Alexandra Ramirez
There are many advantages to having a bird as a pet. Not only can they be wildly entertaining, they’re also easy to take care of. Every bird species has its own set of traits and personalities that make it unique. Most birds are also friendly and gentle, the perfect companions whether they stay in their cages or freely roam your house. Apart from all of that, birds are just great to look at and listen to—for the most part. If you’re looking to have birds as your next pet, here are 5 bird species you might want to consider.
1. Cockatiel
These Australian-native birds are considered to be the friendliest birds on the planet. Cockatiels are part of the cockatoo family and are some of the most well-known household and companion pets. They have a characteristic crest that helps them express their emotions—something that pet owners can take advantage of when they want to understand their feathered friend. The best way to take care of a cockatiel is to take them in while they’re still young. You can hand feed them while they’re still babies and you’ll basically be hand-taming them. They thrive in loving environments and can survive for up to 30 years. They’re great family pets, and they don’t require too much space compared to bigger birds.
2. Budgie
Otherwise known as parakeets, budgies are an easy favorite among pet and bird owners. They are generally affectionate and friendly animals, as long as they’ve been properly cared for by their caretakers. The best part about owning budgies is that they take well to training and can learn quite a few number of tricks for you to entertain yourself or impress your friends with. Budgies can even learn how to talk. It may take a bit of patience and a lot of love before the birds can do it, but it’s definitely worth the work. These small pets don’t have to be confined all the time either. As long as they’re properly trained, budgies can hang with you while you do your normal routines.
3. Canary
What makes a canary one of the most rewarding pets is its independence. It doesn’t require much to take care of a canary. Canaries stay mostly on their own and even entertain themselves with their own singing. You will surely be entertained by your canary’s song as well. Canaries are better suited to stay in their cages, so you won’t have to let yours out at all. You’ll just have to provide for the essentials such as food, water, and a clean cage, and your pet should stay happy. Regardless, make sure you interact with your pet, so you can get to know each other. Canaries are the perfect birds for kids and they can live for up to 15 years.
4. Parrotlet
The smallest parrot species, parrotlets have continued to grow in popularity over the years. The reason why people prefer them more to their typical parrot counterpart is their size. Parrotlets are considered to be pocket birds, commonly bred in captivity. A parrotlet is a type of bird that needs companionship in order to retain its personality. This means that the more you spend time with it, the better your relationship will be. They’re definitely full of personality. One moment they’re feisty and the next they’re absolutely affectionate. However, if you decide to take care of a parrotlet, you might not get to have any other birds because parrotlets tend to be territorial and possessive. The upside to this is how they’ll get overly attached to you as their owner. You’ll end up loving it and not wanting any other birds anyway.
5. Hyacinth Macaw
This beautiful blue bird is also known as a gentle giant. The hyacinth macaw is the largest bird from the parrot family and is also one of the most sociable. They love to cuddle and play, and the birds will likely develop deep relationships with their owners as well. The only difficulty you might have with taking care of a hyacinth macaw is space, as these birds tend to be on the larger side. That means that they’ll need larger housing. If this is something you can provide, you can contact a breeder in your area to meet a hyacinth macaw. It’s a guarantee that you’ll fall in love with these animals right away.
