Children love all types of animals, from the slimy to the slithery to the furry to the fantastic. Not only are birds great animals for children to observe and learn about, but they also fascinate kids in a way that other animals can’t: birds can fly!
Finding the right breed for your home is not hard. The real trick is to teach your family the proper way to take care of the new family member. Make sure they know that birds are sensitive to rapid changes in temperature, air quality and diet. In addition, rough handling can easily injure them.
Never buy a bird or any other pet with the belief that it is the child’s responsibility to take care of it. And always supervise your children when they handle your pet bird. In fact, children under 6 years should not handle birds at all. Because of general temperament and size, the following breeds should fit well in a home that has children:
• Conures
• Budgie
• Cockatiels
• African greys
• Finches
For more information about birds and children, check out Bird Channel.