Things You Need to Know Before You Get a Pet Bird
If you are contemplating on getting a pet bird these things will help you decide on whether or not having a pet bird is right for you. Keeping a pet bird can be entertaining, interesting and fun as they usually can become very gregarious and interact with you but there is another side to being a responsible pet bird owner. The most common birds people get as pets are cockatiels, cockatoos,finches, parakeets, parrots, myna birds, and love birds. This article discusses what you need to know before you get a pet bird.
Things a pet bird needs
Feeding your bird properly
Things to watch out for when feeding your bird
How to find out if you can handle the sounds a pet bird makes before you get one
Bird care tips
Getting the right size cage for your bird
Cage placement
Lifespan of pet birds (many pet birds will outlive their owners)
Do your research, find out everything you can about the breed of pet bird you are wanting. Watch videos, read books, and talk to other people who have had pet birds.
Things a pet bird needs
Feeding your bird properly
Things to watch out for when feeding your bird
How to find out if you can handle the sounds a pet bird makes before you get one
Bird care tips
Getting the right size cage for your bird
Cage placement
Lifespan of pet birds (many pet birds will outlive their owners)
Do your research, find out everything you can about the breed of pet bird you are wanting. Watch videos, read books, and talk to other people who have had pet birds.
Things Pet Birds Need
Pet birds need space, lots of your time, understanding of their personality characteristics, make lots of noise, need lots of your attention and are not cheap to take care of. If they do not get enough of your attention they can develop nervous disorders, pick out their own feathers or even their skin. They live a long time so having a pet bird is a long term commitment. If you are the type of person who cannot tolerate messes of any kind, a pet bird may not be right for you. Birds are messy, they poop every few minutes, they fling their feed all around their cage and they shed feathers every where. If you like things very quiet around your home you can forget about that if you have a pet bird because birds like to call for their flock mates and when they do not have have flock mates they often consider their owner as one and will call out to you at all times of the day. They like to sing, chirp, and screech all day long. Pet Birds need to be let out of their cage every single day so they can fly and interact with you and they should never be let out unsupervised as they could become the victim of other pets such as cats or dogs who may unintentionally hurt or kill them while playing or intentionally when the other pet's natural hunting instincts kick in. A pet bird can do extreme damage to houseplants, furniture, door, window mouldings, and more if left unattended. Pet birds bite.. no matter how tame your bird is be prepared because you may get bit if your bird gets upset with you.
What you need to know about keeping birds as pets
Pet Birds Need to Eat Properly-Here are a few things NOT to feed your pet bird
One of the most common health issues with pet birds is fatty liver disease which is caused from improper feeding techniques. You should feed your pet bird mixed feeds appropriate for the breed. Do not feed your bird coffee, chocolate, alcohol, almonds, peanuts, apple seeds, raw fruit pits, or any kind of dairy products. Don't give your bird so many treats that it doesn't eat it's regular food. Be sure to change your bird feed every day. Your pet bird's dish may look full but may really be empty bird seed hulls. There have been incidences reported where pet birds have starved to death because their owners thought they still had feed because the dish was full but in fact, the dish was full of empty seed hulls.
How to Find out if you can handle the noises a pet bird makes & Teaching Birds to Talk Tips
If you are not sure you can handle the sounds a pet bird can make go to Youtube, select the kind of bird you are thinking of getting and listen to 5 or 6 video's in a row. If the sound of the bird gets on your nerves you may need to select a different breed of bird or a different breed of pet. You can teach talking breeds like parrots to talk but not all talking birds will learn to talk which can be frustrating if that is the reason you got a pet bird in the first place. Some birds learn to talk right away and other's need more time, patience, and attention before they begin to talk. Once you teach a bird to talk it may spend hours upon hours chattering and talking, all day long trying to get your attention. Parrots, Cockatiels, Cockatoo's, Budgies, and Myna Birds are all capable of learning to talk.When teaching your bird to talk it is important to associate certain words or phrases with specific actions and repeat this procedure every time you do the same action. For example, when you are getting ready to fill the bird food up you can hold the bird where it can see your mouth and see the food container and say, "Petey want some food". Repeat the phrase several times and then put the food in the birds food dish while repeating the phrase. When you give water, treats, or a toy, do the same thing. After awhile the bird will associate the words with what you are presenting to them, so much so that after they learn it they will let you know when they need something.Birds who cannot talk will often screech when they need something or when they are uncomfortable or feel threatened by something. You should always check to see why your bird is calling out or screeching because there may be a very real reason and they shouldn't be ignored.
Getting the right size cage & Placing Your Pet Birds Cage in the right place is critical to their health & Well Being
You should try to get your pet bird the largest cage possible or build your own. Birds like to climb up and down but they are birds and as such they like to fly. A longer cage is better than a taller one and a cage or flight pen large enough for your bird to fly around is ideal and much safer than allowing them to fly around your house. Do not place your bird cage near a doorway or a window, drafts can make your bird sick. Do not place your bird cage in your kitchen. Chemicals and appliances and cookware with teflon coatings can give off fumes which can kill your pet bird in seconds. "Teflon (which contains polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE), but PTFE is also sold under many different names and brands. Overheating, which can occur rapidly, causes fumes which break down the tissue in the birds lungs and suffocates them very quickly and under distress (Global crisis info)".
How long of a Commitment you are willing to make to being a pet bird owner Can help you decide on what kind of bird to get
There is no short term commitment as a pet owner when it comes to pet birds.
Finches can live from 5-9 years in the wild but can live up to 12 years raised as pets.
Cockatiels can live from 10-14 years in the wild but can live as long as 20 years when raised as pets.
Cockatoo's can live from 20-40 years in the wild and up to 70 years as pets.
Parakeets (Budgies) can live 10-14 years if taken care of properly but can live up to 20 years. The average life expectancy of a parakeet is 5-8 years.
Parrots can live from 50-92 years. If you decide on owning a parrot you should take into consideration that your pet bird may outlive you and make arrangements for someone to take care of them after you are gone.
Finches can live from 5-9 years in the wild but can live up to 12 years raised as pets.
Cockatiels can live from 10-14 years in the wild but can live as long as 20 years when raised as pets.
Cockatoo's can live from 20-40 years in the wild and up to 70 years as pets.
Parakeets (Budgies) can live 10-14 years if taken care of properly but can live up to 20 years. The average life expectancy of a parakeet is 5-8 years.
Parrots can live from 50-92 years. If you decide on owning a parrot you should take into consideration that your pet bird may outlive you and make arrangements for someone to take care of them after you are gone.
Never Leave Your pet bird unattended when outside the cage
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Pet Bird Care Tips
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Bird Safety
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Bird Toys
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Before you get a pet bird be sure to do your research, find out as much as you can about pet birds, decide if getting one is right for you and if so which breed of bird is right for you, then find a quality breeder, buy everything you need to take care of your new bird, then select the bird you want. Be a responsible pet owner and be sure to check your local veterinarians to find out which one's service the type of bird you are planning on getting. After you get your bird, take it for a check up to the vet to make sure it is in good health. Check out our pet bird care tips to keep your bird healthy and happy. Go to Bird Care Tips
Never leave your pet bird out of it's cage around other animals-Pet birds need your attention, may get jealous of other pets and other pets may become jealous of the time you spend with your pet bird. If you have a dog, terrier, pitbull and other breeds or cats, keep in mind they have natural instincts to hunt birds and despite their loyalty to you they may harm or kill your bird.
Never leave your bird out of it's cage unattended for any length of time. Pet birds can get into dangerous predicaments very quickly. Make sure toilet seats are down, aquariums are fully covered, no dish water in the sink, no deep water anywhere. Keep your birds away from electric cords and outlets. Birds like to peck at and chew on things. Cover mirrors and windows if your bird is allowed to fly in your house. If a bird flies into a window or mirror they will most likely break their neck and die in seconds. Watch your bird closely. If you have to leave the room even for a few minutes, put your bird back in it's cage.
Never leave your bird out of it's cage unattended for any length of time. Pet birds can get into dangerous predicaments very quickly. Make sure toilet seats are down, aquariums are fully covered, no dish water in the sink, no deep water anywhere. Keep your birds away from electric cords and outlets. Birds like to peck at and chew on things. Cover mirrors and windows if your bird is allowed to fly in your house. If a bird flies into a window or mirror they will most likely break their neck and die in seconds. Watch your bird closely. If you have to leave the room even for a few minutes, put your bird back in it's cage.
Pet birds are smart and get bored quickly. If you do not have a lot of time to spend just hanging out with your pet bird you need to select a breed that needs less personal attention like finches. You can get several finches and they will happily chirp and play all day. Parrots are much more demanding and possessive of their owners and can get jealous of your attentions being directed toward another person or pet. Pet birds love to play with toys and the right toys can keep your pet bird entertained for short periods but still your attention is what your pet bird really wants, especially parrots.
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References:
1. Things to know to safeguard your birds. Retrieved on Oct. 19, 2017 from Global crisis info.http://globalcrisis.info/ifyouloveyourbirds.html
2. White Budgie. Hand Stroking, Parrot, Pet, Bird. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/hand-stroking-parrot-pet-bird-1579503/
3. Cockatiel, Bird, Animal, Colorful. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/cockatiel-bird-animal-colorful-1213758/
4. Parrot, Bird, Pet, Ara. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/parrot-bird-pet-ara-1192975/
1. Things to know to safeguard your birds. Retrieved on Oct. 19, 2017 from Global crisis info.http://globalcrisis.info/ifyouloveyourbirds.html
2. White Budgie. Hand Stroking, Parrot, Pet, Bird. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/hand-stroking-parrot-pet-bird-1579503/
3. Cockatiel, Bird, Animal, Colorful. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 24 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/cockatiel-bird-animal-colorful-1213758/
4. Parrot, Bird, Pet, Ara. (2018). Pixabay.com. Retrieved 25 August 2018, from https://pixabay.com/en/parrot-bird-pet-ara-1192975/