Some people breed birds because they somehow ended up with a pair. They provided the birds with a larger cage, hung up a nest box, and, down the road, became bird breeders. Just as often, bird enthusiasts take their love of birds to that deeper, more complicated level because they have made a conscious decision to go there. Once you make the decision to breed birds, there is still the question of exactly which birds to select to fill the aviary.
There are plenty of birds out there to choose from, some better choices than others. Many of the most popular birds are parrots, which are normally colorful, frequently noisy and usually lots of fun. However, finches and softbilled birds should not be overlooked. There are many species to choose from and several worthy of consideration even for newcomers to aviculture. One cautionary note — make sure you have good homes for the offspring if you don’t keep them yourself.
**For the full article, pick up the January issue of BIRD TALK**
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