Knowing About Basics Of Pet Birds

It may be your cherished to own an affectionate pet bird, but it can only become a reality when we learn about the proper care of birds and continue to keep learning as long as you are an owner. 

Learning the basics of pet birds:

Get first hand information about pet birds by reading books and magazines about pet bird care and also browsing through blogs in reliable pet websites. Being a responsible pet owner also means looking for all other reliable sources of first hand information like pet owners.  

Most pet birds have the intelligence of a 2 to 3 year old child and they require hours of attention from their owner and interaction with their household. Depriving them of attention would cause behavioral problems like feather picking and screaming. Birds are highly social creatures and bonds of trust must be forged for a good relationship between you and your bird. So breeders are advised to find good homes for them where they are well cared for.

In addition they also require time outside the cage when they will be happy watching the TV or playing on top of his/her cage or in the play gym or T-stand or eating out of their owner’s dinner plate. In the absence of a variety of activities and change of scene they could get easily bored.

You could keep your pet bird occupied by getting them a lot of toys to chew on; toys not only satisfy their instinctive psychological need to play and chew, but also keep the tips of their beak dulled. Most pet birds get very easily bored with the same toys, so it would be best to rotate the toys at least once a week. In addition bigger pet birds like macaws and cockatoos require wooden toys.

Next it is important to provide perches made of dowel wood in their cage; avoid branches of trees that are toxic to the parrots. Branches of different thickness would be ideal to avoid foot problems in the pet birds. Under all circumstances avoid perches made of PVC pipe as they would not satisfy your pet bird.

The ownership of a pet bird becomes a stress-free experience when you search online or in local directories and then fix up an avian vet. You could also get references from experienced pet owners. Ensure that you give your bird an annual check-up with blood work up. Also be aware of all the symptoms of disease as early detection leads to a quick cure. Also have a first aid kit that contains items like nail-clipping scissors, Quik-stop, Betadine, triple antibiotic cream and vet wrap.

Birds in the wild wake up at dawn and forage for their food soon thereafter; it is best to give your pet bird a variety of foods and different textures and tastes first thing in the morning. Ensure that you clean the food bowl and water bowel well and then fill them up. Some may prefer to give a pellet diet besides seeds; but it is best to avoid seeds as the birds may get obese. You could also give a variety of fruits and vegetables. You could know more about pet birds by reading useful articles in magazines, on the net and referring to books on pet birds.