At Bird & Pet Clinic of Roseville, we specialize in caring for companion animals, whether they are the faithful family dog or cat, tiny rodents, or more exotic animals such as reptiles and birds of prey.
Listed below are 10 of the most common types of pet birds. They are all friendly, intelligent species capable of learning a few tricks and adding some colorful plumage to your home! Some of them can even hold something of a conversation, with a little work!
Bird Pet
Parakeets are among the most low-maintenance types of birds kept as pets, being among the smallest companion birds as well as relatively easy to train in their youth. Males especially are known to be great birds for first-time owners, as they bond easily to their owners and are simple to train.
Noted for their beautiful and varied feathers, parakeets are very active and playful birds eager to please; parakeets are talking birds who can be taught to mimic spoken phrases as a delightful party trick.
When left to their own devices, parakeets are singing birds, filling your home with the sounds of happy chirping! Parakeets can be kept as single pets or in pairs. Once you've settled in and trained your first parakeet, they are great birds to consider adding a second, as they'll love having a playmate when you're away!
Cockatiels are among the most communitive and emotional birds. Famed for the crest on the top of their head, they use it to communicate exactly how they are feeling to their flock (in this case, you!)
They nonetheless are, like most birds, social creatures and if kept alone should get plenty of time to fly about and interact with their human caretakers. Doves are great pets for older children who can understand the importance of gentle handling. Many dove owners love them for their soothing coos.
Canaries are shyer than other birds on this list and do not like to be handled, so you might need to put in a little extra work to overcome their timid nature and bond with your new friend after taking a Canary home. Much like doves, canaries require a large flight cage to stay happy and healthy.
The mighty hyacinth macaw is the largest of all parrots. Not everyone has the space to care for these gentle giants, but those who do can be rewarded with an enduring and deep friendship with these incredibly social and cuddly birds.
Hyacinth macaws are pricier than most types of pet birds and require a well above average sized space to call their own, but those with the means to care for these beautiful boys can have a lifelong companion, as these parrots are known to live for over 30 years when properly cared for.
These little birds shouldn't be passed over, however, as they have all the personality and affection of their larger counterparts. Lovebirds are named for the loving attentive bonds they form with their mates, as well as their owners. Lovebirds do not need to be kept in pairs, as many believe they do, and in fact a single bird is best if you want an animal that's eagerly bonded to their human flock. With that said, owning a pair of lovebirds can also make for great companionship without as much pressure on owners to provide for all their social needs.
Lovebirds are not the easiest pet birds to care for--while they are easier pets than larger parrots, they are still a step up from other common kinds of pet birds known for being more gentle like doves and parakeets. Lovebirds are known to test boundaries and occasionally try to show dominance through nipping or aggression, so they are perhaps not the best choice for households with young children.
African grey parrots are a poor choice for first-time bird owners, but many veteran bird keepers have fallen in love with these demanding companions. African grey parrots are believed to be the smartest birds in the world and are capable of learning a huge vocabulary. Some African grey parrot owners report that their birds often seem to speak in context, and are very in tune with their handler's emotions.
Because of their outsized intelligence, these parrots need somewhere in the vicinity of 5 hours of stimulation every day to keep from falling into boredom or depression. They are easy to train once one is familiar with using positive reinforcement and operant conditioning as training methods, but some learning will be required for inexperienced bird owners, but the attention demanded by these birds makes them a more advanced type of pet bird than most others. Those looking to make a serious commitment to a forever friend can find an intelligent and loving companion in an African grey parrot.
Pionus parrots are most renowned for being affectionate birds that still maintain their own independence. While they're happy to socialize with their owners, this type of pet bird will be ok spending long hours on their own to amuse themselves with toys or exercise.
Feathered pets like parrots can be fascinating additions to the family. Recent estimates say that over 5 million households in the United States have pet birds. Bird owners should be aware that although their pets might be highly intelligent and fun companions, they can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick.
Although rare, germs from birds can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses. One of the best ways you can protect yourself from getting sick is to thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after you touch birds, their droppings, or items in their cages.
Read below about diseases that can be spread by pet birds. These diseases can be carried by any type of pet bird you have. Visit the Healthy People section to learn more about staying healthy around pet birds.
Psittacosis is a disease caused by bacteria (Chylamydia psittaci) spread through the droppings and respiratory secretions of infected birds. People most commonly get psittacosis after exposure to pet birds, like parrots and cockatiels, and poultry, like turkeys or ducks. When birds are infected, veterinarians call the disease avian chlamydiosis.
How it spreads: People most commonly get psittacosis by breathing in dust from droppings or respiratory secretions of infected birds. Less commonly, birds infect people through bites and beak-to-mouth contact.
Who is at risk: Anyone who is exposed to the bacteria can get psittacosis, but it is more commonly reported among adults. People who have contact with birds (such as bird owners and those who work with birds) are at increased risk.
Signs in birds: Infected birds may or may not show symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they can include poor appetite, discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea or loose droppings, green urates (the white part of their droppings), or breathing difficulty, among others.
Before buying or adopting a pet bird, make sure a bird is the right type of pet for your family. Know that many pet birds have a very long life span. Some parrots can live for 20 years or longer. Birds require special care and can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. Because of this, certain types of birds might not be suitable for young children or people with weakened immune systems living in the household.
Pet birds do not have teeth, but their beaks can still cause a lot of damage if they bite or attempt to bite you. Birds can also have very sharp nails and talons. Germs can spread from bird bites and scratches, even when the wound does not seem deep or serious. Always closely supervise children around birds. If a bird scratches or bites you, you should:
USDA regulates the importation of pet birds. Because of the risk of avian influenza (bird flu), USDA restricts the importation of pet birds from certain countries and enfosrces a 30-day quarantine for all imported birds except those that come from Canada. People interested in importing pet birds should visit the USDA non-US Origin Pet Bird Importation website.
Parrots, both big and small, all squawk without exception. Some smaller birds, such as conures, can be even louder than larger ones, so size is not correlated with volume. In addition, birds like to vocalize at dawn and dusk.
Parrots are messy. They chew up their food and throw half of it on the cage bottom. Much of it inevitably ends up getting stuck on perches or on the floor around the cage. Some birds dunk their food in the water cup before eating it, making the wasted food even messier. Many large parrots also shred and tear up toys, throwing pieces of toy everywhere. If upsets you, opt for a fastidiously clean pet rat or cat over a pet parrot.
All pet birds have costs associated with caging, cage accessories (such as food bowls, perches and swings), food (both commercially available pelleted food and fresh produce), toys (that may literally be chewed up and destroyed daily, depending on bird species), and veterinary care. In addition, birds are no different from other pets in that they need preventative medical care. Just as dogs and cats require annual veterinary check-ups to stay healthy, so do birds. Most people are not aware of this when they get pet parrots, and while they are often willing to spend money on buying the bird, they are often reluctant or unable to spend funds on taking care of it.
Many people choose birds as pets because they are allergic to fur. However, many individuals allergic to fur are also allergic to feathers or to feather dander (the white, powdery substance that coats the feathers of certain parrot species, such as cockatoos and cockatiels, and that wafts through the air off feathers). So, before you bring a parrot into your home, be sure that no one has a bird allergy.
Birds have so many wonderful characteristics. They are social, interactive, attractive and often can learn to speak human language. They can make great pets, but they are not great for everyone. If you have the time, space, finances and lifestyle to support owning a bird, these incredible creatures can make loving lifelong companions.
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