How to Care for Birds

Feeding:

Did you know that most parrots and birds kept as pets should eat very little seed? It's fattening and not health-supporting in high quantities. Most birds should be on a diet of a high-quality, organic pellet and a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Talk to your avian veterinarian about diet if you have any questions. A great treat for birds is Millet spray, and can be found at most pet shops.

Exercise:

Everything about a bird's physiology is designed for flight. They have wings, hollow bones, and specialized respiratory systems that allows their bodies to process air differently than we do. Because they're prey species, birds need flight as a means to feel safe and normal. Clipping a bird’s wings is usually unnecessary and can be avoided in most cases by harness training.

Birds don't want to live in cages any more than we do. Consider dedicating a room in your house as your bird's room so they have to spend as little time in their cage as possible. If a bird room isn't in your near future, you will need to have the bird out of their cage, in a safe, supervised space whenever possible for enrichment and the opportunity to fly.

Birds will chew anything in sight: wires, cords, the wall (most paint is hazardous), furniture, etc. To keep your bird safe, remove or adequately cover any of these materials, and ensure that all windows and doors are closed, and familiarize yourself with this list of the most hazardous household materials for birds.

Handling:

Parrots and other birds kept as pets are very different from any other pet you may have had. Take the time to learn about how to optimize their lives with a brief introduction to captive birds in the home.

Housing:

Provide the biggest cage you can afford and design it for fun, safety, comfort.

A cage can never be too big for an animal who has wings. As your bird will likely spend a good amount of their time in their cage, you'll want to design it for comfort (vary the perch heights, make sure food and water access is easy, etc.) and stimulation (great toys!).

Parrots and other birds kept as pets are flock animals. At a minimum they need a close relationship with you, but they'll thrive if they have a good relationship with another bird with whom they live (to understand this, imagine living your life without seeing another human). Talk to your local avian rescue organization to learn about other birds who might get along with yours.

Finally, keep your bird away from other pets in your home until you become sure of their dynamic together.

Health:

Most dog and cat veterinarians don't treat birds. Among those who treat/see birds, very few are board-certified in avian medicine. But finding one who is can make all the difference in supporting a long, healthy life for your bird. A board-certified avian veterinarian knows parrots' nutritional and behavioral needs better than most, and they will be your partner in providing optimal care for your pet.

Once you find a certified avian veterinarian, see them at least once a year and call whenever something seems off with your bird.

As flock animals, birds mask their symptoms when they're sick. It's critical to know your bird so well that you can detect the most minor of shifts in their behavior, then immediately contact the vet. Often this is the only opportunity you'll get to save their life. The best rule to follow with birds is that you can never be too cautious. When in doubt, call the vet. You can find an avian vet at the Association of Avian Veterinarians' website.

Adopting:

Small animals like birds are often mistreated and forced into deplorable conditions when they're bred for pet stores to sell — look for a local rescue first when you're considering adopting a hamster, and skip the pet stores.

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