Children caring for birds:

Owning a pet bird provides a child with companionship and teaches the child responsibility and care. Parents must still supervise the day-to-day care so that the bird is not neglected through ignorance or loss of interest.

Children caring for birds:

Owning a pet bird provides a child with companionship and teaches the child responsibility and care. Parents must still supervise the day-to-day care so that the bird is not neglected through ignorance or loss of interest.

Which bird? 

A canary or budgerigar can be a good choice of pet for a family with limited space or modest means. They are suitable for people living alone, especially flat dwellers. The care of these caged birds could hardly be more simple or undemanding, but the individuality they show depends on the degree of freedom they are allowed and on the stimulation provided by their surroundings and their companions.

Male or female:

The choice of male or female may change some characteristics depending on the species, and also the health concerns for the individual. For example, only the male canary sings and whistles, and the male budgie is easier to teach to talk. Some species with have differences in appearance between male and female, such as eclectus parrots who are a bright, deep red when female, and vibrant emerald, green when male. It is also worth considering that female birds lay eggs and may experience difficulties with laying. Males and females may also have differing personality traits amongst different species.

Health care routine:

With the large number of avian species, it is best to speak to a veterinarian about a plan for your pet bird. These plans will usually include the recommended diet, health checks, home cage set up, and information about any testing (such as faecal testing or DNA sexing) recommended for the individual. This is a great time for your burning questions!

Housing:

A well-designed and built aviary is the most satisfactory housing for birds, enabling them to live with freedom of movement and adequate opportunity for flight. Circumstances often dictate that birds are kept in cages, usually manufactured from metal with wire mesh screening. The minimum size of cage to house one bird will depend on the breed of bird. Queries regarding cage sizes can be referred to the RSPCA. The cage should be positioned in a well-lit, sunny area where the birds will have frequent human contact, and in which it will be safe to be released for exercise if possible. A portable cage stand permits the birds to be repositioned for their comfort. Appropriate perches of varying size must be provided as well as well-secured food and water troughs. The food and water receptacles should not be positioned beneath bird perches and any accidental contamination of the food and water by bird droppings must be removed immediately.

Activities:

Parrots are quite intelligent, and activities and enrichment are important in keeping them entertained and engaged. A variety of furnishings are available for birds such as ladders, swings, chew toys, mirrors and bells. Owners should take care to not over furnish the cage as this can cause injuries. Toys and furnishings should also be monitored for any signs of rust, or fraying or ropes and these should be removed if found. Your veterinarian will be happy to answer any questions about your cage set up and toys.

Protection:

At night the cage should be covered with a cloth or towel to permit the bird to rest and to protect it from draughts. Should the cage be placed outside the house at any time, it must be in a position that is safe from predators – cats and wild birds – that could scare or directly injure the bird. Birds should not be left in the sun without shade and should be protected from overheating on hot days.

Cleaning:

It is recommended to obtain a cage with a grate on the bottom with a substrate that is minimally dusty (such as newspaper) that can be replaced daily. Food and water bowls are best to be stainless steel (and replaced if any sign of rust is noted) or ceramic as these are easily cleanable. The cage substrate should be replaced daily, and the bowls cleaned daily. The cage should be cleaned with a mild soap weekly, and disinfected with an appropriate product (such as F10) each month.

Handling:

It is important to train your bird to be handled, especially to permit examination for signs of ill-health. Begin by letting them become accustomed to being handled in the cage. Soon they will become finger-tame, and then they may be able to be handled outside the cage. It requires a good deal of patience and gentleness when handling birds, especially small species like canaries.

Talking:

Some birds that have constant close contact with their owner will learn to talk. These birds can start to talk from about six weeks of age, however if they have not succeeded by six months, they probably never will. Teaching a bird to talk starts by using the same word over and over. Once the bird has learnt one word, new words or complete phrases may be added.

Feeding:

Each species of bird will have slightly different dietary requirements and it best to chat with your veterinarian about your pet specifically.

As a general guide, most bird’s diet should largely consist of a good quality pellet mix to ensure appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals, fresh fruit and vegetables and seed to be given as treats.

Seed as the only component of the diet lacks in vital vitamins and minerals and is not balanced daily meal. 

A cuttlebone (the internal shell of a cuttlefish)can be added to a pet bird’s cage to provide trace minerals such as calcium, act as a source of entertainment and help to clean your bird’s beak. Fresh water is essential to a bird’s life and must be replenished frequently, particularly in hot weather or if it becomes fouled.