Tips for Buying a Pet Bird

Pets can be great additions to your family. Pets can offer companionship and enjoyment. Pets can also help your children learn responsibility. When choosing a pet, it is important to find one that fits into you and your families lifestyle. Pet birds can make great additions to your household; however, there are a few things you should consider before buying a pet bird.

Looking for a pet bird begins with looking around your room. How much space is available for your pet bird's cage? The size of a bird cage can vary greatly. Before going to the pet shop, get an idea of how many feet you can allocate to your pet bird's cage. Do not skip this step or just "eyeball" the space. This can lead to you buying a cage that you realize will not fit. You should either pull out your tape measure and measure the space.

The space available helps to dictate the type of pet bird, you can buy. For example Finches need a cage that is approximately 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 30 inches high. While a Large Macaw needs a cage that is approximately 36 inches wide by 48 inches deep by 60 inches tall. About.com describes a good rule of thumb when buying your pet bird's cage, "In all cases, the larger the cage you can get, the better. Remember, your bird will spend a good deal of time in his or her cage so it needs to be as spacious as possible."

When buying a pet bird, your budget plays a major role. Cost can vary greatly from one type of pet bird to another. You need to figure out how much money you have available, to purchase your pet bird. This allows you find pet bird species that will fit your budget. Cost Helper is one website that allows you to compare the cost of pet bird species. Cost Helper estimates Canaries to cost between $45 to $125, Parakeets can start as low as $20, and Parrots can range from $250 to more than $850 (depending on the species of parrot).

When buying a pet bird remember, all pets require attention, care, and maintenance. Pet birds are no exception. Initially, you need to figure out how much time you can devote to a pet bird. Pet birds are very intelligent and playful pets. In addition, pet birds are very social. To be happy, pet birds require you to do more than just feed and water them. Pet birds need to be part of your family. Pet birds need you to play with them.

When buying a pet bird consider that pet birds can have long lifespans. Dogs and cats can live to be as high as 20 years old (at the outside). Pet birds have very different lifespans. Smaller bird species can live between five and 10 years. While some species of parrots can live to be 60 years old. Pet birds are not for people who tend to get bored easily.

When buying a pet bird, consider how much noise pet birds make. The noise level can vary greatly from one pet bird species to another. If you are renting an apartment, consider how much noise your neighbors will tolerate. This may even play a role in an urban area. Some birds can be very noisy and even be heard outside the walls of a house. It is not a question of whether or not your pet bird will make noise. The only question is how much noise it will make.

When buying a pet bird, consider your possessions. Pet birds can have very strong beaks. Every pet has traits or habits that they do. A trait of pet birds is nibbling. While the amount of nibbling varies from pet bird species to pet bird species, the majority of pet birds nibble. If you have items that you could not live without or would break your heart (i.e. rare books or priceless furniture) then you should consider this. This does not mean that a pet bird would destroy everything in your home. This only prepares you for what could happen.

When buying a pet bird, there are many things to consider. You should consider how much space you have available, how much money you have, how long pet birds can live, how much noise a pet bird can make, and the traits of pet birds (i.e. nibbling). Pet birds can be very rewarding and make great additions to your family. Considering these questions, when buying a pet bird, will help ensure the future happiness of both your family and your pet bird.

References
Cages for Pet Birds. n.d. About.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2009 from http://exoticpets.about.com/od/cagesperchesplaygyms/l/blcagesizes.htm
Cage Size Guide. n.d. Doctors Foster and Smith. Retrieved on November 30, 2009 from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=223
Pet Bird Cost. n.d. CostHelper.com. Retrieved on November 30, 2009 from http://www.costhelper.com/cost/pets/pet-bird.html