Pet Topics

Exotic birds are among the most popular pets to keep. Not only are they absolutely beautiful, with their brilliantly colored feathers, many pet owners find them easier to take care of than, say, a fuzzy cat or a rowdy dog.

However, choosing among the best exotic pet birds is rather confusing because there are several species to choose from. Here are some of the most popular exotic pet:

Sun Conures – these birds are popular among the medium-sized variety. They grow to about 12 inches in length, requiring less living space than large parrots. The feathers of Sun Conures are tinted with brilliant hues of orange, yellow, red, green, and blue.

Like parrots, Sun Conures can learn how to speak, however they can become quite vocal and noisy. They scream and screech and may not be ideal for those living in apartments buildings. Sun Conures usually live to around 20 to 35 years.

African Grays – these birds are considered to be among the most loquacious among exotic birds, they can acquire a vocabulary of up to 2,000 words. These birds are also rather intelligent, but they can get demanding and easily bored. However, African Greys can also be quite affectionate – perfect for owners who want sensible companions. They may live from 50 to 70 years.

Budgerigars – these are the most common among the pet birds and serve as good introduction to owning feathered pets. Budgies can be good pets for children and are quite attractive with a great variety of colors. They also require a relatively small space, while being quite easy to maintain.

Though they can typically learn only few words, they are intelligent enough to be able to sing and whistle tunes. Budgerigars may live from 12 to 14 years.

Parrotlets – these are among the smallest varieties of parrots. While parrotlets may be feisty they are quite intelligent just like their giant cousins. Parrotlets are also rather quiet compared to other exotic birds and thus they are ideal for owners who live in apartments or duplexes. The average parrotlet grows only to about 5 inches and lives to about 20 years.

Cockatiels – many find the medium-sized cockatiel as delightful pets. We bought a hand-raised one two years ago and think he is the greatest. They also belong to the parrot family, and are known to be intelligent.

They don’t usually learn to talk but are great at mimicking different sounds or whistling tunes. They come in different combinations of color and can be quite attractive members of a home. They usually live from 15 to 20 years.

If you want one that was raised by hand, sometimes pet shops will carry them. Or you might be able to find a breeder near you who hand raises some of his. If you can’t find any hand-raised exotic birds, it’s best to get a young one and spend a lot of time with it during the first few months.