Each bird breed comes with its own set of care requirements, personality traits, and social needs, so it is important to find one that fits your lifestyle.
With their vibrant colours, melodies, and unique personalities, birds make wonderful companions.
We often see avian patients at our vet clinics — ranging from lovebirds and budgies, to larger parrots and pigeons, quails and cockatiels, and even chickens and ducks.
In Singapore, bird owners often favour smaller breeds, partly due to the space constraints in most of our homes. Lovebirds, cockatiels, budgies or parakeets, African Grey parrots, and canaries are among some of the most popular breeds here. We go through their typical temperaments and essential care tips for each breed below.
Read on to also find out more about the common health concerns among pet birds.
We are here to answer your questions, address any concerns, and provide you with expert veterinary recommendations on how to keep your pet birds happy and healthy. Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery provides veterinary services for birds including health checks, blood tests, scans, and more.
Have a question? WhatsApp our friendly staff at 8891 4417 for the Upper Thomson vet clinic, or 8809 0787 for our Yishun vet clinic.
1. Lovebirds
One of the most beloved avian breeds in Singapore, lovebirds are known for their affectionate nature and colourful plumage. These small parrots come in a range of vibrant colours, including green, yellow, and peach.
Lovebirds are social creatures and thrive in pairs, often forming strong bonds with their owners or with each other.
They are all right with beginner pet owners, though they require slightly more effort than with other avian species. Their average lifespan is around 10-12 years.
Care tips:
Lovebirds are prone to stress if kept alone for extended periods, so it is usually recommended to house them in pairs with another lovebird and also to provide extra attention. These birds will often develop fierce loyalties to their handler or their mate.
However, note that lovebirds can be aggressive towards other birds and fight — make sure that the pair of lovebirds can actually get along well together. Bonded pairs will frequently groom each other and feed each other.
Generally, lovebirds can maintain their nails and beaks on their own through climbing and chewing. That said, consult your veterinarian about nail or beak trimming if you have any concerns.
They tend to be quite vocal when they are happy, excited, or communicating with their human companions or other birds. You can expect a range of high-pitched chirps, squawks, and chatter.
Potential owners should note that as lovebirds thrive on social interaction, they may become noisier if they feel lonely or neglected. Excessive squawking could also indicate boredom, stress, or health issues.
2. Cockatiels
Another favourite in Singaporean homes, cockatiels are known for their playful personalities and signature beautiful crest feathers. They come in a variety of colors, with the most common being the classic grey with yellow accents on the head.
Cockatiels are great for first-time bird owners as they are relatively easy to care for, bond well with their human families, and generally have a gentle and friendly nature. Many typically live 10-15 years in captivity.
Care tips:
As cockatiels naturally live in big flocks in the wild, they will be the happiest in a spacious aviary setup. When housed indoors, the cage should be large and ideally have enough space to allow flight. The absolute minimum size must allow the bird to stretch its wings in all directions.
Do allow cockatiels to fly free around the house — in safe rooms with the windows and doors closed — under supervision. Take extra care as they can be prone to night frights and flying into walls or windows.
Cockatiels love to bathe, so offer a shallow dish of water to splash around in — this will be both a treat and a way to maintain their feather health. Regular out-of-cage time is also essential for these birds to exercise their wings and for mental stimulation, helping to prevent boredom and behavioural issues.
Ideally, try to pair your cockatiel up with another cockatiel for lifetime companionship.
Provide a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality pellets, while keeping fatty seeds to a minimum to prevent obesity.
3. Budgerigars (Budgies)
Also known as parakeets, budgies are small, intelligent, and playful parrots that usually entertain themselves and are often quieter than other parrots, making them excellent pets for families and individuals alike. They are generally okay with children if the children are respectful of them.
Budgies, especially male ones, enjoy head bobbing. This entertaining action is often accompanied by chattering, and usually indicates that your bird is happy and excited.
These lively birds are known for their vibrant green and blue plumage, but they also come in a variety of colours. Budgies are particularly charming due to their ability to mimic human speech — many can learn words, phrases, and whistles. Male budgies tend to be better talkers than females.
Care tips:
Budgies are social birds, so it’s best to keep them in pairs or with frequent interaction from their owners. You may wish to keep a single budgie if you will have plenty of time to interact and bond with him or her.
While generally gentle, they can sometimes become territorial if not properly socialised. Therefore, do handle them regularly and introduce them to new experiences where possible.
Provide a variety of perches in the cage to allow the bird to move around and change positions. Do not place perches directly over food or water, to prevent contamination.
They need to be kept in a spacious cage with plenty of toys to prevent boredom. Look for bird-specific toys such as mirrors, swings, and chew toys, that will not catch their beaks or nails.
Budgies are also prone to beak overgrowth, so make sure they have proper perches and cuttlebones to help maintain beak health.
4. African Grey Parrots
African Grey parrots are brilliant birds that need hours of attention, plenty of exercise out of cages, social time with people and other pets, and mental stimulation to thrive.
They are known to be highly sensitive and intuitive, often being very in tune with their handler’s emotions. Many liken the experience of owning an African Grey parrot to caring for a toddler.
Known for their exceptional intelligence, African Greys can learn to mimic human speech with remarkable clarity. They are excellent talkers and can have a large vocabulary.
They have a calm and inquisitive nature, making them an ideal choice for experienced bird owners in Singapore who are able to invest time in training and care, and have sufficient space in your home. This breed is usually not recommended for novice or beginner pet owners.
Due to their extremely long lifespan — many live an average of 40-60 years — owning an African Grey is a serious commitment, and they make excellent lifelong companions.
Care tips:
Your African Grey’s cage should be as large as possible, and have a playpen top with a tray. They should be able to fully spread their wings without touching the sides of the enclosure, and move around from perch to perch comfortably. Choose a rectangular cage that is made of durable, clean, secure, and non-toxic materials.
Do not isolate your African Grey, as they are social birds that love to be involved in their owners’ day-to-day lives.
African Greys are highly intelligent and require frequent mental stimulation to prevent boredom and depression. They are easy to train once you are familiar with using training methods such as positive reinforcement.
Make sure they get an hour or more of enrichment playtime with you every day, involving games, puzzles, and lessons. In addition, African Greys ideally also require about 2 to 3 hours of exercise and out-of-cage time daily to help build their muscle strength and prevent obesity.
5. Canaries
If you love bird songs, a canary might be the perfect pet for you! These bright-colored birds are known for their melodious singing, with males being the most vocal. Female canaries may not sing and only let out a chirp or “peep peep” sound to communicate.
Canaries are relatively low-maintenance compared to other breeds such as large parrots, making them a great choice for first-time bird owners or those with limited space. They are small finches with a happy disposition.
Care tips:
Unlike more social or interactive species, canaries tend to be independent and should ideally be housed individually. A single male canary is typically contented to live alone and sing to his heart’s content. Males sing best after six months of age, when they are sexually mature, as they sing to attract females.
If you want to more of a canary’s song, you could keep two male canaries in separate cages out of sight from one another — the birds will sing to each other in competition if they are housed this way. Note that canaries do not sing during their feather moulting period.
Do not house male canaries together, as they will likely fight. Females may get along better with other females or males. That said, some of these birds can become territorial and attack others who threaten their territory, especially during breeding time.
Canaries are often easier to keep occupied than other breeds, and they do not chew on toys the same way that parrots do. They love to use their beaks to tap on toys with small bells to make sounds. They also like swinging on small swings and hopping up and down.
Most also enjoy chewing on leather or fabric strips; do ensure the fabric does not fray and form threads that can get caught around legs or toes.
Common Health Concerns Among Pet Birds
If you have a pet bird, understanding key avian medical issues can help you protect their well-being. It is much more likely for treatment to be effective when diseases are detected in the early stages. Early diagnosis is also critical to preventing severe illness.
Common health concerns among pet birds in Singapore include obesity and nutritional deficiencies, feather plucking, egg binding in females, respiratory issues, and chlamydiosis (also known as psittacosis or parrot fever).
Nutritional deficiencies are an issue we typically see with avian patients at the Paws N’ Claws Vet clinics in Yishun and Upper Thomson. Nutritional deficiencies in pet birds often result from seed-only diets, and can lead to poor feather health, weakened immunity, and metabolic issues.
Respiratory problems are also common among our feathered companions, and may be due to a variety of factors such as poor cage hygiene, inhaling irritants or environmental toxins like cigarette smoke and aerosol sprays, bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Feeding an all-seed diet could also lead to vitamin A deficiency, which results in abnormal development of the epithelium (skin cells) that line the respiratory tract, making it more easily invaded by bacteria and other microorganisms.
Additionally, feather plucking — when the bird damages or plucks out his feathers — is typically linked to stress, boredom, or insufficient mental stimulation. Medical causes include poor diet, exposure to toxins, infection, parasites, or other diseases.
Feather plucking or picking can decrease the bird’s ability to keep himself warm and dry, and may also lead to skin infections or more serious complications.
Egg binding in females is another common concern. This is where an egg becomes stuck in the reproductive tract and cannot be passed naturally. It is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, often resulting from insufficient calcium.
Have a question about your bird’s well-being and health? Simply WhatsApp our friendly staff at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun)!
Tips to Keep Your Pet Bird Healthy and Happy
Proper diet, mental stimulation, and regular veterinary care are key to preventing and managing these common problems.
A well-balanced, healthy diet is one of the most important components of pet bird ownership, and generally help birds live longer, have brighter colours, and higher energy or activity levels. Feed them nutritionally complete, pelleted food as well as fresh vegetables and greens daily.
Dark leafy greens, cuttlebone, and hard-boiled or scrambled eggs with the shell are also a good source of calcium.
Bathing is also a way to manage certain health issues such as feather plucking. Misting your pet bird with a spray bottle and water is a simple way to bathe him or her. It is not recommended to use shampoos or soaps with birds. Also, do not bathe an ill bird as they are less able to control their body temperature and may become too cold.
Maintain a clean, well-ventilated cage and keep your bird away from irritants to avoid respiratory issues. Avoid placing the cage near windows that can get too drafty or windy. Wash and refill food and water bowls daily, change the cage liner regularly, and replace perches and toys when they have become frayed or chewed.
Provide mental stimulation and ample playtime through mindfully chosen toys, foraging activities, and regular social interaction. Birds enjoy chewing and ‘preening’ toys that have a variety of textures and (safe) materials. This can help reduce stress.
To learn more about basic bird care, check out our guide with quick tips to nurture and care for your feathered friend.
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Regular health checkups can help to spot and address potential health concerns early. For more advice and recommendations specific to and appropriate for your bird, do consult your primary veterinarian.
Here at Paws N’ Claws, birds are most welcome. We provide veterinary avian consultation for minor illnesses in birds that require medication, perform diagnostic tests such as bloodwork and scans like x-ray, desexing or sterilisation, hospitalisation, beak trimming, and more.
If a case is beyond our scope, we are more than happy to direct you to suitable avian specialists or hospitals, to ensure that the bird receives the most appropriate treatment.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team of veterinarians, nurses, and technicians at our Upper Thomson and Yishun vet clinics will gladly address any questions you may have.
We believe in empowering pet owners with knowledge and understanding so you can make an informed decision about your pet’s well-being and healthcare.
For queries or bookings, please WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).
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