BY CAROLINE STEURY
STAFF WRITER
Birds are the 4th most common and well-liked pet in the world, and for good reason! These feathered friends have been brightening households for centuries and are used as therapy animals all over the world. They are sensitive to emotion, intelligent, and very happy to cuddle with their owners. The main kinds of birds people like to own are cockatiels, parrots, parakeets, finches, and canaries. Parrots are large and boisterous and love to screech their little hearts out. They live very long as well, so one might want to label your parrot a family heirloom. Cockatiels are lovely little birds who can display emotion better than most of their kin due to their impressive crests. If they are happy or someone else is happy, their crests perk up like little sails. If they are angry, their crests lie flat against their heads. Finally, parakeets! Oh, how I love parakeets. I have two at home, and they are amazing. They are one of the smaller pet birds and bred mainly for their stunning display of colors. They have been known to exhibit every color in the spectrum except red and pink! They are well-known for their vocalizations as well, and are happy to perch on an arm or hand. These are some of the most well-known little birds, but there are many more, rest assured. Of the many things all these birds share, the most wonderful (in my opinion) is the fierce bond they and their owners share. With enough love and care, owner and pet can become more like mother/father and son/daughter. They are like kids in other ways as well. They can show just how miffed they are at you for leaving them behind on your vacation, imitate everything within a ten-foot radius, and learn from their owners. They are also extremely willing to cuddle with their loving parent if that parent is feeling gloomy. Birds really are remarkable.