DISCLAMER: THE AUTHOR HAS PUT HER VIEWS FORWARD IN THIS ARTICLE, AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTS OF THE BIRD OWNER. THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL ARTICLE AND THE OWNER IS REQUESTED TO USE HIS/HER OWN JUDGEMENT IN USING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ADVICES OR RECOMMENDATIONS.

THIS ARTICLE IS THE PROPERTY OF NIKITA NAIN. COPYING OF THIS ARTCILE UNDER ANY OTHER AUTHORS NAME WILL BE CONSIDERED AN OFFENSE. THIS ARTICLE CAN BE PRINTED OR REPRODUCED PROVIDED THE AUTHORS NAME REMAINS ON THE ARTICLE.

WRITTEN AND EDITED BY NIKITA NAIN.

IMPORTANT : One must understand that a bird is not a toy that the owner can play with and then throw out. Birds are beings that have emotions and needs, and it is the duty of the person who buys the bird(s) to keep the bird happy and healthy.

These days many people are buying birds. Some of us research before buying, others impulsively buy birds, and then run around for information.

Some people buy birds as companions, and some buy birds for breeding and making money. There are some people who also buy birds just as a “Status symbol” and these birds are generally the ones that are put up for sale or adoption after the “trend” of having a bird is outdated.

Some birds are bought small (unweaned) and the owner cannot or does not know how to take care of these birds needs and the bird either dies because of mal nourishment or because the owner did something wrong, or fed the bird with a wrong diet.

Some birds are adopted from other people who could not take care of these birds. These adult birds can make excellent pets if taken care of. However there is a chance that these birds may have some behavioral problems that need to be dealt with patiently.

Many owners who cannot take care of the birds needs end up with birds who have behavioral problems i.e feather plucking, screaming, biting etc.

Some birds end up with nutritional problems i.e bad plumage due to lack of nutrients in a diet, or egg bound condition, or soft egg shells and many more

Other birds who are kept in unhygienic conditions develop health problems , infections and diseases, such as the Feather and Beak Disease, Mites, respiratory problems , skin diseases etc.

Birds may develop behavioral problems because the owners put them in a cage and did not interact with them.. Humans consist of the bird’s flock members and as Birds are social creatures they require interaction. Interaction does not only mean cuddle time. Birds also require mental stimulation and physical activity to remain healthy. They require toys (bird safe) and time out of their cage (with the ceiling fans off, and far away from the kitchen (cooking space)). 

HOUSING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS

A single bird that is caged most of the time (although this is not recommended) requires a cage/enclosure that is ATLEAST twice its wing span (width) and thrice its wing span (length). The tail of the bird should not touch the bottom of the cage.

There should be a variety of perches and swings at different levels to enable the bird to move around and explore the cage. Birds can see colors (some birds can just see 3 colors where as some can see 4-5) hence colorful toys (bird safe) should be put in the cage for mental stimulation and to encourage the birds to play with these toys.

Nutritious food should be fed to the bird(s). A seed only diet is no good. Seeds lack the essential vitamins and minerals and are high in fats which are not good for the bird in the long run. Many people feed bird pellets to their bird(s). I have never fed pellets to my birds because of the lack of availability of these pellets in my country. I feed my birds vegetables like carrots, lettuce leaves, spinach, celery leaves and stalks, boiled potatoes, to name a few, and fruits like tomatoes, apple, chicku, grapes, bananas, citrus fruits (oranges, sweet lime), and watermelon. I also feed them sprouted legumes, which are very nutritious. Sesame seeds and peanuts are a very good source of essential fats. But these nuts should be limited as per the specie and energy requirement, as fats produce a lot of energy, and if not spent, they will be stored in the body as lipomas.

Fresh clean water should always be provided no matter how many fresh fruits and vegetables and available. We should provide water which is safe for human consumption.

The water should be changed twice a day (morning and evening) and the bowl should be washed with soap each time the water is changed. (Remember to rinse the dish well after washing it with soap) the white slimy film on the food and water dish is bacteria waiting to harm your bird. So wash the dishes well and rinse them to keep your bird healthy

Birds require a bath or light spraying of water, or a SHALLOW bowl of water in which they can bathe and splash around (it should Not be a deep bowl/dish as the bird can drown.)  Many people shower with their birds. To make it a fun activity and keep a T stand or a perch for the bird to sit on. They allow a little bit of water to fall on the bird. A lot of water can scare the bird, unless the bird is used to it and the bird likes it.

Toys are very important for a bird’s mental and physical health as mentioned before. The toy should be BIRD SAFE. There are many toxic plants and other materials which are not toxic for us, but can be deadly for our birds. You can look up for a list of bird safe materials on the internet and make toys with these materials. Bird toys are also available online and in many pet stores. Remember NO BIRD TOY IS 100% bird safe. What may work for my birds, may not work for yours. Zinc is very harmful for birds, and any material that contains zinc should be NOT BE USED. The toys used should match the size of the bird. If u have a budgie, u should not use huge toys made for macaws or cockatoos. This does sound like common sense, but many people have used such toys for small birds and as a result their birds have been hurt.

Some birds love shredding things. You can save your furniture by keeping your bird’s beak busy by providing him shred able toys. I cut cardboard pieces in various shapes and string them to a cotton rope and let my bird shred and tear it up. The more the mess, the more busy and active your bird has been. Some people also hang up telephone books (telephone directories) and let their bird shed it. Another good idea is to let your bird shred bird safe wood. I use safe food colors and natural vegetable dyes (which are comparatively safer than chemical and synthetic dyes) to dye cotton ropes. I soak the rope in a little bit of water with some food color and let it soak for about 5 hours and then dry.

Many birds also like opening knots. You can use cotton rope and make a variety of knots and let ur bird open them. ONCE AGAIN. NO BIRD TOY IS 100% bird SAFE. Always observe your bird when you put in a new toy. And never leave the bird alone with the toy unless you are sure that he will be safe and not get hurt.

Perches can be made out of cotton rope twisted together. It should be tied well and no frayed edges should be left loose. The bird can get entangled in the frayed edges and get hurt.

For cage lining, newspaper is a good option. Depending on how much your bird dirties the cage you can change the paper every day or twice a day. DO NOT starve your bird in an attempt to keep the cage clean.

An out time is considered good for your bird. However you have to keep the bird’s safety in mind at all times. The doors should be closed, the ceiling fans should be switched off and everyone at home should be careful. If there are any sliding doors make sure that your bird does not collide against it and hurt or fracture its body.

I have made a play gym for my birds using PVC pipes and PVC connectors. You can use your own designs or the design attached.

I have added my bird’s favorite swing made with cotton ropes and wood. And some perches made out of dyed perches (food coloring).

Clipping or leaving your bird fully flighted is a personal choice. You have to keep in mind the pros and cons of both. Remember which ever decision you make it has to be in the interest of the safety of your bird. In some countries wing clipping is considered absolutely necessary and people who do not wing clip their birds are considered bad bird owners. ON the other hand there are many countries that feel it is immoral to clip a bird’s wing. They feel that bird’s are meant to fly and it is wrong to take that basic right from them.

Here is an article that I found very interesting regarding wing clipping…

http://www.indonesian-parrot-project.org/Library/pam2.html

Conclusion.

 Buy a bird only if you are sure that you can take care of its emotional and physical needs and that you will house it as a loved pet or a child and not think of it as a toy, that can be discarded once you are bored with it.