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The 10 Best Types of Pet Birds for Beginners
You can welcome these small, talking birds into your home today.
If you and your family are a house constantly full of pets and always looking to adopt, or you're allergic to cats and dogs but the younger ones keep asking for a pet, then you may consider adopting a bird. Pet birds are just as loving and charismatic as any furry friend and have the added bonus of engaging in conversation — at least for some bird types. They make for great pets for kids and you won't have to worry about taking them on daily walks or changing the kitty litter at the end of the day. All you have to do is show these birdies love, and they will be your companions for life.
While you may not have adopted a pet bird before, you probably have hung a bird feeder in your yard at some point over the years, attracting the beautiful wings of hummingbirds and robins. With the appropriate cage, toys, food, and care, pet birds can become a family member for more than 20 years. You will find a variety of sizes and characteristics on this list, both important factors to consider depending on how much space you have in your home and if your neighbors will be upset if they hear whistling from the parakeet. But don't worry, some of these pet birds have quieter tricks up their, well, wings.
Parakeet
Also known as "budgies," according to PetSmart, Parakeets can quickly become your family's best friend with their sweet gestures and songs. With practice, Parakeets can nibble out of your hand, whistle in tune, and learn basic commands. How can you resist?
Weight: 1 ounce
Length: 7 inches
Life expectancy: 7 to 15 years
Cockatiel
A perfect beginner bird, PetSmart notes that cockatiels love playing with their owners, and should be given at least one hour of attention a day. These bright birds love spending time outside of their cage, so consider purchasing a perch for them to hang out on and socialize, even if you're not actively playing with them.
Weight: 2.5 to 4 ounces
Length: 12 to 13 inches
Life expectancy: 10 to 15 years
Cockatoo
A bird of style, cockatoos are one attention-grabbing — and attention-loving — animal. Cockatoos are quick to bond with their owners and thrive in their relationships. In fact, if they don't receive enough attention they can become depressed and begin plucking out their feathers as a sign of distress. But as long as these birds are getting love for at least an hour or so a day, they'll become a contented member of the family in no time.
Weight: 10 to 30 ounces
Strength: 12 to 25 inches
Life expectancy: 40 to 70 years
Lovebird
If you're looking for a companion for life, stop your search now. There's no bond-breaking when lovebirds make a connection with their partners — whether it's with another bird of their kind or with their human. These creatures love bathing, so give them a bowl of water to wash in two or three times a week for some playtime.
Weight: 1.5 to ounces
Length: 5 to 6.5 inches
Life expectancy: 5 to 15 years
Finch
If your family is looking for a bird that doesn't require much attention, the finch might just be the perfect fit. While its beautiful look and charming chirps are fun to watch, finches prefer to stay inside their cage, away from human interaction. If you want a bird of a similar size, but with a more hands-on experience, check out the parakeet.
Weight: 0.5 to 1 ounce
Length: 4 inches
Life expectancy: 15 to 20 years
Conure
Although Pet Smart notes that conures are native to Central and South America, as long as their cage is big enough to spread their wings and their diet consists of pellets and leafy greens, they'll thrive in nearly any environment at home. If you're thinking about purchasing a conure for your child, be warned: You'll be taking care of them well after your little one goes to college. These birds can live up to 30 years!
Weight: 9 to 10 ounces
Length: 13 inches
Life expectancy: 2o to 30 years
Parrotlet
Although they may look similar to lovebirds, parrotlets are very different. According to Pet Smart, parrotlets can also live up to 20 years and love to be stimulated with toys and games. Heads up: These guys can get pretty noisy at sunrise and sunset, so use a cover for their cage!
Weight: 1 ounce
Length: 4.5 to 5 inches
Life expectancy: 15 to 20 years
Dove
You may not think of doves as a family pet to keep inside the home, but they're more common than you might expect. Doves love living in pairs or flocks, and enjoy nesting in the nighttime. For a sweet treat once or twice a week, doves can eat a fresh piece of fruit!
Weight: 3 to 6 ounces
Length: 9 to 13 inches
Life expectancy: 1.5 years
Pionus
Ready for the ultimate commitment? According to Pets Lady, the pionus can live up to 40 years. These beautiful birds love to play with everyone, which means they won't become attached to a single person in the family (good for multiple kids!). As long as you're ready to raise a bird alongside your children, the pionus is right for you.
Weight: 8 to 11 1/2 ounces
Length: 11 inches
Life expectancy: 25 to 40 years
Meyer's Parrot
You might stray away from Meyer's Parrot because you assume all Parrots are just loud, but not this bird. These cool, calm creatures love attention and playing around. Pets Lady notes that Meyer's parrots might nip and nibble, but don't bite too often. These birds make for a great addition to any family with older children.
Weight: 3 to 4 ounces
Length: 8 to 9 inches
Life expectancy: 25 years
Jackie is a former contributor to many Hearst Magazines websites.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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