If you are a beginner who wishes to own an adorable bird pet, then you can choose from the following options. There are pet birds out there that are friendly towards the beginners. It is easy to have such pets as they are naturally affectionate rather than going for a pet that would be aggressive and frightful. Needless to say, you are bound to get a bird bite at some point. However, you can decrease this risk by simply opting for pets that are friendly companions.
Top 10 Best Bird Pets for Beginners
1. Budgies
You might have already heard of parakeets that are also alternatively known as budgies. They are very friendly and affectionate pets when you take care of them properly. They are really small and cute, and you can also train them to perform several tricks. Moreover, budgies can literally learn to talk which makes them incredible pets that are not only adorable but also entertaining.
2. Cockatiels
Cockatiels are one of the most popular pets in the market. You should opt for female cockatiels if you are a beginner as they are gentler as well as more affectionate compared to the male pets. The male pets would not bother giving you a nip and can be moody if you do not spoil them with attention. As a beginner, this might be a little scary as you would not know what to do. Cockatiels require a huge cage with several perches and toys. They also need to be outside the cage for a couple of hours each day. If cared for with love, a pet tiel can actually live for 30 long years.
3. Peach Faced Lovebirds
Lovebirds can be a little more difficult to handle than the previously mentioned birds. Unlike what is thought about these birds, they can live solo without any issues. You can have a male bird as your first pet. These birds are as small as 5 to 6 inches and they can simply fit into your pocket if you wish to take them out for fun. Playtime and tricks are the favorite activities of these birds. They live up to 20 years and you can expect them to be playing around in their beautiful cage.
4. Parrotlets
Parrotlets are very popular among people as the ideal pets. They are tiny, cute and very easy to maintain. Also, these small birds have a great personality and can be highly entertaining (see parrot cage guide). If you are looking for a great companion in a pet, then parrotlets can be a good option. It should be noted that you need to have a lot of time at hand to keep this pet tamed. They require a lot of human attention and if you spend most of your time outside the house, then they are perhaps not the best option. Parrotlets are fairly social and completely love it when their owners shower them with attention.
5. Hyacinth Macaws
These parrots are popularly known as gentle giants, mainly because of their large size. Hyacinth Macaws are known for their sociable as well as friendly demeanor. They are always up for playing and cuddling with their owner. If you are someone who would love to have a pet that is bubbly and cheerful and gives you good company then hyacinth macaws are a great option. It should be noted that these birds are very big in size due to which it becomes difficult to accommodate them. Once you take care of the housing, these pets can be really adorable and would make for affectionate pets.
6. Canaries
Canaries are known for their vibrant colors as well as vocal talent. They are found in colors such as yellow, brown, green, and bright orange. Moreover, male canaries can also sing! Isn’t that amazing? This is one of the best birds for beginners as they are usually not sure if they are ready for a conversation. The canary would indeed be very happy by simply hanging out in a cage and singing for you, making them perfect pets. They do not like to be handled much. So, if you are looking for a pet for your child then canaries are a good option. You can simply observe these wonderful pets close up and listen to them sing.
7. Finches
If you want a pet that you do not have to tend to too much, then finches are a great option. They are fast moving and lively as well as fun to watch. They do not prefer climbing so make sure that their cage is big enough for them to fly around in. You should always buy them in pairs or in multiple numbers as finches are very social in nature. If the cage is too small for these finches then it can get really crowded which fights between the birds can erupt. They make for amazing pets for a child’s room as they do not like to be handled. You can easily have them around as perfect companions.
8. Quaker Parakeets
These birds are great for beginners and completely love to vocalize. Some can talk while others enjoy whistling. You can expect these lovely birds to be totally affectionate once you take care of them nicely. Make sure that you handle them with care and respect. One important aspect that you should be aware of is that these pets might be illegal in some areas. This is because they are considered to be a threat to the native agriculture. As long as they are legal in your area, they make for great pets that are also very affectionate.
9. Pionus Parrots
Pionus Parrots are not as flashy as other parrots which is also why they are often ignored. They are small enough to be easily kept and handled. Most importantly, these birds are not loud and are therefore easy to take care of. People often remember these amazing birds as sweet, which is absolutely right. These birds are indeed very beautiful and turn out to be really affectionate towards their owners. If you are looking for an attractive-looking bird that is also very easy going, then Pionus parrots are a good option.
10. Amazon Parrots
Amazons are comparatively more expensive than the other birds mentioned herein. However, they are way too good to be left out. These birds are one of the best ones when it comes to talking. Moreover, they are exceptionally beautiful and would easily clown around. They love attention and would want to shine in the limelight. However, as a beginner, it is advised to go for species that are relatively easier to be handled. You can choose from birds like lilac-crowns, white-fronted parrots, and blue-fronted as well as red-lored parrots. These species would not demand much from you and are also way quieter than the other options. You should be a little careful as a beginner since these birds can be too smart at times. As a rule of thumb, you should allow your parrots to socialize and help them get enough exercise as well as having toys to play with.
Thus, the above-mentioned birds can be an excellent choice for beginners. They would require minimal maintenance and you do not have to constantly keep checking on them. With proper care, these birds are sure to be amazing companions for you.
Further readings and references:
- PBSPetTravel.co.uk, The Best Pet Birds for Beginners
- D. H. Risdon, Foreign Birds for Beginners (Find This Book)