Pet birds can be the perfect addition to any home looking for companionship. Before you commit it’s good to consider which bird type will fit into your family and lifestyle.

Most tamed birds will settle into a household with kids but do pick a bird that you feel will be comfortable. Watch the bird’s reactions in the cage, consider how active they are, the amount they talk, and their appearance. Ask for a baby bird to make taming easier.

As you prepare for the arrival of your new pet keep these easy do’s and don’ts in mind. For the safety of you, your family and your new pet to take the time to tame your bird, otherwise, they will acquire anxiety from the stress of a new environment and may become hostile.

Maintaining the Cage

Do clean the cage 2-3 times a week to avoid spoiling and to monitor the overall health of your bird. Cleaning involves freshening the bottom layer, wiping down the cage, and sanitizing toys. You may find that newspaper or cage paper liner works better than wood chips.

Provide your bird with toys to encourage activity, but do not overcrowd their cage as this limits the amount of room for the bird. Alternate between toys to provide them with a variety every couple of days or weeks. Also, when you set a mirror in their cage they will treat the reflection as a mate. Often birds will occupy themselves for hours by staring and talking to the reflection. Give your bird a place to perch by attaching a swing, wood, or rope perch to their cage.

To prevent their food and water from contamination by droppings, do not place the dishes directly below them. Instead, purchase a hanging water and bird feeder that attaches to the side of the cage.

Environment and Cleanliness

Birds will need natural sunlight to absorb vitamin D, which cannot be fully accessed through a closed window. A good time to set their cage outside would be during the morning where the temperature is not too hot. Bring them inside for most of the day to prevent heat strokes. Birds also need at least 10-12 hours of total darkness for sleep. If their cage is kept in a room that is continuously used, then purchase a blackout cover. Their sleeping pattern may vary as they adjust to the seasons.

Do provide a birdbath for your pet to cool off and to keep themselves clean. However, due to the water soiling don’t always leave the bath in the cage. To bathe your bird, take a spray bottle filled with room temperature water and spritz it over their heads. Do not spray them directly or use any kind of soap.

Nutrition

A bird’s diet should include more than a seed mixture because they often pick out the fatty seeds and leave the vitamin enriched seeds. Ideally, you want to feed your bird a balanced, natural and whole food diet. A well-rounded meal includes a combination of seeds and pellets with fruits and vegetables.

Fruits and veggies such as apples, berries, bananas, broccoli, and carrots make a great snack for your pet bird. As you pick natural foods for your bird do not choose any citrus unless recommended by the vet. When you give a bird fresh food only make it available for a limited time. After a couple of hours, many fruits and veggies will go sour or attract pests. Do not feed your bird table scraps, alcohol, or food directly from your mouth.

Give your pet bird a home they love with these JW accessories!

• JW Swing Perch

• JW Rope Perch

• JW Clean Water Silo Waterer

• JW Clean Seed Silo Bird Feeder

• JW Bird Bath

Sources:

1. caring-for-your-pet-bird
2. pet-birds-do-and-dont