10 Easy-to-Care Pet Birds for Beginners (With Pictures & Care Tips)

If you're thinking about getting a pet bird, you're in for a fun, feathery ride! Birds are intelligent, colorful, and often full of personality. But not all birds are suited for beginners. Some need tons of attention, space, or special diets. 

Here, we’ll explore the 10 best pet birds for beginners that are easy to care for, friendly, and perfect for first-time bird owners.

Let’s explore the best low-maintenance pet birds you can bring home today!

1. Budgerigar (Budgie/Parakeet)

Why it's great for beginners:
Budgies are small, inexpensive, and relatively easy to care for. They can mimic human speech and enjoy socializing with their owners. Their small size means they don’t require huge cages.

Care Requirements:
- Cage Size: Small to medium
- Diet: Seeds, fruits, and veggies
- Lifespan: 7–10 years
- Interaction: Moderate

Bonus Tip: Train your budgie with treats and gentle repetition—they learn quickly!

2. Cockatiel

Why it's great for beginners:
Cockatiels are friendly, gentle, and easy to train. They love to whistle and mimic sounds. Their affectionate personality makes them a favorite among families.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium
• Diet: Pellets, seeds, veggies
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Interaction: High

Bonus Tip: Cockatiels thrive on daily interaction and love head scratches!

3. Lovebirds

Why it's great for beginners:
Lovebirds are affectionate, social birds that do well in pairs. They are active and playful, making them a joy to watch and interact with. While they don’t talk much, their chirps and antics make up for it.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium to large
• Diet: Pellets, seeds, fruits, and vegetables
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Interaction: Enjoys daily social time

Bonus Tip: Always keep lovebirds in pairs for their emotional well-being.

4. Zebra Finch

Why it's great for beginners:
Zebra finches are low-maintenance birds that thrive in pairs or groups. They are not hand-tame but are fun to observe and listen to as they chirp and fly around their cage.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium (horizontal space preferred)
• Diet: Seeds and greens
• Lifespan: 5–9 years
• Interaction: Low human interaction required

Bonus Tip: Provide plenty of perches and toys to keep them active.

5. Canary

Why it's great for beginners:
Canaries are admired for their singing. They are ideal for people who enjoy birds but prefer minimal handling. Males are the singers, while females are quieter.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium
• Diet: Canary seed mix and greens
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Interaction: Minimal

Bonus Tip: Keep canaries solo to prevent fighting unless breeding.

6. Parrotlet

Why it's great for beginners:
Parrotlets are small but packed with personality. They can be trained to talk and enjoy bonding with their owners. They require more interaction than finches or canaries.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium
• Diet: Pellets, fruits, and veggies
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Interaction: Daily attention needed

Bonus Tip: Keep as single pets unless well socialized from young age.

7. Green-Cheeked Conure

Why it's great for beginners:
These playful birds bond closely with owners and love physical interaction. Though a bit louder than smaller birds, they’re quieter than most conures.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Large
• Diet: Pellets, seeds, fruits
• Lifespan: 20–30 years
• Interaction: High

Bonus Tip: Provide regular out-of-cage play time.

8. Lineolated Parakeet

Why it's great for beginners:
Known as “Linnies,” these birds are calm, quiet, and very affectionate. They are one of the quieter parrot species, perfect for small homes.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium
• Diet: Pellets, vegetables
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Interaction: Enjoys human time

Bonus Tip: A great choice if noise is a concern.

9. Bourke’s Parakeet

Why it's great for beginners:
Gentle and quiet, Bourke’s Parakeets are sweet birds that do well in peaceful homes. They enjoy flying and do not demand constant interaction.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium with flight space
• Diet: Seeds, fruits
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Interaction: Moderate

Bonus Tip: Allow flight time outside the cage if possible.

10. Pacific Parrotlet

Why it's great for beginners:
Tiny, bold, and curious, these birds form strong bonds with their owners. They need social interaction and mental stimulation, making them ideal for involved owners.

Care Requirements:

• Cage Size: Medium
• Diet: Pellets, fresh foods
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Interaction: Daily handling required

Bonus Tip: Perfect for owners looking for a playful yet small companion.

🔹 Bird Care Tips

Taking care of your feathered friend doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some essential bird care tips every beginner should know to keep their pet bird happy and healthy.

🪺 Cage Size & Cleaning

Your bird’s cage is its home—make it spacious and clean! Choose a cage that allows your bird to fully stretch its wings and hop or fly a little. For small birds like budgies or canaries, a medium-sized cage works well, while larger birds like conures need more room.

Cleaning Tip: Clean the bottom tray every 2–3 days and wash food and water bowls daily. Do a full cage clean weekly using bird-safe disinfectants.

🥗 Feeding Schedule

A balanced diet is key to your bird’s health. Most pet birds do well on a base of quality pellets, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional seeds.

• Morning: Fresh pellets and a small amount of chopped fruits/veggies
• Evening: Refill pellets and clean water bowl

Always provide clean, fresh water, and remove uneaten fresh food after a few hours to prevent spoilage.

🎯 Daily Play & Interaction

Birds are social and intelligent creatures that need mental stimulation and social interaction every day. Even small birds like parrotlets or budgies enjoy out-of-cage time and toys.

• Talk to your bird daily
• Offer chewable toys, mirrors, and swings
• Allow at least 30–60 minutes of supervised play outside the cage if safe

Playtime strengthens your bond and keeps your bird from getting bored or developing bad habits.

🩺 Health Checkups

Regular vet visits help catch health issues early. Birds often hide signs of illness, so be observant:

• Watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or droppings
• Trim nails and beak (if needed) with professional guidance
• Schedule annual checkups with an avian vet

Tip: A healthy bird is active, alert, eats well, and has smooth feathers.

🧐 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the easiest bird to care for?

A: Budgies and Zebra Finches are among the easiest due to their small size, low maintenance, and friendly nature.

Q2: Which bird is best for small apartments?

A: Cockatiels, Canaries, and Linnies are quieter and perfect for apartment living.

Q3: Can beginner birds talk?

A: Yes! Budgies and Parrotlets can learn to mimic human speech with proper training.

Q4: Do pet birds need a lot of care?

A: Most beginner birds need daily food, water, cage cleaning, and some social interaction—but nothing overwhelming.

Q5: Should I get one bird or two?

A: Social species like Lovebirds and Finches thrive in pairs, while Parrotlets or Budgies may bond better with humans when solo.