Whether you’re a first-time owner or a lifelong pet person, this is your happy place. Pick your pet, meet the breed, and pick up care tips, fun facts and the right food to keep them thriving.
- 1Choose your pet
- 2Meet your pet
Bird care guide
Companion Birds
From cheeky budgies to clever parrots.
- LifespanBudgies 5 to 10 years, large parrots 30+
- DietSeed or pellets plus fresh veg
- HomeRoomy cage and daily out-of-cage time
- EnergyActive and social
About
Companion birds range from chirpy budgies to cockatiels and clever parrots. Most are flock animals, so they thrive on routine, company and plenty to do.
Personality and behaviour
Curious, clever and expressive. Many learn to mimic sounds or perform tricks, and most get bored (and noisy) without stimulation.
Care tips
Exercise
Time out of the cage every day in a bird-safe room, plus perches, ladders and swings.
Home
Choose a cage big enough to fully stretch their wings. Clean food and water daily and wash the cage weekly.
Health
Avoid draughts, smoke and fumes from non-stick cookware. A fluffed-up, sleepy or tail-bobbing bird may be unwell, so see an avian vet.
Recommended food
A quality seed or pellet base topped up with fresh vegetables and a little fruit each day, plus a cuttlebone or mineral block. Never feed avocado, chocolate or caffeine.
Fun facts
- Budgies can learn dozens of words.
- Some larger parrots can live for decades, and some past 50 years.
- A cockatiel's crest shows its mood: raised means curious or alert.
This guide is general information to help you get started. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your animal best.