My niece is 6 and wants a bird. I was wanting any suggestions about what is the best bird to get as a first pet bird. I was thinking about a parakeet because I had them when I was younger and enjoyed them. This bird(s) will be kept at her grandparents so she can enjoy it on her weekend visits. Is it better to get 2 birds so they can keep each other company or will 1 be ok by itself?
2007-07-04 10:54:52 · 11 answers · asked by army_sister785 2 in Pets ➔ Birds
First off, she is MY niece, not my child!
And yes, I have asked her grandparents about it! And there IS a reason why she can't take it home, her mother would feed it to the cats or let it go, that's how smart and caring she is.
She had a baby bird and it died and she doesn't know it yet and she'll be crushed when she comes back in a few days to an empty cage. So I'm getting her a bird for her birthday if she wants another one.
I know she probably won't be handling the birds, we were never able to handle ours much. They'll mostly be for her to watch and take care of.
2007-07-05 01:05:19 · update #1
I'd choose a parakeet (budgie) rather than a love bird. If you want a bird that you can handle, I'd suggest only having one and provide it with toys to entertain itself (providing that someone takes it out for some bonding time on a regular basis). Two birds will tend to bond to one another and most likely won't want to have anything to do with you. But If you only want to watch the birds, then having a pair is nice as they would have companionship.
Also, (just as a suggestion) instead of buying one from a pet store, if you're in a more populated area, there are many birds that are hand tame already that need a good home that can be found in local papers and rescue organizations...sometimes for free or at a discounted price including cages/accessories...
2007-07-04 11:16:36 · answer #1 · answered by jaspity 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say a pair of parakeets would be best. She can visit and watch them play with their toys and fly around the cage, but probably won't be able to handle them. She can change their paper and give them fresh food and water when she visits so she learn how to care for them.
2007-07-04 18:06:55 · answer #2 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would suggest, since she is 6 and all...only get one. and yes, a parakeet is ideal for a first-time bird owner.
2007-07-04 17:59:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think you'd better ask her grandparents first!
Birds can be a lot of work as well as *fun* for your daughter.
As a rule of thumb I say never get a child a pet that they aren't taking care of.
Why put the responsibility of their care on your parents?
Do they want the mess and responsibility of it's care, just so your daughter can spend 5 minutes with it just in case she gets bored?!!
Be reasonable and keep them at YOUR house and have a space cleared out at your parents house for them when 'they' go and visit.
This will give her the opportunity to learn responsibility and give your parents a 'touch point' for teaching it to her. All in all it can be very rewarding for all involved, instead of.... what else can I dump on them just to make my kid ok with these weekend 'visits'!
2007-07-05 01:54:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
I would get a lovebird because they are easily trained and love to sing. I would get only one because otherwise, the birds will never be all that nice to the girl. Parakeets are also great, but if they're not played with a lot, they wont stay very nice. Lovebirds, if given plenty of toys, will be fine by themselves as long as they get a little attention from the grandparents (talking to it, maybe taking it out of the cage) and when your niece gets to the house, it will still be nice and be excited to see her. Lovebirds are also very low maintainance and don't get sick as often as parakeets can. Hope this helps!
2007-07-04 18:02:21 · answer #5 · answered by Cliffieduckie 5 · 1⤊ 6⤋
I would suggest a cockatiel. I have a 6 yr old and we own 2 cockatiels. make sure you learn about cockatiels first and I guarantee you and your child will enjoy your new pet.
2007-07-05 14:17:31 · answer #6 · answered by brenda b 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Birds are NOT good pets for children. Their bodies are rather delicate, and birds don't have the patience that other pets have an they DO frequently bite.
2007-07-04 20:41:18 · answer #7 · answered by cuttermik 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
parakeets are not good as first birds love birds will do much better. 2 if possible cause they can suffer depression
2007-07-04 18:01:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
DO NOT GET LOVEBIRDS! They are called love birds because they love each other, they bite like crazy otherwise!!!
Cockatiels are a good choice, but almost all birds bite.
2007-07-04 19:21:57 · answer #9 · answered by bunnykillerv 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
get two their fun to watch
2007-07-04 18:03:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋