It was truly bird-mania at the end of last year in New Zealand, with the Bird of the Year poll garnering almost as much attention as the simultaneous general election. With the kea emerging triumphant, many have asked the question: can you keep a kea as a pet? Anyone with half a brain knows the answer is no – instead, here are our top five bird breeds as great household mates.
Budgies
These birds are so common – and cheap to buy – they're often mistreated or undervalued. In reality, there's a reason budgies are such prevalent pets: their great personalities. Often timid at first, budgies can form close bonds with their owners over time and are great choices for young, gentle
children.
Lorikeets
Lorikeets make wonderful pets and are a feast for the eyes with their colourful feathers. Mellow, intelligent and quick to learn, lorikeets tend to be happiest when housed as a group – so they make a great choice for someone looking to keep an aviary. Rainbow Lorikeets – originally from Australia – are a popular choice in New Zealand.
Cockatoos
Ah, the mischievous cockatoo. When properly raised, trained and socialised, these birds can be great, affectionate – even cuddly – pets. They can be a little high-maintenance though, so make sure you're someone with enough free time and the means to give your cockatoo the attention they crave and deserve.
Cockatiels
Smaller than cockatoos, cockatiels are extremely intelligent and are known for mimicking common household noises like kitchen appliances, telephones and even the doorbell. Like cockatoos, cockatiels need a nurturing environment with plenty of attention to ensure they don't act out or engage in destructive birdy behaviour.
