Whether you are a bird lover hoping to acquaint yourself with a flying buddy, or someone who’d like to have a comfortable and social relationship with an amusing friend, this list is for you.
When there are so many winged friends to choose from, the decision can be a tough one, and so it is important to consider all the factors before you come to a concrete decision.
Before getting into the list itself though, let us first discuss some key factors to consider when starting your journey as a bird pet owner.
Size is the first and most important parameter to consider when you are preparing your house to receive a new roommate.
“What is the size of the bird?”, “is it a very active bird requiring lots of room to fly around in?”, etc. are some questions you must consider.
Another thing to look at is how long of a commitment the bird is going to be and also how long you are prepared to love and care for it.
Lastly, you should make sure that you pick a bird that best suits your lifestyle.
If you’re a busybody who cannot spend a lot of time at home, then you should pick a bird with low attention needs, so that you can give your bird as fulfilling a life as possible!
And now, let’s talk about the birds themselves.
7 Best Pet Birds For Beginners
| Pet Birds For Beginners | Monthly Cost Of Owning | Yearly Cost Of Owning | Lifespan | Social Need |
| Cockatiels | $25 – $40 | $200 – $300 | Up to 20 years | Medium |
| Lovebirds | $25 – $55 | $250 – $500 | 20 years | Low – Medium |
| Canaries | $25 – $40 | $150 – $300 | 10 years | Low |
| Budgies | $10 – $35 | $120 – $350 | Up to 10 years | Medium |
| Parrotlets | $40-$70 | $300 – $675 | Up to 20 years | Medium |
| Finches | $20 – $30 | $100 – $200 | Up to 10 years | Low |
| Amazon Parrots | $55 – $150 | $600 – $900 | 30+ years | High |
Cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus)
It seems only right to begin this list with the most common pet bird in the United States, the cockatiel.
They are medium-sized birds, with a relatively long lifespan, and have the most adorable appearance and mannerisms.
Their most iconic feature is the colorful crest atop their head, which not only gives them a fun and cute look but also helps you read your bird better as it is representative of the bird’s emotional state.
They are loveable birds, who are affectionate and easily trained, making them one of the best pets for a beginner pet owner.
Lovebirds (Agapornis)
If you want a more vibrant option, that will not only add love but also color to your home, then lovebirds are the way to go.
Coming in a variety of colors like blue, green, orange, and yellow, they are also very common pet birds all over the world.
They are very social and affectionate and are usually kept in pairs. Their attention requirements change based on how you keep them, that is either paired up or solo.
They are quite conversational, but it’s not a grating voice like some bigger birds.
If you buy them paired, which is how they are most commonly sold, they will bond most closely with their partner and turn out to be quite low maintenance.
Canaries (Serinus canaria domestica)
Canaries are birds that have been in captivity for hundreds of years and are well-loved for how low their maintenance is.
They are bird lovers’ favorite, with many beautiful depictions of them in poetry, literature, and so on.
They are small songbirds in the finch family and are well-loved not only for their visual aesthetics but also for their singing ability.
They are hands-off pets not requiring much interaction or communication, and so are perfect for those who have busy lives but would still love to have a beautiful little bird to gaze at and listen to when they come home.
Budgies (Melopsittacus undulatus)
Budgies or parakeets, as they are also known, are one of the other most popular birds in the United States.
They are small, long-tailed, seed-eating birds that come in an array of wonderful pastel shades like white, yellow, green, and blue.
They are very affectionate birds who are quite cuddly once tamed and are not actually observational birds as is a common misconception.
They can get pretty defensive if you tease or taunt them, but their bite cannot do much harm, and they are generally very loving birds. Hence, they are a perfect fit for a beginner.
Parrotlets (Forpus Coelestis)
Parrotlets are small and spunky birds that are vibrant in both their appearance and their personality.
They are tiny birds with big personalities that come in a variety of fun colors like blue, green, and yellow.
We definitely recommend spending a little bit more time with these birds, as they take a while to bond.
Teaching them fun tricks, feeding them by hand, and getting them fun toys to play with are all good ways to keep this easily-bored bird happy and zealous.
Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus)
If you are a busybody, then finches are another perfect choice for you as they are low maintenance and do not need much attention but will generally bring a lot of light and sound to any home.
They are very social to their own kind and, when bought in batches, will spend the majority of their day communicating and interacting with one another.
They are perfect for beginners not only because they are so hands-off, but also because they are one of the cheapest options that are still rewarding.
Amazon Parrots (Amazona aestiva)
The biggest and most advanced bird on this list so far, amazon parrots have a big personality and love being the center of attention.
They can be trained to sing specific songs and even imitate human speech, and are a complete delight to have in the home.
Though they are pretty advanced, do not fret as they are very expressive and communicative birds which makes them easy to read.
With some time and patience, you can learn to read their moods like a book. They are also the birds with the longest life span, with some birds living up to 60.
Thus, it is important to remember that they are a long commitment when taking on this wonderful pet.
In Conclusion
So if you are slowly stepping foot into the wonderful world of birds.
We hope we have given you some direction on which path to choose and what to consider when making this decision.
We also hope you learned something new about these loveable little creatures.
Thank you for reading!
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