Endless sizes, colors, species, and more, there is a bird that will fit into anyone's lifestyle and budget. Whether it is a Macaw to boss you around, a little canary to sing sweetly, a Cockatiel to relish in your attention, or a pair of lovebirds to observe doing what lovebirds do, they are all appealing and fascinating creatures. Here you will find tips on care, picking the right cage, keeping your feathered friend entertained and happy and healthy.
Check out our forums and chat about birds with other bird owners, get help caring for your bird/s or just come to learn more.
~ by Dana Rodriguez ©
Before you buy a bird as a pet you should take a few things in consideration.
First of all birds can be very noisy! My birds are constantly squawking ,singing ,tweeting and whistling during the daylight hours. Will your neighbors or landlord object? Birds are also very messy. I’m constantly have to vacuum as they throw seeds, shed during molting season. etc. They can never be trained to be "neat”. They make wonderful pets if you are willing to spend time and money one them and they can live 10-30 years or more depending on the type of bird you buy.
They also can and will bite when frightened angry, injured or just in a bad mood! You can usually tell if they may be about to bite by their body language and the dialation of their pupils.
If this doesn’t scare you away then here’s some basic info on what you will need to start out.
Cage-
Plan on spending $40-$80 on a nice cage for a parakeet minimum size should be 16" square.
Minimum for a nice cage for a Cockatiel is around $80-$120 Minimum size should be no less than 18"x20"
And the larger the bird the more it will be and depends on how fancy you want to get.
I line the bottom of the cage with newspaper in the pull out tray which should be changed daily.
Perch covers are great to because they have sand on them which help keeps the nails trimmed down.
Birds love toys and a variety should be bought so you can switch them out so they wont get bored.
Rope toys, mirror toys with bells - the list is endless. Toys usually run $5 and up. You should ask at the store which ones are the safest for your pet.
I don’t recommend the cheap bird food like you'd buy at the grocery store. I go to Petco, Petsmart or specialty pet stores. The food is a little pricier but I like to find the kind that has a large Variety of ingredients!
Cuttle bone and mineral block are also good items to purchase. They have added minerals for your birds health and are relatively inexpensive.
And Nutri Berries is a great way to add a little variety to your birds everyday food.
~ by Dana Rodriguez ©
Always Make sure your bird has fresh water every day - more often if you notice droppings, food or feathers in the water. You wouldn’t want to drink it and neither do they. I don’t suggest putting liquid vitamins in their water
as it causes a slime in their cup which is bacteria
Besides feeding your bird seeds or pellets you can also give them certain treats.
Cereal such as Cheerios, Grape Nuts, Shredded Wheat and Rice Krispies are fine.
Cooked brown rice, pasta, corn and dry whole wheat toast is also good. Just don’t add salt.
Fresh fruit and vegetables make good treats as well.
Safe foods for your pet include:
broccoli
asparagus
carrots
carrot tops
corn
lima beans
peas
pumpkin
red or green sweet
peppers
yellow squash
zucchini.
All fresh fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly to remove any pesticides that may be one them.
Fresh fruits that are safe include:
apples
apricots
bananas
(my bird Loves) berries
canteloupe
watermelon
honeydew
mango
peaches
pears
pineapple
plum
oranges and kiwi.
Just make sure there are NO SEEDS in the fruit as it can be harmful!
Unsalted popcorn is also fine.
You can also purchase treats at the pet store such as honey sticks which can be broken in pieces.
My birds like Nutri Berries (give one or 2 a day).
Your bird DOES NOT need grit. Wild birds do need it as they eat the hull and seed as domestic birds hull their seeds and its not necessary to give them grit.
Do not feed your bird shellfish. Only feed your bird cooked meat. fish or eggs that have been
freshly cooked. Never refrigerated and reheated!
Canned vegetables tend to have allot of sodium so use frozen instead. If you do use canned make sure it is washed to remove any sodium.
For a healthy bird offer a variety of fresh foods in addition to bird food 2 or 3 times a day.
~ by Dana Rodriguez ©
There are a few things that everyone has around their home that is toxic and potentially fatal to your feathered friend!
Foods you should NEVER give your bird:
Avocado: This fruit is one that should not be given to your pet, as it is toxic to birds
Chocolate is also poisonous to your bird.
Dont’ ever feed your bird sweet or salty snacks such as chips, candy or any other food considered junk food to humans. Though it wont kill your bird it can make them ill just as it can a person, maybe worse.
Never give your bird alcohol or caffiene.
Never preheat a Teflon / non-stick pot or pan with nothing in it around your bird! There have been deaths and illness associated with this as the fumes from Teflon heating up is very toxic to birds.
Teflon is not the only thing that gives off fumes - avoid hair dryers, electric heaters, bread makers or anything with an element that has to heat up. These too make toxic fumes that will kill a bird.
Self Cleaning ovens can emit dangerous fumes as well!
Birds love to chew on house plants and some are poisonous to birds. To find out if you have a houseplant that is toxic you can go to the plant safety page and download our chart.
Scented oils, candles, air fresheners, cleaning supplies and incense should not be used around your pet without adequate ventilation. These too give off deadly fumes that may not bother you but can kill your bird.
~ Courtesy of Drs. Foster & Smith ©
In the ideal world, you would start with a healthy bird and then maintain its environment and diet in such a way as to keep it healthy. In the real world, it does not always work that way. By familiarizing oneself with what is normal, one can determine what is abnormal. The owner is in the best position to determine that the bird is not right. You may not know what is wrong (that is what your veterinarian spent years at school learning), but you know something is wrong. Some basic information will give you a starting point for determining when your pet bird needs to see the veterinarian. If you have any doubt about your bird's health, consult with your veterinarian who can help diagnose and treat the problem.
Birds can hide illness for a long time. In the wild, they would become someone's lunch if they showed signs of weakness or illness. In our homes, birds still hide their illness. One of the easiest ways to monitor the bird's health is to weigh the bird on a monthly basis. If the bird is losing weight and you do not have it on a diet, it is probably ill. Some of the most common injuries or illnesses are listed below with at-home care instructions, which buy time to get the bird to the veterinarian.
Broken blood feather:
Broken blood feathers can cause what appears to be a lot of blood loss. They are relatively easy to treat. At home, pack the broken shaft with styptic powder or flour. Apply minimal pressure with a gauze or telfa pad while traveling to the veterinarian. At the clinic, the veterinarian will probably pull out the bleeding shaft. If you have been shown how to do this, it is something you can do at home. The bleeding stops after the shaft has been removed.
Cat or dog attack:
Handle the bird quietly and calmly to avoid adding to its stress. Keep the bird quiet and warm (to help prevent or treat shock).
If the wound is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a gauze, but do not restrict breathing. Transport the bird to your veterinarian immediately.
Check for broken bones. If a wing is broken, wrap both wings loosely to the body with gauze and then tape to prevent further injury from flapping the wing. Do not tape tightly or the bird will not be able to breathe. If other bones (skull, legs) are broken, do not attempt to treat at home as further damage may occur.
Anytime a bird is attacked by an animal, it should be taken to the veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination and treatment of wounds. Mouths and teeth carry a lot of bacteria which can cause nasty infections if left untreated.
Small wounds or abrasions:
If bite wounds are small, superficial, and not bleeding, clean with betadine or chlorhexidine (Novalsan). Use a tweezers to remove any dirt or feathers. Then apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment. It should heal within a couple of days. Do not allow the bird to pick at it. In case of deeper cuts or wounds, seek veterinary advise as further treatment may be necessary.
Bleeding from the tongue:
The tongue contains many blood vessels and if injured, may bleed profusely. Seek veterinarian attention immediately.
Bleeding toenail:
Apply a styptic stick or powder to the toenail. The bleeding should stop within a minute or so. If the bleeding does not stop, take the bird to the veterinarian.
Breathing trouble:
Check the nostrils for blockage. If an external blockage is noted (such as with mucus), wipe with a damp cloth. Look for any other blockage such as seeds or dirt. The operculum, a small part of the birds anatomy inside of the nostril could be mistaken for a foreign body, so have your veterinarian examine and remove any suspected blockage. If the bird has other signs of illness, seek veterinary attention.
Panting or open-mouth breathing could be caused by overheating due to fright, exercise, or environmental temperature. Overheated birds can develop heatstroke. In these cases, the bird may also hold its wings outstretched from his body, pant heavily, and collapse. Allow the bird to remain quiet in a cooler place. Mist the bird with cool water and have it stand on a cold wet towel. Do not cool the bird down too fast. Contact your veterinarian to determine if further treatment is needed.
Shortness of breath can also be caused by illness, and the bird should be seen promptly by your veterinarian.
Burns:
Run cold water over the affected area for several minutes. Then dry the area gently with gauze and apply cold compresses. If the burn is severe or extensive, take your bird immediately to your veterinarian or emergency clinic. Such birds may go into shock and need prompt care. Typically, antibiotics will also be prescribed to prevent infection.
Chilling:
Provide a warm environment by supplying heat with a heat lamp or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Take extreme care to not burn the bird. Keep the temperature about 85-90ºF. Monitor the air temperature to avoid overheating. Determine the cause of the chilling. If it is due to illness or injury (shock), seek veterinary attention. If it is due to environmental conditions such as power outage or drafts, fix the problem or relocate the bird.
Poisoning:
If the toxin is inhaled such as fumes from a Teflon pan, remove the bird to a well-ventilated area.
If the bird had external contact with a poison such as insect sprays, bathe the bird immediately.
If the bird ingested a toxin such as a plant or a household cleaner, get the name of the toxin. Your veterinarian needs to be called immediately in all cases of possible poisoning. Any time poisoning is thought to be a possibility, the veterinarian or Poison Control Center will need to know the name of the toxin, the active ingredients, the weight of the bird, how much was consumed, when the exposure occurred, and any symptoms the bird currently is showing.
Summary:
Any time an injury or illness occurs, the first thing to do is to prevent further injury. Then consult with your veterinarian or emergency clinic to determine what type of further treatment is necessary. Be prepared for emergencies by having a first aid kit for your bird readily available.
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