Picking Your Bird AARP VIVA
Picking Your Bird — AARP VIVA Pets
Rule of thumb: the bigger the bird, the bigger the commitment from its owner (training, housing requirements and social interaction).
Most experts would recommend novice bird owners begin with a small- to medium-sized bird:
Come in many beautiful colors
Can become "talkers"
Cockatiels (about 13 inches; live on average 12 – 15 years; in the parrot family) Can whistle, sing and mimic sounds (males can sometimes mimic speech) Have smaller beaks to "discipline" you while you're learning their needs
Are intelligent, with the ability to learn entire songs and tricks like ringing bells, waving bye-bye and playing ring toss
Canaries (5 inches or less; live on average 10 – 15 years) Require minimal social interaction
Pay little attention to humans
Lovebirds (about 6 inches; live on average 10 years)
Are intelligent Have pleasant personalities
Large-sized parrots (15 – 40 inches; live 3 – 70 years, depending on species; includes African greys and macaws) Demand more stimulation as a result of their intelligence Form strong social bonds with humans Play with toys, which are often torn apart and can get expensive, though you can make your own Require a very big cage Leave larger messes of scattered food and waste Can make ear-piercing vocalization
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Picking Your Bird
Learn about small- to medium-sized birds
Rule of thumb: the bigger the bird, the bigger the commitment from its owner (training, housing requirements and social interaction).
Most experts would recommend novice bird owners begin with a small- to medium-sized bird:
Bird Photo Gallery
Parakeets (about 6 to 12 inches; live on average 8 – 10 years) Can easily entertain themselves with toysCome in many beautiful colors
Can become "talkers"
Cockatiels (about 13 inches; live on average 12 – 15 years; in the parrot family) Can whistle, sing and mimic sounds (males can sometimes mimic speech) Have smaller beaks to "discipline" you while you're learning their needs
Are intelligent, with the ability to learn entire songs and tricks like ringing bells, waving bye-bye and playing ring toss
Canaries (5 inches or less; live on average 10 – 15 years) Require minimal social interaction
Pay little attention to humans
Lovebirds (about 6 inches; live on average 10 years)
Are intelligent Have pleasant personalities
Large-sized parrots (15 – 40 inches; live 3 – 70 years, depending on species; includes African greys and macaws) Demand more stimulation as a result of their intelligence Form strong social bonds with humans Play with toys, which are often torn apart and can get expensive, though you can make your own Require a very big cage Leave larger messes of scattered food and waste Can make ear-piercing vocalization
Related
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures