Choosing a Pet Bird

Before deciding to keep a bird as a pet, you need to be prepared to spend the time and effort to ensure your bird is well-cared for, including proper nutrition, proper cages, perches, and room to fly. Some birds need companionship, whether human or other birds, and all will require responsible ownership to ensure their welfare.

Factors to consider when choosing a pet bird

• Companionship - large, personable birds are wonderful companions for people who are will and able to spend time with them

• Song and talking - some birds can be trained to talk or sing

• Appearance - birds intended as ornamental pets should be paired in enclosures that are self-contained with suitable perches and room to fly

• Expense - some parrots can be expensive to buy, although housing tends to be the greatest expense

• Disease potential and allergies- some birds carry diseases that are transmissible to humans. Also some people have feather allergies, and some species are more allergenic.

• Time - if you want a bird you can bond with, you need to spend the time interacting with it

• Wild or hand-reared - hand-reared birds generally make better pets, and may be less likely to carry disease.

- Last updated 16 November 2012