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Birds Needs
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| Choosing the Right Bird for YouWhen
it comes to birds, too many people get in over their heads, choosing a
pet who's too large, too loud, too expensive — and ultimately, too much
to handle. If your list of potential birds includes only the largest
and most colorful parrots, expand your horizons and consider some other
birds before you buy.
Always deal with a reputable breeder or
bird store when shopping for a pet. Some pet retailers see birds as
products to be sold as quickly and efficiently as possible. Rapid stock
turnover may be good for profits, but not for pets. Deal with people
who sell healthy, well-socialized birds and you can count on the best
start to your relationship with your new pet.
Different things
make a bird good for the first-time owner. For example, some are good
because they don't need — or want — to be handled, and some for the
opposite reason, because they are feathered love sponges. The list
below includes birds that are reasonably priced, reasonably sized, and
just plain reasonable to live with. And while some other birds, such as
the blue-and-gold macaw and the cockatoo, can also be excellent first
birds, they are more expensive to buy and maintain, and often more
challenging to live with.
Canaries
The canary — among the
most popular and varied pet birds in the world — is well known for his
vocal talents and vibrant color. Canaries are actually finches, and
they can be green or yellow, bright orange, or even brown. Still, when
folks think of them today, they most often conjure up a brilliantly
colored yellow bird, thanks to the Sylvester-outsmarting Tweety Bird.
If you want a singer, make sure your new bird is a male — female canaries don't sing.
This
bird is perfect for beginners who aren't sure they want as much
interaction as some other species require. The canary is happy to hang
out in a cage and entertain you with beauty and song. In fact, they'd
rather not be handled. Because they don't desire handling, the canary
is a good children's pet, providing song and beauty and allowing
youngsters to observe the wonder of birds close up.
Finches
The
finch is another hands-off bird, a little charmer who embodies the word
"vivacious." Finches are flashy, fast moving, and fun to watch, with a
lively, constant twittering that's considerably below the decibel level
parrots are capable of attaining.
Finches do better in a
social situation, so plan on buying two or more and giving them a cage
with plenty of space to exercise their wings — these birds get around
by flying and they don't climb for exercise. Also remember that when
they're too crowded, territorial cage battles between cage mates will
erupt.
Because they're perfectly content to live without handling, finches make good caged birds for an older child's room.
Budgies (Parakeets)
Because
of their small price tag and easy availability, budgerigars (or
parakeets) are often treated as a throwaway bird — easily purchased,
easily disposed of, easily replaced. This deplorable attitude keeps
people from valuing these birds for their affectionate personality —
some budgies even become very good talkers, albeit with tiny little
voices.
Colors now reach far beyond the green or blue you
remember from the pet department at the dime store. They're usually
timid, at first, but budgies can be tamed by gentle, patient handling
and can bond closely to their human companions. For a very gentle
child, budgies are ideal pets.
Choosing a good pet store is
important when buying any pet, but especially important for buying
budgies. Mass-produced birds are harder to tame because they haven't
been socialized, and they're more prone to life-threatening diseases.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels
are an exceptionally popular bird, and justifiably so. These small
parrots are flat-out loving, and they live to snuggle and be petted. If
you only recognize the gray bird with orange patches, you may be
surprised at how many colors are available, thanks to the work of some
energetic breeders.
Some cockatiels learn to talk, but many are
better at whistling. This bird is another who's a good choice for
children as long as they understand the need for careful handling.
Quaker Parakeets
Green
and silvery Quakers are active and upbeat, and they like to vocalize.
Some learn to talk, while others love to whistle. They can all be
loving if they're socialized when young and given consistent,
respectful handling.
Note that these birds are illegal in a
handful of states because they are considered a threat to native
agriculture. (For information on restrictions where you live, check
with your nearest Department of Agriculture or fish and game
authorities.) Still, the Quaker is well worth considering if you live
in places where they are legal.
Poicephalus Parrots and Parrotlets
The
small African parrots known collectively as poicephalus are an
easy-going bunch. Senegals are probably the most common, a handsome
little bird with a gray head, green back and wings, and yellow-orange
underside. Other species in the group include the Meyer's, Jardine,
cape, red belly, and brown head — all known for their small size (a
little bigger than a cockatiel) and affectionate personalities. They
aren't the best talkers here, but their noise level is pretty low.
After
they decide you're trustworthy, these birds are especially fond of
having their heads and necks scratched — in fact, they beg for it,
tipping their heads and leaning over to expose their necks for a good
scratch.
Don't let the small size of the Parrotlet fool you;
these 5-inch dynamos are all parrot — active, inquisitive, loving, and
demanding. Apple-green or blue in hue, parrotlets are more quiet than
some of their larger relatives, but some do develop the gift of gab.
Pionus Parrots
Pionus
are sometimes overlooked because they're not as flashy as other
parrots. But what they lack in bright colors they make up for with
winning personalities. These are slightly larger than the poicephalus,
but still small enough to be easy to keep and handle. Their
personalities are more sedate, and they're not excessively loud. (Nor
are they considered fantastic talkers, although they're certainly
capable of learning a few phrases.) The word most connected with the
pionus is "sweet," and it fits. And when you're in love with one, you
can appreciate the subtle beauty of these birds — the plumage of a
healthy pionus has an almost iridescent quality about it.
Pyrrhura Conures
As
pets, you've got about a dozen varieties of conures to choose from. The
best bet for new owners is the green-cheeked or maroon-bellied conures,
which are both much, much quieter than the more popular sun conure (but
then, so are some rock bands). They are affectionate and playful. Some
may even grace you with a few acquired phrases.
Amazon Parrots
The
Amazons are a little bigger and more expensive than many of the other
birds on this list, but they're just too darn appealing to leave off
it. Amazons are among the best talkers around, especially the
yellow-naped species. They are also beautiful, brilliant, and love to
clown around. They love to be in the limelight, and they seem to feed
off the attention they attract.
Some Amazon species are easier
to live with than others. For beginners, the lilac-crowns,
blue-fronted, red-lored, and white-fronted are good choices. These are
less demanding, quieter, and all around are easy to handle.
The
problem for beginners: Amazons can be too smart. As with any parrot,
you need to be sure you're giving your bird lots of structured
socialization, a fair share of toys, and plenty of exercise.
Peach-Faced Lovebirds
Peach-faced
lovebirds are beautiful, active, and playful. A well-socialized
peach-faced can be your best pal for years, if you don't leave him to
waste away alone in a cage. When hand-raised and socialized with
humans, these little guys love to be handled, carried around in your
shirt pocket or on your collar. They're very affectionate, not overly
loud, and capable of picking up a few phrases.
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