Pet Birds for Beginners

There are hundreds of pet birds to choose from, so it can be a bit difficult to make a choice if you're the first-time bird owner. That's why we decided to make a list of birds that are probably most convenient for novice bird owners due to their price, size, and temperament.

Canaries

Canaries are well known for their vocal talents and vibrant colour which can be green, yellow, bright orange, or even brown. Female canaries don't sing, so make sure you get a male if you want a singer. Canaries don't need very much interaction like some other species. In fact, they'd rather not be handled because they prefer to simply stay in a cage and entertain you with beauty and song. They are a perfect choice for those who aren't sure they'll have enough time to interact with the bird, or for those who are not sure how much interaction they need. Provided that these birds require little, if any, handling, they make good pets for children.

Budgies (parakeets)

The budgerigar is probably one of the most popular pet birds. This is due to its cheap price and availability. The typical colours of these birds are green and blue, although you can come across yellow, violet, grey, cinnamon, and other varieties. Budgies are affectionate, and they can form strong bonds with their humans. They also can become good talkers. However, they need to be tamed gently and handled patiently because they tend to be timid. For a gentle child, budgies are ideal pets.

Finches

Finches are flashy, fast moving, and fun to watch. They have a lively and vivacious temperament. Their twittering is below the decibel level that parrots are able to attain. Fishes don't do very well as a sole pet, so plan on buying two or more individuals. Their cage needs to have plenty of space so that they can exercise their wings: Finches don't climb for exercise. If the cage is too small or overcrowded, territorial battles between males are very likely to happen. As well as canaries, finches can live perfectly without handling, so they make good pets for children.

Cockatiels

As well as budgies, cockatiels are very popular pet birds. They love to snuggle and be petted. They are very good whistlers, although some can learn to talk. Colour varieties of cockatiels include grey, pied, pearled, cinnamon, whitefaced, lutino, albino (whitefaced lutino) and yellowcheeked. They make good pets for children who are taught to handle the bird carefully.

Quaker parakeets

Green and silvery Quakers are active and lively, and they like to vocalize. Some prefer to talk, while others love to whistle. If you give them consistent, respectful handling and socialization, they can become very loving pets. Please note that in some states these birds are considered a threat to native agriculture and, therefore, they are illegal.

Poicephalus parrots and Parrotlets

Poicephalus comprises nine species of parrots native to various regions of the Afrotropic ecozone. These birds make an easy-going bunch. The Senegal is probably most common. It's a handsome little bird with a grey head, green back and wings, and yellow-orange underside. Other species in the group include Meyer's parrot, Cape parrot, Red-bellied parrot, Brown-headed parrot, Red-fronted parrot, Rüppell's parrot, Yellow-fronted parrot, and Niam-niam parrot. They are all known for their small size (a little bigger than a cockatiel) and affectionate personalities. They don't make much noise. When these birds begin to trust you, they'll love to have their heads and necks scratched. In fact, they'll beg for it, tipping their heads and leaning over to expose their necks for a good scratch.

Photo of Parrotlets by Redskynight

Parrotlets are a group of the smallest New World parrot species, but don't let the small size of the Parrotlet fool you. These 5-inch creatures are active, inquisitive, loving, and demanding like any other parrot. Parrotlets are quieter than some of their larger relatives, but some do become quite talkative.

Pyrrhura Conures

There are about ten conure varieties to choose from. The best one for beginners is the green-cheeked or maroon-bellied conures. They are much quieter than the more popular sun conure. Conures are affectionate and playful. Some may even grace you with a few acquired phrases.

Peach-Faced Lovebirds

Peach-faced lovebirds are beautiful, active, and playful. A well-socialized peach-faced can be a very good companion for years provided that you don't neglect it leaving the bird alone in a cage all the time. If hand-raised and socialized with humans, these little guys love to be handled, carried around in your shirt pocket or on your collar. They are very affectionate, moderately loud, and capable of learning a few phrases.

Pionus parrots

Pionus are sometimes overlooked because they're not as flashy as other parrots. But even though they lack bright colour, they have a very winning, sedate personality. Being slightly larger than the poicephalus, they are still small enough to be easily handled. They're not excessively loud, but they are still capable of learning a few phrases.

Amazon parrots

The Amazons are slightly bigger and more expensive than most of the birds on this list, but they're just too darn appealing to leave them off. Amazons are among the best talkers around, especially the yellow-naped species. They are also beautiful, brilliant, and clownish, which makes them very amusing to watch. They truly love to be in the limelight.
Some Amazon species are easier to live with than others. For beginners, the lilac-crowns, blue-fronted, red-lored, and white-fronted are good choices. These are less demanding, quieter, and all around are easy to handle.
There is a problem beginners can encounter though: Amazons can be too smart. As with as with any parrot, you need to be sure you're giving your bird lots of structured socialization, a fair share of toys, and plenty of mental and physical exercise.