Are you ready to bring birds into your home? Pet birds are a great addition to any family and can provide years of companionship. But before you pick one up, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different bird species available and decide which is best for you. In this article, we’ll take a look at 9 of the best pet birds for beginners, along with some helpful tips on how to care for them.
Before We Begin: What Makes a Bird Easy vs Difficult for Beginners?
When it comes to choosing a pet bird, some characteristics make one species easier to care for than another. Here are some qualities that typically make a bird an ideal choice for beginners:
- Easy to handle: This means that the bird is generally tolerant of routine husbandry and human presence, recognizing that individual temperament varies widely within each species.
- Low maintenance requirements: Some birds are more low-maintenance than others, in terms of care and feeding. Beginners should look for species that don’t require a lot of specialized equipment or advanced behavioral management.
- Affordable cost: Some bird species are much more expensive than others. Look for one that fits within your budget, including ongoing veterinary care, diet, and enrichment needs.
- Friendly and social: Look for a bird that is outgoing, friendly, and social. Social needs vary by species, and some birds are better suited to observation rather than frequent handling.
- Appropriate lifespan: If you’re 60, there’s nothing wrong with getting a bird! However, if you’re 60, you get a bird that lives 25+ years, and that bird has deeply bonded to you, you may be setting that bird up to spend some of its life without you. That’s important to keep in mind!
A note about bird lifespans: Birds generally live much longer than other pets, which means you’ll need to plan for its care over a longer period. The lifespan of a pet bird can range anywhere from 5 to over 70 years or more, depending on the species!
The 9 Best Pet Bird Species for Beginners
1. Budgerigar (Budgie)
| Size: | 6 – 8 inches |
| Lifespan: | 7-15 years |
| Diet: | Primarily formulated pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables, limited seed, and occasional fruit |
| Noise: | Generally quiet but can be noisy at times |
The Budgerigar, or “Budgie” as it is commonly called, is one of the most popular pet birds in the world. These small parakeets are native to Australia and have been kept as pets in Europe since the late 1800s. Budgies are relatively easy to take care of, require minimal space when appropriately housed, and can be taught simple tricks. They are also very social birds that enjoy interacting with their owners.
- Easy to care for
- Low cost
- Enjoys interacting with people
- Prone to obesity and nutritional deficiencies if not fed properly
2. Cockatiel
| Size: | 10 – 12 inches |
| Lifespan: | 15 – 25 years |
| Diet: | Formulated pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables, limited seed, and occasional fruit |
| Noise: | Generally quiet but can be noisy at times |
The Cockatiel is another popular pet bird, native to Australia. These small parrots are prized for their gentle and affectionate personalities, as well as their ability to vocalize and whistle, with some individuals even learning a few words. Cockatiels are relatively low-maintenance and can be readily trained using positive reinforcement.
- Outgoing and affectionate personality
- Relatively low-maintenance
- Can be taught simple tricks
- May become shy if not handled regularly
- Noisy at times
3. Lovebird
| Size: | 5 – 7 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 20 years |
| Diet: | Formulated pellets supplemented with vegetables, limited seed, and occasional fruit |
| Noise: | Generally quite vocal |
Lovebirds are small parrots native to Africa. They are prized for their playful, affectionate personalities, but they are often more territorial than commonly perceived. Lovebirds require a bit more care than some other pet birds due to their active nature and need for regular socialization. They often form strong bonds with humans or other birds, and keeping one bird is only an option if you have plenty of time to provide lots of daily interaction and attention; otherwise, get a pair.
- Playful and affectionate
- Easy to bond with one person
- Can be quite active and require more attention than other pet birds
- Need regular playtime outside the cage
- Happiest if you have two instead of just one
4. Parrotlet
| Size: | 4 – 5 inches |
| Lifespan: | 15 – 25 years |
| Diet: | Formulated pellets supplemented with vegetables, limited seed, and occasional fruit |
| Noise: | Generally quite vocal |
Parrotlets are a type of small parrot native to South America. These birds are prized for their intelligence and bold personalities. They bond deeply with their owners and love interacting with them. Parrotlets require more care than some other pet birds due to their active nature and need for consistent socialization.
- Playful and affectionate
- Intelligent, can learn a variety of tricks
- Can be quite active
- Need regular playtime outside the cage
- Prone to nipping if not handled regularly
5. Conure
| Size: | 7 – 10 inches |
| Lifespan: | 20-30 years |
| Diet: | Formulated pellets supplemented with vegetables, limited fruit, and occasional seed |
| Noise: | Vocal |
The Conure is a type of small parrot from Central and South America. These birds are prized for their outgoing personalities, intelligence, and ability to learn sounds and limited words, though noise levels are quite high. Like Parrotlets, Conures require more care than some other pet birds due to their active nature and need for socialization.
- Playful and affectionate
- Intelligent, can learn a variety of tricks
- Can be quite active and require more attention than other pet birds
- Need regular playtime outside the cage
6. Canary
| Size: | 4 – 5 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10 – 15 years |
| Diet: | Primarily formulated pellets with limited seed and fresh greens |
| Noise: | Melodic singing |
Canaries are small, colorful birds native to Europe and North Africa. They are most commonly yellow but can also be found in red, orange, and white. They are prized for their beautiful singing voices, and they can be great companions if given the right care. Canaries have a relatively simple care regimen as they are generally best suited for observation rather than handling and do not require frequent physical interaction with humans to thrive.
- Affectionate and gentle
- Beautiful singing voice
- Come in many colors
- Can be skittish around people at first
- Need regular playtime outside the cage
7. Zebra Finch
| Size: | 3 – 4 inches |
| Lifespan: | 5 – 9 years |
| Diet: | Seeds |
| Noise: | Singing |
The Zebra Finch is a small, brightly colored bird native to Australia. These birds are prized for their personalities and ability to learn complex songs. They are not hand-tame birds and do not require human interaction to remain healthy, but they do require companionship from other finches, and are best kept in pairs or flocks.
- Affordable
- Friendly and social
- Beautiful singing voice
- Generally need to be kept in pairs
8. Dove
| Size: | 8 – 9 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
| Diet: | Seed-based diet formulated for doves and pigeons, supplemented with greens |
| Noise: | Quiet but may coo softly |
Doves are gentle, peaceful birds native to many parts of the world. These birds have soft plumage and a calming presence. Most pet doves are not inclined to frequent handling, but they are generally tolerant and rarely bite. They are best kept in pairs with adequate enclosure space to prevent territorial stress.
- Calm and gentle, often sit on people’s shoulders or hands
- Generally quiet
- Beautiful singing voice
- Best kept in pairs
- May be territorial so they need plenty of space
9. Java Sparrow
| Size: | 4 inches |
| Lifespan: | 7 – 12 years |
| Diet: | Formulated finch diet supplemented with grains and fresh greens |
| Noise: | Singing |
The Java sparrow is a small, outgoing bird native to Southeast Asia. They’re pretty low maintenance from a handling standpoint, but they require environmental enrichment and social interaction with other birds. They are best kept in pairs or small groups and are not ideal for solitary housing.
- Playful, outgoing personalities
- Beautiful singing voice
- Require companionship from other Java Sparrows
What Size Cage Does a Large Bird Need?
Cage size isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially for larger birds. Different species have very different space and movement needs, so the right enclosure should be chosen based on your bird’s wingspan, activity level, and ability to move comfortably side to side and fully stretch its wings. Bigger cages or aviaries are always better when possible. It’s also important to choose safe bar spacing to prevent injury and to include a variety of perch sizes and textures, which helps keep your bird’s feet healthy and comfortable.
One common mistake is to choose a cage that is tall but not wide. This sort of design is popular because it gives the impression of providing plenty of room for your birds without taking up too much space. However, birds need length and depth in order to fly, so the ideal cage should be large enough for a bird to fly and turn around, not just hop up and down between perches. This is particularly important if you are not able to let your bird out for some free flying exercise.
Conclusion
Caring for pet birds can be a rewarding experience. If you’re looking to get your first bird, there are plenty of easy bird species that are suitable for beginners, when their dietary, social, and environmental needs are fully understood and met.From Budgies and Canaries to Doves and Zebra Finches and even Conures and Parrotlets, each species offers unique benefits and challenges, making informed preparation essential for long-term success.
See also:
- 7 Small Pet Birds That You Can Easily Keep at Home!
- 3 Birds That Don’t Fly That You Can Keep as Pets
Featured Image Credit: Daria_vg, Shutterstock
Before We Begin: What Makes a Bird Easy vs Difficult for Beginners?
