People adopt pet birds for different reasons. There may be some who find feathered friends extremely relaxing and love the colourful plumage. While, there are others who take interest on the ability of some birds to adapt human language.

Pet birds can be both those common and domesticated breeds of birds.  People have taking care of birds since three to four centuries ago.  These birds graced numerous kingdoms and palaces before it entered out living rooms.

So, if you are thinking of getting a feathered friend and unsure about what to pick out, there are some considerations that you have to think about.  This would include ability to handle additional financial obligations and taking care of a pet.  Birds are not easy maintenance pets, unlike what most people think.  They are social animals who need attention from their owners.  And you can be surprised how long these birds can live!

If you have fully considered taking care of a bird but indecisive  of what kind you can take care of, here are some information about the most popular bird choices:

• Parakeets – this bird can also be called a Budgerigar or sometimes Budgies.  These birds are ideal if you are just a starting bird owner, they are sociable towards each other and to humans.  Their size range from small to medium making it easier to care for compared with big birds.  Their life expectancy is about 12 to 14 years. But they tend to be noisy sometimes and destructive of their surroundings.

• Cockatiels -  are  birds members of the parrot family making them capable of learning human words. Ther are also pretty much advanced in their singing and whistling capabilities. They are also very much capable of copying sounds like  a car alarm, ringing phone or other bird calls. There are different colors for these birds and can live up between 15 to 20 years.

• Canaries- are also very popular birds.   This kind of bird is ideal for those pet owners who cannot give maximum attention to their birds.  These birds pay little attention to humans and prefer to live in small flocks.  Their life span would be about 10 years. What‘s great about canaries is that they sing beautifully.  Male canaries have richer voices than females.

• Lovebirds – these birds are ideal if you live in a place where you are very close to neighbours who do not want too much bird noise. They can be very quiet and can live up to 20 years.  They are also part of the parrot family. Some pet owners would rather have a single lovebird rather than a usual pair, so that the bird can bond more with the owner than the other bird.

• African greys- are said to be the most intelligent of the birds, especially in terms of their vocabulary.  This intelligence is why it is important for an African Grey to have a lot of stimulating toys around their cage. These kind of birds can live up to 50  to 70 years.

But not all pet owners are happy with having domesticated pet birds.  There are pet owners who prefer exotic birds which are usually from countries in Asia, Africa or Australia. Most of pet owners would choose birds from the parrot family since they would have very delightful colors and can show supreme intelligence.

But when importing birds from other countries, there are important regulations and rules which should be followed.  Smuggling birds in countries can have an effect on the number of birds in their natural habitat (which sometimes lead to endangerment) and worse health for the birds and humans too.

Serious diseases happened in the United States because of failure in undergoing the proper procedure for bringing exotic and wild pets in the country.  Examples of these diseases would be avian flu or the exotic Newcastle Disease.

When bringing in a bird in the country, make sure that you birds have been checked by veterinarians and avian experts for diseases.  They should have a health certificated from the veterinarian and at the same time the permit issued by  the government. Most cases of aviary disease and their outbreak can be traced to birds who have entered the country by illegal means.

There are many options when picking out the right pet bird for you.  Regardless of its breed, size, or appearance, the most important thing is to take into consideration is that they would be around for a while.  So make sure to pick the bird that you can enjoy, because they are not just commodities that you can throw away if you no longer want them to be around.

Most people would get a pet bird because they thought that they are “low-maintenance pets”.   Unfortunately for them, they would face the truth that birds are not like that.  Like any other animals, birds would need social and physical attention from their owners.  There are studies showing pet birds developing behavioural problems because their owners neglect them.

How can you make your bird happy?

A healthy bird is a happy one.   When caring for  birds, it is important to take note of their diet, housing and other social needs. There are some bird owners, who were overwhelmed of their pet responsibilities that they either give up their pets or their pets escaped from their homes.

Here are some things to remember to make our little feathered companions happy.

Shelter and Cage

When choosing a cage for a pet bird, make that there should be enough room for them to move.  It is ideal for small birds to have perches where they can hop to, while big birds should have enough room to spread their wings without touching the sides of the cage.  Perches should also be in different sizes.  This would remove any possibility of birds hurting their feet for staying in one position.   The perches should also provide access to food and water.

There are also some bird toys which you can give to your birds.  There are some bird toys which can come in very low prices or sometimes given away for free.  It is just a matter of looking.   You can also try providing some “natural” comfort to your birds.  Like safe and edible plants and non-toxic wood inside the cage.

When choosing a location in your house where you can put the bird cage, keep the bird in a safe and quiet environment.  Kitchen is a no-no.  Cleaning and cooking fumes can get dangerous to birds.   It is also important for birds to get direct sunlight.  Similar to humans, birds also need vitamin D.

Cages should also be cleaned every day.  You can use water and minimal amount of bleach to kill the bacteria.  When cleaning bird cages, move the bird in a safe place.  The cleaning fumes can be bad for the birds.

Nutrition and Grooming

Bird food is not solely bird seeds.  Some pet owners think that bird seeds are just enough, seed only diet can result to early death.   Birds’ diet should include vegetables, fruits, grains and dairy food.  Avoid processed meat and food with high sugar content.  Avoid feeding avocadoes and chocolates, they are high in sugar.  Constant fresh water should be supplied to birds.

Bathing opportunity should be provided to birds.  There are different options, you can put a shallow dish where birds can take a bath.  Some birds would prefer to be given a shower under a faucet or you can spray them with water.  Bathing is important especially if the bird is suffering molting.

Birds also need to sleep.  Make sure that the place where the cage can be silent and dark enough for the bird to sleep.

Socialization

Birds are social creatures.  You just don’t put them in a cage and just watch them from time to time.  You would also need to give them time to make them happy.  There were studies that have showed that parrots being neglected by their owners developed behavioural problems like feather plucking.

You can put your bird’s cage in the family room where family members can frequently see the bird and spend time with it.  Free flight also provides great health benefits to your bird.  Even if the bird cage is big enough, it still does not provide enough physical stimulation and movement to your pet.   You can stay with your pet and with your family in the family room.  Not only do you get to spend time with your pet bird, you also get to spend time with your family.

How much did you spend for your pet bird? You probably spent a few hundreds and if you don’t want to throw that money to waste, you have to learn how to keep your pet bird alive.

Feeding your pet bird is easy since you can buy pellets or seeds from the store. If you want to spice up their diet a bit, never give them chocolate, certain fruits and vegetables which have proven to be toxic.

Apart from food, your pet bird will also need water. If your pet bird is not hydrated properly, they will die. This can happen if the water bottle you placed in the cage is not working properly so this has to be checked regularly.

Birds need to have to wings clipped. This allows the bird to gracefully land prevent it from flying erratically.

You have probably heard that birds must never be kept near windows and drafts but have no idea why. Well, one good answer is to prevent the birds from inhaling toxic fumes which can if the bird is placed near the kitchen.

Aside from fumes coming from the kitchen, you can keep your bird alive if you do not smoke or use any household cleaning agents near them. Birds that happen to inhale them may soon experience irritation, a host of respiratory problems and death.

Birds require big cages so they can spread their wings while they are inside. This will also prevent them from bumping their heads on the sides which may cause an internal injury which you are not aware of.

Some bird owners have other pets inside the house. If you are like them, be sure that when they are out of the cage, you are always there. If it should be another bird, make sure that the two are locked up in separate cages since some species cannot coexist together.

Your pet bird needs to take a bath on a regular basis. You can do this by letting them wash themselves using a bowl or with a shower hose. When giving them a bath, never use soap or shampoo as this will damage their natural oil. Let them dry naturally or with a towel and never with a hair dryer as this can burn them.

Owners who want to bring their bird wherever you are going must never leave it in the car. This is because they could die due to excessive heat especially when the temperature is very humid.

Don’t forget to bring your pet bird to the vet for his or her regular checkup. If you sense that there is something wrong with your bird, bring them immediately over to the clinic for a closer examination because doing nothing just makes matters worse.

Lastly, never let your bird sleep outside the cage. There is no telling what can happen while you are asleep so instead of taking that risk, it is best to put them back inside and just see them again when you wake up in the morning.

Although you cannot always foresee what dangers lie in the future for your pet bird, it will be able to live for a long period of time as long as you know how to do it right. If you need help, consult with your veterinarian.

Your pet bird should visit the vet on a regular basis. While you might think any doctor can best treat your bird, it is better to consult with someone who specializes in these creatures.Q

Such a person is called an avian veterinarian. When you go around looking for one, it is best that this person belongs to the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Specialists who are members of this organization have 6 or more years of experience dealing with birds. In fact, there are only 100 certified avian veterinarians worldwide and you are lucky to have one who happens to be residing near where you live.

But what if you are not able to find a doctor who is certified by the AAV? When this happens, you have to consult with a veterinarian based on the recommendations of other bird owners or through word of mouth.

If you don’t have friends who own birds, try talking to bird breeders and organizations which are into owning and caring for birds just like you. Your other options will be to look through the phone directory or online and then set an appointment.

When you visit their clinic, discuss what you expect from them and pay attention to the answers they give you. It will be nice to know how long they have been working on birds, what equipment or training do they have and how your bird is behaving with them.

It will also be very important to know if they can be contacted or consulted whenever there is an emergency. If they are not available, someone they know and trust should be able to give you and your bird the same amount of attention.

One other thing you should check before or after talking to a potential avian doctor is to see if the place is clean and if the people who work there are friendly. Naturally, you don’t want your bird to stay overnight for observation if the place is unsanitary as a disease from another bird could infect your own.

Once you have finished interviewing a list of potential candidates, it will be easy to choose which one will be the doctor for your pet bird.

A good bird doctor will not only talk to you whenever your pet has a problem but also offer tips so you can handle minor problems on your own. You might be taught how to sense if something is wrong and what to do until you are able to bring the bird over.

Part of that includes having the right avian first aid supply at home. This includes having a carrier large enough to carry the bird since the cage may not always fit in the car. Some cotton swabs, gauze tape, tubing, betadine and a host of other things are also needed so make sure you have a sufficient supply of these items at all times.

The veterinarian is your best friend whenever there is something wrong with your pet bird. Given that they know more about this creature, you just have to trust them and hope that everything works out for the best. While there are a lot of veterinarians around, you have to know how to choose the right one for your pet bird.

Pet birds just like us need to take a bath. This helps keep them clean and remove excess oil on their feathers. Doing this on a regular basis also promotes good health as they are also affected from household air conditioning and heating.

To do that, you first have to bring the pet bird to a room that is warm and has no drafts. It is also best to do this early during the day so the bird will be able to dry itself before bedtime.

The materials you will using will be a heavy dish filled with one or two inches of water. The reason for this is to create an artificial puddle which is what birds in the wild go when they feel the need to cleanse themselves.

The water used should be lukewarm or room temperature as cold water can chill them. Once inside the bowl, they can already bathe themselves.

Bigger birds cannot properly bathe themselves in a bowl. This is why it is a good idea to bring the bird out of its cage, let it stand on the perch and then you run the water lightly on them.

One of the most ideal places in the house to do this is the bathroom or the kitchen. With the hose is in your hand, never spray the water on their face. Do not also make the mistake of saturating your pet bird’s feathers. Doing so can lead to a loss of body heat and flight impairment.

While bathing them inside a bowl or on a perch, take note that it was never mentioned to use shampoo or soap on them because water is enough to cleanse them. Using any type of cleaning products is bad because it removes the bird’s natural oils.

After giving your pet bird a bath, you can let them dry on their own or wipe them gently using a towel. If you are going to do it, make sure that you only rub in the direction of the feather growth. Never use a hair dryer because you could burn them.

Don’t forget to clean the sink or the tub with water and mild unscented soap after giving your pet bird a bath. This will ensure protection for you and your family who also use it when they brush their teeth or do the dishes.

Before you put the pet bird back in the cage, don’t forget to change the cage bedding. Most of the time, this gets wet from the splashing as the bird washes itself and you wouldn’t want bacteria to grow there that could get your bird sick.

Bathing your bed bird should be done once or twice a week. You can do this more often especially during the molten season because it helps remove itching. You just have to observe your bird to figure out if they prefer to take a bath.

Some birds do not like taking a bath. If you happen to be in this situation, you should gradually introduce them to it so they can get to enjoy it. One way is to get yourself wet and since they trust you, in time they will understand that it is perfectly alright.

A bath is always a refreshing experience and your pet bird should also have one every so often.

Ever came home or work up in the morning and noticed something different about your pet bird? If you sense there is something wrong, don’t ignore it but rather take this matter seriously before it is too late.

But how can you tell that there is something wrong with your pet bird? Well, a thorough observation always works and here is what you should watch out for.

Birds have droppings and if these are color yellow, rusty brown or tarry black, they could already be suffering from internal bleeding or something worse. If there is no change in the color check if this is happening more or less frequent.

The feathers of the birds could also be an indicator if something is wrong especially if these are fluffed out. When this happens, it is possible that they are already suffering from respiratory problems or other disorders. If this has happened for a day, better bring in your pet bird to the vet.

You might notice that is something is wrong when you look at the bird’s nose. If it appears to be red or shows any sign of inflammation or discharge, they could be seriously ill and bringing them to the vet may be their only hope of survival.

Looking into the eyes of the bird can tell you if they have a problem especially if it is a cloudy or there is a discharge. It is possible that they have a muscular, nervous or respiratory disorder and you will know not the answer unless they are brought in to the clinic.

If your pet bird does not eat that much as before, it could be a sign of intestinal blockage of impaction. While looking at their plate is one way to tell you if their appetite has been reduced, you can also do the same by looking at the bottom of the cage especially the color of the droppings.

Of the many problems that can happen to your pet bird, respiratory problems are number one and you can tell immediately if they start breathing from their mouth.

Birds are very clean creatures similar to cats but if their wings look dirty, it may mean that something is already wrong.

Weight loss can also tell you there is something wrong with the bird. While their feathers may hide that, you can still check on it by taking them out of the package and weighing them on scale. You should already have an idea how much they weight in order for this to work.

Tail bobbing is another sign which can tell you if something is wrong with the bird. If you don’t know what this is, basically the tail of the bird moves up and down frequently and since this is not normal for birds, this can tell you a great deal on the physical health of your bird.

Lastly, any changes in your pet bird’s vocalization can be a good indicator something is wrong. You just have to listen to them so you know when something is different.

Your pet bird is a sensitive creature and since they cannot tell you they are sick, you have to pay attention to the signs so you can take care of the problem in its early stages.

If you have children at home, instead of buying them toys that they will only outgrow, you can instead teach them good values in caring for pets. To make sure that they will enjoy the process, you can give them animals that are easy to handle. For this purpose, you can choose to give your kids pet birds. But you also have to be careful about the species that you should give to your kids. To start with, you can bring them along with you at the pet store where you will buy the birds. Let them choose based on appearance and guide them by telling the pros and cons of such choice.

Kids are usually fascinated with pets. Your role here is to make sure that they become good providers and friends to their birds. This learning process will only be successful if you will serve as a good leader. You must teach them good values regarding the process. You may also choose to reward them for the good deeds that they will be able to share with their pets. You should also help them in choosing accessories for their birds. You can also start teaching them about the value of money. You can give them certain amount that they can allot for the expenses that they have to spend on their pets.

To help your kids more about the deciding phase, here are some types of birds that you may want to suggest to them. These are easy to handle and they will surely learn a lot from them. And they will also be able to share vital lessons to these birds.

1. Budgies or Parakeets. Kids love these types because they are colorful and pretty. They can be touched and can tolerate the petting that your kids may subject them to. They are small and easy to carry around even by your small tots. They are gentle in nature and develop good bonding with their masters. Your kids will surely be delighted to have them around as companion. These are sweet in nature and they will easily oblige to your child’s requests, making the relationship harmonious between the bird and your child.

2. Finches. These kinds only need minimal interaction. This attitude is perfect for kids who tend to engage themselves in so many things and activities. These birds will not mind even if their owners spend little time with them. Young kids will surely enjoy the soothing music that these birds can create. They can emulate chatter and soft chirps that will sound like beautiful noise to your kids’ ears. You can opt to get more than one finch so that they will have companions even if your kids don’t have much time to allot with their pets. But these types should not be taken out of their cages. That is a vital factor that you must teach your kids from the very beginning.

3. Cockatiels. These types are ideal for young and even older kids. But the owners must be able to spend quality time with them for the birds to be happy all the time. Your children will be delighted with the attitude of these birds. They will surely look forward at being with them after a hard day at school. They can teach these kinds to talk, making it such a delight for your child especially when they have become successful in the project.

They can also teach them to whistle their favorite tunes. These birds can also learn simple tricks as long as your child pays enough time and attention to teach their pet birds how.

Every pet bird needs to be properly groomed. Most of the time, this simply involves clipping their toenails, their wings and giving it an occasional misting.

To clip your pet bird, you will need a pair of animal clippers, a towel, styptic powder and a helper. If there is no styptic powder available, you will have to use household flour because this is a good blood clotting agent.

Before you begin, put the towel over your bird’s head because if they get scared by what you are doing, there is a very good chance that they bird will bite you. When you put the towel over the head, make sure that the bird is still able to breathe. It will also be a good idea to speak to the bird in a soothing tone and hold them securely.

The part of the toenail that will be clipped is the little hook that is found at the end of each toenail. Never cut any further because this will make your bird begin to bleed.

If the bird begins to bleed, apply the styptic powder immediately over the affected area and make sure the bleeding stops. Once you are done, return the bird back into the cage so it can calm done rather than being beaten by the bird.

As you can see, clipping a bird’s wing is very easy. But if you don’t have anyone around to assist or you are not that confident yet to do it yourself, bring this over instead to the vet for proper care and handling.

The next thing you have to do when grooming your pet bird is clipping their wings. The reason why you have to clip your bird’s wings is to prevent it from flying into mirrors or windows which could them a concussion. To do this, you will need again a towel, styptic powder and a pair of scissors.

To clip the wings, you will have to restrain the bird using the towel while leaving one wing exposed. Once the bird is secure, expose the wing gently until it is extended.

You will soon notice that there are two rows of feathers. The long row of feathers on the bottom half is what is used by bird to fly. From here, you will now have to decide whether to do a severe wing clip or a moderate clip.

The severe wing clip is done by removing all the ten long feathers at the end of each wing. The moderate clip leaves the first 2 weathers intact while removing the last 8 feathers.

There is another method of clipping the wings known as pinioning that happens to be a permanent method of wing clipping and this should only be done by a veterinarian.

Clip carefully so the bird does not bleed. If it does, pull it out so you remove the feather and the shaft then apply styptic powder. Once you are done with the first wing, do the same for the other because failure to do so makes the bird feel off balanced.

Lastly, mist your bird with water as this helps them stay sleek and smooth. This is a faster way of cleaning them if they don’t like taking a bath regularly.

Clipping the toenails and wings as well as misting are the proper ways of grooming your bird. These are chores you have to learn how do so you don’t always have to drive over the clinic.

Do you think that your pet bird is sick and tired of just eating pellets and seeds? It is possible and to spice up their diet, here are a few things you can give them on occasion.

Fruits are great because they have vitamins and minerals. Some examples which you can give your pet bird include bananas, grapes, melons and oranges. Just remember it is fresh and whatever they do not eat after an hour should thrown away to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.

If fruits are good, there is no doubt that vegetables are also worth giving to your pet bird. Some examples are broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and peas. Just be sure to wash them first so any pesticides that were used in planting them are removed.

Beans are also good to give to your pet bird. Before you give it, make sure to cook it first because there are certain varieties of beans that are harmful if they happen to eat this raw.

We love pasta and your pet bird can enjoy that too. This is because pasta is rich in carbohydrates and it can go well with the fruits or vegetables that you are giving. Best of all, this can be eaten raw or cooked.

Your pet bird can also eat bread as this provides them with a good source fiber. It is best to give it to them in smell bites first rather than a whole piece if you are giving this for the very first time.

Another ideal snack to give your pet bird is popcorn. If you decide to serve this unpopped, boil it first in plain water so you can soften the tough hull. If you are giving this cooked, make sure this is heated using the microwave because these are high in fat and salt that is harmful to their health.

Cereals and grains can also be given to your pet bird. Such treats contain carbohydrates and protein so just fill up their plate and then watch them munch it away.

Nuts are also a tasty treat that your pet bird will enjoy. If they don’t eat it, this can also be used to exercise their beaks. Just be sure the variety of nuts you give is both clean and unsalted.

Lastly, your pet birds can be given some pepper. This is because they can easily take it since they lack the taste receptors that we humans have. If you don’t believe it, try giving your pet bird either some fresh chili or banana pepper.

Birds need proper nutrition and in order for that to happen, it has to be ingested, digested and absorbed. You can get this from many products and if you want to know what else they can eat, ask your veterinarian or do some research. That way, you are sure that what you are giving them is safe and that they will not experience any side effects.

If they do not like what you have given, don’t force them and offer them something else. In time, you will figure out what treats they like and do not like so they can get to eat other stuff not only seeds and pellets.

To help your pet bird digest whatever they just ate, make sure that they have a sufficient amount of water inside the cage.

There are many considerations that you have to think about before you can decide what types of pet birds suit your lifestyle. It is easy to get smitten with pets, especially if you will take a look at them in a pet shop where they have everything they need and they are made to look good so that people will be engaged in buying them.

But before you head on to the counter to buy your chosen animals, you must think hard if this is really what you want. This is not merely a purchase but a big responsibility as well. Once you have become the pet’s owner, you must guard their well-being. You must make sure that you will be able to give them better life and more comfortable accommodation than what they had in the store where you got them.

To help you with this kind of decision, you can first read through the tips available on various resources. You can start by going online and reading websites that specifically cater to this topic. You will gain a broader insight when you dig deep about the matter. You can also opt to read person al blogs of pet owners. Through this, you will be able to see how they have dealt with the matter, what are the usual problems that they encounter and how they were able to succeed or what causes their failure as a master to their pets.

You can also start reading books about the pets that you want to acquire. You must have basic knowledge about how you must handle them before you take them in at your homes. You can also gather such information on magazines about pets and other animals. If you are already doing this kind of initial research, you are on the right track because you are exerting effort to show that you deserve to get them.

Here are some more tips that can help you with your decision. Think about each aspect carefully and try to look into it at relate the matter with your lifestyle to see if it will fit right or you have to drop the idea.

1. Size of the bird. If you want bigger species of birds, you must be ready with more mess. This type can be more demanding as well as louder than the smaller kinds. If you think that you can’t handle such or you still want to test the waters, you must opt for small or medium species. You must first get your hands into the actual caring part to gauge your capacity and limitations as a pet owner.

2. Maintenance. When you are buying the birds, you must ask about the kinds of foods that they take. You must make sure that you can easily buy such types. You must also have a vet near you. And you must allot enough budget to be able to accommodate such expenses on your overall finances.

3. Commitment. You must be able to allot enough time to care and socialize with your birds. Different variety requires different attention. There are some birds that you must engage in exercise activities so that they won’t get bored and they will stay fit.

Owning pet birds can be fun. They can be your companion and you can treat them as friends or family members. But you must make sure that you also take the effort to make them happy and satisfied during their stay with you.