Choosing a bird is not an easy task. The right breed for you can depend on such factors as your experience with birds, the environment the birds will be living in, and how much time and money you have to invest in the birds. Birds make wonderful pets, but their owners must be well-informed and ready to take on the responsibilities of bird ownership. In general, the larger the bird, the more careit will require. Before choosing a bird, be sure to do your homework. There are literally hundreds of sources of information about pet birds in your local library or bookstore and on the Internet. Talk to bird owners. Find out if there are bird clubs in your local area and attend some meetings or events. Talk to breeders. Visit bird shows. In short, do all you can to inform and prepare yourself before choosing a bird. Think carefully about which breed of bird is right for you. Consider how much time you spend away from home on an average day, whether there are small children in the home, how easy or difficult it will be to spend a few hours with the bird each day. Some birds are extremely noisy, others may not be loud but “chatter” for hours on end, so consider the noise factor when choosing a bird. Birds can be very long-lived animals, with some breeds living as long as 40 to 60 years. Consider that your bird may be very likely to outlive you, and you may have to include provisions for him in your will. Although each bird has its own distinct personality, there are general temperament types for each breed. In general, a cockatiel makes a good first bird. If you are looking for a bird that can be taught to talk, African grey parrots are very good talkers. Macaws and Amazons are intelligent birds that can frequently be taught to perform tricks. Choosing the right type of bird can help ensure that your expectations meet the reality of bird ownership. At a minimum, you will need a cage, water dishes, perches, and toys for your bird. The exact size and type of the cage will depend on the species of bird, but always get the largest cage you can possibly afford in terms of expense and space. The location of the cage should be out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. Cages and other accessories can cost anywhere from $30 for a starter cage for a parakeet, up to $1000 or more for a large cage. A bird, likewise, can be as little as around $20 or as much as several thousand dollars. When choosing a bird, think about all aspects of bird ownership before deciding if this is the right pet for you.
