Best type of bird to own as a pet?

Question

What's the best type of bird to own as a pet, and what are the pros and cons of owning it?

Answer 1

It really depends on a number of things.

If you have never owned a bird before, then you need to start with a bird that is easily maintained.

A finch is a good bird if you only want to look at it and listen to it.
A Budgie(parakeet) is a great starter bird. They can be taught simple tricks, don't get too loud, and are pretty simple to take care of.
Once you own a smaller bird, and you decied you enjoy the responsibilities, then you can try to move up. I would suggest doing it in steps. After a budgie, a good bird is a cockatiel or a love bird.
(I perfer cockatiels, they usualy get hand fed, making them more social birds, they also tend to enjoy human companionship more than love birds, if you do decied to get a lovebird, NEVER get 2. Most people think it's better to give them a friend but if you do, the bird will not want to interact with you. The only time you want to get more than one is if you cannot give them ample time to attention that they need.)
If you decied that you still want a bigger bird after you master keeping a cockateil heathy, then go for a parrot(not a big parrot, like a macaw, try a small parrot, like a conure).
Conures can pick up a small vocabulary, but make great pets to serious avian keepers.

The down side to owning birds, would be the attention they need.
Birds, especially bigger ones require a lot of attention, they need to be handled on a daily basis.
They can also be quite noisy, if you don't pay attention to them when they want you to, they will definantly let you know about it.

I would suggest, doing research on different types of birds, seeing which one fits into your lifestyle best and what it takes to keep it healthy and happy...then make a decision....

hope this helps, and good luck

Answer 2

I AM the *FID* Lady! FID is short for *Feathered kIDs*...Birds; like KIDs is for children!

I think Cockatiels make the best *pet*! They are *perpetual* 2-4 years old children that never *grow up*, are highly intelligent, and loving little creatures, that can return (200% +) the love & attention afforded them by their *human*. But, they also *require* a lifetime commitment! Rehoming them can be stressful for them, and effect their health. Cockatiels can live up to 35 years, and even longer with proper care.

I am a breeder of, and *owned* by 6 Cockatiels (at present...have had as many as 50) I call the 'Motley Crew'! I have owned many species of domestic & exotic animals...but NEVER have I had as much fun or enjoyed ANY, as I do my 'Crew'!

Cockatiels *require* human companionship, and can BE *joyful companions* in return. The males can be *mini* voice recorders, IF given the attention. They can be very comical, and entertaining! The females are less *vocal*, more subtle & sweet! ALL Cockatiels have personalities that are loving, comical, and entertaining!

Handfeeding babies is an experience one will NOT soon forget...if they have a heart of compassion! It is the time for *bonding* with, and learning their different personalities...and they DO have personalities of their own! 'Tiels are HIGHLY intelligent beings, and can steal your heart (*) that quick!

Cockatiels are *time* demanding, and require a LOT of attention in many ways! They need special diets that consist of *nutritious* foods besides *just* seed...fresh veggies, soft foods that have little to NO fats, sugars, or salt.

Before owning ANY type of exotic bird (or any animals), deep research is required so that the BEST possible care can be given. There ARE some dos & don'ts that must be followed, to insure a long healthy life! There are emergencies injuries that need immediate attention, and a knowledge of interventional techniques & methods can mean life or death.

There is so much more I could say about Cockatiels, but I do not have the time, as I have Cockatiels that are *demanding* my attention as I write! I hope I have been helpful to some degree at least, in your research.

Answer 3

Cockateils and parakeets are great starter pets for a new bird owner. These pets are very intellegent and are real fun to have around.

PROS: these birds are friendly, and intellegent they can be taught tricks and how to speak. You will get unbelievely attached to this animal.


CONS: Because their so smart they may find a way to escape from their cage, I hade to tie twist ties on the cage doors. If these birds get bored they may result in pulling out their feathers! If you get more then one bird they may not work well with each other and may need to be seperated. You will also have to clip their claws.

Answer 4

If you are looking for an easily maintained bird, who does not have the loudest shrill but still has some intelligence then i would say a cocktail. But if you are looking for a more intelligent and vivid colored bird that can be a bit more affectionate then i would say a sun conure, although they are a bit larger and louder, they can learn to imitate more and better, and they are a little more maintains and more expensive but they live 45 sometimes 50 yr. Which could be a pro or a con in your opinion. Also a pair of love birds are great fun, a little noisy, but low maintains.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Best type of bird to own as a pet?
What's the best type of bird to own as a pet, and what are the pros and cons of owning it?

Answer 6

In my opinion the cockatiel is the best bird to own because they can talk and they're cheaper than other talking birds. I've also read about breeding them and its supposidly easy and if you hand feed the babies you'ill have a very friendly pet that trusts you and enjoys your company.

or a budgie because theyre alot cheaper than a cockatiel.

Answer 7

As far as avians for pets go, they are wonderful! In my personal experience, Parakeet's(Budgies in some states and Australia) are perfect! They love to sing, they are fairly energetic, can become great shoulder pets(if you properly train and handle them that is!), need little water unless you wish them to breed and are fairly long-lived. On the flip side of the coin they can be noisy at times, can be frightened easily by fast motions or strangers entering the room, leave little green and white messes everywhere they fly(especially your shoulder!), and are easy prey of cats. Yet despite all this, they are loving, pretty and even comical at times.

Answer 8

It all depends on you.....small budgies and cocktails are good and if it all goes pair shape then you can just chuck it in a cage thats why their a good starter bird...find what you really want and get it...do the research and learn all you can about it....just read the top again 7 years ago...what bird did you end up getting???

Answer 9

Conure! Beautiful, very smart, and really learns to talk well! We had one for a year, she would learn any word you trained her to say and didn"t take long to learn it.. She even imitated the sound of clapping hands. We had a blast with her, she was so funny too! But on the downside,she was very messy, but they all are because it is a larger bird, almost the size of a pigeon. Around $400. but still well worth the money.

Answer 10

A budgie is one of the best. good starter doesn't really have any cons, good priced, not loud, can talk.
A canary and finch is also good but it depends if you want something that talks well i would get a cockatiel.