The Smartest Birds to Get as Home Pets!
Deciding to get a pet is a big decision, and not one you should take lightly! Adding a pet to your home is a big commitment and responsibility. Based on your lifestyle, certain pets may or may not be right for you and your family.
On the other hand, taking the time to find the perfect pet for your home can be the best thing you ever do! It is undeniable that pets have a positive impact on our lives. Do you have children? Getting them their first pet is a big deal! This is not just a happy addition to the family, but also a great way to teach responsibility. Have your children help out with taking care of your pet- it is a great life lesson to learn.
While many homes may choose to get a dog or a cat, there is a growing trend to go in a different direction. If you want a pet that will enrich your life but doesn’t take quite as much responsibility as a dog, why not get a bird? Birds are certainly a major responsibility, like with any pet, but you do not have to worry about taking them outside to go to the bathroom or to get exercise. If you do not have a backyard, a bird is a great pet to get instead!
While birds may mainly live in their cage, with some training, you can have them outside of the cage and have them do all sorts of tricks. From dancing, to talking and singing, birds are some of the most fun, loving pets to have!
Are you looking to get a bird that is very trainable and smart to add to your home? Great decision! Birds are some of the smartest animals, and certain species in particular are incredibly smart and make for great home pets. We aren’t quite sure where the expression ‘bird brain’ comes from- birds are seriously smart!
Here are the 5 smartest birds to get as home pets!
1. African Grey Parrot
No matter how much research you do, pretty much consistently you will find that African Grey Parrots are some of the smartest birds out there, and they make for great pets! Best known for their ability to talk, these are wonderful creatures to bring into your life. Not only can these birds mimic what you say, they can actually over time understand what you are saying and respond accordingly. Yes- you can actually have a conversation with your bird! How cool is that?? Most research agrees that these birds can develop an intelligence of a 5-7 year old child. Along with that comes a fairly large vocabulary – some African Greys can learn up to 100 words!
These birds are great to have as pets and love social interaction. Just like a child, you will easily start to see that these birds develop their own personality, which is part of the true joy of having this type of bird! This is a great choice if you are looking for a bird that you really want to interact with (not just look at as they sit in their cage).
2. Cockatoo
If you are looking for a bird that might like to sing more than they speak, the cockatoo is a great option! These birds can grow to be pretty big in size, and with that comes a big personality as well! Cockatoos are wonderful birds to have as pets, and they will easily become the most fun member of the family! Cockatoos are known for being vocal and singing, and also for liking to perform tricks and play games! These birds are also highly intelligent and are known for figuring out how to break out of their cage- so make sure you keep an eye on them or get a smart lock!
Something else to keep in mind with cockatoos is that they have a longer lifespan than a lot of other birds. Some cockatoos can live to be up to 70 years old! If you do decide to get a cockatoo, make sure you have a solid plan in place for who will take care of him or her for the many decades they will be in your life. They are sure to hold a special place in your heart and are wonderful, smart birds to consider adopting.
3. Budgerigar
Do you have something smaller in mind? No problem! Budgerigars (also known as Budgies) are a small species of parrot, and they are also known for being very intelligent! These cute little birds love to be social and can learn to talk and sing. These are some of the most popular house birds that people have, and with good reason.
These are smart birds that love to have fun- and love to listen to music and dance! Who wouldn’t want to add a singing, dancing member to the family? Because of their small size and popularity they also tend to be much more affordable, making them a great option if you want a pet but do not have a large budget to spend. They deserve just as much attention and love, though!
4. Macaw
A Macaw is another type of parrot, and therefore as you can imagine, another incredibly intelligent bird that makes for a great home pet! Macaws love communicating, especially with other birds, and are said to have the intelligence of a toddler! They can learn words and are also great at problem solving- a highly intelligent skill you won’t find in just any animal! Macaws are also long living birds, living on average 40-50 years.
Be prepared to have them in the family for a long time! Macaws are also known for their bright colors- with the specific colors depending on the specific species you have. If you are looking for a loving, friendly, bright looking bird, the Macaw is a great option for you!
5. Conure
Finally, another smaller bird option to consider is the conure. These birds are another small species of parrot. There are several species of conures, but they all make excellent home pets, and what they lack in size they make up for in intelligence! Conures are very social birds and enjoy a lot of mental stimulation.
Make sure they either have a friend to play with, you to talk to, or a lot of toys to keep them busy (or best of all- all 3!) Conures are also known for their beautiful bright feathers in shades of red and green. They have a pretty good lifespan as well, typically living between 15 and 20 years!
Wrapping Up
Whether you believe it or not, it is true that birds are some of the smartest pets and make for great home pets no matter how large or small of a house you have! They can bring so much fun into your life and your children’s lives as well.
Which type of bird do you think would work best in your household? Let us know! Make sure if you do decide to adopt a bird that you do your research and are ready to take care of it. Once you make the commitment there is no going back, but we know you will absolutely love having a new feathery family member!
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