THERE are a bewildering number of bird species available for the modern day bird fancier but the most popular birds are finches, budgerigars and parrots. Before choosing a bird there are several important factors to consider. The life spans of birds vary enormously. While the average life span of a pet Budgerigar is between seven and nine years, some parrots can live for 100 years or more.

So if you decide to purchase a parrot you must be prepared to find a responsible home for it in the likely event that it outlives you. Another important consideration is the sex of your bird. If you do not wish to breed your birds, male birds are recommended and in many species the male is more colourful than the female, has a sweeter song and invariably make the best talkers.

FINCHES

Finches are kept in greater numbers than any other birds and make ideal pets. They are small, quiet, often colourful and are not destructive to their accommodation. There are numerous varieties of finch, most of which have a pleasant song, with some ranking among the most melodious of any bird species.

The most popular member of the finch family is the Zebra Finch, which comes highly recommended for the novice. It is resilient, relatively cheap and offers good breeding potential. Finches are easy to feed but require green and soft food as well as seeds. They are also easy to house and although for breeding purposes aviaries are superior, large cages are sufficient.

BUDGERIGAR

Another popular bird is the budgerigar. The word “budgerigar” is a corruption of an Aboriginal name meaning “pretty bird.” They caused a sensation when John Gould, the renowned naturalist, introduced the first wild caught Australian budgerigars to Britain in 1840. Although there is now enormous variation in colour, the original budgerigars were light green and all variants of colour have been evolved during the last 100 years.

During the latter part of the 19th Century budgerigars were taught to imitate the human voice and have been trained to do all manner of tricks. Budgerigars are one of the hardiest most vigorous birds and rarely get sick. They are also extremely easy to feed and do not require masses of soft, messy foods. This combined with their pleasing behaviour and pleasant temperament, have ensured their uninterrupted popularity in Britain and Europe.

PARROTS

Parrots were first introduced to Europe from Asia through the conquests of Alexander the Great. Their beauty and ability to mimic the human voice made them popular as pets and they are mentioned in the works in the works of Aristotle, Ovid and other classical writers.

It is worth noting that the ability to mimic the human voice varies greatly between species. Although they are the largest, most colourful birds, the fifteen species of Macaw Parrot do not readily learn to articulate words. Similarly the cockatoo, a close relation to the true parrots, while imitating various animals and birds rarely learns to speak many words. If your most important criteria is to have a talking bird choose an Amazon Parrot, of which there are 27 varieties, or better still an African Grey that are considered to be the best mimics of the human voice.

The Guinness Book of World Records lists the best talking parrot as an African Grey named Prudle with a vocabulary of almost 1,000 words. African Greys will also imitate phones, microwave ovens, answering machines and even chain saws in the African jungle.

The fact that they are comparatively easy to breed, moderately priced, moderately sized and adapt well to human companionship make them a good choice for the novice. A word of caution: parrots are perhaps the most demanding of time and attention of any birds. If you cannot devote a lot of time to one of these birds it would be a terrible choice.

CHOOSING YOUR BIRD

Having decided upon the species of bird you require the next step is to choose the best possible specimen. You can purchase birds from magazines, pet shops or even at bird shows where you will come across specialist dealers and importers with stock for sale.

Examine each bird thoroughly before making a purchase. Make sure that the birds’ beaks, feet and legs are not deformed and that there are no growths on the body.

Wherever possible buy young, hand reared birds. Wild caught imported stock, although cheaper, can be delicate and can die if subjected to shock. Captive bred birds are generally healthier, less likely to be stressed and will be accustomed to a captive diet. They are also tamer and if bought young will breed and talk more freely than their wild counterparts. Buying from breeders also helps conserve birds in their wild state. This is particularly important when buying parrots or rare birds.

What about healthcare?

Birds are susceptible to a variety of ailments but a varied and healthy diet combined with cleanliness can dramatically reduce the possibility of illness.

The benefits of a good diet cannot be overemphasised. In addition to seed your bird will require grit, cuttlefish bone and fresh green food. Frosted green food should be avoided as it can cause stomach trouble often with fatal results. Birds can also suffer from dehydration but the risk of this is minimised by ensuring that there is always a supply of fresh clean water available.

Birds occasionally need their toes and beaks trimming. Although this is a straightforward procedure it can be prevented by making sure that the perches in the cage are of varying thickness. This enables the bird to rest and exercise its feet preventing stiffness and problems with its claws. Birds enjoy gnawing their perches too so it is important that all perches are made from non-poisonous wood. Wood from all fruit trees is safe as is Alder, Sloe and Birch.

Try to avoid extremes of temperature. During hot weather bacteria multiply and this can result in a multitude of problems. Cold weather can result in chills especially when accompanied by dampness. Any birds that are noticed to be sitting huddled on their perches or sneezing should be brought into a warm even temperature. Warmth has a wonderful reviving effect on all birds and given time the majority of patients will have completely recovered in a few days.

Finally, you should check your bird regularly for parasites. Of particular concern is the red mite. Red mite, unlike lice, do not spend their life on the host, but venture out at night to suck the birds blood, before retreating to some nook or crevice of the cage. Should they be evident they can be eradicated with powders from your pet store. Subsequent cleaning of all parts of the cage will keep red mite in check. Although potentially there are a variety of ailments a pet bird may suffer from, generally speaking, birds are extremely healthy and vigorous and only a small percentage of them actually get sick. By tending to your birds requirements and embracing sensible husbandry you will be rewarded with a devoted pet and hours or even decades of pleasure.

BOX:

To fly or not to fly?

If you decide to let your bird fly in the home environment remember: Windows and doors must always be closed before the cage door is opened. Open fires should be covered

All pot plants and flowers should be removed, as they may be harmful if consumed.

Other pets, especially cats, should not be in the same room as a free flying bird.