Choosing Your First Pet Bird

By Veronica Armstrong

As you probably know, when it comes to choosing a new pet bird, the choices are countless! It can be such a confusing undertaking. I hope that this article helps you through the process. However, before you go out and actually buy one, you need to do a little homework. Please don’t buy a bird just for its looks. It is my hope that by the end of this article, you’ll understand why.

In this article, I hope to help you get acquainted with some of the most popular birds, and perhaps help you choose an appropriate one for your household. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to do some further research on your chosen bird. Finally, you’ll want everything (cage, food, bowls, etc.) set up before you bring your new bird or birds home. First I will discuss the most popular types of birds, then give you some information about each type, and finally give you my opinion of what makes a good choice for a first bird.

The easiest birds to take care of are Finches and Canaries. Finches are very affordable (about $16 each) and are much happier when bought in pairs. Their gender doesn’t really matter, unless you want babies. Two females, or two males, will get along just fine.

Canaries can be quite expensive to buy ($80 and up for the males). Males are the ones that sing. In many stores, females cost less than males; however, females do not sing.

Finches and Canaries are very easy to take care of and to get along with. But they don’t like to be handled. These birds are mostly bought for their singing, or beauty. They make an excellent first bird. They don’t need toys or human companionship. All they really need is food, water, and a clean cage.

Parrots, however, are a whole different story. Parrots are all birds that have a hooked bill rather than a straight bill. Therefore, even parakeets are considered parrots, whereas Canaries and Finches are not.

Parrots must be bought with a lot of forethought. All but the parakeet requires daily human contact. They simply will not thrive if left to sit in a cage all day. Also, parrots need a varied diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Finally, both the parrot and his cage can be very expensive. So, as you can see, this is not a decision to be taken lightly.

Parrots are beautiful, funny, smart and playful. Most parrots have the intelligence of an average 2-year-old child. Certain Parrots even have the intelligence of a 3-year-old! This fact alone should give you pause before you adopt one into your home. That is, if the sticker price didn’t get you first!

Parrots demand a great deal of attention, they also scream loudly, make huge messes, and are very destructive. However, for me, they are worth the inconvenience. I personally own nine of them (most of them rescued).

Now, let’s talk about parrots in general, and what to expect from them. Most people begin their adventure with birds with a parakeet. According to Encarta, a parakeet is, A small tropical parrot that has a long tail and is usually very brightly colored.

Parrots come in all sizes. The smallest is called a Parotlet. The largest is called a Hyacinth Macaw. All parrots differ in personality as well as size, talking ability, cage size needs, and nutritional needs. Some need more fat in their diets; while others need different vitamins and minerals; yet all require daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Parrots can be very fussy eaters, and it’s up to you to figure out what your particular parrot likes to eat. Their nutritional requirements tend to be more complicated than that of a dog or cat.

The basics of parrot care (or any other bird) must include cages, toys, heavy crocks for feeding, water bottles for drinking, spray bottles for bathing and cleaning equipment. Cages should be large enough for a bird to stretch both wings at the same time. Birds are very susceptible to disease, so their cages must be kept very clean. Toys are not only necessary for parrots, but also have to be rotated to prevent boredom. Parrots also need to play with their human on a daily basis. They also require special grooming techniques. Their wings must be clipped to prevent escape; and their talons (claws) and beaks need attention and clipping, if necessary. Parrots also create huge messes when they eat and when they groom (called “preening”) themselves.

Not only do parrots cost a lot of money, but also live to be 15-100 years old, depending on the species. This is especially true with the larger parrots. Even the tiny Parotlet has an average life span of 15-25 years!

So many parrots, so little time. (MVA)

The parrots in this article only represent the most popular parrots of the pet trade. The parrots listed below, are sorted by size; starting with the smallest and ending with the largest:

• Parotlets: Parotlets are the smallest parrot in the world. They are about the size of a finch (3-4 inches). They are almost totally green, with a tiny bit of blue on the males. Unfortunately, they are very temperamental. Knowledgeable parrot owners, only should own these parrots. This is not a starter parrot!
• Parakeets (Budgie): Parakeets are the second smallest parrot in the world. As you probably know, they come in every color in the rainbow and then some! Not all parrots have that luxury. Parakeets are very easy to tame, and are often chosen as a first parrot. Did you know that they can learn to talk?
• Cockatiels: Almost twice the size of parakeets, they are the third smallest parrot, and they also come in variety of colors, but still not nearly as many as the parakeets. Generally, they are known to be gentle and get along well with people. These are also often chosen as a first bird.
• Small Parrots: There are many different species in this group. Most are larger than a cockatiel, but smaller than a cockatoo (white parrot). Although most parrots in this group do not talk, they make up for it by being playful and entertaining. These parrots can be a good choice as a first parrot for some people. This group of parrots includes Conures, Caiques, Quakers, and the Lory group.
• Medium Parrots: This group includes Amazons, African Grays, Pionus, and some of the Cockatoos. All of these are considered excellent talkers. However, experienced parrot owners best own these parrots. They are often bossy and even aggressive. They have their own minds, and expect you to adapt, not the other way around.
• Large Parrots: this group consists of all the Macaws (except the mini macaw), and the large Cockatoos. Like the medium parrots, these also are NOT a good choice for the first time owner. Here you have not only bossiness, but size; these guys are a lot of bird to handle, especially if he wants his own way. These guys aren’t afraid to battle with you in order to get their way, and they usually win.

Sadly, many parrots are bought on an impulse by naïve owners, and later abandoned, when the owner realizes that he got more than he bargained for. Unfortunately, there are very few parrot rescues in this country. If owners lose interest, or their new pets become unmanageable, parrots are often banished to a separate room or basement to languish for the rest of their lives. Parrots are not like dogs that can just be put in the back yard, and only fed and watered. Parrots are more intelligent and need stimulation. When banished, they often develop serious emotional problems that lead to very destructive behaviors. The two most common behaviors are constant screaming, or plucking their feathers, sometimes till they bleed.

So, what’s my suggestion for a first time buyer? I highly recommend the Parakeet or the Cockatiel. They just do better if left alone for long periods, and they are very easy to get along with.

About the Author:

Veronica likes to write about how humans can better help our animal friends. She also writes about the vegetarian lifestyle.

Being an animal lover, she has a ton of pets, and couldn't live without any of them. She presently has 14 stray cats, 10 parrots, 6 dogs, 3 ferrets, 4 snakes, 3 guinea pigs, 2 rats, 3 hamsters, 2 gerbils, and 1 tarantula.

Article courtesy of Suite101.com.