before.

Well, definitely the best birds not to get when you've just started out with birds are

large birds, like Macaws. Even Cockatoos or African Greys.

It's very tempting to get those birds because they're phenomenal. They're smart. They talk.

They're very interactive. But, they really require quite a bit of care.

So, we usually recommend that you start out with something a little smaller. Maybe a Parakeet,

a Budgerigar or a Cockatiel.

If you want something a little bit bigger you could consider a medium sized parrot.

Maybe a Conure or a Caique. I don't know. What would you say, Sarah?

Sarah: I would say that birds this size are about among the best for beginners. While

these guys can be a little louder than a Parakeet or a Cockatiel, they're also very smart and

playful.

When I think that a lot of times what people are looking for when they want to get a bird,

they want that bird that's going to bond with them. That's going to play with them.

And a lot of these smaller birds are very smart. They can learn tricks. They can do

different behaviors and you can really work with them. And I think it's a good opportunity

for people to learn how to work behaviorally with a bird if you get a smaller one. And

then, when they're ready they can move on to the bigger birds.

Doctor Hess: Yeah. Good things come in small packages. You know, birds don't have to be

huge to be fun and interactive. They're a little less intimidating when they're small.

I think people do develop a comfort level with little birds.

And when they're ready they can even move up and have more than one bird.

But, please, please don't rush out as your first bird and get a big, big Macaw. I think

that you'll be disappointed and that it may be a little more than you expect. And that

bird will live with you then for another 30, 40 years.

And, until you're sure you're really a bird person, maybe it's best to start with something

a little smaller.