Choosing the right pet > Birds

Choosing the right bird

What kind of bird is right for you and your family? Here are some general guidelines:

  • Low-maintenance, low-dollar option: zebra finches. These colorful, small, hardy and relatively inexpensive birds live seven to 10 years. They are not as social with their human caretakers as other species, but do need the company of their own kind, so you must keep at least a pair.
  • Cheerful and chirpy option: canary. These singing birds are like finches in that they do not enjoy human handling. But they don’t like to share a cage, either, and are content with attention solely from their owners.
  • Fun option: budgies and cockatiels. Budgies, a type of parakeet, enjoy perching on your shoulder and can be taught to mimic words. They are great for children. Cockatiels are about twice the size of budgies and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They’re smart, love to be handled and can be very talkative.

For more information on choosing a bird, visit Animal World or talk to a pet store representative.