When choosing a pet bird or parrot don't fall prey to information overload.
There are many things to consider before buying a parrot or pet bird, but you should start with the basics.
Start by identifying your ideal criteria for a pet bird. There are four simple categories that can help you outline your needs: lifespan, personality traits, size and upkeep.
Bird or Parrot Lifespan
Parrot lifespans vary greatly, but many bird species live for 20 or more years. A good general rule of thumb is, the bigger the bird, the longer the lifespan. So if you are looking for a short-term pet a large parrot is probably not for you. Try looking in a small bird.
Budgerigars, commonly referred to as the parakeet or Budgie, is a nice small bird. A Budgie usually lives between five and 10 years. Another popular small bird is the Cockatiel. A Cockatiel had a lifespan of about 20 years. Other small birds include the Love Bird, which is actually a small parrot and can live up to 15 years.
Meanwhile, larger birds like the African Grey Congo parrot can live for 50 or more years. Cockatoos can have a lifespan of 60 years or more and the Macaw Parrot can live for over 75 years.
Pet Bird Personality
You should take some time to think about why you would like to get a new pet before choosing a pet bird. Are you looking for a quiet pet, one that loves to cuddle up to you or maybe you are looking for a smart pet?
Because buying a parrot is a big investment, it is important to make sure that you identify the personality traits you are looking for in a pet bird and use them to focus your search.
If you are looking for a good talker, you might want to focus your search on the African Grey, either the Congo parrot or Timneh parrot, both breeds are renowned for their ability to learn hundreds of words over their lifetime. However, the African Grey parrots are not very colorful birds.
Large Parrot vs. Small Bird
If you are looking for a brightly colored bird, not much can beat the Scarlet Macaw. However, the Scarlet Macaw is a very large bird and is not usually recommended for first time parrot owners because they can sometimes be aggressive.
Generally, most large parrots are not recommended as first birds. Large parrots can be intimidating because of their large beaks, large wingspan and loud calls. Smaller parrots and birds are usually easier for a first time bird owner to handle and gain pet bird care experience with.
Some of the more popular small parrots and birds include the Sun Conure, Love Bird, Finch and Budgerigar. These birds all vary greatly in their general appearance, personality traits and required upkeep.
Pet Parrot and Bird Care
When is comes to parrot care, size doesn't really matter. Larger birds, like the Cockatoo or Macaw, need to live in larger cages and therefore take up much more room in your home. However, even smaller parrots, like the Conure or Love Bird require a sizeable cage, and all birdcages, no matter the size, require regular cleaning and sanitizing.
Parrots require a great deal of time commitment in order to keep them happy and healthy. Smaller birds like Cockatiels, Finches, Canaries and Parakeets don’t require as much time as a parrot. Almost all parrots, from the large Macaw or Cockatoo to the smaller Conure or Love Bird need a lot of one on one attention. So, if you travel a lot or do not have a lot of time to dedicate to a pet bird, a Finch or Canary might be a better choice for you.
Another consideration when deciding on a pet bird is diet. Some birds require a special diet. Lorikeets, for instance, eat nectar instead of regular seeds and bird pellets. If you decide to buy a Lorikeet, you'll need to buy a nectar replacement powder and mix it for the bird everyday, which makes the Lorikeet a poor choice for the first time bird owner.
By taking in to account a bird’s lifespan, personality traits, size and upkeep before you make a decision, you can help ensure that you and your new pet are happy together for years to come.
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