Best Pet Birds For Beginners

Birds make excellent pets, with 2.8 percent of the United States’ pets being birds. However, for first-time bird owners, it can be challenging to understand the needs of their feathered friends. While certain factors will vary, the best type of pet bird for a novice is likely to:

Best Pet Birds For Beginners
  • Take very little space
  • Be low maintenance
  • Be easy to tame
  • Be even-tempered
  • Have a reasonable lifespan

For instance, while the Hyacinth Macaw’s bright blue plumage and friendly nature might make it seem like a great pet, it requires a lot of space, needs constant attention, and can live for over 50 years, making it challenging for even people with experience. So, definitely not one for someone starting out.

List of Beginner Pet Birds

Small Beginner Birds

Budgerigars

Budgerigars

Budgies, or parakeets as they are also called, are one of the most popular pet birds among enthusiasts. They come in a diverse range of colors like green, yellow, and blue, are easy to handle, and can be quite affectionate. Their dietary requirements are easy to acquire, and these tiny parrots only require a little space to keep them.

Lovebirds

Despite the myths about these birds always requiring a partner, a new pet owner can keep a single lovebird as a pet. These multicolored birds make great companions as they are pretty silly, love to play and form strong bonds with their humans. However, they can get aggressive at times if they do not get enough exercise.

Canaries

Canaries are known for their melodious singing, though it is only the males that sing. They come in various colors, though yellow is the most common. These birds are pretty low maintenance and don’t require too much attention, but they do not like to be handled.

Finches

These tiny birds come in different colors, like black, brown, red, and white. While these birds don’t like interacting with humans too much, they are best kept in pairs as they are social with other species members. But they are low maintenance and do not require much attention.

Parrotlets

Parrotlets come in a diverse range of colors, like blue, yellow, and green. These small parrots can be great companions, but only if their owners spend much time with them. It is also best to keep one of them as a pet, as a pair may clash.

Medium Beginner Birds

Cockatiels

Cockatiels

Cockatiels are extremely popular pets among beginners. They are incredibly affectionate and easy to tame but become moody when they don’t get enough attention. These birds generally have a similar color palette – yellow and gray, with a few other colors present at highlights.

Doves

Doves

These birds are highly affectionate and can even be fed by hand. They are low maintenance and like to nap but can become quite plump over time. As a result, it is best to get a large cage to keep them comfortable. They require regular interaction with either humans or with other pigeons.

Pionus Parrots

Pionus Parrots

These bluish-green Amazon parrots are quiet by nature and are pretty playful. But they are expensive, require some maintenance, and have a long lifespan of around 40 years. So, these parrots may be a big commitment for a new bird owner.

Conures

Conures

Conures are colorful parrots that are charming due to their funny antics. But they can live for up to 30 years and require a lot of time daily, or else they will become aggressive. This makes owning a conure a considerable commitment.

Quaker Parakeets

Quaker Parakeets

Quaker Parakeets, or Monk Parakeets, have greenish-yellow plumage except for their chest, which has gray feathers. Their affectionate nature makes them great pets for beginners, and they can even talk and say a few phrases. Still, it is crucial to make a few inquiries before getting a Quaker as they are illegal in certain states in the United States due to being a potential invasive species.

Based on your lifestyle and living conditions, you can now determine the pet bird that’s best for you.