What is a good type of bird to buy my son?

Answer 1

dear Antonio
My first question would be how old is your son and what are you looking for a bird that can be held or just to look at and enjoy.
For a bird to just look at a parakeet would be good, and for a bird that you can interact with i would recommend a cockateil. but depending on the age of you son and what the experience level my give more options.

Answer 2

Oh Boy...
Okay. Here we go:
I am going to reference answers I've given in the past. You'll get more information and I won't be typing well past dawn. But generally you are going to have to think beyond your son and think about YOU. Her's why: Depending on your son's age and the type of bird you get you are talking about a clash of interests that's going to happen when he gets older. Birds live a long time.
Someone else was interested ina pet bird. This is what I wrote:

Are you ready for a bird?
It's a huuuuge responsibility!
Okay, Here's some websites, and this is just getting you warmed up. Get ready to read:

http://www.allforanimals.com/parrots.htm...
http://www.holisticbirds.com/hbn02/febma...
http://www.alexfoundation.org/
http://www.itsagreysworld.com/articles/a...
http://www.mytoos.com/
http://www.avianweb.com/amazons.htm...
http://parrotsonline.homestead.com/artic...
http://www.birdboarding.com/specialdates...
http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/pi...
http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/animals/pi...
http://www.birdtalkmagazine.com/bt/home....
http://hometown.aol.com/gbirdinc/index.h...
http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/...
http://www.petparrot.com/
http://www.plannedparrothood.com/...
http://www.alexfoundation.org/
http://parrotsonline.homestead.com/home....
http://www.phoenixlanding.org/

These websites will give you an overview of what is required in keeping a parrot. I think it's wonderful that you want one! Good for you! But you have to commit to this as they don't "go away" after 10 years or so. They live a long time.
Please do some reading and get involved with the information. Ask questions. Email people. We'll help you decide what species would be most suitable for you. You may want a specific species, but they may end up driving you crazy because they need too much of your time, or they don't want to hang with you...whatever the case may be.
For instance, if you want a hands-on play-pal, don't get finches. But if you don't have any time, they are perfect.
If you want a party boy, get an Amazon. If you want something a little quieter, more reserved, and yet willing to bond and needs a lot of your time, an African Grey is your speed.
It's your personality that is best looked at when it comes to what species of bird that best fits with you.
I hope I've helped you. Also, please consider adopting a parrot. I've listed some Rescue groups that can help you with this decision.
Good Luck!

This reference to the other answer will give you some overall general information. Personally, I think just getting a small bird for a child because they are considered "Starter birds" is disrespectful to the smaller breeds. Get the bird that best fits your lifestyle. I never suggest a Macaw or a cockatoo for the first time bird owners. That would be like wanting a housecat and going out and purchasing a Panther. You probably wouldn't do very well. They take more skill.
If I can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Answer 3

If he is younger I would suggest a couple of love birds or maybe a finches budgies. Get him involved. find out just how much attention he will pay them. A couple of love birds do good with less attention. Bigger birds can be very dangerous at first and require far more attention than most people let alone children can offer. Maybe even a cockatiel. Remember birds live a very long time, and bond very closely with people. It is absolutly heart wrenching when something goes wrong and the bird needs to move on to someone else. Not only for the owner but the bird suffers far, far more.

Answer 4

Not being smart or anything but does your son want a bird? How old is he and how responsible? Are you willing to care for the bird if he doesn't? You do understand that birds can live many years, don't you? Even if you buy a cockatiel, your son could be grown and married before that bird is gone. Now there's some marriage vows: "Do you promise to love, honor, obey and clean up after my bird". LOL

So, if you still want to get him a bird, I vote for a cockatiel. That was my first bird (age 13-years) and I loved her very much. If you're interested in a website, I've posted some under the sources.

Good luck!

Answer 5

If you get a parakeet or cockatiel, pay the extra money and get a hand-fed, tame bird. Much more satisfying to have a bird that is willing to be held, petted, etc. than a wild one that will barely tolerate your hand in its cage to feed it.

Also consider your son's personality. Is he boisterous and rowdy, so any bird he has is going to be stressed by the rowdiness? Is he willing to work with a bird - for instance parakeets can be taught tricks - to push a little wagon, play with a ball, maybe talk. Is he gentle, a tame bird in your hand is really pretty fragile. If not, then maybe just a canary or finch that stays in its cage. Is he easily bored, so the bird will be a companion for a week of so, then ignored?

Lots to consider when getting one. By the way, you do know that birds are a) messy - seed flips out of the cage, etc, and b) noisy - even the little ones like finches.

Answer 6

If your son wants to handle the bird, be very careful when you buy one. Not all budgies are sweet and cockatiels can be very aggressive and naughty. Any bird you buy should be handle able from the very beginning. It should not nip if you reach in to pick it up. It may be timid or it might back off, but it should not be aggressive or nippy. These traits generally don't change no matter how much you try to handle the pet. Personally, I think the nicest pet parrot is the basic, green Indian Ringneck Parakeet. they are not very expensive and a well-bred IRP Will be relatively quiet and very sweet and tolerant

Answer 7

I would reccomend a cockateil like the person above me. They are very intelligent, listen well, are well tamed birds, and are on the cheap side. You can even teach them to say a few words. If you wouldnt mind spending a thousand dollars, go for the African Grey. They can learn morethan 2000 words, can talk in full sentences and have a conversation with you, are pretty well tamed, and your son will have a blast with it. If you guys arent willing to work with your birds and spend time with it, they may revolt and become extremely nasty. Birds thrive for attention, and when they dont receive it, they do things to GET them attention.

Answer 8

well it depends on if your son has had any experiance at all, if not then get him a budgie, they are a great beginer bird and are easy to take care of.

Answer 9

love birds or a budgie

Answer 10

I would get him a cockateil they are sweet they can talk they play he can buy lots of toys they love them and play activity centers and they bond well with children.