COCKATIELS
Cockatiels are a very commonly kept pet bird, due to their many positive characteristics. Cockatiels are generally very intelligent, and can learn to obey both simple and complicated commands. Most cockatiels can also learn to speak, sometimes imitating common phrases that people speak around their cage. Cockatiels do require a significant investment in time, due to their need for constant interaction. It’s best to keep a cockatiel in an environment where they will have constant access to new experiences, such as the living room or kitchen. Most cockatiels need to be taken out of their cages on a regular basis, and can be trained to be very well-behaved. If you choose to adopt a hand-raised cockatiel, proper training will help them to be a gentle, affectionate and playful companion.
PARAKEETS
The parakeet is one of the most popular species of bird selected by pet owners worldwide. This is because parakeets are relatively inexpensive, easy to care for, and respond well to training. However, an improperly trained parakeet can be slightly difficult to deal with, so it is usually best to start training a parakeet as soon as they become a member of your household. Parakeets are often cited as being one of the best birds to interact with children, due to their tame behavior when properly trained. When keeping a parakeet, it is best if you do not keep two birds at once. This can cause parakeets to reject human bonding, and to instead focus on interacting with the other parakeet.
CANARIES AND FINCHES
Both canaries and finches make great pet birds, though are usually chosen for their relatively low-maintenance bird care needs. Because finches and canaries are generally low-maintenance birds, they tend not to care too much for interacting with humans. If you are looking to keep a species of bird that does not require constant attention, either a finch or a canary would probably be your best choice. Most of these birds are also well-known for their upbeat vocal music, which can brighten the mood in any type of household. However, if you are looking to keep a bird that will be affectionate towards humans, you may want to choose a different type of bird.
AFRICAN GREY PARROTS
African grey parrots are said to be the most intelligent species of bird, and are one of the favorites among many pet bird owners. They have specialized pet care needs, mostly due to their need for constant intellectual interaction. African grey parrots are usually very affectionate, and have the ability to form a strong bond with their human owners. Most reports of bad-tempered or destructive behavior in African gray parrots are a direct result of a lack of attention. If you are looking for a bird that will thrive off of a deep emotional bond with humans, African grey parrots are usually the best choice. However, if you do not have a sufficient amount of time to devote to spending with your bird, then you may want to select a type of bird that requires less attention.