Budgerigars

Budgerigars were introduced to Britain from Australia in 1840 and have been popular ever since. Wild budgies are always green but the domesticated ones come in a variety of colours. In the wild they live in flocks so two budgies are happier than one and enjoy living in an aviary with other birds. Their natural habitat is scrubland and eucalyptus trees.

If you haven’t kept birds before, start with budgies. They make cheerful companions and live for up to ten years but need careful handling so are unsuitable pets for young children. Although initial costs can be quite high, ongoing costs are low. Budgies require attention for at least 10-15 minutes two to three times a day particularly if you want it to get accustomed to being handled.

They are not just pretty things; they enjoy toys and attention and can be taught to speak, whistle and interact with their owners. Males are more likely to talk but they need to be taught while young as they are unlikely to learn to talk after they are six months old. Many owners enjoy breeding and showing their birds.

Canaries

Canaries have been kept as pets in the UK since the 17th century and are famed for their singing. They originate from the Canary Islands and were first introduced to the Courts of Europe where they were chosen as pet birds because of their song and were kept as a sign of wealth. The best known variety, and the oldest, is the Norwich Canary which was brought to Britain by Flemish weavers escaping persecution. Like all birds they are sensitive to fumes and as late as 1986, they were used in coal mines to detect harmful gases present underground.

Canaries are not only colourful pets but provide music too. They are relatively inexpensive to buy and should live ten years, however they are best kept in an aviary as they are sociable and need company. They must have plenty of space to fly around. They do not like being handled and must not be kept in the same aviary as budgies who will bully them.

Large Parrots

This group of birds includes macaws, amazons, cockatoos and grey parrots varying in size from 12 inches to 3 feet long. Parrots have been kept as pets for a very long time: they are illustrated in Egyptian murals and mentioned by Roman writers. Pliny says that ‘when drunk it is a saucy bird’ and the poet Ovid laments the death of a parrot that had ‘a love of talk’. A parrot was imported to England in 1504, certainly Shakespeare was familiar with them but the most famous is Captain Flint, Long John Silver’s parrot in ‘Treasure Island’.

Parrots should never be an impulse buy! They will cost £200 to £2,000, need a cage at least big enough to spread their wings, (preferably an aviary), plenty of toys, some liberty and much attention each day. You can expect most varieties to live to at least 35yrs, some much longer, so be prepared to provide for them in your will.

If properly cared for you will have another member of the family who is an intelligent,

Useful information

• The RSPCA and PDSA have information sheets on bird care

• Melton Mowbray Budgerigar Club will give advice on breeding and exhibiting budgerigars (John Mears 01572 724728)

• Pipers Piece, Lubenham, near Market Harborough has one of the best collections of exotic birds in the country (www.piperspiece.co.uk)

• The Parrot Society recommends English bred & hand-reared birds and will help locate a vet specialising in birds (www.theparrotsociety.uk.org) friendly, playful and talkative companion: if not you will have an unhappy, destructive and noisy pet annoying the neighbours!