Choosing A Pet Bird - 5 Things To Consider Before You Adopt A Pet Bird

If you're a bird lover, a beautiful bird is hard to resist. But before you buy a bird on impulse, careful consideration of all that is involved with the specie before you choose will insure a long and happy companionship in the best possible home for the bird. Consider the following before bringing a bird home to be a part of your family.

Initial Cost--Parakeets and Cockatiels can be had for less than $100 whereas Macaws and Parrots sometimes cost thousands. Factor in the cost of the cage, toys, and veterinarian fees as part of the initial cost. Do your research first, and then give yourself permission to fall in love with a bird that fits your budget.

Life Expectancy--With proper care many pet birds live for many years. When choosing a family bird remember that the time investment, and the costs for food, supplies, and healthcare will last for years. Make sure that you project a monthly budget. For instance, if you're planning to retire soon you may have added time to care for a bird, but decide if your finances will allow you to take care of an expensive bird over an extended period of time.

Diet--Some birds can eat pre-packaged bird food with occasional supplements of fruits, grains, nuts and vegetables, while other birds like Lorikeets need a special diet of nectar and fruits rather than seeds. And of course a larger bird will need more feed than a smaller bird meaning more expense to you.

Socialization--Some birds seem to need less human interaction than other birds such as parrots who are very social and will not do well unless they interact with people. Your lifestyle should dictate which sort of bird you choose. Most breeds need a minimum of an hour out of the cage each day and you or a family member need to be present while the bird is outside the cage. This free time goes a long way toward keeping your bird physically fit and emotionally happy. If you have the time, a more social bird might be the perfect choice.

Maintenance--Some birds have a reputation for being messier than others when eating and defecating. Other species such as African Greys, Cockatoos, and Cockatiels create more powder from wing dust. This may not be the best choice for those who suffer from allergy and asthma. Regardless of the bird you're considering, make sure you are aware of their traits as these will not change. Birds such as these will need to have their cage, and surroundings cleaned more frequently to insure that you and your bird stay healthy.