Which Bird Is Easy to Pet
When people think about owning a pet bird, they imagine an animal that’s small enough to fit in their hand, yet large enough to fill their heart with joy. This might seem impossible for something as big as a pigeon or as small as a hummingbird. But there are many other creatures out there just waiting for someone who wants them more than anything else in this world.
And if you’re looking into getting one of these animals, it pays to understand what makes them tick especially when choosing between two very similar candidates. All your pet grooming needs can be bought at DoggieToys.Deals Grooming Supplies
First off, let’s get some basics down. Although all birds are technically members of the order Anseriformes (meaning “anatomy resembling ducks”), only a handful of them actually resemble waterfowl.
Most birds fall under three categories: those with long necks, short wings, and long tails, such as ostriches, emus, and herons; flying types with short wings, long tails, and narrow bills, such as seagulls and vultures; and those with no special features, known as songbirds. Songbirds include most of us’ favorites: finches, cardinals, robins and blue jays, to name a few.
So how do you choose your next feathered friend? Well, first you need to decide whether you want a type of winged creature or a nonfeathered kind. Then you have to decide if you’d prefer an active lifestyle or a sedentary one, and finally you’ll want to consider any specific health issues you may have. These factors combine to create four main groups of birds:
Pilots: Pigeons, parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels are among the most popular avian companions. They’ve been domesticated since ancient times, making them ideal pets for beginners. They come in a variety of colors and sizes, so finding one that fits your needs should be fairly simple. And while some may require daily interaction, others may live happily outside their cages. You also have plenty of options when it comes to housing, from open top cages to fully enclosed ones.
Travelers: These birds were originally bred by sailors who needed quiet little companionship on long journeys at sea. Nowadays, they’re perfect for apartment dwellers who don’t have much space but still want a friendly companion. Many travel birds can fly around freely inside their cage, but others stay put because of leg bands. Either way, these are great choices for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable leaving their home without a trusted friend nearby.
Artists: If you enjoy drawing, painting, sculpting, dancing, singing, playing music, or otherwise creating artworks, then a pet bird could become your muse. Parrots and macaws have been particularly well-suited for this purpose thanks to their ability to speak human languages. However, even hummingbirds and other smaller birds can inspire creativity.
Caregivers: As the largest group of birds, chickens represent everything from backyard farmers to professional chefs. While chickens aren’t always considered pets, keeping them does offer benefits you wouldn’t expect. For example, egg production requires lots of eggs, so having a flock means you won’t run out of fresh food every day. Plus, raising poultry has also shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of contracting certain illnesses.
Which Birds Are the Easiest Pet-wise?
Once you’ve decided to adopt a pet bird, you’ll probably wonder which bird would make the easiest transition for you. After all, you want a creature that’s going to accept you and treat you kindly. Here are some tips to keep in mind before bringing home your new pal.
Age: It goes without saying that older birds tend to be better behaved than younger ones. Unfortunately, the same isn’t true for humans. In fact, children are often said to bring out the worst in dogs, cats, and other animals. So if you’re thinking about adopting a young bird, it’s important to realize that although they may be cute now, they may grow up to be trouble later on.
Size: Don’t underestimate the importance of size when selecting a pet bird. Smaller birds, such as finches, budgies, quail, and pheasants, can be kept safely indoors where they won’t cause too much damage.
Larger birds, such as pigeons, parakeets, and roosters, usually require outdoor living. Cockatoos, parakeets, and parrots are the biggest culprits when it comes to destroying property. Not only are they larger, but their sharp claws and teeth pose serious threats to furniture, curtains, and other household items. Also, birds that sit low to the ground, such as turkeys, geese, and ducks, can easily knock over flower pots and other objects lying around.
Temperament: Even though birds generally have calm dispositions, personality plays a major role when picking the right one. Certain species, such as parrots, cockatoos, and pigeons, are notoriously stubborn, mischievous, and aggressive. On the other side of the spectrum are cockatiels, parakeets, and finches, which are extremely talkative and sometimes chatter away incessantly to strangers.
Knowing what you’re getting yourself into beforehand helps immensely. If possible, spend time with each prospective bird before committing to its adoption. Take note of its habits and behaviors. A good rule of thumb is to avoid acquiring any bird whose temperament you aren’t compatible with.
Although they’re not typically thought of as pets, baby eagles and hawks can turn into wonderful additions to families once they reach maturity. They’re intelligent, strong, and capable of being trained. Before adopting one, however, it’s important to remember that these creatures eat meat, so it’s recommended to find a reputable raptor rescue organization that specializes in rehabbing wild-caught specimens.
Which Birds Are Best for Beginners?
For people who haven’t had much experience with birds before, it can be hard to tell which kind of bird is best suited for them. Fortunately, there are several guidelines to follow. First, try to acquire a bird that’s relatively tame. Second, select one that seems to be healthy. Third, make sure you have room for it in your house. Fourth, ensure that it gets along with other pets and family members. Fifth, give it adequate time to adjust to life with you before introducing another person or object. Finally, don’t neglect training and socialization.
Here are a few examples of common birds used as pets:
Lovebirds: These tiny creatures are highly social, affectionate, and vocal. They’re also playful and bright. Lovebirds are among the least expensive birds available, so they make excellent starter pets.
Budgies: Like lovebirds, budgie are also small birds. Unlike lovebirds, though, they’re less vocal and more outgoing. Budgies originated in Australia and Southeast Asia and are commonly found as exotic pets today.
Quails: Quails are part of the gamebird family and are native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. They’re quite docile and talkative, making them perfect beginner pets.
Peafowl: Peafowl are larger birds and can weigh anywhere from 6 to 40 pounds (2.7 to 18 kilograms). Their feathers are colorful and ornamental.
Guinea fowl: Guinea fowl are bigger than peafowl, but they’re still considered part of the gamebird family. They’re mostly tamed for their plumes and often end up as decorations.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to note that many birds behave differently depending on their age, environment, diet, genetics, and general health. So if you’re interested in a particular bird, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center to see firsthand how it acts before deciding to buy it. Finally, we’ll cover some things to consider when choosing a bird.
Some birds are naturally inclined toward aggression, including crows, ravens, owls, and magpies. Others, such as parrots, are notorious for biting and attacking their owners. To prevent injury, experts recommend using gloves whenever handling birds, and never allowing them to bite any body parts unless they’ve been properly trained.
Health Issues: There are numerous diseases that can afflict birds. One of the most common is avian influenza, which affects both domestic and wild varieties of birds. Symptoms range from fever and coughing to bloody diarrhea and death. Another disease, Newcastle disease, causes drooping eyelids, listlessness, and breathing difficulty.
Yet other disorders, such as West Nile virus infection, lead to paralysis, internal bleeding, coma, and death. Avian pox, louse infestation, coccidiosis, salmonella poisoning, botulism, malnutrition, and various bacterial infections are also potential hazards.
