There are so many things you need to know to take good care of your bird, but we’ll help you with some of the basics. Your veterinarian or pet store can give you some great advice too.

» Is a Bird Right for You?
» Choosing the Right Bird
» Before Bringing Your Bird Home
» Bird Health
» External Warning Signs
» Care Tips

Birds are great companion animals, but many people don’t know that they require more attention than some owners bargain for. Birds need to have their cages cleaned daily, and they also need frequent interaction with their owners. It’s recommended that the cage be scrubbed and disinfected every week. If you can spare the time and attention required to keep it happy and healthy, then a bird can be a great companion for you.

There are a variety of places from which you can purchase birds.

Here are just a few:
• Animal shelter
• Bird Rescue Group
• Breeder
• Pet Store
• Private Home

Just as you would with any other animal, be thoughtful about your purchase. Birds are great companions, but be sure you are ready for the commitment of owning a bird.

When choosing a bird, select one whose personality suits your own. For first-time owners, parakeets, canaries and cockatiels are best, because they’re docile and relatively quiet. Cockatoos, parrots and macaws are better for more experienced bird lovers, as they tend to be louder and more aggressive, in addition to requiring additional attention (including, in some cases, special diets). You should also bear in mind that the more exotic the bird, the more exotic the price—a hyacinth macaw can cost more than $6,000 (their cages alone can cost more than $1,000)!

Before bringing your bird home, make sure you have the right size cage and that it’s clean and ready with food and water.

The cage should be tall enough so that tail feathers do not hit the floor and wide enough so your pet bird’s wings do not touch the sides of the cage when extended. Bigger is better. A pullout tray will make the cage easier to clean. And of course you need at least one perch per bird. Natural wood perches of uneven diameters provide comfort and exercise for feet. Food and water dishes should be located somewhat above the perch so it’s easy for your pet to get to and to avoid pollution from droppings.

You should clean the cage at least once a week. Daily paper changes and weekly cage washings are recommended.

Toys are useful as mental diversions and tend to encourage exercise and beak wear. Chewable items are preferred. New toys, provided alternately, are preferable to filling the cage with many toys.

Height provides security for birds. Keeping the cage at or above eye level will reduce your bird’s stress. Start out with the cage in a quiet room and talk quietly to your bird from a distance to help calm his fears. Do not place the cage in direct sunlight, over heater vents or near air conditioner vents. Healthy birds can tolerate normally comfortable human temperatures. Sudden changes in temperature may be a potential threat to sick birds. Also, you should leave the lights on for your new bird so they can find food and get to know their new environment. Working with your bird daily will bolster trust and create a bond.

Ask the person who sold you your new bird what they’ve been feeding him or her, and continue it. Sudden dietary changes may result in stress. If you want to, you can gradually change your bird’s diet once he or she is feeling more at home. If your bird doesn’t eat that first day, it’s not unusual. However, they should never go beyond 24 hours without eating.

Before you bring your bird home, be sure to “bird proof” your house. Tidy up electrical cords, seal cosmetic or cleaning products, cover open appliances and securely latch windows.

Birds are very sensitive to fumes. The basic rule is, “if you can smell it, don’t use it around your bird.”

Physical health is important for your bird, but you also need to think about its mental health. Birds are highly intelligent creatures that need constant mental stimulation to stay healthy. This includes daily owner interaction, playing with a variety of toys and plenty of out-of-cage exercise.

Get to know your bird so you know what is “normal behavior.” This can help you identify possible signs of illness. Call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any difference in appearance, behavior, activity or eating habits. Don’t wait!

Appearance – Loss of feathers or a change in their texture might be a warning sign. Weight loss is another warning sign that your bird may be sick.

Behavior – Any noticeable changes in your pet’s behavior could be an indication that it is sick. For a bird, a common indication is sitting on the cage floor, rather than the perch.

Eating – Your bird must eat to grow and develop. A healthy diet is also important in fending off disease. If your bird isn’t eating enough – or worse, if it isn’t eating at all – its health can deteriorate rapidly. If you notice a change in diet, talk to your vet.

Stools – When your bird’s feces are different than normal, it indicates problems. Condition, color and odor can all be evaluated to diagnose the problem.

Other signs – Vomiting, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge or ocular (eye) discharge are all immediate danger signs and can indicate illness.

Always contact your avian veterinarian for specific treatment advice.

• Before bringing your bird home, make sure you have the right size cage and that it’s clean and ready with food and water.

• The cage should be tall enough so that tail feathers do not hit the floor and wide enough so your pet bird’s wings do not touch the sides of the cage when extended. Bigger is always better.

• A pullout tray will make the cage easier to clean.

• You need at least one perch per bird. Natural wood perches of uneven diameters provide comfort and exercise for feet.

• Food and water dishes should be located somewhat above the perch so it’s easy for your pet to get to and to avoid pollution from droppings.

• You should clean the cage at least once a week. Daily paper changes and weekly cage washings are recommended.

• Toys are useful as mental diversions and tend to encourage exercise and beak wear. Chewable items are preferred. Rotating one or two toys is preferable to filling the cage with many toys.

• Height provides security for birds. Keeping the cage at or above eye level will reduce your bird’s stress.

• Start out with the cage in a quiet room and talk quietly to your bird from a distance to help calm its fears. Do not place the cage in direct sunlight, over heater vents or near air conditioner vents.

• Healthy birds can tolerate normally comfortable human temperatures. Sudden changes in temperature may be a potential threat to sick birds. Also, you should leave the lights on for your new bird so they can find food and get to know their new environment.

• Working with your bird daily will bolster trust and create a bond.

• Ask the person who sold you your new bird what he or she has been feeding it, and continue it. Sudden dietary changes may result in stress. If you desire, you can gradually change your bird’s diet once it is feeling more at home.

• If your bird doesn’t eat that first day, it’s not unusual. However, it should never go more than 24 hours without eating.