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Birds are wonderful pets that can bring joy, beauty, and companionship to your life. However, not all birds are suitable for beginners. Some birds are more demanding, noisy, or expensive than others. If you are new to bird ownership, you need to consider several factors before choosing a pet bird, such as:
- The size of the bird and the cage it needs
- The lifespan of the bird and your commitment to care for it
- The personality and temperament of the bird and how it matches yours
- The cost of the bird and its food, toys, and veterinary care
- The noise level of the bird and how it affects your neighbors
- The legal status of the bird and whether it is allowed in your area
To help you make an informed decision, here are some of the best pet birds for beginners that are small, low maintenance, friendly, and trainable.
Budgies (Parakeets)
Budgies are one of the most popular pet birds in the world. They are small, colorful, and easy to care for. They can live for 5 to 8 years and grow up to 7 inches long. They only need a cage that is at least 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.
Budgies are very social and intelligent birds that can bond with their owners and learn to talk and do tricks. They have cheerful and playful personality that makes them fun to interact with. They also have a soft chirping voice that is not too loud or annoying.
Budgies are relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain. You can find them for $10 to $35 at most pet stores. They eat mainly seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them entertained and healthy.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are another great choice for beginner bird owners. They are slightly larger than budgies, measuring 12 to 14 inches long. They can live for 10 to 14 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high.
Cockatiels are very affectionate and gentle birds that love to be petted and cuddled. They can also learn to whistle, mimic sounds, and say a few words. They have a calm and sweet temperament that makes them easy to handle. They are not very noisy, except when they want attention or are excited.
Cockatiels are moderately priced and widely available. You can buy them for $80 to $150 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them happy and healthy.
Canaries
Canaries are beautiful songbirds that come in various colors, such as yellow, green, orange, and red. They are small birds that measure 4 to 5 inches long. They can live for up to 10 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.
Canaries are ideal for beginners who prefer a bird that does not need much handling or interaction. Canaries are independent and shy birds that like to be left alone in their cages. They do not like to be touched or held. However, they will reward you with their beautiful singing voice that can fill your home with music.
Canaries are fairly inexpensive and easy to find. You can buy them for $25 to $150 at most pet stores. They eat mainly seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them stimulated and healthy.
Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small parrots that have vibrant plumage and a cute appearance. They measure 5 to 7 inches long. They can live for 10 to 15 years with proper care². They need a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high.
Lovebirds are very social and lively birds that can bond strongly with their owners and other lovebirds. They can learn to talk and do tricks with some training. They have curious and playful personality that makes them fun to watch and interact with. They can be noisy at times, especially when they are excited or lonely.
Lovebirds are moderately priced and widely available. You can buy them for $100 to $150 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them entertained and healthy.
Parrotlets
Parrotlets are the smallest parrots in the world. They measure 4 to 5 inches long. They can live for 15 to 20 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 18 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.
Parrotlets are very smart and active birds that can learn to talk and do tricks. They have bold and feisty personality that makes them amusing and challenging to deal with. They can be affectionate and loyal to their owners, but they can also be territorial and nippy. They are not very noisy, but they can make high-pitched sounds when they are alarmed or annoyed.
Parrotlets are moderately priced and fairly easy to find. You can buy them for $100 to $350 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them busy and healthy.
Conures
Conures are medium-sized parrots that have colorful plumage and a long tail. They measure 12 inches long. They can live for 20 to 30 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 36 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high.
Conures are very friendly and playful birds that can bond well with their owners and other birds. They can learn to talk and do tricks with some training. They have cheerful and energetic personality that makes them fun to interact with. They can be noisy at times, especially in the morning and evening. They also need a lot of attention and stimulation to prevent boredom and depression.
Conures are moderately priced and widely available. You can buy them for $150 to $350 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them happy and healthy.
Quaker Parakeets
Quaker parakeets are medium-sized parrots that have green plumage and gray faces. They measure 11 inches long. They can live for 20 to 30 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high.
Quaker parakeets are very intelligent and vocal birds that can learn to talk and mimic sounds. They have quirky and confident personality that makes them entertaining and challenging to deal with. They can be affectionate and loyal to their owners, but they can also be territorial and aggressive. They are not very noisy, but they can make a loud squawk when they are excited or upset.
Quaker parakeets are moderately priced and fairly easy to find. You can buy them for $600 to $700 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them busy and healthy.
However, you need to check the legal status of quaker parakeets in your area before buying one. They are illegal in some states because they are considered invasive and destructive to native wildlife and crops.
Pionus Parrots
Pionus parrots are medium-sized parrots that have dark plumage and a red patch under their tail. They measure 10 to 11 inches long. They can live for up to 25 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high.
Pionus parrots are very calm and gentle birds that can get along well with their owners and other birds. They can learn to talk and do tricks with some training. They have shy and quiet personality that makes them easy to handle. They are not very noisy, but they can make a wheezing sound when they are stressed or scared.
Pionus parrots are moderately priced and fairly easy to find. You can buy them for $900 to $1700 at most pet stores. They eat mainly pellets, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them happy and healthy.
Doves
Doves are small birds that have white or gray plumage and slender bodies. They measure 7.5 to 12 inches long. They can live for 12 to 15 years with proper care. They need a cage that is at least 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches high.
Doves are ideal for beginners who prefer a bird that is peaceful and low-maintenance. Doves are docile and friendly birds that like to be held and stroked. They do not talk or do tricks, but they have a soothing cooing voice that can relax you. They are not very noisy, but they can make a loud flapping sound when they fly.
Doves are fairly inexpensive and easy to find. You can buy them for $20 to $100 at most pet stores. They eat mainly seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They also need toys, perches, and cuttlebones to keep them stimulated and healthy.
Conclusion
Choosing the best pet bird for beginners depends on your personal preference, lifestyle, and budget. However, some of the best pet birds for beginners are budgies, cockatiels, canaries, lovebirds, parrotlets, conures, quaker parakeets, pionus parrots, and doves. These birds are small, low maintenance, friendly, and trainable. They can provide you with companionship, entertainment, and joy for many years.
Before you buy a pet bird, make sure you do your research and prepare everything you need to care for it. You will need a cage, food, toys, perches, cuttlebones, and a veterinarian. You will also need to spend time with your bird every day to bond with it and keep it healthy and happy.
Birds are wonderful pets that can enrich your life in many ways. However, they are also living beings that deserve respect and love. If you are ready to take on the responsibility and commitment of owning a pet bird, you will be rewarded with a loyal and loving friend.
