From the tiny zebra finch to the chatty parrot, having a pet bird will bring life to your home. Which pet birds are best for busy people, and which ones don’t need a lot of attention? Read on to discover the top 10 low-maintenance pet bird species.
The 10 Most Low-Maintenance Pet Birds
1. Zebra Finch
The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a small bird native to Australia. Cheerful, dynamic, talkative, and easy-going, it has been one of the most popular species in recent years. Tough and sturdy, it requires little care, which is basically why people go crazy for this little feathered critter. Therefore, it is an ideal species for beginners.
2. Canary
The canary (Serinus canaria) is a beautiful, easy-to-breed, relatively self-sufficient ornamental bird that belongs to the finch family. It is always in a good mood and will enchant you with its melodious song. On the other hand, this little bird with yellow plumage does not like to live alone and will need at least one companion or even be in a group. Don’t leave yours alone, or it will get depressed. Ideal for novice bird breeders, it can live an average of 10 to 15 years if you take good care of it.
3. Gould’s Diamond
The gouldian diamond (Erythrura gouldiae) is a beautiful, colorful bird with plumage that exhibits vivid and brilliant hues. Elegant, curious, lively, and friendly, it appreciates the calm and company of humans. On the other hand, it does not tolerate other species of birds, as they are often too noisy for it. It lives very well in pairs and can reproduce without difficulty, provided it is placed in favorable conditions.
The gouldian diamond is a magnificent bird who knows perfectly how to be discreet because it is not very talkative. Therefore, it is ideally suited to lovers of tranquility and apartment living because it will not annoy your neighbors. It is nevertheless an excellent singer, but only the male has a beautiful melodious song. The female mainly utters little cries, especially during the breeding season.
4. Religious Mynah
The religious mynah, or Gracula religiosa, is a bird with shiny black plumage and an orange beak. But while its physique seems mundane, it is best known for being an excellent imitator, able to reproduce your voice and the sounds around it to perfection. Loud and messy, it adores being cuddled and taking part in family life due to its very social nature. Its life expectancy is 15 to 30 years on average.
Easy to tame, it learns to speak very easily, but it is advisable to adopt it young and spend time with it. This bird loves being part of family life and will need to live with you in a lively room, like the living room. If you only adopt one, devote a lot of time to it; otherwise, you should adopt a couple.
5. Lovebird
Lovebirds (Agapornis) are gorgeous pet birds with bright colors. In the wild, it lives in tropical Africa, including the island of Madagascar. These birds that are easily tamed measure 4.5 to 6 inches, weighing between 40 and 60 grams.
Easy to train, it enjoys living in a couple. These birds are docile and lovely, but they also need the presence and the cuddles of their human parents. But, on the other hand, they are mischievous and oh-so intelligent little critters that can quickly understand how to get out of their cage!
6. Cockatiel
The cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is a brilliant, curious, and affectionate bird of the order Psittaciformes. Originally from Australia, it is usually 12 to 15 inches tall and weighs 80 to 150 grams. This beautiful bird from the same family as the parrot is amiable and loves to participate in family life. But on the other hand, gaining its confidence requires great patience and a lot of gentleness. Intelligent, curious, and playful, the Cockatiel parakeet has beautiful gray and colorful plumage and a beautiful crest on the crown of its head.
The cockatiel can live alone in your home, but if you are away often, it is best to adopt at least a couple. This will deceive boredom and especially depression, as these animals are very gregarious. However, avoid placing two males together or more males than females, as they may peck each other to assert their superiority.
If you’re new to the wonderful world of cockatiels, you’ll need a great resource to help your birds thrive. We highly recommend taking a closer look at The Ultimate Guide to Cockatiels, available on Amazon.
This excellent book covers everything from the history, color mutations, and anatomy of cockatiels to expert housing, feeding, breeding, and health care tips.
7. Budgerigar
The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is from the order Parrots and the family Psittacidae. It is a very popular bird because it is very sociable, charming, intelligent, and appreciates the presence of its congeners and its human parents.
It is also best to adopt at least a couple to prevent your little bird from getting bored. On the other hand, know that the parakeet is talkative and that it likes to play. It is very gentle, which makes it perfect for families with small children.
8. Lori
Native to Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and Indonesia), the lori (Loriini) is a bird of the Loriinae family. Sociable and very intelligent, the Lori is a beautiful and colorful bird that loves to play clowns and amuse the gallery! This real miniature clown is a hyperactive one that likes to play, hide, and constantly discover new games and gadgets.
It is also a good imitator that enjoys repeating a few sounds and words with its small, high-pitched voice. It is an animal that very quickly attaches itself to the humans that make up its home. But on the other hand, it is very suspicious of strangers and tends to bite easily, whether it feels threatened or not.
It can live with other species of parrots. However, be aware that some poorly socialized loris can be aggressive with other birds, even with other loris.
9. Gabon Gray Parrot
The Gabon gray parrot (Psittacus erythacus) is an affectionate and cheerful bird that loves company. With proper care, it can live up to 50 years. It is a large gray parrot that is very affectionate, smart, and curious. In addition, it is the most talkative of the parrot species and can imitate the words you teach. Perfect for family life, it can be easily educated.
On the other hand, this bird hates loneliness; the latter can lead to depression. So, if you are away, don’t hesitate to leave a television or radio on. Hearing human voices will make it think that someone is home and make it feel better.
10. Doves
The dove (Columbidae) is a beautiful bird often synonymous with peace, purity, and beauty. Sleek and slender, the dove enjoys flying every day in a large aviary. Gregarious, it likes the contact of its fellows, but it is a relatively dirty bird that produces a lot of waste. Easy to feed and pleasant to breed, it can be tamed if you arm yourself with patience and, above all, with gentleness.
Conclusion
Birds are ideal animals for those who do not have a lot of time to care for a pet, such as a dog or a cat. Indeed, pet birds are generally easy to care for and take a little less time. And while there are no birds that require no maintenance, many species are easier to care for than others. Choosing a domestic bird is not easy, given the number of possibilities, but the end will be the same; this little feathered pet will brighten up the life of your home.
- Related Read: What Do Finches Eat in the Wild & as Pets?
Featured Image Credit by: RoyBuri, Pixabay
