Caring For Your Pet Bird

A bird can be a friendly, lovable and even lifelong pet. The key to enjoying your bird’s company lies in taming him. When you first bring home your new bird he may be nervous and timid. After you have transferred him into his new cage you should leave him alone for about an hour. It is a good idea to keep the lights on because often birds will not eat if they are left in the dark. You should leave some food out for your bird. Often birds do not like to dive down to their food so consider keeping it by the perch as opposed to the floor of the cage. If possible, feed your new bird the food that he is used to eating. If you are interested in switching his food, you can start mixing in a new kind of food with the old one until your bird is used to it.

You will probably want to build a relationship with your bird so that you can play and interact with him. It takes time for a bird to get comfortable with its owner. Have patience and devote some time daily to building a rapport with your bird. It is a good idea to wear gloves if you are worried about him biting you. Choose gloves with a smooth texture that will not cause his claws to get tangled in the material. Start by offering him food from your hand through the cage bars. If he does not eat from your hand right away do not worry about it. Try again later and keep offering him food from your hand until he becomes comfortable with it. Next, you can open his cage door and feed him from your hand inside the cage. After he gets comfortable with your hand in his cage you can start offering your finger as a perch. Put your finger under his belly and gently lift up. Your bird should lift his feet and transfer his weight to your hand. Once your bird is comfortable perching on your finger you can eventually bring him out of the cage. Check the room for safety hazards before you do this.

In time you can let your bird sit on your shoulder and even pet him. Choosing the right cage for you and your bird is essential for your bird owning satisfaction. Select a cage that is made of a high quality material that your bird cannot damage with his beak or claws. Check all the welding to make sure there are not sharp extrusions that could potentially cut your bird. Make sure that feeding bowls, perches and accessories are also made from a sturdy and safe material. Perches are very important to birds. Wood perches are usually more comfortable for birds than plastic ones. Wood is also better for birds to gnaw on which helps to keep their beaks trimmed. Evaluate the door fastening mechanism before selecting a cage. Many birds are very smart and can figure out how to open doors to their cages. You may want to use a padlock in addition to the cages fastening device.

Lastly, choose a cage with narrow enough bar spacing. The bars should be close enough together that your bird cannot fit his head through them. Most birds are social creatures so it is a good idea to keep their cage in a room where you spend a lot of time. However, you should not keep your bird in the kitchen as there can be potentially harmful fumes. Also, avoid direct sunlight as it can be hurtful or even deadly to your bird. Placing a cage against a wall can make your bird feel safe and secure. If you follow these steps you should have a happy bird, and having a happy bird will make you a happy bird owner.