My Pet Bird Dream Faded When 6 Surprising Factors Came Into Play

They have the gift of flight and fascinate you with their mimicking abilities. They're beautiful to witness and surprisingly intelligent. Why wouldn't you want to call a bird a beloved pet? They have a certain inexplicable charm to them, and their melodic chirping can cause the kind of smile that brings crinkles and sparkles to your eyes. But before you move on with bringing a pet bird home and budgeting for seed, take a second to consider what you're really signing up for. Discover six reasons why a pet bird may just become a nightmare instead of remaining a dream.

Click through the gallery above for some hard truths!

That almost goes without saying. It's a bird. Of course, it's going to make sounds. But here's the part most potential bird owners don't know. Their chirps and melodies don't suddenly get muted when the sun sets. Many birds keep it going throughout the night, especially species like conures and cockatoos. Sunrise is another favorite, when most are still sleeping. They may call out randomly through the night and greet the sun excitedly each morning, disrupting your sleep.

And the neighbors' sleep! You know how hard it can be to get along with neighbors, and introducing a beautifully feathered bird could be like introducing an unexpected nuisance to a neighbor. Remember, not all schedules are the same, so even if you can get your bird to quiet down overnight, those overnight workers may show up red-eyed and red-faced with rage as sleep eludes them more and more each day.

Birds are messy creatures. They're super cute, so it's almost okay. Almost. Eventually, you tire of cleaning up after them. It's not something they outgrow, either.

It's a little like this, except inside your home. You're in for a lifetime of cleaning up their messes. This includes the cage itself, but also the surrounding areas, so be sure you don't place anything you love just beneath their birdcage.

Every day, you can expect your pet bird to need your attention. They're not the type of pet you can ignore as you rush out the door on your way to work. Plus, they can't be alone for too long. If you leave them, they'll start displaying aggression and even depression.

If you don't have the time to love on them constantly, birds can get depressed. They may even self-harm in their cages (this shows up as feather plucking). You need to be ready to play and engage with them tons each day to keep a pet bird happy.

Pet birds have long lifespans, usually between 30 and 80 years. This isn't some passive decision you're making—you're making a lifetime commitment when you bring a pet bird home. You may even need to have a backup plan if your birdie outlives you.

If that's the case, you need to have a backup plan in place so your pet bird can go to someone willing to care for it. If you're that much of a bird lover, prepare to designate who your bird goes to in your will, and be sure the person knows all the ins and outs of what your bird needs so it doesn't stress after your passing.

Unfortunately, birds do get easily stressed, and your passing isn't the only event that can derail them. Even loud noises can have them fussing. Sudden movements can startle them, and even if you change the lighting in a room, a bird can stress out. Stress then leads to illnesses, which lead to vets (and impacted bank accounts).

Birds need specialized care. Most veterinarians won't even accept birds as patients, so you'd need to find an exotic pet vet. These are generally more costly, even for simple visits like routine care.

Pet birds are nice to look at, but they're destructive little things. They love chewing, so whatever satisfies that instinct, they're on it. This could be anything strewn about your home, like wires and plants, but it could also be your expensive furniture. They need to exercise, so letting them out is a must. Just be prepared for the consequences.

If it's worth losing some of your favorite items to destruction by a pet bird, by all means, go for it. Remember how long of a commitment you're signing up for, and be aware that you'll be paying quite a bit to keep your pet bird in good health. If you feel ready, go for it. But if you have any doubts at all, don't risk it.