Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have never had a bird before and we were thinking of getting one...it wouldn't be any time soon...probably sometime next year but I wanted to get all the information I can on birds and bird care before getting one.

Are there any particular birds that are better to get then others when you're first starting out. We were leaning more towards a parakeet or lovebird but are open to suggestions.

Also any information on the care of such birds would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Well, as a starter bird I would lean more towards the parakeet or even possibly a cockatiel or parrotlet, but probably the parakeet (budgie) as the first choice. They seem to be a bit easier to get used to. They don't have as loud a voice as many other birds. They can still be hand tamed and trained to talk or possibly even to do tricks and are still a loving bird. They don't need quite as much constant attention as some of the larger birds and even though they seem to like seeds best can be fed a well balanced diet.

Lovebirds can make a great pet but tend towards bonding to one person or other bird. They can become aggressive and need lots more attention to keep them tame.

Cockatiels are a bit larger than the budgies, they can still be taught to whistle or talk in many cases. They can sometimes be a bit more "cuddly" than a budgie but again this depends on the individual bird.

Parrotlets are a big bird in a little birds body. They have very distinct personalities have a quiet voice but can have a very hard bite when not happy!

Whichever bird you choose I would suggest going to a breeder that socializes them well. Birds from a pet store seem to be slower to tame (not always) and harder to earn trust from.

We saw a couple of 5 month old parakeets listed in the paper "free to good home" and I must admit I was tempted by the whole idea but know there is probably a good reason they are trying to get rid of these guys.....

Anyway....I've been going back and forth on the idea of getting a bird-any bird. My big concern is I've never had one and have no idea how to handle one and I don't know anybody that currently has one...how can a person like me, learn the proper way to handle a bird?? Also I've heard parakeets can be rather messy...is that acurate??

Thank you in advance!!

Yes parakeets can be messy but so can any other bird. Birds will dig around in their food dishes, they will lose feathers they will "poop" in their cage outside their cage etc. They are messy. With daily cleaning the messes can be kept down and should be kept down. If you or someone in your family is very fanatical about cleanliness then a bird is probably not a good pet for you. If you change the papers every day and clean their water and food bowls at least once a day that mess is kept down. If you use a vacuum and sweep around the cage once to twice a day that mess is also kept down. You can buy seed/feather guards for most cages anything from a metal slanted piece to a mesh piece that fits around the cage.

To learn how to care for a bird first read, read anything you can on the bird of your choice or on several birds to help you make a decision. Read books, websites etc. Then I would suggest finding either a breeder, a good avian vet or a bird club close to your area by doing an internet search or looking in the phone book. Whatever type bird you get you will need an avian vet. A breeder would be my suggestion on where to purchase a bird and many breeders will let you make several trips to their home/business to learn the proper care and handling for your choice of bird. A bird club can be very informative and give you info on care and handling, they can help you find a vet and breeder. Some bird clubs will even instruct the interested beginner on handling of a bird species by bringing in a tame bird to demonstrate.

Hope you find what you are looking for. If you can't find a bird club then let me know your state and city and I can help you search for one or someone on this site can suggest one. We could also help you look for an avian vet or possibly even a breeder.