Parakeets

There are over 90 different types of birds that get the name of Parakeet. What we sell under the name "parakeet" are what most people think of when they hear the name- the friendly, brightly colored little birds that have become the number one kept pet bird in the country.

There are good reason why this is an excellent pet- to start, they aren't all that big. This means a lot. It means their cage doesn't need to be a mansion (although as with all birds, more space is all ways appreciated!). It means their food isn't big or specialized (read expensive parrot mixes) and they don't eat 2 pounds of it a day.

Another fine selling point is their ability to mimick. Although more pronounced on males of the specie, parakeets can be good talkers. Or they may not be. A bird owner shouldn't rely on the ability to talk to be the essential reason for a purchase- if it doesn't pan out, its a disappointed owner, and often times, a neglected bird.

Everyone knows how loveable a parakeet can be- stepping up on command, eating out of your hand, grooming you as if you were part of the "flock".... they are a pint sized parrot! Don't take their small size for small brains....these are smart birds! To make them more friendly, have outside cage time in a darkened room 20 minutes a day per bird. This will get them more and more hand tame. Be patient and win their trust. If your lucky enough to find a breeder that hand feeds them (many breeders find this appalling), you could get a very friendly people loving bird.

And the fact that they come in all sorts of colors, from shades of blue and green to white is certainly not a deal breaker, and if you don't necessarily want a pet parakeet, they can be housed in a cage with many other cage mates (of parakeets). Remember, they are a flock bird!