Bird Care

Did you know that birds are extremely social creatures and don't survive neglect? Now, that's the first thing you ought to keep in mind hen you decide to bring a new bird home. Many birds will pluck out their feathers or your furnishings and even die if you leave them on their own for too long.
So make sure you can spare time each day to play or just be with your bird.

When you take that first step and get ready to take your bird home from the pet shop, it'll be wise to wrap a light cloth around the cage so that your bird is not disturbed or frightened by the noises of the traffic on the way. And make sure the cage is securely lodged in some nook in your car so that it doesn't topple with every turn.

The Right Cage For your Bird
Most probably the cage you bring your bird home in will be too cramped for him so, do keep a roomy cage ready at home for his arrival. You must put fresh paper on the floor of the cage every day, since your bird will always be sitting on top of his toilet and spores from the drying feces can make birds ill.

Also ensure that the door of the cage does not have pointed parts that can damage your bird when he enters the cage or comes out of it. It should be large enough so he doesn't need to squeeze through it and injure himself in the process.

The cage should be big enough for him to spread his wings completely and better still to do a few flips in the air. If it is too small and his wings and tail feathers stick out of the cage, a cat could get at him or even an ignorant child.

Remember that birds are creatures of the air and need all the space you can give them. Hang the cage in a spot where your bird can get light during the day and peace and darkness at night. And do provide it with a perch to sleep on. The perch should be at the right height, so his head doesn't touch the roof of the cage.

The Right Environment for your Pet Bird
Sunshine is as important to your bird as it is to you, as are leaves and trees and flowers. In fact, this is the environment your bird knows well and feels most comfortable in. So do give your new bird a dose of this by taking him outdoors when it's not too hot.

You'll need a larger enclosure for your outdoor treat. You should provide some sort of shaded areas so your bird can choose the amount of light and heat it wants. Overhanging trees will be perfect for shade.

A couple of hours outdoors will be enough to keep your bird happy and stress-free. At night, if there is too much light, you can cover the cage with a light cloth. You will notice that your bird will almost instantly fall asleep.

Keeping your Bird Safe
If you decide to let your bird out of his cage, don't eave your uncaged bird alone. You never know what could get at it. It could be a cat, a dog, your child, a hawk, anything. Never allow your bird to play about on a lawn that has been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. Birds, especially parrots are extremely sensitive to toxins.

Don't place your bird on a tree either, even if his wings have been carefully trimmed so he can't fly away. He might just climb up too high to be easily retrieved. In fact, trimming the wings a bit is important (but only a professional should do this), as even a breath of wind could carry a small bird away.

And finally, keep inquisitive members of your family, including your dog (and I hope you don't have a cat!) away from your new bird for a week or so until he gets used to his new surroundings. Kids can poke their fingers into the cage and get bitten or frighten your bird.

Kids can do other very irritating things to caged birds. Taking proper care of your new bird will ensure that both of you have a long and satisfying relationship. Yes, birds generally live long. The parrot can live to more than sixty!