On Ireland AM this week, we discussed keeping pet birds.
Popular Pet Birds
The most popular pet birds are, from largest to smallest:
- Parrots
African Grey / Amazon / Macaw / Cockatoos
All cost over €1000 – they are a specialist field and a big investment - Conure
Sold in pairs, cost €150 upwards – like small parrots, colourful, intelligent - Lovebirds
Sold in pairs, cost €60 upwards for a pair - Cockatiels
Sold in pairs, €60 upwards - Budgerigars
€15 upwards each - Canaries
From €20 each
The Basics: What you need to keep birds
- As big a cage as you can afford – from €40 upwards
- Perches
- Food
- Water
- Cuttlefish bone
- Grit to eat
Budgies & Canaries
- Budgies and canaries are the most popular pet birds.
- Live in large flocks in the wild
- They are very social creatures
- Ideally, they should not be kept alone in a cage unless have constant human companionship
- Young birds cost around €20 each
- Canaries live for around ten years, budgies a bit less time |( 5 – 8 years)
- Need a big cage, or ideally an aviary
Budgies
- Originally from Australia where still live in wild
- Males have a blue “cere” (base of beak) whereas it’s sandy brown in females
Canaries
- A type of finch, originally from Canary Islands and west coast of Africa
- Canary sexes are difficult to tell apart – until males start to sing at about 8 months
- Only male birds sing – female birds just “cheep”
The birds on the show were borrowed from Copsewood Aviaries in Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow.
Call them on 01 2862 087. The proprietor, Eddie Drew, is very helpful and this is a good place to get a first bird.
Comments are closed.
Please note that I am unable to answer veterinary questions in comments. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health it is always better to contact your vet.