How to care for your pet bird - RSPCA
Common pet birds
Budgies
Small parrots that live in large flocks in the Australian grasslands, also called shell parakeets.
Zebra finches
Found across most of Australia, these finches pair up for life.
Canaries
These birds from the Canary Islands have been bred in captivity for many years and are well known for their songs.
Lovebirds
Native to Africa, these small parrots are brightly coloured.
Cockatiels
The smallest member of the cockatoo family, and great mimics!
African grey parrots
These very intelligent birds live in Africa, but are sadly endangered in the wild.
Many birds are very intelligent, and they lead busy lives in the wild - finding food, flying and living in groups. That’s often hard to replicate in captivity, so they can be difficult to look after. Caring for a pet bird can be very rewarding, but they’re also a big commitment - some parrots can live for over 50 years! Different birds will have different welfare needs, so it’s very important to do your research to find out what your bird needs.
Pet care advice for birds
Read our expert care information to find out more about how to give your pet bird a good life. We’ve focused on the most common species kept as pets such as budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and other parrots. Our experts regularly update our care advice, so keep checking back for the latest information.
- Behaviour - understanding your bird
- Company - living with other birds
- Diet - the right food for your bird
- Enrichment - giving your bird a good life
- Environment - giving your bird a good place to live
- Flying - letting your bird fly freely
- Training - how to train your bird
We are concerned about birds being traded and kept as pets, as sadly it’s not unusual for some parrots to be taken from the wild for the pet trade. Find out more about our concerns with exotic pets.