Best Birds for Pets: A Complete Guide for Bird Lovers

📌 Best Birds for Pets: Popular Choices

The best birds for pets vary by lifestyle. These birds need a stable diet and grow well with proper care, treats, and fun accessories.

Birds bring so much joy to our lives. Within no time, they become our favorite. It is easy to see why so many people consider them pets. Birds are becoming increasingly popular companions in a lot of homes. According to Forbes, over 6.1 million households in the U.S. own pet birds

However, it is very important to choose a pet bird that’s gentle and makes a good companion. It starts with doing a little work and understanding the traits of different birds. You must do this because not every bird can adjust to domesticated life well.

In this guide to the best birds for pets, we’ll explore:

• The top 10 bird species for home life 
• Their unique capabilities and care tips 
• What are the best food options for them (including the best pet bird food, bird treats, and healthy food for birds)
• Must-have bird accessories

Let’s get chirping!

Why Choose a Pet Bird?

Companionship and Emotional Benefits

When you welcome a pet bird home, you start forming a different kind of bond with them. Slowly, they start becoming your best friends. They greet you as soon as you enter the home. Some even learn to talk, but you must work a little for that!

Low Maintenance Compared to Other Pets

One of the most amazing features of birds is that they don’t need to be walked or bathed. You need to:

• Just clean their cage
• Provide food and fresh water
• Interact with them.

Educational Value for Kids and Families

Children learn responsibility, empathy, and much, much more. If you have kids at home, then you must definitely get a pet bird without a second thought.

Top 10 Best Birds for Pets: Pros, Cons, and Care Tips

Have a look at the 10 most amazing pet bird species that typically make excellent companions:

1. Budgerigar (Budgie/Parakeet)

Personality: Social, can learn to perform bird tricks, loves to chirp
Diet: Pellets, seeds, leafy greens, and pet bird food

Recommended Treat:
Kaytee Parakeet Bird Treat Orange Flavored 

✅ Pros:

• Budget-friendly
  
• Easy to train and tame
  
• Small cage requirement
  

❌ Cons:

• Can be noisy
  
• Needs social interaction
  

2. Cockatiel

Personality: Gentle, curious, loves to whistle
Diet: Pellets, seeds, vegetables, bird treats like millet

Recommended Treat:
Volkman Seed Company Avian Science Super Cockatiel Bird Treat

✅ Pros:

• Great for beginners
  
• Very affectionate
  

❌ Cons:

• Needs daily interaction
  
• Dusty feathers may need air purification
  

3. Lovebirds

Personality: Loyal, playful, thrives with a mate
Diet: Pellets, fruits, veggies, limited wild bird seed

Recommended Treat:
Volkman Seed Company Avian Science Super Hookbill Bird Treat

✅ Pros:

• Highly affectionate
  
• Strong pair bonding
  

❌ Cons:

• Can become nippy if bored
  
• Needs more attention if alone
  

4. African Grey Parrot

Personality: Incredibly intelligent, gifted talkers
Diet: Pellets, fruits; avoid generic wild bird food

Recommended Treat:
Volkman Seed Company Avian Science Super African Grey Parrot Bird Treat

✅ Pros:

• Best talkers
  
• Excellent memory and bonding
  

❌ Cons:

• Needs mental stimulation
  
• Prone to feather plucking when bored
  

5. Canaries

Personality: Solo, gentle singers
Diet: Seed blends, greens, and tailored pet bird food

Recommended Treat:
Kaytee Canary & Finch Songbird Treat Jar  

✅ Pros:

• No handling needed
  
• Relaxing song
  

❌ Cons:

• Not social birds
  
• Fragile
  

6. Finches

Personality: Chirpy, lively, loves flock settings
Diet: Seed-based birds food, greens occasionally

Recommended Food:
Kaytee Supreme Canary & Finch Bird Food

✅ Pros:

• Low maintenance
  
• Very entertaining to watch
  

❌ Cons:

• Not for cuddling
  
• Fragile wings
  

7. Conures

Personality: Bold, silly, expressive
Diet: Pellets, fruits, and healthy bird treats

Recommended Food:
Kaytee Exact Rainbow Parrot & Conure Food

✅ Pros:

• Funny and trainable
  
• Great with active families
  

❌ Cons:

• Loud squawks
  
• Needs large cage space

8. Parrotlets

Personality: Confident, feisty, full of energy
Diet: Pellets, seeds, veggies, some wild bird seed

Recommended Treat:
Volkman Seed Company Avian Science Super Parrotlet Bird Treat

✅ Pros:

• Pocket-sized companion
  
• Not too loud
  

❌ Cons:

• Needs socializing to prevent biting
  
• Can be territorial
  

9. Macaws

Personality: Regal, funny, center of attention
Diet: Pellets, fruits, nuts; avoid typical birds food

Recommended Food:
Lafeber Classic Nutri-Berries Macaw & Cockatoo Bird Food

✅ Pros:

• Stunning presence
  
• Can mimic words and actions
  

❌ Cons:

• Requires daily training
  
• Loud and very large cage needed
  

10. Cockatoos

Personality: Affectionate, cuddly, seeks attention
Diet: Pellets, greens, and bird treats like fruits/seeds

Recommended Food:
Lafeber Tropical Fruit Nutri-Berries Macaw & Cockatoo Food

✅ Pros:

• Loving and emotional
  
• Great for experienced owners
  

❌ Cons:

• Needs tons of attention
  
• Prone to separation anxiety
  

How to Choose the Right Pet Bird for Your Lifestyle

Time Commitment

When you decide to get a pet bird, just be sure how much time you can truly commit. They will completely rely on you for all their activities, and you can’t deny doing them.

• Busy schedule? Try finches or canaries.
  
• More time? Cockatiels or lovebirds are great.

Space and Environment Requirements

Get that bird whose cage you can easily place in your space without any disturbances.

• Small birds = compact cages
  
• Large birds = large enclosures
  
• Ensure quiet spaces that are free from too much noise
  

Experience Level as a Pet Owner

Did you know that experience level also matters when getting a pet bird? You just can’t directly get a macaw if you have little experience with birds.

• Beginners: Budgies, canaries, cockatiels
  
• Intermediate: Lovebirds, conures
  
• Advanced: Macaws, African Greys, cockatoos
  

Feeding Your Pet Bird: What You Must Know

Understanding Different Bird Diets

Birds need to have a variety in their plate. If you rely only on seeds to fill your bird’s food bowl, it is a big no-no.

• Pellets: Core part of the diet
  
• Seeds: Serve as treats only, not a main course
  
• Veggies/Fruits: Fresh and diverse
  

Safe Treats and Supplements

Use bird treats wisely:

• Millet sprays work amazingly for budgies, cockatiels
  
• Nutri-berries are a good option for parrots, macaws
  
• Skip salty, sugary, or processed human foods
  

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfeeding seeds is not recommended as it can make your little munchkin obese.
  
• Dirty dishes that are not washed can lead to bacterial infections
  
• No variety in the food bowl can make your pet bird nutrient-deficient
  

Essential Bird Accessories and Supplies for Pet Bird Owners

Cages and Cage Accessories

• Grab a cage whose bar spacing is appropriate for your bird’s size. You do not want your birds to slip out.
  
• Cages with removable trays are a big yes for no-stress cleaning.
  
• Add some spice to their mundane life with swings, ladders, and cozy hideouts.
  

Bird Food and Water Dispensers

• Make sure the food and water bowls are made of stainless steel
  
• Clean water daily
  
• Throw away uneaten food regularly and refill it with safe food for birds

Conclusion

It’s great to have a companion at home who can bring a smile to your face even on sad days. After all, who does not love a happy bird to have as a pet? 

Quick Takeaways Before You Fly In:

• Take the time to make this crucial decision 
• Go through the characteristics of the best birds for pets properly
• Feed your bird the right portions of food
• Don’t forget the fun stuff along with the essentials