A bird would probably not be the first thought, for anyone considering a new pet, but there are many benefits to owning a bird instead of a dog, cat, hamster, or snake. If you just, for whatever reason, happen to find yourself alone most of the time, a pet bird or a pair of love birds just might be the perfect fit for you, especially if you have limited dwelling or office space, limited mobility, or find yourself living on a tight budget. Along with their social nature, most birds are smart, entertaining, and loyal.
For the most part, birds are nothing at all like the popular pets mentioned but they hold their charm alongside the best pets in the world so let’s take a look at a few reasons why birds make amazing companions for country folk and city dwellers alike.
Birds are Notoriously Smart Creatures
According to the National Audubon Society, birds have problem-solving capabilities and cognitive skills that indicate a high degree of intelligence. They can use tools and even count from left to right. Parrots can be taught to talk if the owner has time and a little bit of patience meanwhile chickadees and cockatoos all have finely-honed problem solving and acute mimicking skills.
Birds are also great at performing tricks which you may have seen on television shows and playing games like basketball as seen in viral internet videos, all of which make these feathered friends even more interactive and fun than owning a dog at times though, of course, you should never tell a dog lover that to their face and while crows may not be suitable birds to be kept as pets, scientists have found that their reasoning skills can be likened to those of a 7-year-old human being.
Social Birds are Suited for Stay-at-Home Households
Birds as a species are creatures that flock, meaning that they are used to having companions at all times therefore, a single bird will want a friend as much as human beings do and since they are very social animals, they enjoy spending time with their owners playing, singing, chatting and eating, especially if the owner is open to spending time with a bird out of its cage and if given proper training and socialization, birds can definitely be every bit as loving and affectionate as a cat or dog.
Some pet birds are so inseparable from their owners that they even accompany their humans on daily errands including trips to the bank, grocery store or outdoor cafe. Birds can recognize their owners, cage, and toys, many birds will even sit on their owner’s shoulder to communicate when it is time for dinner.
Essentially, the more time you spend with your bird outside of the cage, the more creative the responses you will receive when you interact. Compared to the four-legged pets that typically roam free and unattended within their owners’ homes, birds are relatively easy to care for.
They can be placed inside their cages for safety when owners are at work or busy. Many people prefer the convenience of cleaning a birdcage once daily to scooping a foul kitty litter box or having to go for mandatory pooper scooper walks outside every few hours with a dog.
Birds Require Minimal Grooming
Birds are naturally hygienic animals and preen their feathers daily to keep them shiny and clean. Unlike most pets you won’t have to deal with shampoos, flea baths, and expensive grooming, birds usually require a quick nail and feather clipping now and then and a bird only requires a light spritz of clean, non-chlorinated water once or twice a week.
Birds Live Long Lives
Ending this list on a high note for anyone who knows the pain of having lost a long-time pet, realizes that most birds outlive their owners. Knowing that birds can live more than one-hundred years is a relief for those averse to sorrow because odds are good that they won’t have to relive the painful experience and eases the concerns of people who want to make sure they adopt a pet they can love and enjoy for a very long time.
For all those reasons, birds can be wonderful companions for senior citizens, children without any Brothers or Sisters, or anyone living in a lonely household without any pets around. In all those scenarios birds can provide companionship and enjoyment for many years.
