Happy New Year! It appears that 2022 has already gone to the birds: January is Adopt A Rescued Bird Month! We love seeing our feathered friends going to great homes. Of course, Polly has some very specific care needs, which are very different from Fluffy and Fido’s. If you’ve never had a bird before, you’ll want to look for one that’s easy to care for and generally well-suited to beginners. A Wichita, KS vet lists some good options below.

Cockatiels

These pretty birds are very docile, and can be taught to whistle, sing, and sit on your finger. They are also quite small, so they don’t need a huge cage. Plus, they are available in many colors. Another great perk of having a cockatiel? They aren’t very loud, so you don’t need to worry about fielding calls from angry neighbors. Cockatiels do have fairly long lifespans, though: they can live up to 20 years.

Parakeets

Parakeets—or budgies, as they’re also called—make absolutely wonderful pets. These pretty, colorful birds are not only super cute, they’re also very friendly and lovable. Many are quite the little cuddle bugs! Polly can learn some cute tricks. She might even talk! Budgies aren’t very big, so, like cockatiels, they don’t need huge cages. However, they are active, so you’ll need to give your feathered pal free time each day. They don’t live as long as the others we’ve mentioned: their lifespan is about 5 to 8 years.

Lovebirds

Lovebirds are absolutely beautiful birds, and they come in many vibrant colors. Polly is playful, talkative, and curious, and will definitely keep you smiling with her cute antics. They can also form very strong bonds with their humans, as long as they’re trained properly. Lovebirds don’t absolutely have to have a mate, but they are happier with buddies. They live about 20 years, and have a low to medium volume setting.

Amazon Parrots

Do you want a party parrot? An Amazon may be perfect for you. Colorful, charismatic, and sociable, Amazons need lots of attention and toys. They also love to dance and sing. Their average lifespan is 30 years. As for noise levels, well, if you want a quiet bird, this probably isn’t your choice. Polly is loud and proud!

As your Wichita, KS animal clinic, we look forward to offering great care in 2022 and beyond. Call us anytime!