New to Birds

[Ciani]

Hi all -

I am a single adult, with no kids, looking for my first bird. For someone with no more than book knowledge about birds and for someone looking for a people oriented funny bird, what would you all suggest?

I'm speaking with a couple of local aviaries about handfed budgies, but I have heard from others that I might want to consider lovebirds.

I can't have any bird that is screechy as I am in an apartment.

Thanks for any insight!

[Izzy]

Ooh, ooh, ooh!

First off, read all you can! Joining message boards like this is great, because you get to hear people's experiences firsthand and get an idea of life with a ton of different species.

I don't believe in starter birds - you should get what you want. Now, if you want a budgie or a lovebird, that's great! I love them both!

I'd suggest you look into Green Cheek Conures, cockatiels, and poicephalus. Pionus would be a good one to look into too.

I live in an apartment with two cockatiels and a meyers parrot (a species of poicephalus). Haven't had any complaints in this apartment or the one I lived in last year, though my cockatiel went through a HORRIBLE screaming phase last year!

What are you looking for in a bird? Any bird can be people oriented, and I personally find all my birds funny too! Mine all love cuddling with me too.

[lovesbudgies]

Hi and welcome. i have a budgie and they are not as loud as a larger bird. Any bird could get loud. But budgies don't have as loud of a voice as bigger birds. Read all you can about different species of birds and what they need, and get a bird that is right for you. Remember some of the larger birds can live up to 75 years. So keep that in mind when you get your new bird. Budgies if they have the right diet and have out of cage time every day can live up to 20 years. Good luck on finding your new and first bird. once you get your bird you will be hooked on birds for life!! They are amazing creatures!!

[Oscars Mom]

If you want a small bird to interact with id look into a lineolated parakeet or cocatiel(handfed). One thing to consider is that keets chirp almost constantly. Bigger birds make louder noise but not that often.I dont believe in starter birds either .Id find a local breeder or birdstore near you and check out whats available.Noise is subjective too you can hear their calls .I had a friend with a sun conure and when she babysat my keets their chiroing drove her nuts.I literally cant stay at her house long or I get a headache from her sun.

[Ciani]

Well I don't want my first bird to have a life span of 30+ years. I need something more manageable. If I find birds are not for me, I want to have a bird whose life span isn't the remainder of mine ;) Because once I get a bird, they will stay with me and have a good quality of life no matter what. I see pets like kids - you have to be committed.

I don't mind twittering, I just can't have screeching.

[Izzy]

Even little budgies can live 15 years.

Have you considered looking into volunteering with a local rescue to see if birds are for you?

[KimM]

I've had canaries, finches, cockatiels and now macaws. I loved my cockatiel. He was great and they can be social if socialized. They life span can be up to 20 yrs but the average is 12 - 17. Mine lived to be 15. They can twitter, Mine was not much of a screacher and just the right size. But that was my preference. IF you have a local bird pet shop, stop by and see what they have and ask lots of questions and consider your lifestyle as well. Birds are honestly a larger commitment than a dog or cat. Do lots of research and see what best for the bird and you.

[MicahEspudo]

The shortest lived parrot is a budgie. They AVERAGE at around 8 years.

Generally the smaller the bird, the smaller the life span. With the exception of parrotlets their average life span is 30+ years.

so basically the minimum your in for with a bird is about 8.

[red192]

Green Cheek Conures! They are funny, sociable, sweet and adorable. I have one and she is a dollll baby! Welcome to BB!

[Young]

I have to agree with Red, the GCC's are just adorable and loving. I would however stay away from the Sun Conures. They are beautiful but can be very loud. If you want to hear an example... give me a call, lol. Good luck with whichever baby you decide on. Being a birds human is the best!