Best Pet Birds For Beginners
Pet birds are a fantastic addition to any family. They are beautiful and are highly entertaining. And each bird species has its own unique personality. But are birds a good option for a beginner? No matter if you are a first-time pet owner or new to birds. We have a list of the best pet birds for beginners. But first, let’s talk about the pros and cons of owning a bird.
Pros Of Pet Birds
While all bird species have their unique personalities, all of them have the same pros to getting them. These are all the reasons that people all over the world have fallen in love with pet birds.
Great For Apartments
Birds don’t require a lot of room like dogs or cats. They fair well in small apartments as long as you have room for their cages. Most people who live in apartments also have to pay pet deposits. But most apartment complexes don’t care about birds. As long as your neighbors don’t complain about noise, then most people will never know you even have one.
Intelligence
Birds of all species are highly intelligent. Most of them can learn tricks and how to whistle your favorite song. You will be surprised at what your bird will pick up on—everything from how to open their cage to solving puzzles. Your bird will even recognize anyone who comes to visit you.
Social
You will also find that birds are very social. They will jump for joy when you come home and will even call to you. Unlike some pets, your bird will genuinely enjoy spending all of their time with you. They will shower you with unique “gifts” to show their love.
Long Lifespan
Most pet birds live anywhere from 10-15 years. Larger parrots can live even longer. That is amazing for a pet owner because it means more time with your beloved. A longer lifespan also makes them great for kids. Of course, keeping your bird healthy is what determines how long they live. So giving them the best life will make them live longer.
Cheap
The most expensive part of any bird is buying their cage. After the one time purchase of a cage, birds are cheap to feed and entertain. They do need new toys every couple of months. But even their toys are affordable and can also be handmade.
Low Maintenance
Say bye-bye to long walks and exercising your pets. Birds are happy as long as their cages are large enough, and you give them some love. Even cleaning is usually quick and easy compared to some pets.
Cons Of Owning Pets
No matter what pet you get, they all have things we could all live without. But if you can look past all these bad qualities, you would make a great bird owner.
Noisy
The biggest complaint that people have about birds is their noise. Some birds are genuinely there for the early worm. And they will wake up the whole house in the process. Some owners have even said that their birds throw toddler-like tantrums when they don’t get their way. So if you enjoy peace and quiet, then a bird probably isn’t for you.
Fragile Respiratory
Birds can develop respiratory illnesses quickly. Strong cleaners can’t be used around them, and some bird owners even have bad experiences with Teflon pans. When cleaning, your bird should be in a well-ventilated area as far away from the cleaner as possible. And only natural cleaners should be used in the cage.
Messy Eaters
You might notice that your bird likes to throw around their food. Seeds will get everywhere, and everything that they don’t want will end up on the floor. And they will also take regular baths in their water dish. So messes will be inevitable and need to be cleaned often.
Interaction
Since birds are social, it also means that they will need lots of interaction. Some birds prefer to have your attention from the moment you get home. And if you can’t give your bird the attention they need, they might need a friend. Of course, getting multiple birds might mean that they bond with each other and not you. But they will still be just as fun.
Vet Expenses
If you ever have to take your bird to the vet, you can expect the cost to be high. Bird specialists could be hard to find, and they can cost more than a cat or dog vet.
Best Pet Birds For Beginners
If you got through the pros and cons list and still think a bird is the best pet for you, keep reading. We will talk about the seven best pet birds for beginners. So no matter if you have never had a pet before, or just new to birds, we have a bird for you. And we have given you a few critical factors to know about in a quick snapshot. That way, you can see the bird’s requirements to be happy.
Parakeets
Some of the most common birds sold are parakeets. These docile birds love to play and sing throughout the day. They do best when kept in pairs and need lots of socialization. Parakeets are also easy to hand tame and make great pets for kids. Parakeets are great for a beginner because they are easy to care for. You don’t need fancy cage setups and don’t require all of your attention if kept in pairs. You can even teach parakeets how to whistle a tune and do tricks. They are an all-over fun pet to have.
A quick snapshot of parakeet care:
- 10-15 year lifespan
- 18 x 18 x 24-inch cage size for one parakeet
- Seed and fresh fruit and vegetable diet
- And changing toys periodically to keep them entertained
Canaries
Male canaries are known for their beautiful songs. These simple birds spend most of their time in the cage and are very shy. If you get a canary, make sure that they are in a quiet area out of high traffic areas. You can’t teach a canary tricks, but they are entertaining all the same. They are simple and easy to take care of, making them perfect for someone who has never had a pet before.
Canary care snapshot:
- 10-year lifespan
- 24 x 18 x 24-inch flight cage minimum
- Mostly seed diet with some insects and berries occasionally
- The only special requirements a canary has is nesting materials
Finches
Finches are a lot like canaries. They spend their days flying around their cage, entertaining themselves with nest building. They do best when they have friends, and since they are so small, you could have more of them than other birds. You can’t teach finches tricks, and they shouldn’t be let out of their cage. But finches are just as entertaining for a beginner pet owner.
The finch snapshot:
- 2-5 year lifespan
- 24 x 18 x 18-inch cage for one pair of finches
- Grass seed-based diet with occasional insects as a treat
- Flight cages are a must, along with plenty of nesting materials
Doves
Doves are a quieter bird for those of you who don’t like loud noises. These birds don’t form an attachment to people like other birds do. But you will enjoy their methodic cooing that can soothe your soul. They also love to fly around and play with each other. Making a nest is their favorite pass times, and although they don’t form bonds to people, they are just as entertaining.
A dove snapshot:
- 12-15 year lifespan
- 24 x 24 x 24-inch flight cage
- Seeds, fruit, and vegetable diet
- Lots of nesting material and space to fly within the cage are a must
Cockatiels
If you are looking for a little more advanced bird than those already mentioned, cockatiels are for you. Cockatiels are like small parrots and can learn an assortment of tricks and can learn short phrases. Males are known to learn more words and are friendlier. Cockatiels are perfect for people who spend a lot of time at home. But if you have to leave them alone, make sure they have a proper rotation of toys. When you come home, you will hear them squawking for joy and begging to get out.
Cockatiel care snapshot:
- 10-14 year lifespan
- 20 x 20 x 24-inch cage size
- Cockatiel diets are full of fresh fruits and vegetables with quality seeds
- Special requirements are lots of time outside the cage, and toys for entertainment
Parrotlets
Like cockatiels, parrotlets are a small entertaining bird. They love to play and talk all day. You can teach them tricks, and they are highly intelligent. They love their families and form tight bonds with everyone. These feisty little birds are great for beginners, but you should be prepared to give them lots of love and attention. They might seem like they have a little sass, but they have a soft heart.
A snapshot of parrotlets:
- 15-20 years
- 24 x 18 x 24-inch minimum cage size
- Seed diets make up the majority of what they eat. But they also need plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Have You Found Your New Pet?
With so many great bird breeds out there, it can be hard to choose just one. But no matter what pet you choose, they all have their pros. Having a pet bird can be so rewarding and soothing. You can have the responsibilities of a pet, but not the hassle of other larger pets.
