Like other pets, some birds can exhibit a strong dependence on humans. So, do you know which birds are particularly clingy? This article lists ten of the most affectionate birds: myna, budgerigar, thrush, myna, red-billed blue magpie, jay, magpie, cormorant, red-billed leiothrix, and canary.
Among them, the myna is a very affectionate bird, even to the point of following its owner wherever they go. But how do other birds demonstrate their dependence on humans? Let's take a look at the characteristics and behaviors of these clingy little darlings!
1. Myna
The Black Myna, also known as the Common Myna, is a bird that can mimic the calls of other birds as well as simple human speech. As a result, it is widely kept as a pet in China and is also an important beneficial bird for agriculture and forestry.
The common myna resembles the domestic myna in appearance, measuring approximately 23 to 28 centimeters in length, with entirely black plumage. It has a prominent, upright tuft of feathers on its forehead, resembling a crown. Its wings are marked with distinct white wing patches, which are especially noticeable in flight. The tips of its tail feathers and undertail coverts also have white spots, its beak is creamy yellow, and its legs are yellow.
Mynas have a wide range of diets, mainly consisting of insects such as locusts, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, and lice, as well as their larvae. They also consume plant-based foods such as grains, fruits, and seeds.
2. Budgerigar
Budgerigars are extremely common pet birds worldwide, beloved for their rich variety and lively, adorable nature. With over 5 million budgerigars globally, they are a popular choice for many first-time parrot owners as their first pet. They are also among the most frequently seen birds at bird shows.
Budgerigars are capable of learning to talk, but they require patient guidance from their owners. It's best to teach them one-on-one during training; otherwise, due to their playful nature, training multiple birds at the same time can lead to distraction and difficulty in learning. With careful guidance, these adorable little creatures can not only learn to talk but also add much joy to life.
3. Eyebrow drawing
The thrush is a very affectionate bird, but to tame it to be sufficiently affectionate requires careful nurturing from the chick stage. Keepers typically divide chicks into three stages: nestling, molting, and fully-feathered. Newly hatched chicks are called nestlings, those with fully grown feathers but not yet molted are called molting birds, and fully-feathered birds refer to those that have completed molting. During these three stages, thrushes are docile and do not exhibit significant wariness towards humans, making them relatively easy to raise and bond with.
The Chinese thrush is a bird species endemic to China, mainly distributed throughout the country. It is not only an important beneficial bird for agriculture and forestry, but also renowned for its melodious and beautiful song, and its ability to mimic the calls of other birds. Historically, the thrush has been deeply loved by the people and is often kept as a caged ornamental bird, adding a touch of vibrant nature to people's lives.
4. Myna
The myna is a relatively large bird, weighing between 165 and 258 grams and measuring approximately 234 to 304 millimeters in length. Its plumage is mostly black with a striking metallic sheen of purplish-blue and copper-green. One of the myna's distinctive features is the orange-yellow wattles and wattles on either side of its head; males and females are similar in appearance.
The myna is renowned for its melodious singing; its voice is loud and clear, capable of mimicking a variety of melodies and tones. It is one of the most adept birds in Southeast Asia at mimicking human speech, able to imitate human speech with near-identical pitch and quality. In addition, the myna can also produce a variety of whistles, mournful calls, and sharp cries; its rich vocal expressiveness makes it a popular pet bird.
5. Red-billed Blue Magpie
The Red-billed Blue Magpie is a beautiful caged bird, with males and females displaying similar plumage, showcasing vibrant feathers and an elegant posture. Its long tail feathers, graceful body, wide diet, and ease of care make it a popular ornamental bird.
If raised from chicks, Red-billed Blue Magpies can become very affectionate, able to fly outdoors, interact with their owners, and even take food directly from their hands and respond to their calls. When hand-reared, their diet primarily consists of eggs and rice as the base, supplemented with small amounts of oriole mixed feed, raw meat, fruit, and vegetables. Additionally, small amounts of insects can be given every other day or daily to meet their comprehensive nutritional needs. This scientific approach not only keeps the Red-billed Blue Magpies healthy but also strengthens their bond with their owners.
6. Jay
The Eurasian Jay is a bird that can be trained for long-distance flight and becomes very affectionate towards humans when raised from a young age. Its call is melodious and clear, but it is relatively difficult to raise and requires selecting appropriate food according to different growth stages.
The Eurasian Jay is a typical forest bird, spending most of the year deep in the mountains and rarely appearing on plains. They are commonly found in coniferous, broad-leaved, and mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, usually far from human settlements. In autumn, the Eurasian Jay begins a wandering lifestyle, sometimes occasionally appearing near suburban homes.
Normally, jays are found in pairs, but in autumn they may form small flocks and prefer to perch in the treetops. They are especially active before the breeding season, creating a unique scene in the mountains and forests.
7. Magpie
Magpies are highly adaptable birds, finding habitats in both mountainous and plain areas. From wilderness to farmland, from suburbs to cities, and even in parks and gardens, magpies can be found. However, a general pattern emerges: magpie populations are typically larger in areas with frequent human activity, while they are relatively rare in remote, dense forests.
The magpie is listed in the "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals of Beneficial or Important Economic and Scientific Research Value under State Protection" issued by the State Forestry Administration of China on August 1, 2000. It is also included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012 ver 3.1, rated as "Least Concern". According to relevant regulations, neither individuals nor organizations may privately raise or consume magpies without approval from relevant departments. This regulation not only protects the magpie's ecological status but also reflects respect and care for nature.
8. Cormorant
Cormorants are unique birds, prized for their exceptional fishing abilities. There are many species of cormorants, and they are often domesticated for fishing. They have a small pouch in their throat, are adept swimmers and divers, and are quite charming birds, primarily inhabiting areas near rivers, lakes, and islands.
Cormorants, with their exceptional fishing skills, can quickly dive and swim in the water, precisely catching fish with their sharp, hooked beaks. Since ancient times, cormorants have been domesticated by fishermen to assist in fishing, becoming invaluable helpers in aquatic operations. In terms of taming, cormorants exhibit strong dependence and clinginess. After about a month of training, they can completely obey the fishermen's commands, becoming trustworthy "fishing partners."
9. Lovebirds
The red-billed leiothrix is an elegant and lively bird, renowned for its melodious, clear, varied, and pleasant song. Its brightly colored plumage makes it a popular cage bird both domestically and internationally.
In captivity, red-billed leiothrix are lively and active, rarely remaining still for long periods. They are often seen hopping and jumping around in their cages, displaying great vitality. They only quiet down for a moment when they are in a good mood or when the male and female are preening each other. Especially during the breeding season, the male's song is even more melodious and attractive, making it very popular.
10. Canary
Canaries are native to the Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores off the northwest coast of Africa. They are ornamental cage birds known for their bright plumage and beautiful songs, and are recognized both domestically and internationally as one of the noble caged ornamental birds.
Despite being called "noble," canaries are actually very affectionate birds. As chicks, they can even mimic the calls of larks and thrushes, demonstrating exceptional learning abilities and performing talent. With training, they can also perform amusing tricks such as catching objects and wearing masks, adding to their entertainment value.
Canaries are beautiful in appearance and have melodious songs, but they are relatively difficult to raise and require careful nurturing and meticulous care. Keepers need to make thorough preparations in advance to ensure that these elegant "aristocrats among birds" are in their best condition.
The list of the top ten most affectionate birds is compiled based on information from the internet. It ranks and recommends birds based on their habits, difficulty of raising and taming them. This list is for reference only. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment and correct us at the end.
