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National Bird Day just passed on January 5th and on the 24th Change a Pet’s Life Day occurred. What better way to change a pet bird’s life then to rescue the bird of your choice. To honor that consideration I am updating my “I Want a Pet Bird” post of 2021 where I wrote about the top bird choices as pets.
I am following up with two of the same sites for their current info: Sprucepets.com and Chewy.com. Since Women’s Day did not come up again, I am using Country Living’s current choices.
As in 2021 Spruce Pets and Chewy agree that Budgies or Parakeets are the number one choice for great pet birds. Country Living did not mention these popular guys until their number 10. These are the birds I have had as pets and they are very fun and easy to take care of. They are just 6 to 8 inches, and weigh 1 small ounce with feathers of blue, yellow, white, gray, and green. You can teach them to talk, if you have patience, and to do tricks. They become very attached to you and can live 10 to 15 years. Keep them out of drafts and always cover their cage at night for good sleep.
Cockatiels were chosen as number 1 by Country LIving and number 2 by both Spruce and Chewy as they were in 2021. These are friendly and affectionate birdies needing your attention for at least an hour daily. They are not known to talk but can learn to whistle and mimic household sounds. They are 12 to 13 inches and weigh just 3 ounces. Color is grey and yellow with a touch of cinnamon and a long tail. They are known as pint-sized parrots and can live 10 to 15 years.
Country Living chose the Finch as number 2. Chewy included Finch as a great pet bird in their later choices. They are pretty, busy little songbirds, just 3 to 6 inches and can weigh less than an ounce and live just 5 to 10 years. Altho some species, with proper care, can live up to 15 and 20 years. They are best in pairs or small groups and left in a quiet spot to keep from getting stressed. But it is good to visit them often. Best not to pick them up if they are hesitant but they can learn to fly to your hand. They have many different colors or just a couple, depending on the finch species.
Spruce Pets chooses the Cockatoo as their number 3 pick while Chewy goes with the Canary and Country Life with the Dove. All three reviewers do have all three of these birds in their lists as great pets.
The Cockatoo is an affectionate large bird who will bond with their owner and need your devoted attention every day for at least one hour or they may become depressed and pluck their own feathers. They do like to socialize with you. They are 18 inches and 16 to 26 ounces, white in color with a touch of yellow and a white crest. These birdies can live 40 to 80 years or more…so a real commitment here and a need of care experience from you. The Cockatoo is the first pet bird listed out of the group that will need to have some experienced care by an owner. All the smaller songbirds are great for beginners.
Canaries are cheerful and curious small birds, only 3 to 4 inches, and weighing just one ounce. Their average life span is 10 to 15 years. They like to see you in their space but are not good at being handled. The males sing a lot and the females chirp. To keep them happy give them plenty of toys to investigate.
There are many species of Dove, but the most popular as a pet is the ring-necked dove from Africa. They are 11 to 13 inches, 5 to 8 ounces, and brown, grey, white, or mixed colors. These birds live on average 10 to 15 years. They are said to be sweet and passive with a pleasant coo. They are best kept in pairs.
SprucePets goes with the Hyacinth McCaw as their 4th choice; Chewy with the Conure; and, Country Life with the Canary as number 4 and Conure as their 9th pick. SprucePets also recommends the Conure as their number 7. Chewy mentions Macaws as one of their later choices, but Country Life also picks the Hyacinth Macaw and as number 5.
The Hyacinth Macaw is the largest of all parrots: 40 inches, 42 to 51 ounces, living an average 60 plus years. They love to play and cuddle with their owners. You definitely need to be experienced and have considerable time to care for this beautiful bright blue birdy.
The Conure is playful and intelligent but not known to be a talker. They can live over 20 years and definitely want to have your attention. They are from Central and South America weighing 3 to 9 ounces and are normally 10 to 15 inches. These little ones need a roomy cage to move around in.
Parrotlet is SprucePets 6th pick and is chosen by Chewy as number 7. Chewy goes with the African Grey Parrot for their 6th pick and Country LIfe also picks the African Grey as their number 6. Spruce Pets chooses the African Grey as their last choice as a pet bird, most likely because of its expert-needed experience level.
The Parrotlet is a tiny 4 to 7 inches, weighing 1 ounce, and living an average of 15 to 20 years. They love to play games and need a roomy cage in order to spread their wings. They love your interaction and can be trained to sit on your finger and to talk. They are known for big “spunky” personalities.
The African Grey Parrot is known as very intelligent, needing a ton of activity every day and a good deal of your interaction. They are said to be in need of Expert care and attention. They can learn a large number of words and even “speak in context”. They are grey with a red tail, weighing 15 to 18 ounces, and just 13 inches in length. Life expectency is 30 to 60 years…so another large commitment here if you have the needed expert experience.
LoveBirds are chosen by SprucePets as number 10, also by Chewy as their number 11, and by CountryLIving as number 7.
Among the smallest of parrot breeds are LoveBirds. They can do fine on their own as long as you sing, whistle, and ‘bebop’ to amuse them. However as a pair they do form deep bonds. They are known as ‘pocket parrots’ and if not kept busy with stimulation and good training, can become feisty or even aggressive. Most are 5 to 6 inches in length, 2 ounces, and green with an orange head, living an average 15+ years. You need to have experience rated as “intermediate” for these birdies.
Unless otherwise noted, the above birds are good for beginners, mostly these are the smaller song birds. There are a couple of other parrot species I have not mentioned but are also in the review lists which need experienced pet parents. Take a look at all their information by clicking the links above. Then check out my recent post here with great info links on bird rescues and help on deciding what the best bird for you may be.
Funny Animal Videos
First from Big Geek Daddy, enjoy Singing for Animals.
Next in line see a hummingbird rescue.
And, one more to watch: The bird in my backyard.
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