What is a good cheap bird for a nine-year-old girl?

Question

I really want a bird so bad. To anyone that thinks I shouldn't be on here, my mom knows I am. She just doesn't want to pay more than $500 on the supplies and stuff in a total.
We are going to PETCO tomorrow. How much does a lovebird cost there? And is there some kind of cheap conure there? And how much are cockatiels?

Answer 1

For a first bird for a nine year old, I would recommend a cockatiel. The bird will be about $40 to $60 depending on the type. The cage anywhere from $30 to $60. Food about $5. A few toys about $15, A few sprays of millet for treats $1. A cuttle bone $1. A seed catcher or cover of some type $9 to $15.

The cages usually come with the food and water cups and and at least one perch.

Initially, no toys with mirrors. Water and feed to be changed daily. Cage cleaned each weekend. Bird handled at least once a day. Cage covered every evening, (sleep is important to keep a well balanced bird).

Do not use teflon coated pans, as when they heat up they produce a gas that is virtually undetectable by humans but is deadly to birds. Never give a bird chocolate, avacado, or nutmeg, they will kill birds.

Conure's are very loud and their bite is much more uncomfortable. Lovebirds can be rather testy. For a first bird I think a cockatiel is a wonderful choice.

Answer 2

Tips: I actually suggest getting a parakeet. Some pet stores overprice their birds and its best if you get one from a petsmart or fish gallery and pets because most of them have healthy birds at low prices. And if your cautious of prices, then it'll be easier to keep it under $500. Parakeets, or as some call them budgies, are actually smaller than lovebirds and cost less.
Home: Another thing whether you get a budgie or a lovebird or any bird, don't get a huge cage or a too small cage or else they will either not have enough room or have too much room and ruin your budget.
Toys: When getting toys for your bird, keep in mind you can just use old baby toys (in most cases) to lower the costs.
Food: Ask your local pet store if they can recommend a good brand for you that isn't expensive but always keep a little more food that you can use because birds eat a lot.
Exercise: Make sure your bird isn't overweight so it can live a healthy life. Ways to prevent gaining access weight is occasionally opening the cage door so she/he can fly around. People with overweight birds usually leave the cage door open all the time.
More Tips:Another tip is to get a young bird, so its easier to train not to bite. Keep in mind that you have to learn a lot about your bird before purchasing one. And parakeets like to sleep somewhere high above ground and like to perch so buying a perch is a must. For traveling with a parakeet, you can either use your bird's cage or buy a travel bird carrier.
Expences: Parakeet, aprox. $15-$25. Food, depend how much aprox. $20 for a year supply. Toys, about $5-$15 depending how many you purchase. Cage, $23-$50. Perches, aprox. $2-$4. Bird carrier*, aprox. $20.

*=optional

Answer 3

A plastic one.

A "cheap bird" still requires housing, feed, medical check ups if you have a concern, and it all costs money.

Cockatiels are considered affordable, and they start at about $60 or so, depending on the mutation. Amazon parrots are not only far more expensive, tehy change personalities when they reach 5, or 6. Parakeets may be adequate, but you have to think about feeding him better than seeds. Love birds reach 1 yr of age and can turn very nippy. Conures start in the low hundreds, and are screechers when they grow. That is why people get rid of them.

Do some more research before you go all the way, so you do not find yourself in a corner afterwards.

Answer 4

Are you really only 9 years old? Your grammar and spelling is better than most of the other people on this web site! Cockatiels, and parrots are very expensive. Think about parakeets. They are very colorful. And you could get a pair of them for less than what one of the others would cost your Mom. Then if you take good care of them and your still interested in birds you could set up to something more expensive when your a little older. Good luck, and best wishes!

Answer 5

Cockatiels, parrotlets, parakeets, love birds, canaries, lots of choices. Just be sure to get one that was hand raised so you'll be able to play with it and pick it up. I'd recommend staying away from a pet store, try to find a breeder. Pet store's are so overpriced on all animals. Plus with a breeder, you know the bird will have been hand raised. Wait till tomorrow and look in your Sunday paper, bet there's lots of ads. Plus, the breeder will give you good advice on the care for the bird, much better than the pet store.

Answer 6

Parakeets are the best choice for you. Parakeets make amazing beginner birds and our quite easy to manage for a nine-year-old, with the help of an adult of course! I recently bought a parakeet and i only spent about 150 dollars on him in the past 3 months including a trip to the vet. He has a large cage, different varieties of food, alot of different toys, and other necessary items that a bird would need. Also Petco sells parakeets for about 20 dollars (I bought my bird from petco too). I recommend that you go to the library and borrow alot of books about the bird you eventually decide to buy because it will help you a LOT about understanding the behaviour and needs of the bird. I hope this helps! =]

Answer 7

definatly try a parakeet. they are inexpensive for the most part and are pretty easy to keep up with. when i was around 9 i got my first parakeet. they are great because if your daughter shows any further interest in birds then you can try upgrading because the bigger/more complex the bird the more expensive they get. because i showed interest in the parakeets i had throughout the years, i got my parrot. but if you go all out with a parrot or a cockatiel or a cockatoo, you may be spending more than its worth. the bigger the bird the longer the life expectancy also. if your daughter doesnt show an interest after awhile with a bigger bird youll be stuck with a swuaking bundle of feathers who wont get enough attention unless you're willing to give it to him,

Answer 8

Parakeets are nice birds and not as expensive as the other birds. If you have 500. to blow then get two, a decent size cage and make sure it has a stand as birds like to be high up. Buy a book on parakeets. I had a yellow one and it sang so pretty. someone gave it to me so it was a bit older. If you get them young you can teach it to talk. Have fun!

Answer 9

For a first bird start with a parakeet. They are fairly inexpensive small and not as loud as some larger birds. Lovebirds are pretty and small but are best in pairs so are canaries. Make sure you have a mirror for anybird you get if you only buy one.

Answer 10

Lovebirds are about $60 or $70. They sometimes have conures there, but I don't know how much they or cockatiels cost. I wouldn't recommend buying your cage there though. That will easily run you over $500.