Top 10 birds for pets in 2023
In many ways, birds make the perfect pet. The small size of many breeds often makes them great for crowded spaces. Birds can also form loving bonds with you and your whole family. Household birds are often highly intelligent, and you can spend hours simply watching them play.
However, at Dan’s Pet Care, we’ve noticed that not every type of bird is right for every household. It’s important to choose a bird based on a variety of factors, not just appearance. Your bird’s social and emotional needs, maintenance requirements, and other factors should be carefully considered. When you’re shopping for a pet bird, how can you make the right choice for you and your family? This article covers the top 10 birds for pets in 2023, and the pros and cons of bringing each one home with you.
Parakeets
Parakeets are a fantastic choice in many cases. If you’re new to owning birds, if you have kids in the household, or if space is limited, a parakeet might be just what you’re looking for.
Parakeets are actually small parrots. The most common parakeet species is the budgerigar, often called a budgie. They flock in the wild in Australia, living in huge, complex communities. Parakeets usually get along pretty well with children, though it’s important to enforce boundaries. They’re easy to take to the vet if something goes wrong, since their cages are usually light enough to carry. They’re also relatively inexpensive and don’t require complicated equipment. Most parakeets will be happy with a medium-sized cage, seed and water, and a variety of toys like mirrors and bells to keep them entertained.
Parakeets are especially fun to watch as they play. Whether they’re wearing a bell as a hat or play fighting with their cage mate, parakeets are always up to something.
It’s important not to overestimate the ease of owning a parakeet, though. They’re not as messy as most larger birds, but they can fling seed outside of their cages, and their cages need regular cleaning to stay sanitary and comfortable. It’s also important to spend enough time with your parakeet. Otherwise, they can get grumpy and skittish around humans.
Parakeets don’t scream loudly like full-sized parrots, but they do chirp and chatter, and you won’t necessarily be able to “turn off” the noise. Covering your parakeet’s cage with a sheet or blanket can be a good way to signal that it’s “night time” and help them calm down.
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are a great choice for households that are ready for a little more challenge. Slightly larger than parakeets, cockatiels are more intelligent and athletic–and a bit louder, too. Cockatiels will eagerly play with their toys, and they can invent complex activities with beads, bells and swings to keep themselves busy all day.
Cockatiels also love to mimic their owners and the noises they hear. Don’t be surprised if your cockatiel chirps (or speaks) along with the TV. Many cockatiels can learn to repeat words, although this isn’t guaranteed. Many cockatiels love exploring outside their cages and will follow their owners around the home, perching on their shoulders to rest.
If you’re considering a cockatiel, keep in mind that this isn’t a bird to leave in an empty room all day. Cockatiels can get temperamental when they’re bored, so make sure your pet has company as much as possible. Also, although cockatiels are usually tame and gentle, they can bite. Their bite isn’t going to do any serious damage, but it’s important to watch children carefully around your pet cockatiel.
Canaries
Canaries make delightful, low-maintenance pets. They’re very small, around 4 to 5 inches, and they don’t require large cages. However, you should make sure your canary is able to fly around their cage, since they need the exercise.
Canaries don’t need frequent handling–in fact, they often don’t allow it. This makes them a great choice for owners who lead busy lifestyles and don’t have the time to socialize a more needy bird. However, canaries do like having their owners in the same space, and they’ll express their appreciation by singing beautiful songs.
Only male canaries are able to sing, which means they’re generally in higher demand. Canary songs are complex and develop over time. Canaries come in a variety of colors, and they’re relatively inexpensive to buy and own.
Finches
Finches are even lower-maintenance than canaries. Their tiny size makes them great for small spaces, though again, they need enough room in their cage to fly. Finches don’t like to be touched, and they should be kept in groups to keep each other company. Thus, you won’t need to worry about your bird getting lonely while you’re busy during the day.
If you’re worried about the loud noise made by members of the parrot family (including parakeets), finches are a great alternative. They make little peeps and chirps, but they won’t be a source of irritation or distraction. They do like to converse among themselves, so don’t expect total silence.
Finches have a lifespan of about 5 years, so they make a great beginner pet bird For households with young children, a finch can be a good choice until kids get old enough to care for a more interactive bird with higher needs. However, you should never allow children to touch your pet finch.
4. Lovebirds
Lovebirds are small members of the parrot family that originated in Africa and Madagascar. They’re also relatively low maintenance compared to other parrot varieties. This is because they form their primary bond with their cage mates. Lovebirds enjoy spending much of their time “talking” to, playing with, and just sitting next to their mates.
This trait can be both a positive and negative aspect of owning a lovebird. You won’t need to worry about your bird getting lonely, since many lovebirds are indifferent to human interaction. However, owners who are seeking a close bond with their pet bird may be disappointed by lovebirds.
It can be entertaining to watch lovebirds play, as they love chewing on toys and swinging around their cages. Be sure to provide lots of sturdy toys that can stand up to constant pecking!
African Greys
African Greys are best for the experienced bird owner with plenty of time on their hands. These large parrots have incredible intellects and can learn to speak over 1500 words. These parrots become incredibly attached to their owners–usually to one owner in particular.
This powerful attachment can become a pro as well as a con. African Greys who don’t get enough socialization can become depressed and begin to self harm. These birds can live for around 45 years, so choosing to bring one into your family is a major commitment not to be taken lightly.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are another type of pet bird that can bring a lot of joy to owners’ lives, but they’re not for novice owners. They flock in the wild in huge communities, and they’re incredibly social animals. Pet cockatoos are known for dancing, and they love to perform by moving rhythmically to music along with their owners.
Owning a cockatoo can be incredibly rewarding, but they are among the most high-maintenance pet birds available. Cockatoos that don’t get enough attention will scream loudly to demand more. If you have close neighbors, your cockatoo can create a serious disturbance. It’s important to get your cockatoo as early in life as possible, so you can start the complex process of taming and training your bird.
Conures
If you want a parrot but are concerned about the maintenance involved, a conure may be the perfect choice for you. Conures originated in Central and South America, and they’ve got beautiful coloring but a smaller size than parrots like African Greys and Amazons.
Conures aren’t great talkers, but they’re very smart and can form strong bonds with their owners. They do tend to be quieter than other parrot species, and they won’t scream for attention as loudly as a cockatoo, for example.
Macaws
Owning a macaw can be incredibly satisfying, but it’s a major commitment that’s usually very expensive. Macaws come in a rainbow of bright colors, and they often outlive their owners if they’ve been well cared for.
Macaws are very devoted to their owners, and you should begin carefully training your macaw as early in life as possible. However, there is a downside of forming such a strong bond between owner and pet. When an owner passes away or becomes unable to care for the bird, macaws can have a hard time adjusting.
Lories
Owning a lory can be fun and rewarding, but it’s not for novices. Lories have a unique diet composed of mostly fruit and nectar, and their health will suffer if they’re not fed correctly. You’ll have to take special care to keep their food fresh and safe for consumption.
Lories love being outside their cages, and they tend to be a bit bossy, demanding playtime with their owners. Lories tend to be very curious and love to explore and investigate while outside their cages. This can be fun to watch, but they also require careful supervision.
Amazons
Amazons are another type of bird that have much to offer, but require a significant commitment from their owners. Amazons often love water and appreciate misting, showers and baths with their owners. They’re easily trained and can learn to tolerate other pets and children, but it’s important to keep them separate from other pets when you’re not around to keep an eye on things.
Amazons come from Central and South America, and they have beautiful, exotic coloring. Most are primarily green, with other colors around the top of their bodies. These birds can live up to 60 years and require a long-term plan in place for their care.
When shopping for a pet bird, be sure to do adequate research. Talk with experienced owners, if possible, and seek out communities where owners can share tips and tricks with each other. Also, make sure you have access to a veterinarian who accepts birds as patients!
