Birds might not be the most common pets, but these little feathered friends can be wonderful to have around. Some birds lend themselves better to living with humans than others, though. Let’s look at ten bird species that make excellent pets!
Cockatiels
Cockatiels are emotive, personable, and sweet. They have a habit of mimicking sounds they hear in their environment, so expect to hear these cheeky little birds sounding like your alarm clock or other chimes they pick up on. They’re also known for whistling at things they like!
Doves
Doves are known for being extremely gentle and affectionate birds. They’re very sweet and adapt well to life with humans. Their sweet vocalizations (“coo!”) make them very charming, and, as long as you give them plenty of time to socialize with you, they’ll be quite happy.
Parakeets
Parakeets make wonderful starter pets for new bird owners. They’re easy to care for, somewhat low-maintenance, and easily trained. They’re also sweet, affectionate birds who enjoy spending time with their owners. They can also be taught to mimic spoken phrases, which can be quite fun for new owners.
Canaries
Humans have been keeping canaries for centuries, and for good reason. They’re wonderful pets who have been bred into many subvarieties over the years. Male canaries are known for their beautiful singing voices, while females are mostly quiet. Keep that in mind before you bring a canary home as a pet!
Green-Cheeked Conures
The mischievous and lovable green-cheeked conure is among the most intelligent pet birds you can get. They’re known for playing pranks on their owners, but they’re also not very vocal. In fact, it’s rare for green-cheeked conures to learn to talk!
Hyacinth Macaws
If you’re looking for a visually stunning pet bird, the hyacinth macaw is the largest of all parrots. If you have enough space to take care of one of these big birds, you’ll find them to be loving companions who really just want to be your friend. They love being cuddled and spending time with their owners, and they live to be up to 30 years old. That makes them popular choices for people looking for lifelong companion birds.
Lovebirds
On the other end of the parrot spectrum is the diminutive lovebird, the smallest of all parrots. They’re just as loving and sweet as their larger cousins, but they’re still a bit tricky to care for. You don’t need to get two of them, but it helps them socialize more if you do!
Pionus Parrots
Pionus parrots are independent birds who can keep themselves entertained with toys for hours. They make a great option for owners who aren’t home often but still want to bond with a bird companion. Just keep in mind that they need at least three hours per day outside their cage for exercise!
Read More: 10 Ways Our Pets Improve Our Lives
African Grey Parrots
You probably don’t want to adopt an African Grey Parrot as your first bird. They’re a bit demanding and are highly intelligent. Some owners even claim that they do more than mimic words, but are capable of understanding the meaning of words and can really talk!
Read More: Animals That Are Probably Smarter Than You
