ALBAWABA - When it comes to which pets to own, birds tend to be not the most favored
It might be easy to think birds are just some messy and loud animals, and you might think that getting a dog or a cat would be more rewarding overall as they tend to be more sociable and affectionate, but does that mean there is nothing good about birds as pets?
Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider having birds as pets:
1. They don't take up too much space
If you wanted a pet and you happen to live in a small apartment, getting a cat or a dog might be difficult, as not only would they need the space to move around, but their stuff would also take up some room. On the other hand, getting a bird, which happens to take up very little space, would be much more manageable.
2. They need minimal grooming
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Birds are known for being clean and hygienic animals that are easy to be taken care of and since birds have feathers, they groom themselves by preening and oiling their plumage, which helps in keeping them clean and maintain their feathers' health. Unlike with dogs and cats, you don't have to worry about shampoos and flea baths with birds.
This can make birds great pets for people who have physical limitations or medical conditions that make it difficult for them to handle the needs of cats and dogs. All you really need to do as a bird owner is to give them a quick nail trim.
When given access to a bath, a bird will bathe itself, so that's also another thing you won't have to worry about.
3. More affordable
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Another great thing about owning a pet bird is that they tend not to cost as much to be taken care of. Most pet birds feed tend to be inexpensive, and birds typically need very small amounts of food, so whatever you buy for them will last a long time, so you won't have to worry about rebuying food for them as much as you would for other pets.
4. Long lives
The idea of a pet dying is something every pet owner dreads, but lucky for bird owners some types of birds live for a very long time, much more than cats and dogs.
Some birds can live up to 20 or even 30 years, while some birds, such as Amazon Parrot, can live up to 60 years old. They can be the perfect pet for people who hate having to say goodbye to their pets.
5. Sociable and affectionate
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This might come off as a shock to people who don't know much about birds and never had one as a pet, but they can be pretty sociable and affectionate, sometimes just as much as a cat or a dog if trained right.
There is this common misconception that a bird has to be in a cage all the time, but the truth is that some people keep their birds out of their cages for several hours a day, without them causing any disturbance.
Spending time with your bird outside of its cage can strengthen the bond between you and your pet, and it can make them feel comfortable flying onto your shoulder or head.
