• Welcome to Avian Avenue! To view our forum with less advertisments please register with us.
    Memberships are free and it will just take a moment. Click here

Which bird is right for me?

joshjosh17

Meeting neighbors
Joined
1/25/21
Messages
69
Real Name
Josh
I’ve been in the area of my house that my budgie is housed in- I opened the curtains for him two and a half hours ago and he hasn’t stopped making noise for longer than a minute at a time. He will chatter non stop for a massive part of the day with a few 20 min quiet sessions, when he sees birds outside, when someone makes any kind of noise the budgie is off again.

They’re popular because they’re cheap and small so easy to obtain and house. It’s sad really
Starting to think getting a budgie is a bad idea for me...
 

Menagerie Mama

Sprinting down the street
Avenue Veteran
Joined
12/12/14
Messages
570
Real Name
Heidi
I have told people in all seriousness that if someone wants a phone call with me, they need to text me so I can go over to my office (separate building next door to the house)...I enjoy my birds’ vocalizations, but have been told by many that they find the budgies’ background noise irritating on phone calls.
If the tv is on, the budgies are happily providing their own accompanying soundtrack. If I’m on the phone, they ramp up the volume and chatter, as if they are calling out things that they want me to convey to the caller. These are serious flock creatures and want to be part of your activities

As someone else said, a happy budgie is a noisy budgie o_O
 
Last edited:

Menagerie Mama

Sprinting down the street
Avenue Veteran
Joined
12/12/14
Messages
570
Real Name
Heidi
As @Shezbug said, it is sad that budgie popularity is down to the fact that they are inexpensive. Too many people consider them inconsequential and fail to provide the sort of environment and care that is needed for them to have a good life...the poor budgies pass away far younger than they need to and the person simply goes out and purchases a “replacement”:sad10:
 

MC_Hahn's

Walking the driveway
Joined
3/20/20
Messages
265
Real Name
Marie C.
I can only speak from my personal experience, and so please take my advice with a grain of salt.

Bigger birds have larger droppings, but smaller birds are poop machines. My budgies poop more than my 'tiel, and most of the time you don't notice their droppings until you step on them. If you don't want a bird crapping on your bed, have a different area for the bird to perch (a playstand, curtain rod, etc.).
When it comes to noise, budgies are constantly squawking. Their distance calls are quite loud and unpleasant, in my opinion. My cockatiel is around 4x louder than a budgie at full volume, but that is usually twice a day, for twenty minutes each scream session. He calls in the morning and in the afternoon and is nearly silent the rest of the day. My parents and family friends have said similar things of their 'tiels.

Remember that even a budgie or finch can cost thousands in veterinary bills, should something unfortunate occur. You will likely spend a good chunk of money on toys and perches alone each year. No bird that is properly cared for will be "cheap", which is defined as in reference to another object's price.

Most importantly, choose and love your future fid for what it is, not for what you want it to be. Every bird is different, and you must be aware of these differences. Always assume that your bird will be the most noisy, messy, and destructive of its species.

Best of luck to you in your search for a feathered friend! :)
 

DesertBird

Rollerblading along the road
Celebirdy of the Month
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
1/9/21
Messages
1,145
Location
NY, USA

Zara

♥❀Livin´ in Lovebird Land❀☼
Super Moderator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Avenue Concierge
Joined
1/8/18
Messages
31,366
Location
Reino de España
If you don't want a bird crapping on your bed, have a different area for the bird to perch (a playstand, curtain rod, etc.).
....and don´t be surprised when they don´t use it and prefer to sit on the bed :lol:
 

Mizzely

Lil Monsters Bird Toys
Super Moderator
Vendor
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Avenue Concierge
Joined
8/9/11
Messages
39,968
Location
Northern Mitten Michigan
Real Name
Shawna [she/her]
Put a sheet over your bed to prevent any poop on it. Poop doesn't travel far usually; but the mess from food and toys ends up ALL OVER. I've found wood pieces in my bed at the other end of the house where my bird never goes :lol:

Honestly I think if the only place you can have birds is in your bedroom, it may not be a good fit.
 

tka

Rollerblading along the road
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
4/4/17
Messages
4,433
Location
London, UK
Unfortunately, you've hit on the two big issues with birds.

Yes, happy birds will vocalise. They will produce a variety of chirps, beeps, clucks, screams and so on. Different people have different levels of noise tolerance. I find my larger bird's various sounds absolutely fine (except perhaps the full on yell that makes my ears ring) but lovebird calls just set my teeth on edge (sorry @Zara!). It's a good idea to listen to as many parrots as possible - there are lots of youtube videos so set one to loop for a while.

Most birds' bodies are designed to be as lightweight as possible (exceptions are found in flightless birds like penguins and ratites). Even their bones are hollow, with lightweight struts to provide strength. To a bird, poop is unnecessary waste to carry around. Every extraneous fraction of a gram to carry means more effort taking off, a change in the centre of gravity, heavier and potentially clumsier landings. As a result, birds defecate very frequently so that they're carrying around as little extra weight as possible. The biology of it is actually rather elegant. As others have said, you can cover areas that you want to protect, but poop on your things is inevitable.

Other things to factor in are the cost of vet care and the length of birds' lifespans. Birds need to visit a specialist avian vet because most non-specialists don't receive enough training to properly diagnose and treat a bird's illness. This can be very expensive.
Many small species of parrot live a good 10-15 years. Cockatiels can live into their late twenties and even thirties. You have to take a very careful look at your life and whether you are in a position to commit for the next decade or two.

Personally, given what you've said, I don't think a bird is a good fit for you.
 

DesertBird

Rollerblading along the road
Celebirdy of the Month
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
1/9/21
Messages
1,145
Location
NY, USA
Actually, now that I think about it, I think a bunny might be a better pet for you. Have you ever considered getting one? They are soft and cuddly, very friendly, they are smart enough to be trained, they don't make much noise at all, and they are not particularly messy. I know that's not what you came here to ask about, but I think you would be happier with a pet like that.
But, if you have your heart set on a bird, then you will have to be prepared to make some adjustments to the way you live.
 

Sparkles99

Biking along the boulevard
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
8/9/20
Messages
6,315
Location
Ontario, Canada
Bunnies aren't cuddly.

Take it from a 3rd time house rabbit person who also rabbit-sat, before getting my own, & has fostered for someone who adopted a formerly abused bun they couldn't initially handle.

They're also expensive to care for, which may or may not be a consideration. Litter, veggies, hay, pellets - easily more expensive than any cat I've ever had. They take up space & destroy stuff: furniture, rugs, books, you name it. So direct & indirect costs, & direct & indirect mess.

As for birds, honestly, I wasn't expecting the noise budgies make. Everyone said they were quiet. I guess that's a relative term. :lol:

Consider canaries. They & budgies are the only birds I'd seriously envisage owning, despite being periodically tempted by gouldian and zebra finches. They sound like they'd fit the bill. :)
 

Shezbug

ASK ME FOR PICTURES OF MY MACAW!
Super Moderator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
4/28/18
Messages
25,833
Location
Vic, Australia
Real Name
Shez
I've never had gerbils, but you have to remember that birds are not just going to make little chirps. If they get upset or excited, they shriek. Loud. You can definitely hear that through a mic.
I can try to get a video of my budgies. I'll have to show it to you in a PM though because I don't have a youtube account.
You will need to link your footage regardless of it being posted to the main forum or a PM.
 

Sunni Tiel

Rollerblading along the road
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
1/18/21
Messages
1,201
Location
Missouri
Real Name
Rachel
My sister has a budgie that lives in the same house as me and my cockatiel, the budgie sort of makes quiet chirps all day long, but it's sort of become a background noise and it's hardly noticeable. I like the sound of budgies, and he chirps through his sleep even when he's napping during the day. he's completely silent during the night though. My cockatiel is usually very quiet, but once or twive a day around noon or later he squeaks and whistles and chirps at the top of his cage. he stops after about 15-30 minutes though. As for mess, It's mostly seed and food bits with feathers and some poop around the cockatiel cage, the poop is only within 5 inches of the cage, but the seeds reach all the way across the floor somehow. All the mess and noise is totally worth it! My cockatiel loves me unconditionally and just wants to be with me all the time. The budgie is from pet co, It took 7 months to tame her and she still doesn't like to be handled. Over all they are really quiet compared to most birds, but that may be just because I live in a house with 8 people and am used to noise. :roflmao:
 

Zara

♥❀Livin´ in Lovebird Land❀☼
Super Moderator
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Avenue Concierge
Joined
1/8/18
Messages
31,366
Location
Reino de España
but it's sort of become a background noise and it's hardly noticeable.
I feel that way about my birds, but some people think I´m mad :shrug:
Again, it comes down to how much we can adapt and tolerate the noises - I bet there will be people who won´t like those soft chirpy sounds.
 

Pistachio

Meeting neighbors
Joined
12/13/20
Messages
59
I have 3 small birds in my bedroom, 2 budgies and 1 cockatiel. The mess is EVERYWHERE. When I get into bed at night I can feel little bits of toys, food, sticks, etc under my feet. There are dried bits of veggies caked to my walls that I couldn’t get off without a damaging the walls. And don’t even start with molting. It’s like my bird exploded, and then invited every other bird ever over to our house and they exploded too. And poop. It gets on the floor, the walls (I just don’t know how), and pretty much every thing else. I believe others have mentioned this, but their favorite place will most definitely be the 1 place you don’t want them to be. My 2 budgies aren’t loud, just consistant. My cockatiel is surprisingly quiet, until I leave the room, and it sounds like a klaxon (this is a cockatiel, I think all macaw owners deserve an award:lol:)

I don’t mean to try and scare you away, but the three things bird owners notoriously have to live with is poop, mess, and noise. If I was to recommend any bird it would be a dove, though I don’t know much about them, I know they’re much quieter then parrots. Good luck!
 

camelotshadow

Joyriding the Neighborhood
Avenue Veteran
Celebirdy of the Month
Joined
11/9/11
Messages
21,494
Location
S California
Real Name
Christine
I'm afraid you have no idea what life with a bird will be. So do lots of research & make sure you can live with it.

Hamsters & gerbils sounds are almost silent.
If a few dishes banging or the squeal of a hamster wheel register as noise to you then
you really will be in store for a rude awakening. Some of us use earplugs just to take the chill off the nerves a few decibels. There will be no peace & quiet or calm silence. You will never know when it will begin or end. No time to chat on facetime without them joining in & they do know when you are on the phone & like to give there opinions on the subject.
Life will never be the same again. Be sure its something you can live with.

Poop can not be directed off a bed. They will explore when out of the cage & they will poop wherever & whenever they feel the urge. You would have to cover the bed with a sheet & take it off when they go back into the cage. This would be a daily chore.

Really put yourself into this for the next 10, 30 or more years daily! There are no holidays.

Maybe a finch or canary? Not quiet but many find the song endearing.


Dove not quiet but less so than a parrot. Wow its almost comical. Sounds like a laugh:rofl:

 

AussieBird

Rollerblading along the road
Celebirdy of the Month
Mayor of the Avenue
Avenue Spotlight Award
Joined
7/23/20
Messages
4,651
Real Name
Call me AB
Bunnies aren't cuddly.
Can you come tell my sister's one that? He demands you pet and love him.


As for birds, honestly, I wasn't expecting the noise budgies make. Everyone said they were quiet.
Whoever said this needs to come to my house at breakfast time :meh:


Anyway, I feel if you are certain you want a bird, visiting and hanging around different birds is the best way for you to find out which is the best for you.
 

MC_Hahn's

Walking the driveway
Joined
3/20/20
Messages
265
Real Name
Marie C.
I've had gerbils in the past, as well as guinea pigs, dogs, fish, and some birds. Birds have by far been the loudest--The budgies can be even louder than a barking Great Dane when they put their minds to it! If your room echoes, consider that factor as well.

Gerbils aren't all that loud. My gerbils would jump from the floor of their cage to the top, hitting their heads on the door all night long. Their wheels squeaked constantly, they were always crunching away at something or other, and they scratched at their toys and bedding. Never in a million years would I compare them with birds, though.

I've also noticed that gerbil poop and pee is messier that that of birds, which is a bonus. Bird poop usually doesn't smell, either.

If you want a quiet, friendly, calm, quiet, and cuddly pet, perhaps a small rodent, as others have mentioned. Guinea pigs, hamsters, and/or fish might be more fitting for your current lifestyle. Do you plan on changing jobs, getting married, having kids, etc. in the future if you haven't already? A messy, demanding, screaming parrot likely isn't going to help.

Please continue to do your research on birds, specifically the ones you mentioned previously. There are so many valuable resources available in today's day and age.

Of course, the final decision is up to you. :D
 

joshjosh17

Meeting neighbors
Joined
1/25/21
Messages
69
Real Name
Josh
I have told people in all seriousness that if someone wants a phone call with me, they need to text me so I can go over to my office (separate building next door to the house)...I enjoy my birds’ vocalizations, but have been told by many that they find the budgies’ background noise irritating on phone calls.
If the tv is on, the budgies are happily providing their own accompanying soundtrack. If I’m on the phone, they ramp up the volume and chatter, as if they are calling out things that they want me to convey to the caller. These are serious flock creatures and want to be part of your activities

As someone else said, a happy budgie is a noisy budgie o_O
yea I’m a bit scared of all the noise. Kinda questioning now. It really sucks cuz I want a companion like that and a bird sounds so awesome but the noise might be a deal breaker.
 
Last edited:
Top