By Beth Rodriguez
PetLifePro.com
Birds are great pets to have and enjoy but they are a great responsibility because no bird is a one size fit all kind of animal.
From small canaries to macaws whose wingspan can extend up to four feet, pet birds come in many sizes, styles, and personalities.
Before you head to the pet shop, it’s a good idea to do a little research about what awaits you when owning a bird. Lifespan is one of the main things you need to take into account because it varies a lot from bird to bird.
Popular birds
For example, parakeets, one of the most popular birds, live an average of six years but in captivity, they can last up to 18 years. Many types of macaws typically live between 30 and 35 years, but upwards to 50 when in captivity.
Two other popular birds, cockatiels and finches, whose average lifespan in the wild is about five years, can live more than 20 years when people have them as pets and care for them properly.
PetSmart the American retail chain that sales a wide range of pets and pet products, recommends that you ask yourself these questions before bringing a bird home:
1-) Can you afford the cost of vet care, food, and toys?
2-) Can you spend at least half an hour a day interacting with your bird? You should take into account that birds are very social beings.
3-) Is everyone in your household ready for a bird?
4-) Can gladly and responsibly clean a cage every day?
5-) Can you get a bird-sitter when you are out of town?
6-) Can you take care of the bird for his/her entire lifespan, even if it’s decades?
7-) Do you have at home proper space for a bird?
