If you love birds and want to keep one as a pet, but have never kept it before, there are some things to keep in mind. This includes its size, life expectancy, the attention needed for it, and its ability to socialize with you.
If you have small kids, and you don’t want loud noise, then it is better to go for smaller species that need small cages. Similarly, when you are getting a bird with a longer life expectancy, you should be ready for committing to it for a lifetime. When you are too busy to spend enough time with your pet, it is better to opt for one which isn’t very social, so that it will sustain with less attention too.
11 Best Pet Birds for Beginners:
Here are some of the birds which you can consider getting as a pet:
1.Cockatiel:
Size – 30 – 35 cm, Weighing – 70 – 120 g
Life expectancy – About 20 years
Colors – Yellow, gray, white
Sociability: Medium
A cockatiel is characterized by a crest on its head which helps the owner in understanding what the bird wants. You need to keep it in a larger cage. It can be trained easily and makes a low whistling noise which is not troublesome for kids or elderly people at home.
2.Parrotlets:
Size – Nearly 28.5 c, Weighing – 33 grams
Life expectancy– About 20 years
Colors – Green, yellow, blue
Sociability– Medium
This bird has a strong beak and should not be let around small kids. It is smaller compared to a budgie and doesn’t make much noise. Hence it is a great option for families that love silence. If you have a busy schedule, it is better to get this bird in pairs so that it can bond with its partner. Otherwise, you need to give it plenty of attention.
3.Quaker Parakeets:
Size – 29 cm, Weighing about 100 grams
Life expectancy– About 30 years
Colors – Blue, green
Sociability– Medium
This is an affordable bird that exhibits shaking behavior and wakes up people with their noises. They need companionship all day. In case you do not have enough time, keep them in pairs, to avoid them getting into depression. You need to give them attention or else they will exhibit destructive traits like chewing the furniture. They have an amazing ability to learn words and phrases and hence can be trained easily.
4.Budgies:
Size – 18 cm, Weighing 30-40 grams
Life expectancy– About 10 years
Colors – Green, blue, white, yellow
Sociability– Medium
These are affectionate birds that can be tamed to be great companions. They are characterized by a low noise chattering sound. People having kids can even keep it as it is safe. They are an excellent choice for pets owing to their capability of fitting the owner’s needs.
5.Love Birds:
Size – 13- 18 cm, Weighing 30-40 grams
Life expectancy– About 20 years
Colors – Blue, orange, yellow, green,
Sociability– Low
This is a beautiful bird available in different colors. You need to keep it in a medium-sized cage so that they have enough space to fly. They make low noise whistles throughout the day but it is not disturbing enough for others. It is better to buy them as pairs so that they can bond well with each other. If you are getting a single bird, make sure to spend plenty of time with it.
6.Canaries:
Size – 10- 12 cm, Weighing 8-24 grams
Life expectancy– About 10 years
Colors – Orange, yellow, red
Sociability– Low
This is an observational bird that needs low maintenance. Their color, song, and appearance are the reasons for breeding them, especially their ability to sing. If you are looking for a bird that sings but doesn’t like interacting with you, then this is an excellent choice. It is better to keep them in pairs.
7.Amazon Parrot:
Size – 28-33 cm, Weighing about 250 grams
Life expectancy– Over 30 years
Colors – Green
Sociability– High
If you wish to have a large-sized bird and are not disturbed by the loud sound, then this is a good option to consider. This species can be trained to speak and are great long-term companions. Since they express themselves well, even beginners can easily read them. Gradually, their moods can be known by studying their body language, feathers, stance, and eyes. When they need something, they will make a loud noise to grab your attention. If you have a busy schedule and can’t devote enough time to it, then it is not the right pet to be bought.
8.Pionus Parrot:
Size – 27 cm, Weighing about 250-290 grams
Life expectancy– Over 30 years
Colors – Green, blue
Sociability– medium
These are social birds which make less noise compared to the amazon parrots. If you have kids at home, make sure to supervise it well as its bites are painful. It fits easily in a family. Since it has a longer life expectancy, you should do it only when you are willing for a long-term commitment.
9.Hyacinth Macaws:
Size – 100 cm, Weighing about 1.2-1.7 kg
Life expectancy– Over 50 years
Colors – Cobalt colored body with a bright yellow ring around the eyes, corners, and base of the beak
Sociability– medium
This is another larger bird that has a great life expectancy. It is friendly with the family and likes playing or cuddling with the owner. Accommodating them is somewhat difficult due to their bigger size but if you care for them properly, they turn to be adorable and affectionate.
10.Dove:
Size – 19-31 cm, Weighing 141-226 grams
Life expectancy– 10-25 years
Colors – Blue, brown, gray, white
Sociability– medium
Doves can be domesticated and hand-fed. They have a gentle and sweet personality and rarely bite. If you want a bird that doesn’t seek too much attention, then, this is a great option for you as it loves companionship but doesn’t demand a lot of attention.
11.Finch:
Size – 9-12 cm, Weighing 8-12 grams
Life expectancy– 11 years
Colors – Red, orange, grey, white, black, and brown
Sociability– Low
These are small colorful birds that love flying around and hence need to be kept in a large cage. It is important to avoid handling them as they dislike it. If you just want a pet bird to be appreciated from a distance, this is a good choice. It is better to get two finches to ensure companionship.
(Read: Gouldian Finches – A Great Pet Bird to Have)
Conclusion:
These were some of the large and small size birds that you can get as a pet if you are a beginner. But it is essential to learn their traits and basic care process to keep them fit and healthy.
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