of research for the best type of parrot for an apartment, and went for green cheeked conures which are pretty small (only slightly bigger than budgies really). we did not get the birds for the child, but thought they would not mind him as my boyfriend had his parrot (half-moon conure) at age 7 and it bonded to him after a while. since we legally have to have two birds kept together in switzerland, it is much harder to get them to bond to us. but at least they have each other's company during the day and can preen each other. i wouldn't keep them separately at all.

i have no intention to rehome my birds as, as you said, there are plenty others that need homes. if this apartment landlord won't let me keep them, then i'll just have to keep looking for an apartment that will, even if it is a little outside zurich.

my birds are allowed out in my living room every evening. in my new place, i intend to put more perches around so that they have more landing and play spots. i usually put them to bed after feeding them in the evenings, 8 or 9pm, by covering their cage with a black duvet sheet. all you hear is their soft chattering. so i definitely won't be breaking any no-noise-after-10-pm rule.

you could always argue that birds should never be kept indoors anyway, which would apply for all birds, from canaries to cockatoos. and space is really relative to the size of the birds.

at the moment my only concern is getting permission from the landlord. and i will be implementing soud proofing strategies as soon as possible.