How To Choose The Right Bird For A Newbie Owner

When you decide you would like to try a bird as a pet, there are many things to consider, and here are some tips on how to choose the right bird for you.

What Type Of Bird Should I Get?

Somehow big and colorful birds seem to appeal to most people when they start off thinking about getting a pet bird, and though exotic seems to appeal to most of us more often than not, sadly, picking the wrong bird will have disastrous results. The problem with keeping big birds is they can be too much bird for a first-time bird owner to handle.

The best way to start out is to get a small bird and become familiar with a bird’s needs, psychology, and rearing. There are several small bird species that are ideal for a newbie bird owner. They are easy to handle and care for and taming them will not be a strain. Also, their sense of independence doesn’t tie you up full time.

Pets, not matter what kind, should never be brought home on impulse, you need to be knowledgeable about what you plan to undertake. The following brief on small bird species will hopefully help you make the right choice.

How To Choose The Right Bird

Canaries and Finches make good birds for first-time bird owner, but these birds are more for looking at and not touching. They do however make quite a mess considering how small they are, but are still quite popular as pets. You will benefit by being able to listen to the lovely songs sung by these birds.

Parakeets and Budgies are smart and colorful. They are great sources of entertainment and quite easy to tame. These birds are a very popular choice for bird lovers, especially if you want to tame them and raise them as pets.

Doves are the epitome of gentleness and calmness, their cooing is pleasant enough to listen to and handfed birds make great pets. They are very affectionate and really the most peaceful of all the bird species.

Cockatiels are also relatively quiet and highly affectionate. If you want a bird that you can interact with, fuss with and handle all through the day, the Cockatiel is a perfect choice.

Remember that choosing a bird because it is the biggest and most colorful are not really the right factors to base a decision on.  You would do well to start small and slowly work your way up. Who knows, you may get to enjoy your small bird so much you will not want to get a larger parrot.

Remember this. The bigger the bird, the bigger your commitment level needs to be. Although large birds are great companions, you need to be able to put up with noise and more mess. A large bird is quite demanding, and if it is on its own it will need a lot of individual attention from you, it’s owner and the rest of the family, just as owning a dog would be.

Also, ask yourself if you can realistically handle a large bird and tame it. It will take patience and quite a few sore nips with those oversized beaks.

More Factors To Consider:

How to choose the right bird for you has many more factors to take into account. Each bird species has different dietary requirements and needs. Raising a bird is not as easy as putting it in a cage with some food and water and talking to it when you have time.

Pet owners wishing to keep a pet bird need to consider a variety of factors very carefully before buying a bird that they really want. Some people like birds that talk; some prefer singing birds and others may prefer a more mature bird rather than have to raise it from a baby. Before bringing home a pet bird you should consider your requirements and those of your family as well.

It is highly recommended that you do as much research as possible into the different bird species available. Focus on personality, feeding, general care. Remember to budget for a cage and toys for your new pet.

Buying an exotic bird can be a very expensive proposition. Bird rearing can be expensive and will again depend on the species of bird you choose. Larger birds are very expensive; you have to buy a larger cage and more accessories, none of which come cheap. You have to feed, house and provide medical care for the bird all through its life, which in some cases can be a very long time.

Temperament:  Ideally you should do some research on the type of bird species that fit your general expectations of having a bird as a pet.

In addition to the above factors you need to spend time with your pet – how much time can you spare. Think long and hard before you take on the responsibility of a pet bird.

Please comment if you have anything further to add on how to choose the right bird.