A bird is an ideal pet for people who prefer more sedate activities, and who do not have the time or inclination to play fetch with their dogs or pay attention to their cats.
In other words, birds are ideal for people who have not much time to devote to pets but would like to own a pet nonetheless.
However, even if you are suited to owning a pet bird, it is worth taking some time to think about to what bird you will be ideally suited rather than just picking any bird.
You will want to choose the type of bird which will be best for you and your lifestyle.
If you are short of time, it is probably wisest to choose a small or medium sized bird as they do not require as much attention.
While it is true that larger birds usually make for a better companion, the downside is that they tend to be more of a handful to look after, and can be quite loud and messy.
Another consideration is whether you want to choose a bird that you can get out of its cage and pet, or if you would prefer a bird that you just look at and stays within its cage.
Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds but these are also one of the loudest ones.
A compromise is to get a parrotlet instead.
Parrotlet are a smaller version of parrots but they do not lack intelligence or energy.
Another parrot version is the parakeet.
Parakeets are smaller than standard-sized parrots but they are still very intelligent and highly trainable, if reared properly.
They are fun to have around, very colorful, and beautiful to look at.
A good choice if you want a medium-sized bird is a cockatiel.
These are very clever and precocious birds, and you expect them to learn mimic just about any sound in your house.