Animal-World > Pet Birds > Basic Care for Pet Birds

Guide to a Happy Healthy BirdBasic Bird Care
Parrots - Finches - Canaries - All Types of Birds

Swainson's Lorikeet Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Learn about your pet bird and make the most of your enjoyment with it, by providing what it needs to be happy, healthy and fun!

   There are so many different types of birds. They come in all sizes and colors. While groups or types of birds, such as the macaws or the finches, will have a shared set of normal behaviors, every individual bird comes with its own unique characteristics and temperament as well.

   Getting the right bird starts with gathering bird information on the different types of birds. Some birds like handling, yet others are simply fun to watch. Some are great talkers while others have a beautiful song. There are exotic pet birds that are loved because they are very colorful, with others are enjoyed because they are full of antics.

   Learn all you can about the type of bird you are getting. Equipped with knowledge and understanding, you will have a better idea of what to expect. You'll then be able to provide the pet bird care it needs and the result will be maximum enjoyment with your pet.

   See the family Bird Care Sheets for more in depth information on specific types of birds.

   After that, go to the individual bird you are interested in to learn about it. If you know about the type of bird you are getting, then you will know what to expect. Knowledge and understanding will make living with your bird a wonderful experience for you, and it will be great for your bird too!

Why Birds Make Good Pets:

   Birds of all sorts make wonderful pets! Many birds enjoy close contact which makes many of them nice, social and sometimes cuddly friends. Some birds just love to talk or sing to you, giving you friendship and relaxation. Many parrots will enjoy sharing meals with you, napping with you, and even showering with you. Pet birds love to interact with their human companions.

Bird Houses: Cages and Aviaries
   Pet bird care starts with housing for your bird. There are several options when thinking about the types of bird houses for your pet. You can provide a very large bird cage or a smaller cage along with a play area outside of the cage, often utilizing a playpen. You can also provide a flight cage for regular exercise or have an aviary. Aviaries can be either an outside aviary or and indoor aviary. Iindoor aviaries can even be a 'bird room' type.
   Factors for deciding how to house your bird include what your living space affords along with meeting the specific needs of your particular bird.

• Cage Living:
    All birds should be housed in a cage that is as roomy as possible, this is especially important for birds that will spend most or all of their time in the cage. Birds need to be able to stretch their wings and flap them without hitting anything. They should also be able to make short flights. Birds that live exclusively in a cage will need a space of three times their wing span as an absolute minimum, with more space being better.
     Horizontal bars on the sides of bird cages are very important for birds that like to climb, such as parakeets, cockatiels and lots of playful parrots. Bar spacing needs to be small enough that the bird cannot get it's head through them. Metal bars are good for birds that like to chew.
     Bird cages should be placed in a draft free area that is well lit, but not in direct sunlight. To make your birds feel secure and comfortable keep their cage against a wall or in a corner, and at eye level if you hang it from the ceiling.
     It is really nice if the cage is easy to clean. Many bird cages have a slide out tray and an easily removable grate.
• Aviary Living:
     Aviaries are beneficial because they provide large areas for birds, often with the intent of breeding. Aviaries can be either indoors or outdoors. Some birds are very noisy and can be a nuisance to close neighbors. So if your birds are loud, you may want to keep them in an indoor aviary or in a remote area.
     Indoor aviaries give you the ability to control temperature, lighting, noise and humidity. An indoor aviary is often a room in a home devoted to birds. The windows are covered with wire and the door often has a wired porch with two doors to pass through . These are to keep your birds from flying out. Some indoor aviaries are simply a bird room with extra large cages. Doing it this way, the doors and windows don't need to be screened in.
     Outdoor aviaries can provide your birds with a natural environment and are designed in a wide variety of styles. Because the birds are exposed to the weather, they must have indoor sheltering, possibly heated or cooled, if conditions get extreme. Outdoor aviaries always need a shaded area and wind breaks. Trees or large branches can fit in nicely to create a comfortable home, but must be of non-toxic woods.

Bird Cage Accessories

• Bowls:
     Bowls are needed for foods and treats, water, grit and crushed shell. Small birds can use plastic bowls. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls generally are needed for medium and large parrots. These bigger birds will often chew up plastic bowls, or even pick up their bowls and dump them or toss them to the floor. Built in bowl holders are often a part of the cage and may be designed to keep the bird from removing the bowl. Other bowls are attached with hooks, bolts or clips, and may mount inside or outside the cage depending on the design.
• Bird Perches:
     Perches not only provide standing places for birds, but also give them an opportunity to exercise their beaks and keep their beaks trim. Perch size and shape can vary depending on the bird, but should fit their feet. A 1" perch is comfortable for most parrots and a 1/2" perch suits smaller birds.
     Round and oval wooden perches are often used, and sometimes plastic perches are used for small birds. Variety in both size and shape is important to exercise your birds feet. Natural branches are great for providing this variety. Concrete perches make nice additional perches for parrots to help them keep both nails and beak trim.
• Bird Toys:
     Bird toys are a great way to combat boredom and provide exercise for your pet bird. Toys for birds are designed in lots of combinations of woods, leathers, ropes, chains, bells and even acrylics. Toys such as swings and ladders are designed for chewing and climbing, while stainless steel mirrors are for viewing and comfort. The wide range of non-toxic colors, fun textures, shapes and sizes, sounds (and even smells) that you'll find in bird toys will keep both you and your bird interested in checking out new ones.

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Bird Seed and Bird Foods:
   There are many types of food available for all the different types of pet birds. Most packaged bird food will specify the type of bird it was designed for, and have the necessary components for a balance diet. They are usually sold in small packages from 1 to 5 pounds, and some are available in large quantities of 25 or 50 pound bags.
   Many individual types of bird seed, like canary seed or safflower seed, can also be purchased by the package. Popular bird foods are often available in bulk (serve yourself) as well. You can purchase bird food at pet stores, hardware stores, often in grocery stores, and through on-line bird pet supplies.
   Foods available for birds include:

• Bird feed mixes - mixtures can include both formulated foods and seeds, nuts and dried fruits
     Bird feed mixes (specific mixes for each type of bird) consist of a mixture of seeds, formulated foods, some supplements, and usually additional vitamins. Bird mixes are generally regarded as suitable especially when provided with additional supplements.
• Formulated diets - pelleted or extruded manufactured food
     Formulated diets provide a good nutritional base, containing all the necessary minerals and vitamins, so additional vitamins are not required. However, formulated diets do not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases. Many birds also become bored with a formulated diet due to the lack of variety. Offering supplements can help provide the phytonutrients and help offset boredom.
• Seed only diets - mixes of seed
     Seed only diets offer much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements. In the wild many birds eat seed as a major portion of their diet. Many birds need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment. All seeds contain protein and are roughly divided into either a cereal type seed such as millet, or an oil type seed such as sunflower seed. To provide a balanced diet, minerals, amino acid, vitamins and trace elements can be added as a supplement to seed or water.
  

   There are pros and cons to feeding either a formulated diet only... or a seed diet only.
But... supplements can be used to enrich all types of diets!

   You can find bird seed, bird cages, and everything you need for your pet here: Bird Supplies

Supplements:
  Provide supplements in addition to any of the above diets

• Vegetables, Greens, and Fruits:
     These include soaked and sprouted seed and even some green plants (make sure they are non-toxic). All types of fruits are a good supplement such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables are also good supplements such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed. Do not feed avocado as it may be toxic to birds!
• Protein Supplements:
     Additional proteins can be offered to some birds about every 1 1/2 weeks such as cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, and even canned dog food. Many birds will eat what you eat. Be sure anything you offer is not toxic to your bird. Most foods are okay but there are a few, like avocado, that can poison birds.
• Mineral Supplements:
     Cuttlebone and calcium blocks will also provide necessary minerals for maintaining your birds health. Finely ground shells, such as oyster shell, and other natural minerals can be added to regular grit.
• Grit:
     Grit is an aid to digestion for birds that eat seeds unshelled. Grit also contains valuable minerals and trace elements, and though not necessary for digestion will aid some birds if offered in limited amounts.
  Some seed eating birds need grit:
     This applies especially to birds such as pigeons and doves that eat their seed whole without shelling it first. It is an essential to aid in digestion to seeds eaten unshelled as these birds use it in their crop to grind the seed.
  Birds that are not primarily seed eaters do not require grit or cuttlebone:
     Mynah's and Toucan's are types of pet birds that will eat softbill food. Lories and Lorikeets eat pollens and nectars. These types of birds major diet consists of fruits like apples, bananas, pears, and grapes. They also will eat soaked dried fruits, canned fruits and natural juices. All of these are easy to supply. There are also commercially prepared pellets and powders available.
  

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Exercise / Activities:
   Exercise and activities are extremely important to keep your pet bird healthy and happy. Birds are inquisitive, social, and they like to play. Exercise is natural for them and easy to provide.

• Short Flights:
     A bird's cage needs to accommodate their full wingspan so they can safely flap their wings and exercise them. If they are kept in the cage all the time, they need to be able to make short flights. A cage should be at least three times their wingspan if they are kept caged all the time. Small birds, like finches and canaries, primarily flutter from perch to perch and make short flights. They are generally always kept in their cage or aviary and can be difficult to catch if they get out.
• Climbing:
     Parrots of all sorts love to climb on ladders and the horizontal bars of their cage. Some like to hang from the top of their cage or from various toys and swings hanging in the cage. Many of the smaller parrots like swings. . Natural perches not only provide exercise for the parrots toe muscles, they also keep birds gnawing on the bark and the wood. Cuttlebones are good for beak trimming as well as a calcium supple.
• Toys:
     Toys provide entertainment as well as exercise and most parrots like to chew. Perches, swings, ladders and toys all become objects of entertainment and chewing. Plastic toys are only safe for small birds. Small birds and parakeets are fine with plastic toys, and perhaps less active cockatiels. Larger parrots will destroy them and can be injured by the chewed pieces.
     Various woods, leathers, rawhides and acrylic make good chew toys for all parrots. Bells are a favorite toy and reflective surfaces, like stainless steel mirrors, can be enjoyed by some birds.
• Playpen:
     The playpen is a play areas located outside the cage. They have a variety of perches, ladders and swings that give birds a place to exercise and play. Playpens usually have food and water dishes which allows you to leave your bird out for as long as you'd like.
• Bird Baths:
     Most birds love a bath! A bath placed in the bottom of the cage or mounted through a side door will allow small birds to bathe, and they can create quite a splash. Often birds will take a bath in the fresh water of their water dish if not provided with a bath!
     Larger birds usually like a light misting from a spray bottle 2 or 3 times a week. Birds anticipating a bath will often spread their wings out to catch the mist and call loudly when being sprayed. Hand-tamed birds often prefer to shower with their owners.

Do's - Good Pet Bird Care:
   Pet bird care is simple and enjoyable if you have the right type of bird that fits your personality and lifestyle. Spending time with it will be a great joy for both of you!

• Get the right bird for you:
     Spend some time gathering bird information on the different types of birds to be sure you get a bird that will fit you and your lifestyle. Look for the characteristics that are most important to you. Some birds can be handled, while others that are generally not handled, are enjoyed for their a beautiful song or are just wonderful to watch. Some like to be cuddled and others just want to talk. Some birds just like one person and others like everybody.   
  
• Pet birds takes time:
  Take time with you bird everyday. You'll have a happy pet and a great friend! This will also keep you aware of what's going on with your bird and you'll know if anything needs to be fixed or changed.

Don'ts - Bird Safety:
   Keep your bird safe! It is up to you. It is very important that you know how to take care of a pet bird to keep your bird safe. Some of the most familiar hazards can be avoided with a little common sense and by paying attention.

• Avoid accidents:
  Be cautious when you take your pet is out of its cage, be sure it is safe.
  - Don't leave windows and doors open.
  If you bird flies out an opened window or door, you may never see it again!
  - Don't have any water-filled vessels lying around, or toilet lid up.
  - Make sure the stove isn't hot.
  - Make sure the ceiling fan isn't running.
• Watch for toxic plants:
  Watch what your pet bird chews on outside its cage. Don't let your bird eat any toxic plants like oleanders, azaleas, juniper, daffodils, philodendron, lily-of-the-valley, etc.
• Avoid toxic substances:
    Some important pet bird information to know includes substances that may be toxic to your bird. Do not leave any of these substances sitting out and put away any rags or dust clothes that you used to clean with.
  If you are at all concerned your bird might be poisoned, take your bird to the vet right away!
  • It is very important to make sure that your bird's cage is painted with lead-free paint.
  • Make sure your curtain rods are also lead-free if you allow your bird to fly about the house.
  • Tap water delivered in lead pipes can have a toxic affect on your bird.
  • Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, seizures, diarrhea and lethargy.
  • Some common household poisons to avoid include:
    • Antifreeze
    • Any household pest you eliminate with poisons also becomes toxic to your bird
    • Alcohol
    • Ammonia
    • Detergents containing boric acid
    • Drain cleaners
    • Various types of fuel including gas, oil and kerosene
    • Furniture and metal polish
    • Gasoline
    • Hair dye
    • Laundry bleach
    • Mushrooms
    • Nail Polish
    • Oven Cleaners
    • Paint and paint thinner
    • Pesticides
    • Pine oil poisons (rat, snail, roach bait)
    • Rust remover
    • Shaving lotion
    • Spot removers
    • Super Glue
    • Toilet bowl cleaner that hangs exposed inside the toilet bowl
    • Various types of bathroom cleaners
    • Varnish
• Physical Harm:
  Avoid physical harm to your pet bird. Don't ever hit your bird. Don't let anyone else hit your bird.

   See the family Bird Care Sheets for more in depth information on specific types of birds.

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