By Brian J. Lowney
Fur, fins and feathers
March 20, 2007 6:00 AM

If you're looking for a small pet with a big heart, a parakeet is a great choice. Parakeets are lively and affectionate and, when given proper care and an ample dose of attention, they'll thrive in almost any living situation. They make great companions for older folks and apartment dwellers whose landlords allow small birds.

Before becoming a bird-keeper, however, do your research.

"If you do decide to get a parakeet, it must be with deep thought," says Melissa Pacheco, 37, of Fall River. She's vice president of the Rhode Island Pet Bird Club, which serves Southern New England.

"Owning a bird is a big responsibility," she emphasizes, adding that she's kept parakeets since the age of 10. "It can't be a hasty decision. Just because parakeets are smaller doesn't mean that caring for them is any less of a responsibility."

She once owned 14 parakeets, mostly orphans that were relinquished by their owners. Today, her bird menagerie includes just one parakeet, an 8-year-old male named Riley. The bird flew into a house her husband Joe, a carpenter, was building. Unable to locate its owner, the couple added the bright yellow bird to the family.

Mrs. Pacheco says that young parakeets, like puppies and kittens, need lots of socialization, and are easier to train and imprint with an owner's personality.

"Look for young parakeets under the age of six months," she says. Birds that are not socialized as babies often become unfriendly adults and have a tough time adjusting to new situations and people.

One way to tell a parakeet's age is by the dark stripes atop its head, close to the cere (the membrane next to the upper beak, through which the nostrils open). Younger birds have more stripes on top, while older parakeets have a solid-colored head, which is usually yellow or white.

A parakeet's eyes should be bright, clear and free of any discharge. "The eyes tell a lot in a bird," she says. "Birds mask illness very well."

Don't buy a parakeet that appears to be frail or hides on the bottom of its cage, no matter how colorful it may be. Sick parakeets often fluff their wings to hide malnutrition and to appear bigger and stronger.

"In the wild, if a bird is weak, it ends up being prey for another bird or animal," she says. "It becomes lunch."

Mrs. Pacheco, who also owns a vibrant collection of parrots and cockatiels, warns that bald spots on a parakeet's body are another sign of illness or weakness.

"A parakeet should stand up for itself," she says, explaining that bald spots can be a sign of harassment by other birds or a skin disease that could become systemic and lethal if not properly treated.

"Parakeets should also be alert and conscious of their surroundings," she continues. "If a person gently taps on a cage or sticks his hand in, the bird should perk right up and look at you."

Parakeets should be kept in a clean, comfortable cage that's large enough for the bird to take flight.

"A cage should have the appropriate food and water dishes, and a few toys to amuse the bird," she adds.

Mrs. Pacheco, an art teacher and jewelry designer, says that parakeets are social animals and, in the wild, often fly with hundreds of other colorful birds. Some owners keep a pair of these talkative creatures or place a mirror in a long bird's cage so it will think it has company.

"They love to look at themselves," she notes.

Parakeets also love to chatter — some are capable of mastering more than 20 words, Mrs. Pacheco says.

"The only difference between males and females is that the boys are better talkers," she observes, adding that a parakeet can live more than a dozen years if well tended.

They thrive on fruits and vegetables, requiring no more than a quarter of their diet from birdfeed.

"If you just feed them seeds, they will become obese," she explains. "It would be like a human eating only peanuts."

Romaine, broccoli, apple slices and orange segments are favorites, as is pasta cooked al dente. Don't feed parakeets onion and avocado, which are toxic to the birds.

The Rhode Island Pet Bird Club offers education programs, a rescue and adoption service and social events for bird fanciers throughout Southern New England. The club also refers owners to veterinarians who specialize in treating parakeets, parrots and other birds. For more information, visit http://www.orgsites.com/ri/ripbc/

http://snipurl.com/1dluy

Overall, good article Mike! I definitely like this statement:

Just because parakeets are smaller doesn't mean that caring for them is any less of a responsibility.

I don't agree with the mention of mirrors acting as a substitute for a companion - I don't think mirrors are a good idea to have permanently in the cage, especially for a single bird.

Also - Parakeets also love to chatter — some are capable of mastering more than 20 words, Mrs. Pacheco says. 20 words?? LOL tell that to Jerry, his word count is over 100 by now, and still growing!!

Sarah, I know what you mean, it is one of the better articles I have found.
It does seem that they (news) are getting better at getting their "facts" straight even though there are some that will forever have their heads up their ... pants legs when it comes to certain things.
But overall we are also seeing more Parrots on TV and in commercials which might or might not be such a good thing.

I agree that most articles I've come across might not give all the best advice, they do at least do a decent job of conveying the needs and necessities of a parrot, even down to the wee wittle budgies.

I agree the article is informative & a good start. There is lots to learn about these birds - like any bird. My Laker was mature when I got him & he has responded very well to training - in fact he's brilliant, so i take some exception to the young bird as the best as a pet.

This site has some great info for anyone looking at a Budgie or a Grass Parakeet.
http://www3.sympatico.ca/davehansen/budbehav.html
It comes from a bird club devoted to the Parakeet.

I know it's still very early to completely tell, but I think Winston is responding very well to training (well, taming, no real training just yet) thus far as well. At the moment he's being easier to tame than Jerry was. Maybe that also has to do with us knowing more about how to handle the situation, but Winston's doing great. So I would also say that older birds make wonderful companions.