Do birds need regular vet check-ups?

I know if they are you are supposed to take them to the vet, but do they need like shots, and regular vet visits. I want to get my first pet bird! I don't want nothing fancy though, just a parakeet. My mom is making me pay for everything, so I do have a fairley low budget. I'm only 14 by the way. Also, do they need like their nails cut, and stuff like that. Basically, do they need anything else besides there basic needs, and attention. Is there anything else I need to pay for throughout its life besides, the supplies, and the bird?
Answers:
Hi,
Its good your thinking about the aftercare of the bird and if you can afford everything it'll need later on, alot of people dont thats why so many drop down dead.
Parrots do-not need any shots so your ok there, But check-ups yes, once every 2-3 months is fine.
No they shouldnt need there nails trimmed, if you make sure you buy a stone perch it will help keep there nails really small and not so sharp, something like in this link http://www.bird.com/itemdy00.asp?t1=5120...
Also its advisable to buy new toys and swap them around with the ones in the cage now and again, but this shouldnt cost too much,
Also consider the cost of buying a few fruit and veggies every week as they need this with there seed everyday - but again this is not much at all.
I Would advise putting money to one side so that if anything did go wrong, you know you have the money to take it to the vet.
Goodluck with you new bird when you get it.

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Well you will need to care for it everyday. But it actually depends on which bird you get. Larger birds such as parrots will need a vet. But smaller birds such as parakeets may not need to go see a vet so often. Maybe once every 2 months.

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It amazes me that some people just can't educate themselves enough to know the proper answers!
It doesn't matter what bird you purchase, it should go to the vet at least once a year. When you purchase your bird, whether it is a parakeet or a larger bird, yes it should have tests run. Why, for the borderline tests, just in case it gets sick that you have the complete blood counts to know where the normal limits are when it's not sick.
The tests you should have done, on a minimal bases are a cbc, and a gram stain. Just those two tests can run about 75 and that might include the visit as well, and that depends on where you live. Make sure it's an avian vet as well. Depending on the outcome of the CBC, and if it's within range, no further testing might be necessary! Or the bird might be really sick, and then you can go back on the breeder or pet store where you purchased the bird.
Try to find a breeder for your bird. Chances are, the bird will be eating more then just a seed diet and have a better chance at life, longer life, and healthier because of it's diet. Studies have shown that a seed diet have killed so many birds due to Fatty Liver Disease. Australian species more so then others.
As for clipping the nails and wings, it depends once again on the diet you feed based upon the nails. Clipping should be done so no harm comes to your bird of flying into windows, ceiling fans, and poisious plants. Nails need to be taken care of by a person to who knows how to do them.
Grit is not needed and can impact the crop. Do NOT use mirrors, happy huts, or fake birds. Only purchase ONE bird. You are the only thing your bird needs as a companion.
Good Luck!