I am allergic to cats and live in an apartment that doesn't allow dogs.  I would like to have a pet and am thinking about getting a bird.  Can you give me any pointers?

Birds have enjoyed an increase in popularity as pets over the past several years -- and it's easy to understand why.  Many types of birds make wonderful companions, responding with great affection to their human caretakers.   Birds often are an ideal solution for animal lovers like you who are allergic to cats, dogs or other furry pets.  A note of caution though, you should try to make sure no one in your house is allergic to feathers. 

Birds don't require a great deal of space, they don't need to be walked, and they can do well by themselves for hours at a time.  For all these reasons, birds tend to adapt well to a variety of lifestyles.  In order to properly care for any pet, you should understand just what that animal needs.  Birds are no exception and it is important to do your homework before bringing a bird into your home.  For example, as an apartment dweller, you may need to consider noise levels when selecting a type of bird.  Some birds are notorious for their loud, incessant screams and squawks and could strain the relationship with your neighbors. 

Your library or the Internet would be the best places to start researching which type of bird will be best for you.  Some important factors to consider will be the size of the bird, life span, nutritional requirements, necessary cage size and typical behaviors such as aggressiveness, noisiness and the tendency to talk or sing. 

To appreciate the wide range of costs and the incredible variety of species available, visit as many different pet stores as possible.   Check newspaper ads for the names of local breeders and contact avian clubs for further information.  Talk with a veterinarian who works with birds and who can explain what health concerns you might encounter and how often you should schedule routine exams and grooming.  You are wise to consider all your options and not buy a bird on impulse.  Never select a bird just because it's beautiful or because it talks well while it's in the pet store.  After all, your bird is going to represent quite an investment over the years, not just in money but also in time and love.  Good luck on your search.  You should quickly begin to narrow your choice to the type of bird that will make an excellent pet for you.

I'm excited about getting a pet bird, but don't know what kind to buy.  Can you give me some advice?

First, you need to answer some questions to help you select the appropriate bird.  How much time do you want to spend each day caring for the bird?    Are you away from home often?  How much space do you have for a cage?    Are there children in the house?  Do you want to hold to bird or just watch it?

If you have never owned a bird, you should start out with one of the smaller and easier to care for birds, such as parakeets, finches, canaries or cockatiels.  Parakeets and finches enjoy living in groups so you could have several in a cage, enjoy their antics and not have too much hands-on interaction with them.    Cockatiels are good beginner birds if you want a bird you can hold.   People are often attracted to larger birds like parrots, cockatoos and macaws.   These birds are not appropriate for someone who has never cared for a bird, is not home often, and cannot afford their maintenance.  The larger birds are more expensive to purchase and require sturdier and larger cages.  They are usually housed alone and require mental stimulation (such as play activity), exercise and handling to remain calm and healthy.   They live 25-50 years or more, much longer than the smaller birds.  They also have a loud voice or call.  If you want a pet bird, purchase only a hand-raised, domesticated bird, preferably a young one.  This prevents depletion of the wild bird population, and assures that you will receive a healthier pet and one that is easier to handle.   Birds that are hand-raised by a breeder will readily bond with people and enjoy being handled.  The extra care taken by a breeder to raise a "sweet" baby bird will increase the purchase price, but is worth the expense.  Even parakeets can be hand raised and make very sociable and comical companions.  There should be parental supervision when children interact with pet birds.  Birds have a much more fragile body than other pets the child may be used to handling.  The bird also may be frightened by an inexperienced handler and could cause serious bite wounds.  Like all pets, birds need daily exercise to keep a healthy mind and body.  For smaller birds that are handled less often, a cage may be large enough to provide exercise space and can give you fun watching them socialize with each other.  Larger birds need to come out of their cages on a regular basis to get enough exercise, mental stimulation and social interaction with you.  You will need to bird proof your house to prevent any injury or accidents.  Some birds can be destructive with their beaks when out of the cage and need supervision and appropriate chew toys. 

Once you've thought about what you want to gain from pet bird ownership and what you are willing to give to the relationship, you should visit pet shops and bird shows to learn the characteristics of different bird species.  Contact breeders and talk with them about their particular breed.  Read books or contact your veterinarian or the Association of Avian Veterinarians at (561) 393-8901 for more information.