Pick A Pet Bird

Do you love the sound of a singing bird?  Have you dreamed of having a bird that talks? Wouldn’t a bird add some color to your place? But is a bird your perfect pet?

When we pick a pet bird they can be great pets and add sounds to our home. Some make small twittering noises, while others talk, and some of the larger birds make loud shrieking noises. When I first heard my neighbor’s Macaw, I thought it was a siren. This is probably not the best bird to have if you live in an apartment.

Below are stores that are filled with resources to help you learn more about birds. If you are a bird beginner, the bird experts recommend that you start with smaller birds. Here are some things to think about if you are considering being a ‘newbie’ bird parent.

Did you know that a larger bird like a Macaw requires a lot of care?

A Macaw can live to be 65 years old! These birds can exhibit behavior problems if someone does not devote 3 to 4 hours of attention to them daily! Who has an extra 3 to 4 hours to talk to, play with, exercise, and train a bird? These birds become very attached to their owners. Yes they are beautiful, but the large parrots are best handled by bird experts.

Birds have a very high metabolism and delicate organs.

Good indoor air quality is very important to their health. For example, it is not good for birds to be around smoking or air fresheners. The label on Febreze states that it is safe around dogs and cats, but warns that the product and other air care products should not be used around birds.

Birds need time out of their cage and can create messes.

For those who don’t like messes, you need to consider that because when birds eat, seeds and feathers end up on the floor outside the cage. Birds are very inquisitive and intelligent animals so they need regular social interaction and a variety of toys to give them mental stimulation. Birds also need to spend time out of their cage to get exercise, so there are steps you need to take to ‘bird’ proof your home.

To get started here are some of the more popular birds.

The Parakeet which has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years is a great pet for those new to having a pet bird. They come in an array of beautiful colors and being smaller they require less space and maintenance than larger birds. They are intelligent, whistle and sing, while some do learn words and phrases.

Cockatiels have a life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years. These medium-sized birds are members of the parrot family and are quite vocal. While they can talk, many prefer to whistle and mimic quirky sounds. Check out the incredible singing, dance moves and antics of these birds on YouTube.

Finches and Canaries can live for up to 10 years if well cared for. They are also small and require less space. Generally they pay little attention to humans which makes them ideal for those who want to watch their pet bird, but needs little interaction.

Lovebirds are small parrots, but have all the personality and intelligence of the larger more demanding parrots such as the Macaw. They are fairly quiet, thus are suitable for living in an apartment, and have a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

 

African Greys are very intelligent birds, and some have very large vocabularies. They need a lot of attention because these birds are so smart, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. They can live for 50 to 80 years. Are you really able to commit to that long for a pet?

Are birds the right pet for you?

As you learn about what it would be like to have a pet bird, consider how you’d answer these questions. If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then a bird is probably not the right pet.

1. When I’m home do I want peace and quiet, or if there is noise, for it to be on my terms?
2. Would I mind a bird flying inside my home so that it can get exercise?
3. Am I unable to regularly devote the necessary time to spend, up to a few hours per day, with a bird? These pets need social interaction and are not a decoration.
4. Does anyone in the home have asthma problems that could be triggered by a pet bird?
5. Am I unwilling to commit to 10, 20 or many more years to a pet bird?

Pick A Pet Bird Stores

In the stores below you’ll find resources to help you decide if a bird is your perfect pet. Also there are many gift items, either to share with a child, a friend or even treat yourself. You can order anything directly from the stores.

How To Books

Check out these great books.  They will give you and your children some valuable perspectives on birds and help you decide if these are the perfect pet for you. You can find ideas on how you would teach a bird to talk and do tricks, give your bird exercise, and make toys from items in your home. They give you a sense of how much care a bird needs – feeding, exercise, training, and socialization.

May reading these books help you decide if a bird would be a perfect pet for you. You and your kids will love reading these books together.

Story Books

There are books for both children and adults. It’s great to have books to read aloud to children or have them read to you. Adults will find some touching stories about birds.

Stuffed Animals

Here you’ll find cuddly stuffed animals that can be held by a child while you read them books about birds. Customers rate these highly as great companions for children to play with during the day and to sleep with at night. These are great gifts for parents and grandparents to give to go with a book.

Fun Things And Gifts

If you are a lover of birds, in this store you’ll find a wide array of gifts for yourself or others about our backyard and wild bird friends. You’ll find games, puzzles, calendars, puppets, books, and so much more. So browse around and find the perfect gift for someone you know who loves birds, which may be you!

Feel free to go to our ‘About’ page and let us know which books, stuffed animals, or gifts are your favorites. Did we leave any out of the stores that you think we should add?