Local Veterinarian Directory: What Australian Birds Make Great Pets?

Anyone looking to adopt a pet bird is interested in a species that’s gentle, friendly and perfectly suited as a companion pet. If you have little to no experience caring for a pet bird, you need to take these traits into consideration. Note that, it’s always easier to bond and take care of a bird or pet that’s friendly and affectionate rather than an aggressive and frightful one.

As a bird owner, you should expect to get a few bites here and there. However, you can minimize the risk considerably by choosing a bird species renowned for being gentle and sociable. Here are some of the top species renowned for being friendly and loving companions. Australia is home to numerous native species such as magpies, kookaburras, cockatoos and many more.

You can always find these species in your local parks or backyards, partly the reason why many Australian residents want these birds as pets. However, there are some regulations regarding which species can be tamed as pets and the restrictions might vary from one state to the other. Remember, the native bird species are protected and it’s illegal to catch or trap them in the wild. Here is a list of the best native Australian bird species that would make amazing pets.

1. Gouldian Finch

The Gouldian Finch – surely the world’s most strikingly coloured small bird. We’re helping land managers across northern Australia, like at Fish River Station, to improve their fire practices to protect habitat for threatened species like this stunning beauty.

2. Budgerigar

It is also referred to as a parakeet. It’s one of the common household bird species found in Australia. Budgies are the best bird species for children or anyone looking to own their first pet bird. The bird is beautiful with an outgoing and bright personality, perfect for living in a small cage.

3. Galah

It is one of the most common and the smallest species of cockatoo birds found in Australia. It has proper housing, which is a large aviary, the bird is a good pet for someone looking to tame a large bird. Also, it’s the quietest of the cockatoo species but the bird has a very loud scream. However, the bird thrives on companionship with other birds so take note of that when you choose it as a pet.

4. Cockatiel

It has actually been regarded as a great pet bird for a very long time. Although it has a temper, it often varies from sweet to medium depending on the situation. The bird can comfortably live with a single companion or in a flock of similar species as well as with other birds. If you keep a cockatiel as a pet bird, you should regularly allow it out of the cage for regular exercise unless you keep them in a large and horizontal aviary or cage. The bird is very affectionate and can live comfortably in an apartment or a nursing home.

5. Rainbow Lorikeet

It is a colorful bird and is perfect for any bird lover willing to dedicate their time to keep the bird. A Lorikeet can live comfortably in a small cage in your house especially if you allow it to fly around regularly. However, you can always settle for an aviary. Keep in mind that the bird produces a lot of droppings so you should always keep the aviary or cage clean by hosing it down frequently.