Where to get one?
- It doesn't matter if you're looking for a finch or a macaw - look at bird rescues, shelters, and on petfinder before you buy from your local pet store. There are literally hundreds, probably thousands, of homeless birds out there because people get them without realizing what a responsibility they can be. While some rescued birds will never be as "hand tame" as a hand raised one, others are wonderful, and all need homes. Most birds at reputable rescues have had a health check, have a known temperament, and are on the way to being converted to a proper diet.
- If you can't find a rescue, see about breeders. Once more, the birds are more likely to be healthy, tame, legal, adjusted to a good diet.
- When you get a pet store bird, you're probably getting something poorly bred, mass bred, and unsocialized. The overcrowding of all those litte cages create ideal situations for disease spread. Don't be fooled by "hand raised" signs - I've meant plenty of "hand raised" pet store birds and they're no more tame than something wild caught. Furthermore, most pet store birds are eating junk food, so it can be harder to convert them to a balanced diet. And finally... by supporting a pet store, you're supporting a industry that doesn't care who takes the bird, they just want it sold. Thus, they are adding to the huge numbers of homeless and displaced birds out there.
What is a good beginner bird?
Well that really depends on what kind of relationship you want with your bird. Finches and canaries don't tend to get too hand friendly if you don't have the time to invest in them (I raised mine from a newly hatched chick and he still hates people) since they aren't too different from wild finches. They are lovely to look at, less noisy (in volume) than larger birds, require little attention, and are generally cheaper to feed.
However, if you want a bird you can pet and teach to perch on your finger and let out of the cage, I would say trying a parakeet or 'teil might be a good idea, mainly because they are pretty hardy, inexpensive compared to parrots, and are domesticated, whereas parrots are captive bred wild animals. However, just because they are little doesn't mean they aren't just like parrots in their needs for diet in attention. They should be on a balanced pelleted diet, supplimented with leafy greens, fruits, veggies, and protien items. If you want them to bond to you, get one and spend at least an hour or more a DAY devoted just to it. Keep it in an area of the house where it will get lots of attention. Buy plenty of toys - keets and teils are smart. If you don't have the time to get it to bond with you, than get a companion. Try to do this at the time you get it as birds with an establish territory will fight, and be prepared to split them up anyways if a conflict arises.
Doves can be lovely pets if you don't mind the feces. They have been domesticated for years and years, are mellow in nature, have a beautiful "voice," and can live in flocks with minimal attention. However, they need a lot of space due to their large size, and carry some avian diseases.
I do not
reccomend parrots to anyone (and I wish that people who got them woudl get them via rescue), but that is because I oppose the ownership of captive wild species, I have worked at rescues and seen the huge volume of abandoned birds, and I feel that no one can truly provide what they need as far as space, companionship, and diet. Not to say there aren't wonderful owners and rescues out there, but sadly most parrots just don't get what they need. So, they would def. not be a begginner bird
Do I need more than one bird?
That depends on how much time you spend with your bird, and what species. ALL birds are happier in a flock situation, but it doesn't always work out for the pet owner. I'd say if you get a finch, get a companion - or several. Chances are a finch will not warm up to you, so don't keep the poor thing solitary. Most parakeets and cockatiels need to be kept singly to bond to people, so make sure you'll have enough time for them if you plan on keepng them alone. If not, you could get two and enjoy watching them, but they may not bond to you as a companion.
What Size Cage?
If birds were wild, they would have the skies to themselves, so there is no such thing as a cage that is too big. I have two parakeets in a cage that is 4 feet tall, 2.5 feet deep, and 3 feet wide. I would consider that size to be "adequate," but if I had the space and money I'd go bigger. I would say, find the biggest and safest (ie birds can get out of bars) cage you can afford, so you have lots of room for accesorries, toys, and a second bird if needed. There is no rule of how big like there is in fish, but the bird should definately have enough space to fly and be active, unless you plan on letting it out of the cage for long amounts of time.
How Much Time
Again, this depends on the type of bird and if you want it to be your companion. If you are making a teil or parakeet bond to you, expect hours a day to create the bond, and at least an hour a day to keep it. However, if you are looking for a nice bird or two to brighten your home up with songs and color, birds take up very little time. All you need to do is offer fresh food and water daily, clean once a week (maybe twice for more birds), and check to see that they are keeping healthy.
Hope that helped ^^ Good luck with your new bird! I'm glad you're trying to find out more before buying one.
