7 Top Beginner-Friendly Bird Species for First-Time Owners

It's a fantastic trip to welcome a feathery friend into your house! Given their intelligence, vibrant plumage, and gregarious dispositions, birds make intriguing companions. But not every species of bird is appropriate for novices. A good, healthy relationship between you and your new pet depends on selecting the ideal bird for your lifestyle and degree of experience.

We'll go over the best beginner-friendly bird species, their maintenance requirements, and how to make an informed choice in this article. These birds are great starting points for anyone who has never had a bird before or is thinking about expanding their family with a feathered friend.

1. Budgerigar (Budgie or Parakeet)

There's a solid reason why budgies are one of the most common pet birds. These little, vibrant birds are fun, loving, and comparatively simple to raise. They are a great addition to any home because they are also very gregarious and love socializing with their owners.

Care Needs

• Diet: A healthy diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, premium bird seed, and sporadic treats like millet spray is ideal for budgies.

• Housing: It's best to have a large cage that allows for climbing and flying. To keep them occupied, provide swings, perches, and toys.

• Socialization: To improve your relationship, spend time with your budgie every day. With practice and patience, they can pick up tricks and even mimic speech.

2. Cockatiel

Cockatiels are renowned for their kind and amiable disposition. These medium-sized birds are loving and frequently develop close relationships with their owners. They are a wonderful option for apartments or communal living areas because they are also rather quiet when compared to other parrots.

Care Needs

• Diet: The basis of a nutritious diet is a combination of seeds, fresh vegetables, and pellets.

• Housing: Provide a cage with enough space for climbing and stretching that is at least 20 inches wide.

• Enrichment: Cockatiels adore toys, particularly chewable ones. To keep kids interested, rotate the toys frequently.

3. Canary

Canaries are ideal for anyone who would rather handle a less active bird. These little colorful birds, mostly males, are prized for their melodic singing and are happy to be watched rather than touched often.

Care Needs

• Diet: Start with a foundation of premium seeds or pellets then add fresh fruits and greens as needed.

• Housing: There will be enough room to fly thanks in a roomy cage with horizontal bars.

• Low Interaction: Canaries are perfect for busy owners because they require less upkeep in terms of sociability.

4. Zebra Finch

Zebra finches have charming personalities and are little, active birds. Those who prefer observing birds over handling them are the ideal candidates. They are entertaining to watch because of their endearing chirps and amusing activities.

Care Needs

• Diet: Offer fresh veggies, pellets, and seeds as food.

• Housing: It is essential to have a horizontal cage with lots of room for flying. For the social welfare of finches, think about keeping them in small groups or pairs.

• Minimal Handling: Zebra finches are happy with little human contact and prefer to be accompanied by other members of their own species.

5. Lovebird

Little parrots called lovebirds are renowned for their vivid hues and loving disposition. For people who desire a bird with a large personality in a tiny box, they make great companions. Their affectionate disposition justifies the extra care they need compared to other species.

Care Needs

• Diet: Provide a diverse food consisting of seeds, fruits, veggies, and pellets.

• Housing: To keep them engaged, a roomy cage with many toys is necessary.

• Bonding: Communication is essential for lovebirds. Make time every day to keep their affection and trust.

6. Green-Cheeked Conure

Small to medium-sized parrots with playful, loving dispositions are known as green-cheeked conures. They may live in a variety of settings because they are comparatively quiet when compared to other conures. They make excellent friends because of their intellect and curiosity.

Care Needs

• Diet: Provide a well-rounded diet consisting of fresh fruit, pellets, and occasionally seeds.

• Housing: Provide a spacious cage with lots of room for climbing.

• Enrichment: Conures require mental stimulation. Provide social connection, foraging activities, and puzzle toys on a daily basis.

7. Pionus Parrot

Pionus parrots are frequently referred to as the "gentle and quiet" parrot species. They still like to interact and be trained, but they are not as picky as larger parrots. They are a great option for first-time owners because of their moderate size and peaceful disposition.

Care Needs

• Diet: The best food consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, pellets, and nuts.

• Housing: It is advised to use a medium-sized cage with toys and perches.

• Interaction: Pionus parrots are happy to amuse themselves, but they also like to spend time with their owners.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your First Bird

Time Commitment: The amount of attention and interaction that birds require varies. Select a species based on your availability.

Space Requirements: Make sure you have adequate space for a play area and an appropriate cage.

Noise Levels: Different birds have varying levels of vocalization. Think about your living conditions and how much noise you can tolerate.

Lifespan: Birds can live anywhere from five years (finches) to more than twenty years (cockatiels and conures). A long-term commitment is what you should expect.

Budget: Include the price of the cage, food, toys, veterinary care, and the bird.

Setting Up Your Bird’s Environment

The health and happiness of your bird depend on a proper habitat. What to include is as follows:

Large Cage: Select a cage that is suitable for the species and has adequate space for play and mobility.

Perches: To encourage foot health, offer a range of perch sizes and textures.

Toys: To avoid boredom, rotate toys on a regular basis.

Food and Water Dishes: Keep food, water, and treats in different dishes.

Cleaning Supplies: To avoid illness, keep the cage and its surroundings clean.

Conclusion

The first step to developing a fulfilling relationship with your feathery friend is selecting the appropriate species of bird. All of the aforementioned birds have special characteristics that make them great options for first-time owners. You may lay the groundwork for a happy and healthy life together by being aware of their care requirements and creating a loving environment.

We at Cheeky Beaks recognize the value of a contented, well-mannered bird. For this reason, we provide a large selection of bird toys, accessories, and food that are meant to make your bird's life better. Take a look at our collection and treat your pet the way they deserve. Cheers to your socializing!