Good Beginner Birds

[CaroCaro]

Hello, I've been thinking about getting a bird (or two if they're the social kind). I've never had birds before so naturally I have a couple of questions. I live in an apt complex so no loud birds. Anyway, my questions are:

1. What are good beginner birds and what's the rule of thumb when it comes to cage size?
2. Clipped or unclipped wings?
3. What kind of diseases are birds most prone to?
4. I've been drawn towards smaller birds such as love birds or budgies. Any pros and cons?


Thanks beforehand!

[Sorraia]

It's been awhile since I've had birds, but I can help you out a little.

1. With cages, mostly the same rules apply as with rats: Bigger is Better. With birds, you want a cage that is longer than it is tall (much like aquariums). This provides the bird with more space it can utilize. Birds don't fly up and down, so a tall cage isn't that good. A longer cage, however, provides room for them to move back and forth, and fly (even clipped birds can fly a little bit).

2. This is a personal preference, but also depends on your situation. Do you live in a busy household where people are coming and going constantly? If so, clipped might be better so the bird doesn't accidently fly out the door. Another thing to consider, depending on where your bird comes from and how socialized it already is, you might clip the wings in the beginning until it settles in. In the past I've had budgies, cockateils, love birds, and finches. Finches can't be handled much, but the other birds can. I had my love bird clipped, but the cockateils weren't, they never needed it. The parakeets were clipped inconsistently, usually just in the beginning and then it was no longer needed.

3. My birds never were sick, but I believe they can succomb to respiratory disease, as well as ectoparasites. Also, be sure to feed a proper diet. Which ever bird you decide on, do lots of research and find out what they eat naturally and try to mimic that as closely as possible. Most seed mixes are not appropriate as only feeds and can cause fatty liver disease. Also research other possible diseases or disorders linked to diet (such as egg binding in females, you need to be sure to provide enough calcium to prevent this).

4. Budgies make wonderful first birds, but in my experience, love birds aren't. They can be very aggressive and hard to tame, even if they are hand-raised. Cockateils also make wonderful first birds. Whatever bird you go with, try to find a good breeder. Although pet store birds may have been hand-raised, many times they are not as sociable or friendly as they could be, for the simple fact they receive limited or inconsistent socialization, or may have been tramatized for one reason or another. Like most animals, it is better to go with a good breeder than with a pet store. You can also look into rescues, but be warned that many birds in rescues DO have behavioral problems. This will of course depend on the rescue and the birds involved, but just keep in mind many birds are more sensitive than other animals. They form strong bonds with their family, and when that bond is broken can be scarred mentally and emotionally. If you go with a rescue, talk to them a LOT and let them know exactly what your experience is and what you are looking for in the way of temperament and behavior.

[Kelli]

a handfed cockatiel that is already social is the way to go!

cage for a teil should be at least 18X18X20 but bigger would be nice. bar spacing no bigger than 5/8

[JessL]

Depending on the size of your apartment, cockatiels can get pretty shrill.  Budgies chirp loudly but somehow never quite reach the pitch of cockatiels.

Of course I could think 'tiels are loud because we've never had anything bigger.....I used to think budgies were loud and then I got 'tiels....and it was "What budgie?" 

Edited to add: Be careful with the clipped wings.  I know it makes sense to have the wings clipped at first so it's easier to handle them and for them to bond to you, but when we got our second 'tiel, I think he was clipped too young.  He didn't seem to know how to fly, so we let everything grow out....he takes a long time to grow feathers, I think it took almost 8 months. 

With unclipped birds, unless they have a huge cage that they're flying around a lot, they won't have enough stamina to fly very far.