(Midwest Avian Adoption & Rescue Services)
1. Can you handle messes? Birds are NOT clean pets by any measure of the word. I vacuum the birds' room daily, and within a few hours, you wouldn't be able to tell I'd vacuumed at all. They will throw food, water, wet food, dry food, sees, seed hulls, shred paper, get feathers everywhere (especially during a molt), poop on the carpet, get poop on the walls, on you, get wet food stuck to the ceiling. They will never "grow out of" making messes, and you cannot teach then to be clean.
2. Can you handle high levels of noise? Even small birds, like budgies, finches, and cockatiels, can create a huge racket when they feel like it. I can hear my birds, all of them, everywhere in the house. I can hear them outside as well. I'm sure the neighbors can hear them too. They can be incessant about it, squawking, chirping, singing, and whistling on and on for 8 hours at a crack. Healthy birds make a lot of noise.
3. Can you deal with the occasional bite (that may draw blood)? While budgies and cockatiels are generally very good natured, even the sweetest bird can bite. They bite for numerous reasons: being startled, frightened, angered, illness, injury or just plain to say, "Hey! I don't like that! STOP IT!" You need to know how to NOT take a bite personally. There is always a reason, and 99% of the time the bird gives several clear (in bird language) signals that it is upset or frightened. If you fail to read their body language, you'll be told to back off the only way the bird know how...with a bite.
4. Can you handle a 10-30 year commitment? Barring untreated illness, accidental death by i jury, or cancer a well cared for budgie can live for 10-20 years; a well cared for cockatiel, 15-30 years.
5. Can you afford regular vet costs? Emergency vet costs? Vet visits are not optional. When a bird starts showing signs of illness, they are already critically ill. Birds hide illness for as long as possible, so once you my notice you bird acting funny, every minute literally counts. This means you may have to pay for off hours emergency care if necessary.
Bottom line: If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the bird.
6. Can you afford a good cage, good food, and a never-ending supply of good toys? Plan on spending at least $80 on a moderately sized cage for a budgie, $120 for a cockatiel. MINIMUM cage size for a budgie is 16 inches square. MINIMUM cage size for a single cockatiel is 18 " x 20" This means the $20 "starter kit" cage or the $10 "But, the pet store said it was big enough" cage will not do.
7. Are you able to put the bird's health and happiness before yours? This means you can't take impromptu vacations, be away for days at a time, or leave the bird home alone for 8 hours while you work and then expect to go out that evening. Your bird will want, need and deserve attention whether you're tired, sick, overworked, want to go out or not.
8. For those who rent: Will the landlord/my neighbors be able to deal with the noise?
Not to discourage you from getting a 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.
So that's it. If that didn't scare you off, please down load application.