As a beginner, it is important to find out which birds are best for beginners and which require to be kept by more experienced owners. Here are some of the best beginner pet birds for you to choose from:
1. Budgerigars
Budgies, also known as parakeets or keets are among the smallest of the parrot species most commonly kept as pets. They are also the most popular pet birds in the world as they are small, affordable, easy to tame, and exceedingly friendly.
The Budgie is a small bird with a lifespan of about ten years. Beginner pet bird owners generally keep them as observational pets, however, they are easy to hand-tame and are very affectionate. However, when teased they are known to defend themselves but because of their size, their bite is usually not as serious as that of larger birds. A hand-tamed Budgie makes a wonderful companion and is generally safe around children.
The ability of Budgies to easily fit the individual needs of different owners makes them one of the best small bird pets for beginners to own.
2. Cockatiels
The Cockatiel is the number one selling pet bird in America for very good reasons. They are small in size, easily trained, and generally live longer than cats. These very affectionate birds make excellent family pets as they interact with everyone on an equal basis rather than becoming too attached to only one owner.
The Cockatiel has a unique appearance with head feathers known as a crest. The crest is used to display its feelings which allows its owners to easily read what they like or dislike. Instead of the high-pitched screeching sounds made by larger parrot species from the Amazon, Cockatiels make a pleasant, whistle-like sound. A Cockatiel will require a larger cage than a Budgie and generally needs more care. When hand-trained they display more rewarding interactions than a Budgie. A Cockatiel is a step up from a Budgie and is an ideal pet bird for beginners.
If you are too busy or away for hours, you can look at pet care services to make your pet’s life more comfortable.
3. Lovebirds
Lovebirds are also part of the parrot family but a smaller version of the species. They require a medium- to the large-sized cage to give them plenty of space to fly around, especially when there is a pair. They are very colourful and are mostly kept as observational birds. Lovebirds are very chatty and love to sing, however, their sounds are not as disruptive as those of larger parrots. If purchased in pairs, lovebirds will bond with their partner and may or may not choose to interact with people. However, single lovebirds will need lots of activity and plenty of social interaction from their owner.
If you are looking for a colourful pet bird that you can observe rather than interact with, a pair of lovebirds may be just what you need.
4. Parrotlet
These small parrots are only 5 inches long – smaller than a Budgie. They are full of personality but not as noisy as other parrots which makes them ideal for spaces where noise may be an issue. Even though a Parrotlet is small, it has a strong beak with a powerful bite so would not be ideal for homes with small children. Single Parrotlets require lots of time and attention.
A hand-tamed Parrotlet is a good choice for a beginner and will provide good companionship and entertainment.
5. Canary
For hundreds of years, the Canary has been a popular choice for a passionate community of pet bird owners. The Canary community has the most enthusiasm of any other pet bird owner. They are valued for their desirable traits including their bright colour and small size but are valued most for their beautiful song. The canaries are good observational birds and as such are very much hands-off as they do not like interacting with people. They thrive in pairs or groups and love to sing all day long.
If you are looking for a strictly observational, low-maintenance pet bird that is beautiful to look at and lovely to listen to, a Canary is your best choice.