Once you’ve decided to adopt a bird, size should be considered. While all birds require commitment and care, larger birds have more needs than their smaller cousins.
Many large birds in the parrot family have long lifespans which means many years of care. Purchasing small birds is less expensive while large ones can be costly. The cost and size of a cage has to be considered.
Large birds need more room and should have more time outside the cage to exercise. Smaller birds eat less and veterinary care can be less expensive.
If you want to teach your bird to talk, lessons can be time consuming. Larger birds also need lots of attention with owners committed to spending a lot of time with a bird. Birds are social creatures and many bond closely with an owner.
Whatever bird you choose, spend time researching your choice thoroughly so that you can make an informed decision and give your bird the commitment s/he deserves.
Here are some ideas for birds that are popular as pets.
Small birds: Canaries, Finches, Parakeets (Budgies or Budgerigar), Parrotlets, Lovebirds, Cockatiels.
Medium-sized birds: Quaker Parrots (grow to 12 inches, check if legal to own where you live), Conures, Senegal Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets, Caiques, Mynahs.
Large Parrots: African Grey Parrots, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, Eclectus Parrots.
