Having a pet bird is a big responsibility for any animal lover. While on the surface, owning a bird may seem as easy as owning any other pet, birds require stringent, specific care to stay healthy.
Each species has different needs: some birds are domesticated and adapt well to life in a small cage, while some are large, untamed and unruly, and are not appropriate for most people to keep as pets. Small birds like canaries, parakeets and lovebirds are well suited to live in a typical household setting.
There are an abundance of resources available to help you raise birds properly, including instructional books, pet supplies and local veterinarian offices that can treat them. They tend to need less of your attention than, say, a parrot or cockatoo would, and they interact more easily with people.
Do you want a bird that will be eager to come out of his cage and socialize, or would you prefer a pet that likes to be seen but not touched? The way your bird relates to you will be an important factor in the quality of your ownership experience. Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that different species of birds exhibit various behavior patterns and dispositions. An African Grey will behave quite differently from a Canary, for example. Those in the market for a pet bird should make sure to research the species that they are interested in so they can choose the bird whose personality will be most compatible with their own.
There are more than 10,000 species of birds on the planet, but only a few of them can happily live as our companions. Certain species, like cockatiels, budgerigars, finches, doves, and lovebirds, can thrive as pets with proper care. But most other birds, like macaws, cockatoos, and so many more, are best left in the wild; they’re too social, intelligent, and complex to have all of their needs met in captivity.
Macaws
Before choosing this bird make sure you understand that they can live for close to 100 years. They birds have special dietary requirements, and they need to be handled and let out daily.
Tips for choosing a bird
This video will give you tips on how to choose the right pet bird for you. Learn what to consider before buying your bird, including how to determine the bird's health, what supplies you'll need, how to train the bird, how to make space in a birdcage, what medical costs to expect and what food to feed your pet bird.
Best Pet Bird for a Child
