Deciding to bring any kind of pet home is always something that requires a huge amount of thought and consideration as you’ll be responsible for a life, so you need to have as much information as possible before the new family member arrives to ensure that you can look after them properly.
Birds are some of the most popular pets here in the UK but it’s vital that you do sufficient reading and research into your chosen species, because their needs can be quite specific – and some birds, like parrots, can live for over 100 years… so you’ve got to think long and hard about which bird would be right for you.
To help you get off on the right wing, here are just some of the birds that would make the best pets for beginner aviarists. As ever, if you need any further help or advice, get in touch with the Johnston & Jeff team today.
1. Budgerigars
Who doesn’t love a budgie? These friendly and affectionate birds make wonderful companions and they’re very small and cute, so they’re really no trouble to look after once you’ve got to grips with what they need.
Make sure you choose an appropriately sized cage, as a small aviary can cause your birds stress, make sure they have perches of different sizes and make sure they have toys inside to keep themselves well entertained.
As for food, your budgie will need to follow a balanced diet that includes pellets, vegetables, fruits and seeds. Check out our high protein blend of budgerigar seed that’s specifically formulated for budgies. Delicious!
2. Canaries
Canaries are a really fun little bird to have at home and they love a good singalong so if you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to think twice about it!
When properly looked after, they live for around ten years so you’ll be able to enjoy spending time together for a while. If you just have one bird, make sure that they get a lot of attention to keep boredom at bay. Also make sure that there are perches of varying thickness to help them exercise their little feet, with a rotating selection of toys provided to prevent boredom.
Food-wise, provide a good mixture of seeds to ensure your feathered friend gets all the nutrients it needs, Millet seed makes for a great treat, as well as seed bars and honey bells. We have a tasty canary blend you can give your bird to ensure they get the full range of minerals, vitamins, trace elements, fats and proteins.
3. Lovebirds
Lovebirds are a really popular option for aviarists, but make sure that you’re in it for the long haul as they can live for up to 20 years! These small parrots are beautiful, with bright green, red and yellow feathers and be advised that you’ll need to get them in a pair as they definitely need to have company and form very strong bonds.
Give them a nice big cage with horizontal bars as they like to climb, with perches of different thickness provided for foot exercise. Give them a few toys but don’t go too overboard as they like to have space.
For food, take a look at our lovebird blend, specifically formulated for these beautiful birds. Nutritionally balanced, the mix is low in fat, with more than 50 per cent plain canary seed and no sunflower.
