Basic Pet Bird Care

Basic Pet Bird Care

Nutrition

Whether seed eaters, nut eaters, or fruit eaters, know and follow guidelines for appropriate food. In addition to his main diet, provide plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and small amounts of healthy treats as well as nutritional supplements to augment his diet.

Exercise/Entertainment

Toys and stimulation are both essential for a bird's health and happiness. Use treat-toys that make your bird figure out how to get the treat himself, and ladders for exercise and muscle development. Birds are very social animals - especially bigger birds like cockatoos and parrots. Handle your birds so that the necessary bond between you will be established and your bird will feel secure. Handling also serves as entertainment.

Housing

The largest cage that can be accommodated in the home is recommended for birds care that are expected to be confined most of the time. The cage must be strong enough to resist bending or dismantling by the bird, made of non-toxic material, and designed for safety and ease of cleaning. In most cases, the cage would need to be wider than it is tall to accommodate stretched wings; however, ample height should be provided for long-tailed birds.

Perches

Optimum perches are clean, easily replaceable, appropriately-sized, natural wood branches from pesticide-free and non-toxic trees (e.g., Northern hardwoods, citrus, eucalyptus, Australian pine).

A single, well-placed perch may be adequate for agile climbers like psittacines because they tend to prefer the highest perch, even if more are provided. Two perches, one on each end of the cage, should be available for species such as finches, which prefer flying or jumping to climbing. A perch should be placed to prevent droppings from contaminating the bird's food or water and to prevent the bird's tail from contacting food, water or the floor of the cage.

General Care

Minimal body care is required for the healthy, well-fed pet bird. Confined, indoor pet birds that resist a varied diet require more attention in the care of the beak, nails, feet and feathers.

During the molting of feathers, additional fat, protein and vitamins may be required in the diet. As a new feather develops, the bird care may pick at the pin feather cover to open it. This should not be interpreted as "feather picking" or the presence of mites. Pure water is the most appropriate feather spray.

Keep feathers dry and free of oily substances. Soiled feathers may be gently cleaned with a mild detergent solution (e.g., baby shampoo) followed by thorough warm water rinsing and drying.

Wing clip may be desired to prevent escape or injury, or for taming and training. Your veterinarian can advise you on wing clipping.

It may be wise to remove open leg bands to prevent injury. If a closed band must remain on the leg for identification purposes, check under the band occasionally for signs of dirt accumulation, swelling, or constriction of the leg.

A regular visit to an avian veterinarian for a routine health examination is advised in order to detect potential problems early.

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