How long do they live for?
It depends on the type of bird you are looking for, but most exotics like African grays and macaws can live up to one hundred years! Most birds can be life-long companions and will want to be loved and cared for all those years.
Are they child friendly?
If your bird is properly trained, then yes, they can be very child friendly. Be aware though that if you have a bird and then have a child, that the bird may get jealous of the new family addition, as it does not have all the attention focused on it, and it may begin to self mutilate itself by pulling out its feathers.
Are they easy to train?
Some birds need more training than others, depending on whether you've bought your bird new from a pet store or from a rescue. Rescue birds often need more care and training than a pet store bird. As always, positive actions should be reinforced with treats (in moderated quantities) and loving care.
Are they social like cats and dogs?
Some birds are absolute attention hogs! Most become inseparable from their owner, and will sometimes go with them on daily errands if they are well trained. A bird needs to be socialized and taught how to speak, although some birds will pick up commonly used words like "hello" and "bye bye" just by hearing it so often.
What is the best bird for me?
That is completely up to you; you have to make sure you have enough time to dedicate to the bird species of your choice, as well as room, food and toy costs, etc. While birds are relatively inexpensive to keep happy and healthy, you must think of the initial costs such as cages if this is your first pet bird.
What are the most popular birds as pets?
There are five birds that rank highest in sales because of their companionship; Parakeets (average life expectancy 12-14 years), Cockatiels (15-20 years), Canaries (10 years), lovebirds (20 years), and African Greys (50-70 years)
Do they need to be groomed?
Birds are generally prone to preening themselves each day to make sure their feathers are clean and looking good, but some owners like to trim their birds nails (make sure you know how to do this, or take them to someone who does to avoid injury!) and some birds like to be misted once or twice a week with a spray bottle.
Are there any health concerns?
Every animal has the chance of getting sick if they are not well taken care of. Ensure that you have an avian vet in your city or nearby in case something ever does happen to your pet that needs to be taken care of immediately. Make sure your bird cannot get into anything that will harm it; you have to bird proof your house!
What kind of food do they eat?
Pellets have become very popular because they provide the vitamins the bird needs, but they cannot just eat that. Have on hand some nuts, seed, table foods such as cheese and meats, pasts, fruits and vegetables. If the bird has been living in a pet store, make sure to purchase the food they have been giving the bird so the diet does not get mixed up.
Will my bird talk?
Some birds will never be quiet! From some phrases like "hello, how are you?" to mimicking a phone ringing, your favorite song or a dog barking, birds are like recorders, picking up everything you say to them. Surprisingly though, the world record for the most human phrases spoken by a bird does not belong to a cockatoo or macaw, but a budgie! Some birds are naturally quiet, but if you train them right, they could talk your ear off.
