Birds can make great companions for any age group, but some species are better for certain ages than others. Personality and noise can be important factors in a decision. Most elderly people do not want a wild, crazy Amazon, and parents of a very young child also benefit from a quieter, sweeter bird. Choosing the right species can be made easier by asking owners what type of bird they want to take home. We try to make sure our customers' get a bird that is best suited to them. This way we will benefit with a happy customer.

Birds can be a source of enjoyment for babies and toddlers. The bird chosen should not be loud and should not need a lot of attention. Recommend to the parents that the cage be hung out of harm's way. The bird of choice for this age group is a pair of finches, which can be very active. The second choice would be a pair of budgerigars, because they can keep each other company and have wonderful, chatty voices. Finches and budgies need little care, and with two birds they can distract themselves and need little outside attention.

Children in elementary school are still learning patience and gentleness with pets, so it is important to ask parents what the child is like. We also ask what type of bird the parents wish to have, because the parents will be the ones to take care of the bird. If the child is restless and easily excited it may be better to stick with the look-but-don't-touch type of birds, such as finches or budgies.

However, children can be very good - especially toward the fourth and fifth grades - at learning how to handle a bird quietly and gently. A hand-raised budgerigar or cockatiel can make a great pet. Hand-raised birds show little fear because humans served as their parents. The added benefit is these birds are intelligent, responsive and want to play with their young owner.

Junior and senior high school students who have never had a bird will enjoy a hand-raised budgie or cockatiel. At this age, the list of good pet birds can be expanded to include medium-size birds such as lovebirds and other small African species like the Senegal, as well as the many species of conures. The larger the bird, the more personality and intelligence it generally possesses.

Adults can choose from almost any species of bird. The choice depends on several factors, including the amount of time the customer has available to spend with a bird, where the customer lives, and the type of personality the customer is looking for in a bird. If a person has not had a bird before, it is best to choose birds that are easy to maintain. The larger birds, such as Amazons, African greys, macaws and cockatoos, need an owner who understands parrot intelligence and personality. These birds are expensive and demand a lot of a person's time. If customers are not well educated and prepared, they may be very unhappy.

Once an adult has had a smaller bird or has been educated about larger parrots, then a larger parrot can make a great pet and companion. Amazons are usually the wildest and most playful birds and are good talkers. African greys are the best talkers, which may interest some owners, but these birds need a lot of attention or they may become neurotic. This is also true for cockatoos, which may pluck their feathers or yell if ignored too often. Macaws are the "big, sweet brutes" of the parrot world. They love to play and can learn to talk in gruff voices, but they need a very large cage and a good amount of attention, as do all large birds. Large parrots are not for people who are gone all day or are in apartments where a noisy bird can be a serious problem.

Elderly people have more time to spend with a bird and tend to want a bird they can simply watch, or one that is sweet and full, of personality. Finches can be good to watch and even breed for fun. Many budgies have outgoing personalities and can be a delight. Cockatoos make great pets because of their gentleness and affectionate behavior, as long as an occasional screech is not bothersome. African greys also love attention and do not tend to yell as loudly as other large parrots.

Choosing the right bird can be difficult for new owners, and we are responsible for making sure the right species goes to the best home where it will not cause stress or problems. A woman came into the store looking for a parrot to match her decor. She said the blue and gold macaw in the window was a perfect color. She was talked her out of the macaw, because it was obvious the bird would not get the attention it needed. However, she was talked into two budgies, one blue and one lutino - to match the decor - and a gorgeous cage. The birds had each other and did not have to rely on the woman for attention, and the woman did not have to worry about a macaw becoming neurotic and screaming or feather plucking. Our main concern is finding out what the customer is looking for and play matchmaker to find the perfect pet bird. This way we avoid an unhappy pet owner and gain a loyal customer.