Small psittacids
Lovebirds and company: small but lively
Psittacines (parakeets and parrots) have fascinated humans for centuries, not least for their gift for mimicry. The family includes more than 300 species; among the most common in private homes are three small, easy-going birds.
Three popular companions
- The budgerigar — along with the canary, one of the most widespread cage birds. See its factsheet.
- The cockatiel — gentle and not very noisy, it becomes tame very easily when reared young. See its factsheet.
- Lovebirds — small, colourful parrots, somewhat noisy, which become very friendly if they are accustomed to contact early on.
The essentials of their needs
What these birds have in common is a need for space, for company (their own or yours) and for things to do. A spacious cage, a quality seed mix supplemented with greens and fruit, a cuttlebone for calcium, and above all time spent with them: that is the basis of a well-balanced bird. Boredom and loneliness are their main enemies, and often show up as excessive screaming or feather plucking.
Content from the Au Furet veterinary practice, rewritten for owners.
In Switzerland: no permit required No permit required, but keeping is subject to the TSchV requirements on living conditions: minimum space, social contact, and appropriate feeding and care. Legal framework in detail →
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