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Feathered friends are second to none in terms of being great companions, but birds present a different set of issues than more common pets such as dogs or cats. Here are some things to help you decide whether or not a bird is the right pet for you and, if so, what kind of bird to adopt.
Consider getting a bird as a pet if you have a quiet, tranquil home where your new friend can get some peace. A bird is likely to start at every sudden noise, squeal, or laugh, and if there is a lot of commotion, a bird will be forever wary and grumpy.
You'll need to bring midsize birds such as parakeets out for a tour of the house and a little conversation anywhere from once a week to once a day, depending on how friendly your particular bird is. Parakeets and cockatiels will require a bit more of your attention at first than smaller birds. You'll want to spend time with them to get them used to you -- and used to the idea of being outside the cage. Once they are accustomed to contact, they will be loving and friendly.
Unlike domesticated animals such as cats and dogs, birds are essentially wild and need to be handled and socialized with every day to remain tame. Assess your daily schedule and routine to see if you have the time that your feathered friend will require. Birds do best with reliable routines that they can follow throughout the day.
If you have a house with plenty of space and you need a little company, nothing could be better than a large talking bird. A new budgie (budgerigar) will squawk a bit, but she also will learn a few words. A new African gray parrot will learn a vocabulary of about 200 words and will become a chatty friend. Or you could get several finches or canaries or a couple of lovebirds. They will sing and chirp and provide plenty of chatty company for you.
If you aren't looking for an interactive bird, your best bet is something smaller, perhaps a canary or finch. These birds have very pleasant calls, and some have brilliant plumage as well.
If you live in a small apartment or one with paper-thin walls, think twice about investing in a raucous parrot or even a more melodious bird such as a finch or canary. Bird sounds are meant to carry over a distance, and they do. Your neighbors may not appreciate your new 5:00 a.m. wake-up calls.
Try to get a parrot into a cage and you'll get quite an earful. In general, the larger and smarter the bird, the less he's going to tolerate a cage. Canaries and finches; however, are perfectly content in their cages and don't need to be brought out. In fact, they don't like much contact with people. They'd rather be admired from afar. Before you decide on a particular type of bird, think about how much interaction you want to have.
If you're looking for a cuddly, friendly, social bird, ask for one that has been hand-fed. As the name suggests, these birds were removed from the nest as newborns and fed by hand. They are completely tame and comfortable around people. After they warm up to you, they will not fuss or start when you try to bring them outside their cages. In fact, they love human contact. You can find a hand-fed bird in almost any variety, from an exotic parrot to a common finch. These birds cost a bit more than birds born in captivity and raised by their mothers. If you do get a hand-fed bird, you will need to bring your pet out, hold her, and talk to her every day.
