Caring for your pet > Birds

Caring for Birds

Birds

Birds 101

There are too many species of birds to be included here, so we’ve featured only some basic care-and-feeding information. For more detailed information on specific bird types, visit Animal World or talk to a pet store representative.

What kind of bird is right for you and your family? Here are some general guidelines:

  • Low-maintenance, low-dollar option: zebra finches. These colorful, small, hardy and relatively inexpensive birds live seven to 10 years. They are not as social with their human caretakers as other species, but do need company of their own kind, so you must keep at least a pair.
  • Cheerful and chirpy option: canary. These singing birds are like finches in that they do not enjoy human handling. But they don’t like to share a cage, either, and are content with attention solely from their owners.
  • Fun option: budgies and cockatiels. Budgies, erroneously known as parakeets, enjoy perching on your shoulder and can be taught to mimic words. They are great for children. Cockatiels are about twice the size of budgies and have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They’re smart, love to be handled and can be very talkative.

Environment

No matter the species, your bird will need a cage that’s large enough for him to stretch his wings and fly short distances. To prevent escape or injury, the bars on the cage should be less than a half-inch apart — a little larger than the tips of your fingers. Add lots of perches at varying heights, including one that is level with food dishes. Line the bottom of the cage with absorbent CareFRESH bedding.

Place the cage in a warm, bright part of the house, close to where the action is, away from all drafts and direct sunlight, and off the floor. Don’t set up the cage in or near the kitchen — fumes from self-cleaning ovens and overheated Teflon-coated cookware can be fatal to birds.

Cockatiels and budgies need at least an hour of exercise out of the cage in a safe, enclosed room every day. Be sure to secure the room first by shutting all windows and doors, and cover any windows or mirrors so your bird cannot accidentally fly into them.

Birds love toys such as ladders, swings and mirrors with bells. Wooden chew toys are great for keeping beaks trimmed. Make sure toys are safe and appropriate for your bird’s size and species.

Diet

Although seed has been the traditional staple of a bird’s diet, most experts now recommend pelleted food formulated for your bird’s species, which provides optimum nutrition with less mess. Birds also enjoy fresh veggies and fruits, including dark, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, apples, pears, melon and kiwi. Remove any uneaten food from the cage, and do not give your bird avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb or apple seeds.

Fresh, cold water should be available at all times. Change it at least once a day.

Care & Handling

Thoroughly clean the birdcage once a week. Once a month, clean it with a disinfectant solution. Birds love to take baths to keep their plumage clean, so keep a shallow dish at the bottom of the cage.

Before handling your budgie or cockatiel, you must get acquainted first. Open the cage door, insert your hand, talk softly and offer your bird a small treat like a piece of air-popped popcorn or a sunflower seed. Once you’ve earned your bird’s trust, pass a perch or thin stick into the cage and gently press it against your pet. With time, he should hop up onto the stick. After that, you can get your bird to step from the stick onto your finger.

Health & Veterinary Care

Take your bird to the vet for an annual checkup. But if you think your pet is sick, take him to the vet right away. If your bird is fluffing out his feathers or sitting quietly on the floor of his cage with his eyes closed, he may not be feeling well. Also, look for a change in the consistency, frequency or color of droppings and other symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, blocked nostrils, labored breathing and a crusty beak or eyes.