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Birds

If you are interested in pet birds, there are some things you should think about before you make a purchase. Birds vary in cost, size, noise level and the amount of attention that they need. Choosing the right bird for you in the first step in forming a happy relationship with your new pet.

Cost

Birds can cost anywhere from under $100 to several thousand dollars. Larger, more expensive birds will also require a larger cage. Don’t forget to add in the cost of food, toys and veterinary care. Be wary of birds that are priced too low; a bargain is great, but you want to own a healthy bird that will be around for awhile.

Time Commitment

Before you make your choice, think about how much time you want to spend with your new pet. If you want companionship, consider a bird that is hand-fed, such as a parrot. Finches and canaries are two examples of birds that don’t require as much time or attention and are better choices for people who are not home a lot. Also, bear in mind the life span of different birds. Finches may live only a few years while larger parrots have a life span of 50 years or more and can get quite attached to their owners.

Noise level

Some birds, such as parrots, make loud screeching noises on a regular basis. Others, like canaries and doves, are much quieter and a better choice for someone who lives in an apartment or is just concerned about noise level. If you want a bird who can be trained to talk, parrots are very intelligent and can be trained to talk, though ability varies with individual birds. Macaws and cockatoos are also good at talking, but are more expensive.

Where to buy your bird

The most common places to buy birds are from a breeder or a pet store. Buying from a breeder can be more expensive, but you may be able to make a better choice when you can see the condition of other birds in the collection. A bird purchased from a breeder may be in better health than one bought from a pet store. Birds in pet stores are a bit of a risk, since you don’t know how well they have been cared for or if they have been caged with a sick bird in the past.

Bird cage basics

You know that you will need to buy a cage for your pet bird, but which cage is best? Birds need to be able to spread their wings and move from one perch to another while inside their cage. Finches, canaries and parakeets are active birds and love to jump around, so they need cages that allow them plenty of room. Cockatiels, love birds and smaller parakeets do not move around quite as much, so a slightly smaller cage is acceptable for them. Housing more than one bird naturally requires a larger cage.

Cages may be made out of wood, metal or acrylic. Metal is the bets choice, as it is easiest to keep clean and gives the birds another place to land. Your bird’s cage should also have a tray at the bottom that can be removed for cleaning. Make sure the cage is secure and has a door latch so that your bird cannot escape.

Feeding your bird

You can feed your bird a number of different things, and variety is important in your bird’s diet. Seeds are a popular choice, but other things need to be offered as well. A bird will become unhealthy if it is given nothing but seeds. Pellets are another option. This is dry food that gives your bird balanced nutrition, just like dry dog or cat food. Be sure to buy seeds and pellets that are made specifically for your type of bird. Birds can also be given some human food, such as fruits, vegetables or cooked pasta. Remember to remove any uneaten food from the cage once a day; even seeds can become stale.

Training

Like children, birds have short attention spans. Training will go better if you keep it short; 5 minutes at a time is long enough. If each training session is kept short, you can work with your bird several times a day. Repetition is very important in the training process. Keep your voice happy and upbeat and be patient as you work with your bird. Some common tricks for birds to learn are playing dead, waving hello, and of course, talking. If you want your bird to say a certain word, only say it when you want the bird to say it back. Try not to use the word at other times. Wait until the bird has learned one word before trying to teach it additional ones, or he may become confused. Don’t forget to praise your bird when he gets it right. Keep in mind that some birds are not able to learn tricks very well and some cannot be taught to talk at all.