Looking for a small long-lived bird

[Blacksky]

Hello, I have a friend who used to have budgies and really loved them and I wanted to get them a little bird as a present. However, I personally have no idea what I'm doing. I would like to get them something that is small, friendly, chatty (but not one that's going to scream 24\7), and fairly long lived (also, they say they would prefer blue). Can anyone start me off with the info I need to know? Basically what I am looking for is:

A suggestion on a few good bird species and where I might buy them.

Some information on general care, what to expect, what cage to buy, etc. If someone here owns one of that sort then I would really appreciate anything they might say!

My budget isn't massive, but I am expecting them to buy most of the paraphernalia.

 

[weco]

While your heart may be in the right place, you really should discuss your potential gift with your friend.....gifting someone with a bird is not like gifting with a watch or other piece of jewelry.....

There is a considerable amount of commitment & responsibility involved when bringing a companion bird into one's home.....if you are set on a bird as a gift, do so only after speaking with your friend & go with them to make the selection.....that would also give you a chance to either determine where your finances needed to be or discuss with your friend what limits you may have been thinking about.....

Welcome to the forums & good luck.....

 

[Blacksky]

Don't worry, we've already spoken about it at some length, they would really like a bird and do know how to care for them.

Is there anywhere in Kent (England) where I might be able to take them to see birds for sale?

 

[Sammy01]

It depends on your budget. If they want blue, you can get a blue parrotlet. Parrotlets are actually pretty quite since they physically can't make too much noise. Budgies are sweet little things too.

Cage:

Both will need a big cage though. Even though they're small they need room to flap their wings and move about.

You'll need to get natural bird safe branches for the perches. If you leave them with the branches the cage usually comes with it eventually damages their feet.

You'll need to get plenty of toys. You can also just get parts and make two or three and give the rest to your friend to make. Avoid toys with mirrors.

Diet:

I recommend when giving the parrot you give them a bag or two of pellets so your friend can convert them to a pellet diet. They both will still need seeds. A budgie will need more though. The reason why you want to give them pellets is because a seed diet is too fatty and they can suffer from malnutrition.

Since it will take about a month to convert the parrot to the pellet diet you'll need to buy some seeds too.

Other:

You might want to give her some other basic things like a spray bottle for bath time, play stand (they need it for out of cage time), bird bath, and some newspaper to place at the bottom of the cage.

 

[jugoya]

Parrotlets, Cockatiels, Brotogeris Parakeets ...

All of these are good starter birds on the quiet side though parrotlets are quieter...

Another good choice is a Linniated parakeet. More parrot like while keeping the Budgie form... AND absolutely beautiful and quieter than parrotlets ^^.

Cage dimensions... for ALL of these birds is at least 18x18x30 long in my opinion... but they do better in a 24" square.

 

[MonicaMc]

Even the small guys have the potential to live 20 years in good health. I know someone who had a canary die a few days short of his 20th birthday! Many small species die around 6 years old though... often due to accidents and improper diets.

Visual blue birds would fall under parrotlets, budgies, lovebirds, lineolateds and maybe a green cheek conure.... although they are par-blue and not a true blue mutation.


Cockatiels also have a blue mutation, but they are not visually blue... instead, they are grey and white.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

there's the blue mutation green cheek conure, and also the blue mutation monk parakeet

 

[MonicaMc]

The green cheek mutation is actually turquoise aka par-blue and not a true blue.


I wasn't thinking of anything larger than green cheeks, but ya, blue quakers would be another choice!

 

[Jayyj]

Another vote for lineolated parakeets, every time I read something about them I like them a little more. Here's a breeder in your neck of the woods: Lineolated parakeets for sale for sale in Essex, Eastern :: Birdtrader

I've not seen rosellas mentioned so far, a local shop sells blue mutation crimson rosellas which are gorgeous, all different shades of blue and grey. BLUE MUTATION CRIMSON ROSELLA PENNANTS PARAKEET

 

[thekarens]

I can confirm linnies are very sweet and quiet. Even at their most noisy they are still very quiet.

 

[MarciaLove]

First off whatever bird you decide on make sure its ok with the person whos getting it like Weco said gifting an animal isnt like jewelry its a big commitment. That being said I would definitely say LOVEBIRD!! They are the best birds! They are small but full of personality they make nice noises and are very friendly and active they love to learn tricks too they live for about 15-20 years though some longer, I have a friend who had one no that's 29! They do require lots of toys top keep them busy while no one is spending time with them and their cage should be about 2' wide x 2' deep x 3' high secondchoice would be a parrotlet which are a lot like lovebirds ive heard but ive never had one.

 

[ShellyBorg]

Love parrotlets. All the swager of a amazon in a tiny package.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I have a parrotlet, trust me they can be loud and annoying with their chatter. Males tend to be louder than females.

 

[DallyTsuka]

lovebirds have their annoying noises too lol my female munch has the lovely ability to mimic the annoying noises. so i have to hear tiel screaming from her as well!! lol they can be noisy and have a high pitched chirp, but they got some pleasant chirps too. i love their sleepy chatter when they quietly chirp themselves to sleep, its rather adorable.

however they can be very stubborn little birds and can pack a bite potentially (any bird can, but lovebirds can be very nippy).

other wise, lovies are a good choice if they want a LOT of personality in a tiny bird. peach faced lovebirds dont have a true blue mutation either, its a parblue mutation... its actually a pastel mutation, making the green appear blue. masks and fischers and black cheeks have true blue mutations though.

lovebirds, females can get very nasty when hormonal, but otherwise are totally sweet. people say males make better pets... well if you are comparing the hormones, then yes, males are not very aggressive with their hormones like females are. BUT, females still make amazing pets so don't over look them. they just come with their own set of challenges lol

sable fischer lovebirds are just gorgeous!

http://birdtrek.co.uk/angel/compone...d sf violet cobalt sable fischers.jpg.thb.jpg


cockatiels are amazing birds though for personality. less demanding than lovebirds, longer lifespan, and generally more gentle and laid back. they just dont really come in "blue" lol but they are fairly quiet (less chatty than lovebirds and budgies, but their screaming has more volume). they are incredibly cuddly and so very sweet. among the best birds ever. most are very well behaved (lovebirds live to get into trouble for kicks, i swear haha)


i would have your friend meet all of these potential choices and have him/her make the choice and what works best for him/her.