Harpo
Budgerigar
Acquired: Pet store
Gender: Male
Inexpensive, but still need proper care
Budgies are often seen as "throw-away" birds because they're so inexpensive, but they still require proper care.
Pros - They're small, less expensive ($15-20 for adoption), and less noisy than larger parrots. They chatter and whistle, but they don't create the ear-piercing screams of other birds. They can be taught to talk, but I've never had one that was a good talker (google Disco the Parakeet if you want to see a really good one).
Cons - Because they're birds, they require special food (pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables), and care from an avian vet. They should be seen by a vet once a year to maintain their health, which can cost a few hundred dollars depending on the tests they need. They also bite, and even though they have tiny beaks, they still hurt quite a bit. Budgies are very fragile. In my experience they're pretty healthy until they aren't, and often times there isn't much a vet can do because they're so small. I've had budgies that lived for 15+ years, and others that died unexpectedly in the first five years. Unfortunately breeder oversight by pet stores isn't very good, so it's not uncommon to get a sick bird without realizing it.
They're great birds for people who like parrots but don't have the funds to support a larger bird. I wouldn't say they're necessarily easier, unless you're comparing to a cockatoo or a macaw. They make good family birds in that the parents can be responsible for their care, but younger children can be exposed to the joy of pet birds.
