Bird Care: The 411
Canary
Scientific name: Serinus canarius
Size: Five to seven inches long
Lifespan: Seven to ten years
Ever wonder where wild canaries live? These super singers come from the islands off the northwestern coast of Africa—the Canary Islands, of course! Male canaries are major singers, and will break into a chorus of cheerful melodies. Females like to chill out a little more, and may only peep or warble.
Your canary will prefer a cage that's wider, rather than taller—this'll give her room to fly and hop back and forth. Most canaries don't like to share the same cage, so it's best to keep just one. Some females can get along, but males will fight.
Cockatiel
Scientific name: Nymphicus hollandicus
Size: 11 to 14 inches long
Color: Yellow, white or gray with orange splotches
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
These smart, active birds come from the land down under—Australia. Cockatiels love to climb on their cages and play with hanging toys. These movers and shakers prefer tall cages, so they can climb up to the highest perch.
Female cockatiels are real sweeties, while their male counterparts are loud chirpers who can be taught to speak. (Be patient with your bird, though, because not all cockatiels are big talkers.) Both males and females love attention, so you should spend lots of time with them.
Parakeet (also known as budgie or budgerigar)
Scientific name: Melopsitt undulatus
Size: 7 inches long
Color: Green, blue, yellow, turquoise or white
Lifespan: Five to eight years
Parakeets are the most popular pet birds and are super-social with other parakeets. Most of these friendly flappers like to share cages and play with their parakeet pals. They like people, too, and can really make their owners laugh with their parakeet antics. Because they like to climb all over their cages and perches, parakeets prefer tall cages.
Beak speak: If the area above your parakeet's beak (called a cere) is blue, he's probably a boy!
Zebra finch
Scientific name: Poephilla guttata
Size: 4 inches long
Color: Grey, black, buff; males have orange cheek patches
Lifespan: Seven to ten years
Finches are the most colorful bird pets, and make lots of different sounds. The males tend to be more colorful—and way sillier! Finches love to hang with each other, and females especially like to live together. If you have two males, make sure they have a large cage—they'll need their space.
It's showtime! Finches are not as loud as some birds, but they really make up for it 'cause they know so many tunes. These guys are major entertainers—and sometimes the males will do dances to impress the females...watch out, Justin Timberlake!
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