Choosing the best bird species for your lifestyle can be quite a job, but it gets even tougher if you have a busy work schedule that won't allow you to spend hours upon hours with your pet each day. Most pet bird species need near-constant companionship from their owners if they are to thrive, so many bird lovers refrain from adopting a feathered friend if they don't have much free time to spend at home. There is good news for these busy bird lovers, however -- there are several bird species that are perfectly content to entertain themselves for much of the day. Check out the list below for some ideas!

•Finches

Would you believe that even the busiest bird lover can find time to care for an entire flock of feathered friends? With Finches, the notion is entirely possible! Finches are small, timid little birds who do best in small flocks of 3 - 5 and generally don't care much for human interaction. If you can provide enough space for a flight cage and the time it would take to change the birds' food and water and empty their cage tray daily, then you could easily enjoy the company of a small group of finches in your home or office. These birds make beautiful and charming companions and will reward your stewardship with their soft, soothing vocalizations and amusing behavior patterns.

•Canaries

Canaries are another excellent option for bird lovers who don't have a lot of free time on their hands. Best kept singly or in pairs, Canaries are much like Finches in their views of humans, and most would rather keep to themselves than be handled or forced to interact with a person. Those who are interested in Canary ownership should do plenty of research before deciding to adopt one of these birds. Different types of Canaries are bred with different traits in mind -- some for color, and some for their song. Keeping this in mind will help you choose the type of bird that is the best fit for what you are looking for.

•Doves

Busy bird lovers who want a pet that can entertain itself but also enjoys spending time with people might consider a pet Dove. Quiet, gentle, and easy to care for, Doves are popular as pets for both young and older bird owners. Most Dove species are medium sized birds, so owners who aren't home during the day should make sure to provide them with a large cage so that the birds can move around, play, and exercise as needed. Consider a pet Dove if you can offer a bird at least 1 to 2 hours of your time per day for bonding and supervised playtime outside of the cage.

•Budgies (Parakeets)

Among the most popular pet bird for owners of all walks are the Budgies. Colorful and entertaining, these tiny parrots offer all the excitement and personality of their larger counterparts in a smaller, more convenient package. This does not, however, mean that they are that much easier to care for than larger birds. Most properly socialized Budgies have owners who are able to interact with them for 2 - 3 hours per day. Consider adopting a Budgie if your schedule will allow you to easily provide this sort of free time on a consistent, daily basis,as Budgies need to have quality time with their owners to prevent boredom and promote bonding.

•Cockatiels

If you're interested in adopting a Cockatiel, it's best to be able to devote 3 - 4 hours per day to interacting with your feathered friend. Cockatiels are highly intelligent and they form strong bonds with their owners, so they can become depressed or bored if they begin to feel like they're being neglected. Still, many busy bird owners have successfully welcomed Cockatiels into their homes by working with the free time that they can find within their schedules. If you are a determined and devoted bird owner, you can often find several creative ways to work more quality bonding time with your pet into your schedule.