Do you wish for a pet, but a dog is too high maintenance? These low-maintenance birds are perfect for you!
You’re a busy person, but you’re living alone, and sometimes you feel like your home is a little bit too empty? However, adopting a pet requires some effort, and you may feel uncertain about managing it effectively.
Then what do you think about one of two low-maintenance birds? All these tiny creatures I’ve chosen to talk about in today’s article don’t need too much space, so a medium-sized cage is perfect.
Some are happy to amuse themselves with toys or other bird companions, while others would rather spend a lot of time interacting with their favorite people. These eight low-maintenance birds make wonderful pets for people.
Friendly advice: Many of these birds have a lifespan of ten years or more. Therefore, even if you give your bird very little daily care, it still requires an important investment.
Canary
Canaries, which belong to the finch family, are also a wonderful option for bird lovers who would rather keep their pets hands-off. There are several varieties of canaries, and each one has unique maintenance needs. To stay healthy, these birds generally require a nutritious diet, a flying cage, and a few toys.
These low-maintenance birds need bigger cages because they love to fly and feel free, so I suggest looking for taller cages. If you’re not sure which will fit, don’t be afraid to ask at the pet shop. Make sure there are no drafts and that the space where the cage is placed has adequate light and ventilation. It should be placed away from windows and doors that let in direct sunlight, as this could cause it to become overly warm. For the canary to feel more secure, it should be close to one wall.
In general, canaries eat their food, but it wouldn’t hurt to also add fruits and veggies to their meals. They love it!
Cockatiel
These low-maintenance birds with orange cheeks are so cute you’re going to love having them as a pet. Cockatiels, however, need to play outside of their cages for at least a few hours every day. However, compared to some larger parrot species, they are not nearly as demanding. They can have fun on their own for several hours as long as they have a spacious enclosure with toys.
Cockatiels typically don’t speak, but they are very smart and can be taught to whistle and obey commands. I recommend talking to it for 5 to 10 minutes a day. Your cockatiel must know your voice.
Even if the cage is big enough for the bird to move around, it’s fine to let it out once a day to sit on your finger.
Lineolated Parakeet
Who loves parakeets? If you want a calm, quiet, low-maintenance bird (unlike loud cockatiels), the lineolated parakeet is a great choice. However, if you don’t buy them a pair, it’s a must to interact with them throughout the day; otherwise, they will become sad. Because they are small birds, they don’t create a lot of mess or take up much room.
These parakeets love to climb on things and have a lot of physical activity throughout the day, so make sure you buy them plenty of toys and branches and mount them in the cage. Oh, and if you are patient enough, you can teach them how to speak! Aim for short words like mom, dad, or baby.
Lovebird
Of all these low-maintenance birds, the lovebirds are my favorite. Despite the widespread belief that lovebirds must be kept in pairs, single lovebirds can survive with just a few hours of daily interaction with their caregivers.
Give them a spacious cage with many toys, particularly chewables that are safe for birds. Same as other low-maintenance birds on the list, besides their seeds, you can also give them slices of cucumbers, carrots, or apples.
To avoid having spilled seeds all over the bottom of the cage, I recommend buying an automatic parrot feeder. This model is suitable for birds like parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, and pretty much all the birds in the article. Just make sure to measure the cage before buying to avoid further surprises.
Every year, take your birds to the veterinarian. A yearly visit to the veterinarian is recommended for every bird not only for the lovebirds. Regarding any health concerns, be sure to listen to your veterinarian’s advice—it’s the best way to keep your pet happy and healthy!
Pro tip: Always keep the cage tidy. At least once a week, clean it. Every day, change the water.
Dove
Doves are kind birds that like to engage with their caregivers, but they are also happy to amuse themselves for the majority of the day. They are only medium-sized birds, so cleaning up after them is not too difficult.
To prevent a vitamin D deficiency, make sure they are given a nutritious diet, exercise outside of their cage for at least a few hours, and have access to UV light. Since doves are super sociable, they need to be kept in pairs, especially if you’re a busy person who doesn’t have much time to look after the pet.
Budgerigar
Budgies, like the majority of parrots, value attention and form close bonds with their caregivers. Compared to many larger species, however, they are generally easier to keep busy. As long as you can spend a few hours each day interacting with the bird, a budgie can flourish in a large cage filled with many toys.
Budgies are relatively cheap to feed and care for because of their small size. However, a diet of only seeds is bad for a small bird like a budgie and can even lead to health issues, despite what many people think.
Pionus parrot
Despite tending to be independent, Pionus parrots are known for their devotion to their caregivers. If you have to leave them alone for a few hours, your presence makes them happy. They enjoy playing with toys, but they also enjoy playing with their caregivers. Just make sure that these energetic birds are exercised outside of their cages for at least three hours every day.
Pionus parrots need more vitamin A in their diet, which can be found in a lot of orange and red fruits and vegetables. Since Pionus in the wild naturally consumes insects, feed them small amounts of cooked eggs, chicken, beans, or other wholesome proteins.
Finches
Finches are another popular small pet bird for people with limited space because they come in a wide range of lovely colors. Even though they sing for a large portion of the day, their small size makes their voices much quieter and softer.
Finches are another popular small pet bird for people with limited space because they come in a wide range of lovely colors. Despite being vocal birds, they tend to sing at a much softer and quieter volume due to their small size.
Do you desire to adopt a pet, and did this article spike your interest even more? Which of these low-maintenance birds is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
Related article: 6 Tips for Keeping a Dog in an Apartment.
