Keeping your bird happy with these tips

An increasing number of people these days are buying birds as they make excellent companions and they do not require walking or the other care that bigger animals require. Some people research while buying birds where as others do not research and make mistakes and then research and learn.

Researching before buying a bird is very important as a bird is a living being and requires care and there are certain things that must be followed in order to keep the bird happy and extend its life. Not knowing about the needs of your bird can lead to death in case the owner feeds the bird a human feed that can be toxic to the bird. For instance an avocado can cause death in a bird. Knowing about toxic and harmful items is very important as the bird can accidentally ingest them. Listed below are a few toxic plants that can cause death in a bird. This list is not extensive and since there is research being conducted every year this list may grow with time.

Asparagus Fern, Avocado, Buckthorn, Caffeine, Castor Beans, Catnip, Corn flower, Easter Lilly, Holly (vomiting, diarrhea and depression), Mirabillis, Fox glove, Henbane, Horsebeans, Horse chestnut, Hyacinth bulbs, Iris Ivy, Java beans, Jerusalem Cherry,  Peace lily, Rhubarb leaves, Rubber plant, Tulip, Wisteria and Yucca.

Some birds are bought small and unweaned and the owner cannot or does not know how to take care of these birds needs and the bird either dies because of mal nourishment. The right age to buy a bird is just after it is weaned and after it has taken its first flight.

Some birds end up with nutritional problems like bad plumage due to lack or egg bound condition, or soft egg shells due to bad nutrition and their diet needs to be rectified but not drastically changed. Remember to slowly change your bird’s diet and only change the diet when the bird is healthy or else a change in the diet may cause more harm than good. Other birds that are kept in unhygienic conditions develop health problems, infections and diseases, such as the Feather and Beak Disease, Mites, respiratory problems, skin diseases etc. Remember to clean your bird’s cage at least once in 2 days and wash the cage at least once in 2 weeks.

Birds may develop behavioral problems because the owners put them in a cage and did not interact with them. Humans consist of the bird’s flock members and since birds are social creatures they require interaction and attention which does not only mean cuddle time. Birds also require mental stimulation and physical activity to remain healthy. They require toys (bird safe) and time out of their cage with the ceiling fans off, and far away from the kitchen (cooking space).  

Housing and other caging needs - Birds should require an hour of exercise and play time everyday but in case your bird does not receive enough exercise the cage should be twice its wing span length so that it can flap its wings. A larger space is highly recommended if the bird does not come out of its cage frequently.

There should be a variety of perches and swings at different levels to enable the bird to move around and explore the cage. Birds can see colors (some birds can just see 3 colors where as some can see 4-5) hence colorful toys (bird safe) should be put in the cage for mental stimulation and to encourage the birds to play with these toys.

Nutrition - Nutritious food should be fed to the birds and a seed only diet is definitely not good for the bird. Seeds lack the essential vitamins and minerals and are high in fats which are not good for the bird in the long run. Many people feed bird pellets to their birds but in some countries due to the lack of availability of pellets many people stick to fresh fruits and vegetables.  Vegetables like carrots, lettuce leaves, spinach, celery leaves and stalks, boiled potatoes and fruits like tomatoes, apple, grapes, bananas, citrus fruits (oranges, sweet lime), and watermelon are very nutritious and healthy. Sprouted legumes are very nutritious and provide protein to the bird’s diet. Sesame seeds and peanuts are a very good source of essential fats however, these nuts should be limited as per the specie and energy requirement, as fats produce a lot of energy, and if not spent, they will be stored in the body as lipomas.

Fresh clean water should always be provided in spite of the quantity of fresh fruits and vegetables provided. The water should be changed twice a day and the bowl should be washed with diluted soap each time the water is changed. Remember to rinse the dish well after washing it with soap to remove the white slimy film on the food and water dish.

Birds require a bath or light spraying of water or a shallow bowl of water in which they can bathe and splash around. Avoid using a deep bowl as the bird can drown in it. Showering with your bird is another way to spend some time with your bird and if your bird is scared of water then this is the perfect way of showing your bird that water is not harmful.

Toys are very important for a bird’s mental and physical health as mentioned before. The toy should be bird safe. Bird toys are also available online and in many pet stores. Zinc is very harmful for birds, and any material that contains zinc should not be used.  The toys used should match the size of the bird for instance toys used for a budgie should not be overly huge as the bird can get hurt or can get stuck in the rings of the toy.

Providing shredding toys is a good way to reduce your bird’s desire to bite things and can save your house furnishings. Cutting cardboard pieces into shapes and stringing them onto a short cotton rope is a fun way to make your own bird toy. Some people also hang up telephone books and let their bird shed it. Many birds also like opening knots and you can use cotton rope and make a variety of knots and let your bird open them. Always observe your bird when you put in a new toy and never leave the bird alone with the toy unless you are sure that he will be safe and not get hurt.

An out time is considered good for your bird. However you have to keep the bird’s safety in mind at all times. The doors should be closed, the ceiling fans should be switched off and everyone at home should be careful. If there are any sliding doors make sure that your bird does not collide against it and hurt or fracture its body.

Clipping or leaving your bird fully flighted is a personal choice. You have to keep in mind the pros and cons of both. In some countries wing clipping is considered absolutely necessary and people who do not wing clip their birds are considered bad bird owners while on the other hand there are many countries that feel it is immoral to clip a bird’s wing as it is considered insensitive to clip the wings since a bird is meant to fly. Remember that the decision you make should be in the interest of your bird and in the end it is your choice and not the bird’s choice.