Birds are popular pets. While not as demanding as dogs, they do require a lot of care, and yes, companionship! There are many different types of birds for you to consider. Just remember, birds are inexpensive to keep but not to buy! The cost of some birds can easily drain your bank account. The most common birds sold as pets are parakeets, canaries, small parrots, and large parrots. In this post, I will give you some quick facts and information about the most common birds available in local pet stores or sold by breeders. It is important to remember that birds can live a VERY long time. Buying a bird is a huge commitment (some live 50 years or more!). Birds also become VERY attached to their owners and do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. Before you purchase a bird, please do your homework. It is important that you know how to properly care for your new pet BEFORE you actually bring it home.
Canaries
Life Span: Canaries live approximately 10 to 15 years but with excellent care, have been known to live 20 to 25 years (that is the huge commitment thing I was talking about earlier!)
Housing: Small to medium commercial birdcage or a large, homemade cake-pan cage with seed and water containers, dowel perches and toys
Special Requirements: Canaries can easily become ill if left in a cold or drafty area. They need special protection from drafts and direct sunlight
General Care: Feed and provide fresh water daily, clean droppings from cage floor once or twice per week (depending on how messy), provide fresh water to bathe in two times per week, complete cage and perch washing once per month.
Diet: Basic boxed canary seed, supplemented with fresh greens or sprouted seeds
Training: Canaries can be quite hyper. After they get to know their owner and become comfortable, it is possible to get them to eat from your hand or perch on your finger
Small Parrots
The following birds fall into the “Small Parrot” category: Green, blue, yellow or white parakeet, Gray Cockatiel, Bee Bee Parrot (Tovi or Orange-Chinned Parakeet), Peach-Faced Lovebird, Fischer’s Lovebird
Life Span: Parakeets live 15 to 18 years, Cockatiels live 15 to 20 years, Lovebirds and Bee Bee Parrots live 10 to 15 years
Diet: Bird pellets (can be purchased at local pet stores), fresh raw greens and fruits, seed snacks (purchased from local pet or specialty store) and bones and twigs to chew on.
Housing: Medium to large sized commercial birdcage or large, homemade cake-pan cage with seed and water containers, dowel perches and toys
Special Requirements: Protection from drafts and direct sunlight, possible wing clipping
General Care: Feed and replenish water on a daily basis, provide bath water two times per week, clean cage floor once or twice per week depending on how messy, complete cleaning of cage and perches once per month
Training: Parrots usually become very attached to their owners. Once they have adjusted to their environment and become calm and comfortable, they will whistle, mimic sounds, and sometimes (if you are lucky!) mimic human speech. They will also become quite affectionate with their main care-taker.
Large Parrots
The following birds fall into the “Large Parrot” category: African Gray, Ringneck Parakeet, Amazon Parrot
Life Span: The Ringneck Parakeet lives approximately 25 years, while other large parrots can live up to 50 years
Housing: Large commercial birdcage
Diet: Parrot pellets (can be purchased at pet supply or bird specialty stores), fresh, raw greens and fruits, seed treats, bones and twigs to chew on
General Care: Feed and replenish water on a daily basis. Clean bottom of cage once or twice per week depending upon how messy, complete cleaning of cage (including perches) once per month, provide water to bathe in two times per week.
Training: Just like small parrots, these birds, once comfortable, will mimic human voices and whistles. They are extremely devoted to their owners and become quite affectionate and loving.
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