I would love to get a bird... any suggestions?

Question

I'm looking for soemthing that will be:

a) Happy to stay in a cage so it doesn't poop everywhere
b) something with a nice singing voice that whistles when stimulated but not constantly all day and all night.

I want to make sure such a species exists becasue the last thing I would want is to get e bird that I am unhappy with and that is unhappy in my home.

Or let me know if no such thing exists, then I guess I'll just have to keep listening to the birds in my yard...

Thanks in advance,
DT

Answer 1

Hi DT,

I'm not sure why you are worried about poop? Animals poop. Poop is based on it's diet. It can be very wet (yech), normal or dry (not healthy). You are going to have to clean up after your pet. If you don't like the mess, you may want to get an animated pet. They do make birds in a cage that look real, make noise, no mess. Just change the battery.

Almost all birds quiet down at night time. Those that need encouragement, respond well to a cover over the cage (simple sheet). Canaries and Finches have lovely voices.

If you do not like to deal with animal mess, a bird is not the pet for you. Seeds, feathers and poop all come with bird ownership. Consider where you live. In my city backyard, we have Cardinals, Blue Jays, Wood Peckers, Finches, and many others.

My bird experience comes from research and ownership of a Conure. Conure or other larger bird owner ship is very expensive and to be honest, after your research is done, you should allow your choice of bird to choose you. You will have a long life friend.

Answer 2

If you want a bird that doesn't come out of the cage, then you will need to get an aviary. Even finches need time out of their cage if it is just a small cage.

There are some great looking indoor aviaries that look like a piece of furniture. Here's an example of one: http://www.foreverjourney.com/life/C1936323518/E1902356570/Media/birds_aviary.jpg

Note that birds are very messy, and unless you set up a way to prevent it (such as use feeders with guards) you will get lots of seed husks all outside the cage.

If you want something with a good singing voice, then certainly think about canaries. They don't just come in yellow, there are many colours. They can also be mixed with certain finches (canaries are finches themselves) to create a very colourful and sweet sounding space. Just be sure not to overcrowd them.

And also note that they will need more than just bird seed, or they will die early of malnutrition. Also consider pellets maybe, but certainly vegetables, fruit, etc.

Answer 3

I don't think that bird exists...Maybe a few finches, or a canary. They stay in the cage most of the time, almost all the time but they are still messy. The cage will still be covered in poop and bird seed will probably be on the floor everywhere beneath the cage. Birds are noisy and messy, period doesn't matter what kind. Whether a finch or a parrot. I think finches would be good or maybe a canary but finshes would probably be better. Look them up and see if they are right for you.

Answer 4

I'm gonna say something that not everyone's gonna like. Why does everyone want a bird that's easy to breed? There are WAY too many birds, so many that need homes, so many that are thrown out unwanted after the owners get rid of them. It's upsetting to me. I'm all for owning birds, I've owned and handfed so many. From parakeets, love birds, Quakers, an Alexandrine, Sun Conure, Congo African Grey's and even a scarlet Macaw. I even found a startling baby and raised it. I'm all for owning birds, i love them. Don't ge me wrong! And i know all female birds will lay, and i lost a cockatiel once to binding. I get it. I just wouldn't try and do anything that would push them to lay. But, that's just me. I'm not judging, i promise. Just saying. I love lovebirds, personally. And another small, relatively inexpensive bird to look at is the cockatiel. Oh, or my all time fave, if they're legal where you live, is a Quaker parrot. Not very expensive, AMAZING parrots. They talk easily, male and female.

Answer 5

Birds are messy -- even if they stay in the cage, stuff gets tossed out and poop sprayed through the bars of the cage. Don't assume that if it stays in its cage 24/7, it'll be clean.

Plus they're noisy. At dawn and dusk, most birds are at their peak of noise levels, though some chirp, sing, and scream throughout the day.

I don't know that what you're looking for truly exists, though maybe finches, but if they're going to stay in their cage all the time, I don't think it would be fair to them.

What about just a CD of bird noises? Then you could turn it on and off when you wanted and no mess.

Answer 6

The only bird that is happy in a cage all of the time is a finch or canary. If you don't have time to spend with a bird, don't get one.

Answer 7

Male canaries are the most beautiful singers and are cage birds. Let them see sun light and they sing the most beautiful tunes. Cover them at night and you wont hear a peep. I personally think that finches are little chatter birds. They chatter non-stop, seriously!

Answer 8

birds tend to be high maintainance, but it doesnt sound like you are looking for a parrot. www.birdtricks.com is a good site to ask that question. Just make sure you read as much as you can about the type of bird you decide on before you buy one!

Answer 9

Finches are very nice. My mom has spice finches (two). They like being in their cage and have pleasant little voices.

Answer 10

A finch sounds perfect for you! They're small, they sing, and they don't usually like to be handled. but sometimes. try googling it