Lifespan: The first thing you want to consider is the lifespan of a bird and how long you're willing to care for it. Generally speaking, the bigger the bird, the longer it lives. If you're looking for a lifetime companion, birds such as cockatoos and macaws have a lifespan of 50 to 65 years! Cockatiels, love birds, doves, and pigeons have about the same lifespan as dogs - 20 years. Canaries and budgies have lifespan of 15 years.

Noise: Noise is a very important consideration in bird ownership. Even if you can tolerate noise, your family members or neighbors may not. Certain bird species are simply not peaceable. When factoring in bird noise, there are three things to consider: noise level or volume, frequency and duration, and pitch. If you live in a condominium, townhouse, or apartment, a parrot, amazon, or aratinga conures won't make you popular with neighbors. If noise is a major concern, doves and finches will make for good pets.

Size: In general, bigger birds require bigger housing, more food, and are messier. In other words, they require bigger commitment. For novice bird hobbyists who want to get a feel for bird ownership, start with small to medium-sized birds.

Diet: Most parrots subsist on a diet that consist of seed mix and fresh foods (e.g. grains, fruits), while other bird species such as lories and toucans have special dietary requirements. Find out the dietary needs of the bird you're considering and if you have the budget and sources for providing them.