Do birds make good pets? In general, when people start seriously considering owning a pet, they usually look for cute and hairy dogs or cats. These are by far the most popular animals to keep as pets. Indeed, according to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 44% of households in France have a dog and 35% own a cat.
It is obvious, however, that not everyone should own a dog or cat. They require a very high level of commitment and responsibility. In other words, it’s a lot of work!
There are many reasons why people should not have pets. This is simply not a good decision for those whose lifestyle is unstable or unstructured. Too often, these animals end up in animal shelters. The question then becomes: what type of pet is suitable for another lifestyle?
The simple truth is that all pets need care, love, and attention. They must be provided with an appropriate level of care. The only pet I know that doesn’t fall into this category is a pet stone! However, some animals require less work and offer more flexibility to their owner than others. Birds fit perfectly into this category.
8 reasons why birds make great pets
For those looking for a pet that can keep them company, but doesn’t require the intensive support or lifestyle changes demanded by others, birds are a wonderful choice. Follow us to discover the top 8 reasons why birds make good pets.
1. Birds are smart
People often get pets because they want some form of companionship. In order to meet this need and create such an essential bond, the animal in question must have a certain degree of intelligence. Otherwise, we practically return to the scenario of pet rock! Fortunately, birds are very intelligent creatures and make wonderful pets.
While the amount of evidence surrounding birds’ intelligence is not as great as that of other animals, there is still enough to draw firm conclusions. Indeed, far from the insulting idiom “bird’s brain”, which is supposed to mean small brains and lack of intelligence, birds have shown that they are quite intelligent. In an interview with Audubon magazine, researcher and writer Jennifer Ackerman explains how intelligent birds are:
Birds learn and remember. They use calls and chants to communicate. They play games and can comfort each other. Birds are excellent role models to help us understand our own mental processes.
It is certainly true that some birds are smarter than others, but this statement can actually be true for any animal. There are the intelligent, and also those at the other end of the spectrum. Overall, however, their unique intelligence will make birds fascinating and intriguing pets.
They will also develop an intense bond with their owner. For example, in many articles, birds are often presented as one of the most affectionate pets. They will also imitate their human owner, and together they will have fun and learn from each other every day. Their strong intelligence is one of the reasons why birds make good pets.
2. Birds parrot require less immediate care than dogs or cats
Let us be realistic. There are simply no pets that require no maintenance! They all need to receive loving attention and proper care. Anyone who doesn’t want to provide this care should really think twice before owning a pet. Nevertheless, some animals are easier to care for and require less maintenance than others. Birds fall squarely into this category.
As with all animals, some types of birds are easier to care for. For example, parakeets, canaries, finches, and doves are among the easiest to care for. Conversely, Parrots
- Macaws
- Cockatoos
- African Grey Parrot
- Amazon parrots
- Conure Parrot
- Quaker Parrot
- Eclectus
- Cockatiel
- Budgie
- Senegal Parrot
- Lovebird
- Caique Parrot
can be the pickiest.
However, birds as a whole are well suited for people who lead an active lifestyle. Unlike dogs, birds do not need to be walked outside several times a day and can be kept safely in a cage when their owner is away from home.
In addition, birds use the bottom of their cage for their “pot”, unlike the less desirable method of “poop and shovel” for dogs or litter box for cats. Of course, this does not mean that birds do not need attention or work.
They are actually very social and need a lot of love and affection. Many owners lock them in a cage only when they are unattended, so they can exercise and be stimulated properly. However, the fact that they require less maintenance than many other animals is a very good reason why birds make good pets.
3. Birds are inexpensive to feed
Our dollar does not seem to be going as far as it used to be. Most of us simply don’t have the same amount of disposable income anymore. In such a tight tax environment, every penny helps. Saving on animal feed is a way for individuals to contribute to their own profits.
Given this information, a bird can be a great choice for budget-conscious people as they only need small amounts of food. In particular, they are very inexpensive to feed. In fact, in a study that evaluated the cost of feeding 8 different pets, dogs were considered the most expensive to feed, while birds were well down the list, at number seven .
It is certainly not recommended to give your pet an unhealthy or insufficient diet. They need high-quality bird pellets that can be supplemented with specific fruits or vegetables. However, the quantities they need are small and make birds a good pet for anyone with monetary concerns.
Birds are usually not the first animal that comes to mind when we wonder which pets are the most affectionate. People tend to focus on dogs, cats, or even stuffed rabbits. Nevertheless, birds are very affectionate pets that also like to socialize. They have such a need for contact and affection from their owner that if they are not given regularly, they will tend to develop behavioral problems.
While it is true that birds bond most with a particular member of the family, it is ideal for someone who lives alone. By giving them the necessary love, affection, and socialization, you will ensure that your bird returns the favor. Their unique and affectionate nature is another reason why birds make good pets.
5. Birds don’t need large habitats
For many people who live in apartments or condos, pet ownership is often not an option. Whether due to landlord rules or space restrictions, owning animals such as dogs or cats is a pleasure that many apartment dwellers may not experience. However, a bird can be the perfect answer to such a dilemma.
Birds can absolutely be kept in the small spaces that apartments and condos provide. In fact, it is preferable because the small space allows the bird to stay out of its cage for long periods of time without fear of losing it. Care should be taken about the noise that certain types of birds can make.
The songs, calls, and calls of some birds are quite loud and will not make you particularly popular with your building neighbors. However, quieter types of birds like budgies or budgies will go virtually unnoticed. If you want a pet but space or restrictive rules prevent you from doing so, then owning a bird may be the answer you’re looking for!
6. Birds don’t need much grooming
I personally own a number of pets and love them all dearly. However, what I don’t like is their constant need for grooming. It’s a lot of work and it’s also quite expensive. For example, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in 2016, pet grooming was a $5.73 billion industry in France (6). These figures are expected to increase significantly in 2017.
The good news for potential bird owners is the fact that birds are very hygienic in nature and actually require minimal grooming compared to other pets like cats or dogs. Showers or baths of clear water from time to time, combined with nail trimming, are as difficult as possible.
Grooming your pet bird is therefore very energy-efficient and very profitable. As always, some types of birds, such as parrots, are a bit more complex. However, if we consider birds as good pets, it is mainly because they are easy to groom.
7. Birds are easy to train
Birds have already been shown to be intelligent pets. Scientific research has indeed shown that they can learn and remember. This fact is of utmost importance when it comes to training pets.
One of the most common complaints of any owner is the difficulty he encounters when trying to properly train his pet. Training is not just a matter of convenience for humans. It is also an important element in ensuring the safety of animals.
Birds can be taught to “step forward,” “poop on demand,” and come when called (7). In addition, negative behaviors such as biting, scratching, and yelling can be minimized. Some types of birds can even be taught to imitate the human language and speak!
As birds love the attention and affection of their human owners, a good positive reinforcement system will allow them to learn and be properly trained relatively quickly. In addition, their small size makes the whole process much easier to manage. The fact that they are easy to train is another reason why birds make good pets.
8. Birds have a long lifespan
We love and care for our pets like any other member of our family. That’s why, when we lose them, it can be an absolutely devastating experience. People often need long periods of therapy to overcome such a loss.
In fact, in an informal survey of 100 people who did not own a pet, 48% said they did not own a pet because of their short lifespan. Instead of getting too attached to an animal, they preferred to avoid any relationship at all.
However, birds have a fairly long lifespan. Under good conditions, budgies or budgies will live more than 20 years, while macaws can live up to 100 years. They are much longer than the typical dog. Undoubtedly, a long lifespan is another reason why birds make good pets.
Conclusion
Everyone is at a different stage of their lives. Owning a pet can therefore be a viable option… or not. Either way, it’s not something to be taken lightly. However, some pets may be easier to care for than others and provide a person with the affection and companionship they seek.
Birds fall squarely into this category. If you are looking for a good companion and a pet that requires less work than many other animals, look no further than our feathered friend! It will bring you all the qualities and attributes you are looking for in a pet, and will also become a friend for life.
