Birds are not for everyone, so please before purchasing one, be sure to do your research. Read about the species you are interested in, go,visit and interact with this species. I always recommend if at all possible, go, and visit a rescue for parrots, find out why they are there. Understanding the good and the bad of these creatures can insure a good home for them. Please remember these creatures are highly intelligent, and passing from one home to next, because they are loud, messy, not fitting in with your family or because they tend to bite, is not a good quality of life for them to live.

10 Reasons why you don't want a bird

  1. They live a long time, anywhere from 7 to 80 years
  2. They need lots of attention and could pluck if not given this attention.
  3. They are very active and need lots of toys, and a big cage.
  4. They are very expensive
  5. They are very noisy.
  6. They are very messy.
  7. They are curious and will venture out of the cage and could and will chew on something expensive.
  8. They do go through hormonal changes and therefore, can be moody.
  9. They are a lifetime commitment.
  10. They will outlive you and could be willed to someone who doesn't want a bird

If after doing research you have decided that becoming a birds lifetime partner will fit within your families life, picking out the perfect species can be a little overwhelming, below is a chart put out by Bird USA that may help you in your decision:

Bird Chart

  1. Caiques

    Caiques are always happy, active, silly, jumping up and down, running back and forth, and busy. These guys are circus clowns and they love to roll and play. These guys are native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, and Guianas. The cage requirement should be at least 24 x 24 x 36

    Black Head-Avg Size:9.5 Inches, Avg Weight:160 Grams, Life Span:30 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Fearless

    White Belly-Avg Size:9.5 Inches, Avg Weight:160 Grams, Life Span:30 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Fearless

  2. Cockatoos

    These special birds are affectionate, intelligent, long lived, do acrobatics, play tricks, solve puzzles, and are quick learner, however, they can also be loud and aggressive, and will chew almost anything in site. If you are absent most of the day or travel extensively, this breed is not for you. These type of birds like supervised freedom, and in return will reward you with years of devotion. Cockatoos are native to Australia, New Guinea Islands, Philippine, Indonesian, Moluccan Islands. Cages need to be quite large and sturdy.

    Bare-eyed:Avg Size:17 Inches, Avg Weight:400 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Lovable, sometimes shy

    Rose-Breasted:Avg Size:14 Inches, Avg Weight:300 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Lovalbe sometimes shy

    Goffin:Avg Size:11 Inches, Avg Weight:250 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Lovable, sometimes shy

    Sulfer-crested:Avg Size:20 Inches, Avg Weight:750 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Outgoing, sometimes shy

    Triton and Citron:Avg Size:20 Inches, Avg Weight:750 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Outgoing, sometimes shy

    Umbrella:Avg Size:22 Inches, Avg Weight:750 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Lovalbe, Outgoing, sometimes shy

    Moluccan:Avg Size:30 Inches, Avg Weight:800 Grams, Life Span:60 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Lovalbe, Outgoing, sometimes shy

  3. Pionus

    Pionus are affable, really sweet and mild temperment. They have a keen sense of curiosity and a short, stalky body. These guys are native to Costa Rica, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, and Venezuela. The temperment is usually laid back and quiet. They have a unique tendency to wheeze and emit a musky scent when they are excited or scared however, they love baths until thoroughly soaked. Cage should be around 20 x 20 x 29.

    Dusky:Avg Size:10 Inches, Avg Weight:200 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Shy

    Bronze Wing-Avg Size:11 Inches, Avg Weight:250 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:shy

    Maximilian's-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:300 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Shy

    Blue Headed-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:300 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Shy

    White Cap-Avg Size:9 Inches, Avg Weight:190 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Moderate, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Shy

  4. Amazons

    This breed can be amazing birds but you first must understand your bird, and once this happens then you have a campanion for life. These guys are very good at mimicking human speech and are known to be noisey. Amazons are capable of amusing themselves by talking and singing, however love to chew wood and interact and play. Amazons are native to Paraguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentian, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Caribbean Islands. Cage size should be no smaller then 20 x 20 29.

    Double yellow Head:Avg Size:14 Inches, Avg Weight:400 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Vocal, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Yellow Nape-Avg Size:15 Inches, Avg Weight:450 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Blue Front-Avg Size:15 Inches, Avg Weight:450 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Lilac Crown-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:350 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoin

    Spectable-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:350 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoing

    Red Lore-Avg Size:13 Inches, Avg Weight:300 Grams, Life Span:50 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoing

  5. Quakers

    these guys can be best discribed as a big parrot in a small package. Some people say you pay for a quaker and get a Macaw because of the similar personality and intelligence. Quakers are very social animals, but they can be territorial and tend to bond stongly to one person. Make sure bathing is a big part of this birds daily routine to help avoid feather plucking. These guys are native to Andes Moutains, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. Cage size should be no smaller then 18 x 18 minimum.

    Green and Blue:Avg Size:13 Inches, Avg Weight:120 Grams, Life Span:30 yrs, Noise level:Fair/Vocal, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Fair to Good, Temperment:Fearless

  6. Conures

    These guys are comical, roll around on thier backs, play, and are very friendly and social. They have a reputation for being very outgoing and being active all day long. Some can be loud at times, particularly during th early morning greeting and in the evening. This breed are very loyal and playful, they love human interaction and develop strong bonds with their human caretaker. Many can say a few words and phrases and some can become excellent speakers. These guys are native to Brazil, Guianas, Bolivai, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru Cage size should be no smaller then 18 x 18 and be sure to include a hiding place inside the cage such as a hanging bird tent or cozy.

    Blue Crown:Avg Size:16 Inches, Avg Weight:140 Grams, Life Span:25 yrs, Noise level:Vocal, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Dusky-Avg Size:11 Inches, Avg Weight:105 Grams, Life Span:20 yrs, Noise level:Fair Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Outgoing

    Jenday-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:120 Grams, Life Span:21 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Outgoing

    Sun-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:115 Grams, Life Span:22 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Outgoin

    Gold Cap-Avg Size:11 Inches, Avg Weight:125 Grams, Life Span:23 yrs, Noise level:Fair, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Poor, Temperment:Outgoing

    Nanday-Avg Size:14 Inches, Avg Weight:135 Grams, Life 21 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Fearless

    Green Cheeked-Avg Size:10 Inches, Avg Weight:65 Grams, Life Span:15 yrs, Noise level:Low, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Outgoin

    Peach Front-Avg Size:10 Inches, Avg Weight:72 Grams, Life Span:15 yrs, Noise level:Low, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Outgoing

    Orange Front-Avg Size:9 Inches, Avg Weight:75 Grams, Life Span:15 yrs, Noise level:Vocal, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Fair, Temperment:Outgoing

  7. Macaws

    Macaws are wonderful birds and highly intelligent. They love to play, chew lots of wood, can be mischievous but in a friendly manner. It is like having a three to four year child for 80 years, so setting boundaries early on and focusing on proper handling will form a respect for owner and bird and create the best bird possible. These guys are packed with personality and will be the center of your life. This breed is native to Panama, Venezuela, Boliva, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. Cages need to at least be 3 feet by 3 feet by 6 feet. Rectangular cages are ideal. Just remember the cage should be large enought to allow the bird to flap and stretch its wings and spacious enough to accommodate the macaw's long tail feathers. A play stand is a must for these guys.

    Blue & Gold:Avg Size:34 Inches, Avg Weight:1125 Grams, Life Span:80 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Scarlet-Avg Size:34 Inches, Avg Weight:1100 Grams, Life Span:80 yrs, Noise level:Loud Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Shy

    Green Wing-Avg Size:36 Inches, Avg Weight:1250 Grams, Life Span:80 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoing

    Red Front-Avg Size:24 Inches, Avg Weight:525 Grams, Life Span:80 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:No, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Shy

    Military-Avg Size:27 Inches, Avg Weight:900 Grams, Life Span:80 yrs, Noise level:Fair Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Shy

    Severe-Avg Size:19 Inches, Avg Weight:360 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Vocal, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoing

    Yellow Collar-Avg Size:17 Inches, Avg Weight:250 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Loud, Apartments:Yes, Talking Ability:Great, Temperment:Outgoin

    Illiger's-Avg Size:16 Inches, Avg Weight:265 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Fair, Apartments:Ok, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoing

    Hahn's-Avg Size:12 Inches, Avg Weight:165 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Fair, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Good, Temperment:Outgoing

    Noble-Avg Size:14 Inches, Avg Weight:190 Grams, Life Span:40 yrs, Noise level:Fair, Apartments:OK, Talking Ability:Godd, Temperment:Fearless

How to Convert Your Pet from Seed to Pellets

    Seed diets for the most part are invariably low in calcium and Vitamin A and are high in fat and phosphorous; therefore, putting your bird on a balanced pellets food is a better choice. A simple and safe way to convert your bird to a better diet is to start by cleaning out all the food every evening and only supplying pellets in the food dish and sprinkle a few on the floor of the cage or put in a bowl on the floor. The next day go ahead and add the bird’s seed to the pellets or another good idea is to take the pellets and put with fruit and the moisture will soften the pellets and many birds like this moistened form. Another good idea is to use shelled sunflower and put this on top of the pellets and many birds get the idea. Then start over, every evening remove all food except the pellets and then the next morning add the seed (as long as seed is provided the safety is maintained). See most birds are powerfully motivated to search for food each morning and sample the pellets after a few days. You will be able to tell if your bird is eating the pellets for their droppings will become a paler color, and the pellets will be found in the water dish. Another idea that has worked is using weaning pellets that you moisten with water and then adding the pellets you are trying to convert to. Again birds sometimes like the moisture pellets. Once your pet is eating the new pellets, keep seed out of the cage. You can give seed as a treat and treat only but out of the cage. You also can still give fruits and nuts as treat as well. Your bird will enjoy an improvement in feather quality and overall health being on a balanced pellet diet. Just ask your avian veterinarian!