Getting any new pet is an exciting experience. However, it also comes with challenges as you need to learn how to take care of them. This can lead to innocent mistakes as you are starting your journey as a bird owner.
Birds are intelligent and social creatures that require more than just food and water. Here are 10 essential care tips that will allow your bird to be happy and healthy at all times.
1. Choose the Right Bird Cage
When it comes to bird cages, generally the bigger the better. If you don’t have much space, then it’s best to choose a smaller species of bird. It’s also important to check the bar spacing to prevent both escapes and the possibility of them getting stuck.
It’s best to research the specific space requirements for your bird species as it can be immoral to keep then in small cages. For example, birds with longer tails will need a taller cage. The basic rule of thumb is that your cage should be at least twice as wide as their wingspan.
Placement of the cage is also important as you want it to be away from drafts, kitchen fumes and not in direct sunlight. You should also provide perches with varying diameters and textures for better foot health.
2. Balanced Diet and Nutrition
Most birds are fairly easy to feed, but you still need to provide them with a balanced diet. This will include a mix of seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. However, it’s important to research any food to see if it is healthy for them.
Avocados, for example, are poisonous to birds. Other foods to avoid include caffeine, chocolate, onion, garlic, and anything with high levels of fat or salt. Make sure you clean food regularly and, of course, provide them with fresh water every day.
3. Regular Exercise
Birds need regular exercise, and you shouldn’t consider keeping one unless it is let out of its cage for prolonged periods during the day. The exact amount of freedom they need can depend on the species, but they’ll need at least an hour. Ideally, you should give them three or more.
This will give them the physical workout and mental stimulation they need. The room will need to be bird-proof, which includes having no open windows, ceiling fans turned off, and no toxic plants in their area.
4. Mental Stimulation
The mental stimulation that birds need extends beyond merely just letting them out of their cages. They also want their intelligence to be stimulated and there are two great ways to do this in either giving them toys to play with our letting them forage for food.
Bird toys are a great way to keep their mind engaged and hiding their food in foraging puzzles does this too. It’s a good idea to rotate your toys around every so often or even make your own to keep them interested.
5. Social Interaction
Birds are social animals that will either want to interact with other birds, or with their human caretakers. This usually links in to our third point, as if you’re letting the bird out of the cage, then it will usually be getting that social interaction anyway.
A lack of socialization will often lead to stress through loneliness and can result in behavioral problems. If you’re not there to spend time with your bird, then consider adopting another bird to give it a companion.
6. Regular Health Check-Ups
You aren’t expected to be a veterinary expert but it’s a good idea to know the common health issues in birds and what action you should take if they arise. You should regularly check for any issues and have a first-aid kit to treat any minor injuries.
Along with checking the bird yourself, it’s a great to take it to a vet annually for a full-check up to check for any subtle signs of illness. Many birds won’t initially show any obvious signs when they are unwell or in pain.
7. Maintain Cleanliness
Regular cleaning of your bird cage is important for a wide range of reasons. One of them is that food and natural waste can become toxic over time. It will also help to prevent diseases and maintain an overall healthy environment.
This means not only cleaning the cage but also perches, toys, and dishes. Make sure to use bird-safe products when cleaning. An unclean bird cage will not only smell bad, but it’s also bad for your bird’s health.
8. Provide a Safe Environment
Birds are sensitive to their surroundings both emotionally and physically. You want to ensure they are safe both in and out of the cage. Fumes can be a silent killer can come from non-stick cookware, harsh chemical cleaners, and smoking.
You’ll also want to avoid using candles, essential oils, fans, toxic plants, and having any loose strings or wires. When you first let your bird out of the cage, see how they interact with the room and see if you can identify any hazards.
9. Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Birds are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and you want to give them a stable environment. Sudden changes can harm your bird and you want to be careful about where you place the cage. This is another reason why you should keep it away from the kitchen.
You also want them to be away from the likes of drafts, air conditioners, or heating vents. Be mindful of how the likes of opening doors and windows may affect your bird. Using a humidifier in drier climates can be beneficial for both you and your bird.
10. Understand and Respect Your Bird’s Behavior
Over time you’ll get to understand the behavior of your bird as each of our avian friends has a unique personality. Understanding this behavior and respecting their preferences can be a great way to form a strong bond with your bird.
Knowing their behaviors can also allow you to understand when they are acting a little differently. A change in behavior can be a sign of stress or illness, so you can quickly check on your bird’s health.
