This section of the site is aimed mainly at teenagers who are considering a bird(of any kind) for a pet.
Yes, I know you know all about what proper care entails, but please consider the following before committing to a bird:

1. First thing, and this is to all those well meaning relatives and friends out there:NEVER GIVE A BIRD AS A GIFT!!!! In fact, never give any animal as a gift. A gift certificate for a pet store is a better option, or consult with the child and the child's parents, make sure they're aware of all the time and costs involved, and take them WITH YOU when the actual purchase is made.
   
   
2. A bird takes a LOT of time. Are you willing to put her needs before your wishes, your social life, etc...? If you neglect her so you can go to a lot of parties, go to a lot of movies, spend a lot of time with friends, or use the "too much homework" excuse, she will not be the happy, cuddly bird you'd originally wanted. She will most likely be fearful, "mean", and may even become a screamer.
   
   
3. Budgies can live for 20 years, cockatiels for 30+...larger parrots can make it up to 100. Even finches and canaries can live for 10+ years. What happens when you go away to college? Very few dorms allow pets other than fish. Will your parents provide proper care for your bird?
   
   
4. Speaking of parents, if you are not old enough to have a job or just plain don't have one, will your parents be willing to provide vet care for your bird should she become ill or injured? Will they be willing to buy a proper diet for her? Proper toys? A large cage? Or will they take the "I'm not paying for a vet visit for a $20 bird" attitude? That attitude is cruel to the bird, which depends on you for its well being. If you cannot afford these things, and your parents are not willing to front the costs for you, please wait in purchasing a bird until YOU are able to pay for these things.
   
   
5. Along the same lines: Are your parents dead set against you having a bird? Even if their reasons seem stupid to you, please remember that they are your parents, and that you live in their house. If, after discussing it with them, they still say no, or say they will not help you with any of the costs, or make it clear that they will not like the bird PLEASE do NOT bring one into your home. Birds pick up on when someone doesn't like them, and it makes it very stressful for the bird. You also don't know how your parents will act towards the bird when you are away. Will your parents be able to handle it if the bird calls for you during the day? What if she calls for you for hours and hours without stopping?
   After a hard day's work, will your parents be able to put up with even normal bird noise in the evening? What about just normal bird noise, which is music to bird lovers, but nails on a chalk board for some people? Will your parents be able to handle that, or will they always be yelling at the bird, or even worse, throw things at the cage or hit the cage out of frustration? Will they only "take so much of it" and tell you, after a time period, that the bird has to go because it's too noisy/messy/expensive, etc...? Please also keep in mind that rehoming can be extremely stressful on the bird. Some birds never recover from losing their home, and develop lifelong behavioral and psychological issues because of it.
   Bottom line: If your parents say no, respect their wishes and wait until you have your own place until you get birds. If you truly want birds as pets, you will still want them just as much after you move out.
   
   
6. If you are able to take the bird with you when you go to college, will you be able to give her the time and care she needs and deserves even though you may be going to class full time and working a part time/full time job? Remember, she doesn't care or understand that you have three papers due tomorrow and have been on your feet for 15 hours before coming home. She still needs and deserves attention, and when she doesn't get it, her reaction will likely be to yell and scream for attention. She will NOT understand that you have less time and "other things" that are "more important". Will you be able to give her the time she needs? Or will she end up one of the many birds that are shuffled from home to home, or that end up in a rescue?
   
   
7. Did you know the most common excuses for giving up a bird are "going away to college" and "don't have enough time for her"? Can you be 100% sure that your bird will not be one of these displaced babies?
   
   
8. Will you be able to afford everything your bird will need...good vet care, good food, good toys, a good cage? If your parents now pay for such things, what will happen when you're on your own? Will you still be able to give her proper care?
   
   
9. Please read the poem "A Cheap Bird's Plea". You can find it on the main page of Mickaboo.org
   
   
10. Please also read The Parrot's Bill of Rights

I don't mean this to discourage anyone from getting a pet bird; birds make WONDERFUL pets for those who are able and willing to care for them. These issues are something that DO need to be taken into consideration, the risks to the bird's happiness and well being are very real. You may get over losing your pet in a few weeks, some birds never get fully over losing their flock(you).