Buying a pet bird may sound like something nice and easy but just because they are small and usually kept in a cage, birds are not all alike and not always the most congenial pet imaginable. Well, canaries, finches, parakeets and cockatiels are fairly easy to get along with. So are lovebirds. Canaries and finches are relatively low maintenance. So are parakeets and cockatiels and these are more people friendly and will actually enjoy being touched and petted.
Some people will talk about how low maintenance pet birds are. Birds don't need to be taken for walks and they don't keep you awake at night. You can even create nighttime for birds by covering their cages with a blanket or heavy sheet. For those who say they prefer a warm and cuddly pet, bird lovers are quick to respond that a pet bird can be very affectionate. Some even express happiness at seeing you return home with big noisy greetings.
There are some serious considerations to having a bird as a pet that you don't run into with other pets. One of the big concerns is the need to keep your pet from escaping. If they do manage to fly free, they can be long gone from your neighborhood in a very short time. It doesn't take much for a bird to escape. If you let it out of its cage so it can get a little exercise in the house and have some cuddle time with you, all it takes is someone coming to the door. Even if you just open the door a little, the bird can be out and away in seconds.
Another surprising fact about having pet birds is the lengthy commitment involved. The typical small birds such as canaries, budgies, and finches have a lifespan of at least 15 years. Cockatiels and lovebirds last a minimum of 20 years. Parrots are long life birds. Conures have a lifespan of about 30 years. Some have a 50-year lifespan. African Greys can live up to 75 years. Macaws can last a century.
As a rule of thumb, the bigger your pet bird, the more work is involved. Larger pet birds live longer, need more room, and need more attention. You cannot ignore a bored bird. It can create quite a commotion if it is unhappy with you. Before you make the commitment based on a whim, do some research on buying a pet bird. You will need to know the likes and dislikes of the bird, what kind of food it likes, how much space it needs, what its temperament is like and whether it likes to be touched or not.
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