Ok, guys, thinking about becoming a first-time bird owner

[shackleford]

Originally Posted by loyallyroyal

Can I ask what you are looking for in a bird or pet in general? We might be able to help you better if we know what you are looking for.

In a bird, being able to interact would be nice. If I go that route, I'd probably seriously consider a cockatiel. As I expressed, a few healthy finches would be more in my budget along with their cage, accessories, etc. I'm a college student right now, so I'm certainly on a budget.

For a pet in general, I'm really looking at all my options.

[loyallyroyal]

Have you considered a hamster? Dwarfs live 1-2 years, minimal if any vet care, clean the cage once a week, most enjoy being held, quiet, relatively cheap past the initial cage and set-up purchases.

Pet Hamsters - care, caging, habitats and feeding

Ive owned the regular dwarfs, the syrians, and the teddy bears. Teddys were probably the most nippy, dwarfs were the friendliest.

[amanda143]

Originally Posted by shackleford

In a bird, being able to interact would be nice. If I go that route, I'd probably seriously consider a cockatiel. As I expressed, a few healthy finches would be more in my budget along with their cage, accessories, etc. I'm a college student right now, so I'm certainly on a budget.

For a pet in general, I'm really looking at all my options.

sounds like a tiel or budgie would be your best bet. Budgies are around $15 here but you can usually find someone on craigslist looking to rehome budgies and tiels with cage, and toys for very cheap. I personally always look at craigslist before I go to a breeder or a pet store. My avian vet charges $47 for wellness exam, and around $80 for blood work up. Make sure if you take it to the vet it is a certified avian vet. Keep in mind that tiels live quite a bit longer than budgies also. My friends mom has had hers for 20+ years!

[LoveMyBeak]

I have had Cockatiels most of my life up to when I was 20, I considered them my 'beginner birds' and learned many things about them and birds in general from owning them, they are awesome little birds to have although I no longer have them, I now have larger birds because the 'bird bug' bit me and I wanted more out of a bird. They are very easily trained and usually very friendly although they cost around $75 on average, but like most folks will tell you they are easy to locate on Craigslist and usuallly a rehome bird is a pretty good find. .........................LMB

[shackleford]

Thanks, a lot, for all your help so far, guys.

[Astrid660]

I agree, adopting a bird that needs a new home is the best way to go, not a pet store/ breeder... but that's just my personal opinion, because there are so many birds that need homes.

With that said, I think a cockatiel or budgie would suit you perfectly. They say birds need a lot of medical care because living in the home, there are many dangers that can cause an emergency trip to the vet - from flying into windows to ingesting something toxic (anything from Teflon fumes to scented candle fumes, or a toxic house plant.)
It is also usually more expensive to take a bird to the vet than a cat or dog.

Budgies can live upwards of 10 years, have a tendency to chatter a lot, and tiels (prolific whistlers!) can live to be 20 or older if properly cared for. Just some things to consider.

[odhinn]

In my opinion anyone who wants to enter the bird world should start with an English or American budgie. They are hearty, inexpensive, playful, and with the proper time and effort can be trained and bond with their owners well. However there are many things that can kill or hurt birds that won't affect us such as household cleaners, or fragrances. This is exactly why miners used canaries to check the air in mine shafts in the old days. So be ready to change what you shop for and clean.

The link below is a pretty good write up about general parakeet care.

Parakeet Care Sheet

[skthurley]

Like everyone has said, if you're looking for a bird that will like being handled, a finch likely isn't the way to go. I would definitely consider a budgie or cockatiel. There are always some for sale on craigslist, or Kijiji. One thing to note about budgies and cockatiels, they are noisy. They love to chatter and sing, just as much as a finch.

I personally would suggest a lineolated parakeet. They are relatively quiet birds with loveable personalities.

They however typically cost 100 to 250 dollars... so perhaps they're out of your price range.


A hamster may be a good suggestion. Though I would suggest a gerbil. Having bred hamsters before, they can be quite nippy if not raised and handled properly. Gerbils however never bite. I have had 4, and they were so sweet natured, and never ever bit me. They were such a joy to have.

[amanda143]

We had hammies and gerbs growing up. They are awesome little guys!

[skthurley]

Definitely check out lineolatedparakeet.net. It has great information about lineolated parakeets