Choosing the Right Birdy Friend


Based off of general maintenance:
This may be altered or added on to with more research.


Tiers are base off of:
If you haven't had a bird from the previous tier, you should probably not have a bird of the following Tier. This is for the benefit of both the adopter and the adoptee.  
It's one think to want a certain bird, it's another thing to have the proper lifestyle for the certain bird.

*Tier 1*

Level1:
Finches

Level 2:
 Canaries - Link

Level 3:
Parakeets/Budgies - Link
 

*Tier 2*

Level 4:
Cockatiels

Level 5:
Parrotlet

Level 6:
Love Birds - Link


*Tier 3*

Level 7:
Conures -

Caquies - Link

Pionus


Level 8:

Indian Ring Neck - Link


*Tier 4*

Level 9

Amazons


 African Grays - Link 

Eclectus - Link
Male (Left) • Female (Right)


*Tier 5*

Level 10:
Cockatoos
Umbrella - Link

Sulphur Crested - Link

Level 11:
Macaws
 Blue & Gold - Link
Scarlet - Link


Taken from: Link
It happens all too often: An unsuspecting person pays a visit to a neighborhood pet store. Once inside, they round a corner to find themselves face to face with a beautiful, vividly colored Macaw who greets them with a boisterous "Hello!" Instantly, the person is smitten, and minutes later they are driving home with their new parrot.

Many people that find themselves in this situation are unaware that Macaws can live for close to 100 years. Some have no idea that these birds have special dietary requirements, or that they need to be handled and let out daily. Often, situations like these lead to unhappy owners and unwanted birds. Make sure that this does not happen to your family by reviewing these tips on choosing the right bird for you!

What Size Bird is Best for You?
As a rule, the bigger the bird, the bigger the commitments involved with keeping it. Large birds can make exceptional companions, but are often louder, messier, and more demanding than smaller species. For these reasons, it is generally recommended that novice bird owners start out with a small to medium sized bird. The size of your bird will be important in determining how you will care for your pet, as far as training, housing requirements, and overall interaction. Before you buy a pet, it's important to think realistically about how much bird you can handle.

Behavior and Temperament
Do you want a bird that will be eager to come out of his cage and socialize, or would you prefer a pet that likes to be seen but not touched? The way your bird relates to you will be an important factor in the quality of your ownership experience. Keeping this in mind, it is important to note that different species of birds exhibit various behavior patterns and dispositions. An African Grey will behave quite differently from a Canary, for example. Those in the market for a pet bird should make sure to research the species that they are interested in so they can choose the bird whose personality will be most compatible with their own.

Nutrition and Maintenence
Some birds require specific diets or other special care. Lories, for example, are beautiful medium sized birds admired around the world for their striking colors. They have highly specialized digestive systems, however, which require them to be fed a diet of pollen, nectar, and fruit. This in turn causes them to produce liquid droppings, making it necessary to clean their cages more frequently than those of other species. While there are countless good reasons to buy a pet bird, issues like this are why it is so important for potential owners to learn as much as they can about their favorite species before bringing one home.

Budget and Finances
Keeping a bird can be expensive, and much of that expense can be related to the type of bird involved. Larger birds sometimes have an initial purchase price of thousands of dollars, and these species generally require costly cages and accessories that boost the bill even higher. Even smaller birds, while often initially less expensive, still present their owners with various financial obligations. Some birds can live a very long time, and those that own them are responsible for feeding, housing, and providing them with veterinary care throughout their lives. All of these factors should be considered when choosing a bird so that you end up with a pet whose upkeep you can afford.

Time Commitments
Some bird species, particularly the hookbills, require daily exercise, interaction, and time out of their cages. Are you able to spare at least two hours a day to socialize with your bird and supervise his out of cage activities? If not, a Finch, Canary, or other more independent species may be best for you. To ensure that your pet stays healthy and happy, you should consider how much time you have available to spend with your bird when deciding which kind you would like to own.


For those that put a little effort into selecting a pet that will be compatible with their lifestyle, bird ownership can be a tremendously enriching experience. A little research and careful thought can go a long way in making sure that your relationship with your pet is destined to be a good one. By resisting the urge to buy a bird on impulse and keeping these important tips in mind, you are sure to make the right decision about which species will be best for your family.

*Another Opinion*

The type of birds that can live up to 70 years are the larger birds, like macaws, amazons, cockatoos.  It is usually rare that birds are taken care of well enough to live 70 years.  These species of birds are very noisy, so they wouldn't suit your living conditions.  Some medium to small birds are also quite noisy.  Stay away from conures!  They are all very noisy birds (but great birds nonetheless)!

An affectionate and loyal bird that I enjoy very much are cockatiels.  They are are subspecies of cockatoo, but much smaller (about 12" long from head to tail).  Males have a nice song (and can learn to talk) and can be a bit flighty.  Females chirp, but don't sing and usually don't learn to talk and are very affectionate.  Another bird I like are Quaker parakeets.  They are about twice the size of a cockatiel, can be noisy if they want something, and are also affectionate birds.  Indian ringnecks are nice birds, but they can be noisy at times.  Lovebirds are nice, too, but they can also be noisy at times.  Parakeets are also nice parrots.  There are so many choices!

Whatever you do, if you want a good pet bird to stay a good pet bird, only buy 1 bird.  Some people say that you should always buy lovebirds in pairs...and this is not true (definitely not true if you want a pet).  Research dietary requirements of any bird you choose BEFORE you buy to ensure you can feed properly.  Let the bird choose you for the best match.  In other words, whenever you decide what species of bird you want, hold them, spend some time with several, and when the right one finds you, you'll know.  You'll just "click" with each other and you'll have found the bird for you.  This can also work if you are unsure what type bird you want.

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