How to Buy a Talking Bird

Buying a talking bird is an easy way to get some company around the house. If you buy a bird that's already talking, you don't have to go through the process of training it. If it already has a basic vocabulary, you can just teach it some additional phrases.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Determine what breed of talking bird you want. These include: the African gray, the Greater Hill Mynah, the Yellow-naped Amazon, the Yellow-fronted Amazon, the Quaker Parakeet and the blue and gold macaw.

2. Buy an older bird. Older birds have been around the block a few times and know more words than younger birds. While birds do have a fairly short lifespan, you will be happier with your older bird if you want one that talks.

3. Figure out how much time you'll be spending with your talking bird. Certain breeds, such as amazons, macaws and cockatoos, thrive on being around people. If you have a lifestyle that has you at home many hours out of the day, then these breeds might be best for you.

4. Buy two active birds like parakeets or mynahs if you are away from your birds for many hours at a time. Parakeets and mynahs like to be with other birds and can keep themselves company.

5. Keep your birds out of earshot from your neighbors if you're going to have a cockatoo or macaw. These birds require plenty of space and can become rather loud.