Birds are one of the most beautiful creatures you can find in nature. Birdwatching is the act of mindfully looking at birds in their natural habitat to collect data and new perspectives. So it is no secret that people are not only watching birds in their habitat; people are also taking birds home to raise.
Birds are incredibly social and intelligent, which makes them some of the best pets to have. There are 900 bird species globally, so it will not be hard to find the best pet birds for beginners.
Before You Get a Bird
There are many things that you need to consider before getting a bird. Your main priority should be finding a bird that fits your personality type in your lifestyle. Some birds need a lot of attention, while other birds need love and care. What kind of food your bird will require for survival should be included as well as the size of the cage. Learn more about caring for your pet bird in our pet bird care guide.
You have to consider why you want to get a bird in the first place and your commitment to training it. Birds can live a very long time, some between 30 to 60 years so you have to make sure that you have one you can live with long-term.
Birds to stay away from
Indian Ring-Necked and Macaw birds are tough to care for. Macaw birds are hard to raise for multiple reasons. Not only can they be noisy and expensive, but they also destroyed things and need a lot of your attention. If you get this type of bird, you would have to spend at least an hour a day being attentive to its needs.
Indian Ring-Necked parakeets also need plenty of your attention and playtime. If you fail in keeping them very happy, they could develop a neurotic disorder that will be hard to reverse. They also need a larger cage with plenty of food and toys to playfully destroy.
6 Best Pet Birds for Beginners
Finches
The most popular pet finch species is the zebra finch. They are easy to take care of, and they require little interaction with humans. If you do not have a lot of time to spend with your bird, it would be a wise idea to pair your bird with another zebra finch.
They also need a large cage to fly around even though they only grow to four inches long. Though they are social birds, they rarely ever let their owner reach inside their cage to touch it, and instead of making loud noises, they give quiet chirps.
Avoid placing your zebra finch in hot temperatures like direct sunlight or a heater, and ensure you have plenty of berries, seeds, and plants for it to eat.
Budgies
The social needs of budgies vary; they are more commonly known as parakeets in the United States and highly observational yet affectionate. You should note that these birds do require your time but just not a lot of it.
The average life expectancy is from 10 to 15 years, but this number could be much less if there is a lack of knowledge about the proper way to take care of this bird. Budgies are no strangers to fatty tumors on internal organs and intestinal parasites, so You should take this bird to the veterinarian if these problems arise.
Most of them eat seeds and plants, and they can learn words and phrases just like humans. However, male birds are known for talking better and more than female birds.
Lovebirds
Love birds are colorful with meager social needs if you buy them in pairs. If left in a cage alone, they will need a lot of attention from you. They are in the parrot family; however, they are much smaller in size. Though you will not have to interact with this bird regularly, it will make low whistling noises throughout the day.
They also need a medium cage so that they will have enough room to fly around. If they do not have a cage big enough to exercise in, this could lead to self-mutilating habits.
As far as their diet is concerned, they should be receiving balanced meals that consist of proteins, carbs, fiber, vitamins, etc.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are the number one pest bird species in America, with a lifespan of 20 years. They are also affectionate and easily trained, making them fantastic family pets. They will interact with everybody in the household besides the owner as long as they are friendly.
They have a unique crest on the top of their head that changes as their mood changes, and they also make low whistling noises throughout the day. If you plan on purchasing this bird, you need a larger cage and the ability to be attentive.
Canaries
This songbird is primarily independent, but during the breeding season, it will want to mate. Proper housing and happiness are crucial for their health. If you have more than one canary, you need to have more than one cage, or it could become deadly.
There are over 200 breeds of canaries, and song canaries are known for doing skilled performances. The best songs come from male canaries. Owners breed canaries for color, hair, and other unique appearances. You could also use pigmented food to enhance their color.
You could either get a canary from a breeder or local pet store as a beginner.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are tiny birds with huge personalities, and they make lovely pets for beginners. They can learn many tricks like learning how to talk and make unique noises. These mini parrots only grow to five inches in length, and they are great for owners staying in an apartment because they are not noisy.
Males also have signature blue spots on their wings, making them stand out from female birds.
Parrotlets need a spacious cage because they are incredibly active birds that need space and toys to keep them happy. You can add a swing to their cage to give them something to hang on.
When you feed your bird, you should only give them fresh fruits, calcium, vegetables, and some birdseed.
Conclusion
To obtain a bird as a pet, you have to have the proper resources for its survival. Most birds need a decent-sized cage for survival alongside a healthy- balanced diet.
If you are someone who can patiently train a bird, this could be the right pet for you. Even the most anti-social birds need some social connection, either with another bird or a human.
