Expert Bird Care

Bringing a pet bird into your home for the first time is incredibly exciting but can also feel quite daunting. If you're new to bird care, there's a lot to learn to ensure your feathered friend gets the best possible care.

It's also important to dispel common myths and misconceptions about bird care to provide your bird with the best start in your home. Remember, birds come in various breeds, shapes, and sizes, so individual care needs will vary.

If you're preparing to welcome a bird into your family for the first time, read on for our bird care 101 guide.

Health

Ensuring good health is the key to a happy life for your pet bird. Diet is crucial, so refer to the "Feeding" section below for nutritional details.

Parasite Control

Birds can be susceptible to external parasites like lice and mites and internal parasites like worms and giardia. Your vet can recommend the best parasite prevention methods, and it's essential to recognize signs of infestation. Keeping the cage clean is also crucial; see the "Cleaning" section for tips.

Bathing

To keep your bird's feathers in top condition, provide lukewarm water for bathing at least once a day. The frequency of baths may vary depending on the bird, but a few times a week is generally good for healthy feathers and skin.

Beak and Claw Maintenance

Birds need to keep their claws and beaks sharp. Providing perches with different textures and diameters helps wear down their claws and beaks naturally. Offering cuttlefish and other chewing toys also helps.

Monitoring Health

Birds often conceal signs of illness, which can delay detection. Watch for changes in droppings, fluffed or messy feathers, loss of appetite, changes in drinking habits, behavioral changes, weakness, lethargy, drooping on their perch, breathing difficulties, vomiting, or weight changes. If you notice any of these signs, consult an avian vet.

Common Health Problems and Symptoms in Pet Birds

Here are some health issues that bird owners should be aware of:

Respiratory Disease

Causes include the Chlamydophila bacteria, fungal infections like Aspergillosis, and environmental toxins. Symptoms include labored breathing, tail bobbing, sneezing, and coughing.

Scaly Face

Caused by mites known as knemidokoptes, it affects budgies and canaries. Symptoms include crusty lesions around the beak, mouth, and eyes. Treatment involves ivermectin.

Yeast Infections

Caused by the Candida albicans fungus, symptoms include loss of appetite, regurgitation, ruffled feathers, weight loss, and lethargy. Treatment requires antifungal medications.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)

Affects many parrot species and is linked to avian bornavirus. Symptoms include weight loss, regurgitation, ataxia, tremors, and undigested food in feces. Treatment focuses on supportive care.

Obesity

Common in pet birds due to poor diet and lack of exercise, it can lead to arthritis and diabetes. Treatment involves a lower-fat diet and more exercise.

Zoonotic Diseases

Some pet birds, particularly parrots, can spread diseases to humans, such as psittacosis (parrot fever) caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Symptoms in humans include fever, muscle aches, breathing difficulties, and dry cough. Take precautions like washing hands after handling your bird or cleaning their cage and ensuring regular vet check-ups.

Behavior

Pet birds exhibit a range of behaviors, from playful to noisy. Understanding these behaviors helps you provide better care:

Preening

Birds preen to keep their feathers clean and in good condition. Over-preening may indicate anxiety or boredom.

Messing Up Their Cage

A messy cage can signify boredom or unhappiness. Provide toys and environmental enrichment to prevent destructive behavior.

Beak Grinding

This is a sign of relaxation and contentment.

Regurgitating

Regurgitating food can be a sign of courting behavior or feeding young. Do not confuse this with vomiting, which indicates illness.

Napping

Short naps are normal, but extended sleep periods may indicate health issues.

Pulling Your Hair

This behavior could indicate affection or a desire for attention.

Hiding

Birds may hide for playful reasons, stress, anxiety, or nesting behavior.

Vocalizing

Birds make various sounds, each with different meanings:

  • Chirping: Happiness and contentment.
  • Whistling: A happy sound or seeking attention.
  • Chattering: Contentment (soft) or seeking attention (loud).
  • Screaming: Fear, distress, or seeking attention.
  • Talking/Mimicry: Copying human speech or sounds.
  • Hissing: Anxiety or fear, often seen in cockatiels.

Common Behavioral Issues

Feather Plucking

Causes include medical issues, stress, boredom, poor diet, and sexual frustration. It requires detective work to identify the root cause.

Aggression

Caused by hormones, fear, stress, past trauma, or jealousy. Understanding the cause is crucial to addressing this behavior.

Biting

Biting can be normal or due to fear, aggression, jealousy, or molting discomfort.

With this comprehensive guide, you'll be better equipped to provide excellent care for your new feathered family member.

Territorial Behavior

Hormones influence territorial aggression, especially during mating and nesting seasons. To mitigate territorial behavior, regular out-of-cage time, proper handling, and ongoing training are effective strategies.

 

Resolving Behavioral Issues in Pet Birds

To tackle bad bird behavior, follow these tips:

  1. Define the problem: Identify what, when, how often, and how the behavior started.
  2. Observe your bird closely: Note any unusual body language or behavior.
  3. Consider possible causes: Eliminate potential causes like lack of enrichment, stress, fear, or medical issues methodically.
  4. Try a solution: Experiment with solutions if you identify a cause. If one doesn’t work, try another.
  5. Ask for help: Consult an avian vet for expert advice.

  

Body Language in Pet Birds

Understanding bird body language is crucial as it indicates their feelings:

  • Beak clicking: Can indicate happiness (budgies) or a threat (parrots).
  • Beak wiping: For cleanliness and preventing overgrowth.
  • Tail flaring: Sign of excitement.
  • Ruffled feathers: Could indicate preening, cold, or illness.
  • Dilated pupils: Known as eye pinning, can indicate curiosity, excitement, or aggression.
  • Shivering: Helps stay warm, can also indicate excitement or anxiety.
  • Standing on one leg: Heat retention.
  • Flapping wings: Indicates happiness, exercise, attention-seeking, or stretching.
  • Head bobbing: Can signal hunger, desire to be let out, or dancing.

 

Socialization

Birds are social creatures needing companionship to stay happy and healthy. When getting a companion bird, consider:

  • Compatibility: Birds may not automatically get along.
  • Personality: Some birds prefer to be solitary.
  • Size and gender: Avoid size mismatches and consider gender to prevent fights or breeding.
  • Behavior: Match energy levels and temperaments.

Introducing a New Bird

  1. Quarantine for six weeks: To prevent disease transmission.
  2. Initial introduction: Gradually introduce the birds by placing the new bird’s enclosure in the same room.
  3. Monitor reactions: Watch for signs of threat or anxiety.
  4. Equal attention: Give your first bird plenty of attention to avoid jealousy.
  5. Supervised interactions: Allow supervised playtime together, rewarding good behavior.

 

What Pet Birds Can Be Kept Alone?

Some species, like canaries, prefer solitary life. Even solitary birds need daily interaction with their human companions to stay mentally stimulated and socially fulfilled.

 

 

Enrichment

Environmental enrichment prevents boredom and keeps birds mentally stimulated. Ideas include:

  • Toys: Chew toys, puzzle toys, foraging toys.
  • Perches, ladders, swings, mirrors, baths, hiding spots.
  • Rotate toys: To keep things interesting.
  • Out-of-cage enrichment: TV time or family interaction, with a quiet retreat space available. 

Flying

Daily out-of-cage flying sessions are crucial for a bird’s exercise and mental health. Safety tips include:

  1. Secure the space: Ensure no escape routes.
  2. Provide enrichment: Perches and toys.
  3. Food and water: Available outside the cage.
  4. Supervise closely: Leave the cage door open for them to return at will.

 

 

Bird-proofing Your Home

To keep your pet bird safe:

  • Close curtains or blinds.
  • Cover mirrors.
  • Remove toxic plants and foods.
  • Turn off ceiling fans.
  • Store chemicals and pharmaceuticals safely.
  • Keep other pets away.
  • Remove water pots from stoves.
  • Block access to the bathroom and small crevices.

Should I Clip My Pet Bird’s Wings?

Wing clipping is controversial. While it prevents escape and reduces hazards, it also restricts natural movement, causes stress, and can lead to muscle loss and behavioral problems. Instead, create a safe environment and use training to teach safe flying.

Training

Training strengthens your bond, ensures safety, provides mental stimulation, and prevents undesirable behaviors. Positive reinforcement, clicker training, patience, and regular sessions are key.

Feeding

A balanced diet is crucial. Pelleted food forms the bulk of their diet, supplemented by fresh fruits and veggies. Avoid an all-seed diet due to high fat content. Provide cuttlefish bone for beak health.

Safe and Toxic Foods for Pet Birds

Safe foods include:

  • Apple (cores removed)
  • Carrot
  • Pumpkin
  • Leafy greens
  • Pasta
  • Sweet potato

Avoid toxic foods like chocolate, onion, garlic, avocado, caffeine, and high-salt foods.

Habitat

Decide between indoor and outdoor housing. Indoor birds stay safe from predators and weather, while outdoor birds benefit from sunlight and social interaction. If keeping birds outside, ensure adequate weather protection, predator security, and avoid pathogens.

Types of Bird Cages and Enclosures

Choose between metal, wooden, or plastic cages based on durability and maintenance. Floor-based, tabletop, and hanging cages each have their benefits. Ensure adequate size and appropriate bar spacing.

Cleaning Your Pet Bird’s Cage

Daily cleaning includes changing cage liners and cleaning dishes. Weekly deep cleaning involves disinfecting all surfaces and accessories. Use bird-safe cleaning products and keep food and water containers elevated.

Handling

Proper handling builds trust and ensures safety. Start by letting your bird get used to your presence and gradually move to hand-feeding and training for commands like “step up.”

By understanding and addressing your pet bird’s needs through proper care, training, and enrichment, you can ensure a healthy, happy, and harmonious life for your feathered friend.