5 Crucial Things to Know About Pet Birds

Pet birds are admired for their intelligence, brilliant and vivid colours, mind-blowing aerial moves, and their ability to communicate. Sad to say, because of what they can do, most owners keep their winged pals in small and boring cages.

Deprived of the freedom they naturally had, they tend to become depressed and lonely. And when this happens, they shed their feathers or show unacceptable behaviours like chewing, biting, and throwing of food. As a result, they are abandoned by their owners or worse, left to die.

What do these things mean? Every pet bird deserves a loving family and a safe environment. So if you think you aren’t capable of providing such, please do not even consider getting pet birds. But if you have already brought in some of them at home, make sure you know these 5 crucial things to make their lives happy as possible.

1. Like humans, no bird is an island.

Every bird knows how important companionship is. Without a company, it is impossible for their population to thrive. That said, if you have one bird, be sure to adopt another one of the same kind. If you cannot afford to buy one, visit animal shelters or ask animal rights groups. They should be able to provide you with the information you need to adopt an avian species.

However, before you introduce the new bird to the flock, have him checked by a vet. He should be clean and healthy to prevent the spread of diseases. After that, you can keep him in a separate bird cage to observe how the rest gets along with him. If you notice they are friendly to each other, allow them to play and mingle at times until they become comfortable enough.

2. Freedom is vital.

For birds, freedom is everything. By that, it means they must have time to fly freely for long periods of time. They should have time to spread their wings outside the cage.

In order to achieve that, you can create a spacious bird aviary in the backyard. But if your home doesn’t have a yard, you can provide a bird proof room with no hazards. Install perches, tree branches, and other bird toys to encourage exercise. At the end of the day, they should be given enough time to rest. Ideally, they must sleep for at least 8 to 12 hours a day.

3. They don’t survive on seeds alone.

Wild or not, pet birds don’t just rely on seeds. They require a varied and nutritious diet, comprised of grains, cooked beans, nuts, and seeds, to survive.

Yet, it is worth noting that every bird species has a different nutritional requirement. Therefore, if you are uncertain about what to feed them, make sure to do your homework and research.

To ensure they stay healthy, every owner must ensure that food and water containers don’t get soiled with droppers. If possible, these containers should be cleaned every now and then. Some birds enjoy dunking and soaking their food in water, so it is best to have their water bottles cleaned twice a day.

Here’s something you should know. It is not advised to offer parrots grit. This food does not have a place in this bird’s diet. It would only cause digestive problems.

4. Give time for grooming.

You may not notice it, but birds take time to comb their feathers using their beaks. That way, they keep their feathers neat and waterproof.

To encourage them to continue doing that, offer them with shallow containers for birdbath. They enjoy spending time in the water. If you don’t have one, you can use spray bottles to set a fine mist. After their bath, let them dry away from drafts.

Do not trim their beaks. Also, if you wish to cut overgrown nails, it is best to schedule a trip to the vet. Just don’t do things on your own or else, you will end up hurting them.

5. Birdproof your home!

Before you even bring home your pet birds, make sure you get rid of any potential hazards, such as ceiling fans, hanging electrical wires, open cupboards, and large glass windows. Every toxic plant must be kept away of their reach, too.

When cleaning the cages or your homes, only use products that are ecologically safe. Never use those with strong odors as they could only harm your birds.

Don’t be discouraged if you don’t know how to properly care for them. It’s normal at first. In the long run, you’ll get used to it. That is basically the reason why this short post is created. And although there a lot to consider when raising pet birds, always remember that the thought of having them can be a very rewarding experience. Not only do you hear pleasant chirping every morning; you also gain new pals.

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