Many birds can be wonderful pets—if you have the right expectations, says Sheila S. Blanchette, an IAABC-certified parrot behavior consultant and trainer, and owner of the avian consulting business Heart of Feathers Education in Havehill, Massachusetts. But too often people come in clamoring for macaws or cockatoos after seeing these cute birds strutting their stuff on YouTube, she notes.
“Then they expect that’s what's going to happen when they get the bird,” she says. “Or they get a smaller bird because they think they require less care.”
Instead, some bird parents may find that the pet bird they’ve chosen is too noisy or time-consuming for their lifestyle. Then they get frustrated and give the birds away. That’s why it’s so important you get the best pet bird for you.
Here is a list of the best birds as pets according to the APPA’s survey, along with some picks by Blanchette. See which pet birds sound right for you, and then follow these expert tips to set yourself up for success.
After you’ve adopted your ideal pet bird, be sure to take your new friend to the vet as soon as possible, says Vanessa Rolfe, DVM, DABVP, owner of the Bird and Exotic Hospital at Greenacres, Florida. Your pet’s provider can run tests to check the health of your bird.
“At least you have the knowledge of that bird’s health status and implications for long term. But you can also hopefully start out with a relationship with a veterinarian who then can help guide you with information you need to help prevent problems in the care and nutrition departments, in the enrichment department, in the behavioral modification aspects and things to look for,” she says.
