CARING FOR YOUR NEW PET BIRD   

Your pet bird has been handfed. Hand feeding ensures that birds will bond with people and that your bird will bond to you! The birds are fed every 6 hours, then every 8 hours, then every 10 hours, then just in the evening, and finally they are eating on their own. Pet birds can eat a seed mix, pellets, and most human foods, especially fruits, vegetables, grains, pulses, and pasta. (No dark chocolate or avocado!) Birds spend 1/2 of their time sleeping, 1/4 of their time eating, and 1/4 of their time preening and playing. Because they do not have to hunt for food, they have time to enjoy interacting with you. The first thing you should do is earn your bird's trust.

It is essential that your bird eats and drinks water. You must keep fresh water available and must witness them drinking from their water bottle before you can be sure they are getting enough water. Your bird is accustomed to food in a dish, on paper towels, in the bottom of its cage, and in its play area outside the cage. You may wish to start with a seed mix and then add cereals and pellets.

Your bird needs periodic baths. You may take it into the shower with you for bath time, or you may use a water bottle to gently spray or mist the bird. You can buy a special perch that mounts in your shower. Some birds that hate misting love showers.

Birds need about 10-12 hours of rest each day. They like to be covered or placed in a room with a night light in case they fall off their perch. They have excellent hearing, so noises in total darkness can be very scary.

Your bird will preen itself and preen you. Often, it will like just sitting on your shoulder and hiding in your hair. You should teach your bird the “step up” command, which means that it steps onto your finger as you let it out of its cage. Once your bird can “step up” your bond is good, and living with your bird becomes easier. Practice step-up in a small room, like the bathroom.

Please be cautious of things that are a danger to your bird. A bird may think it can fly through a window or mirror but instead fly into it rather hard. Be careful of water in a bowl, glass, toilet, or tub, because your bird could drown. Hot stovetops and ovens are dangerous. In general, it is like watching after a two-year-old child. Also for the bird’s safety you will want to keep the flight feathers (the first 5) trimmed.

Do not scrimp on your bird's cage. In general, bigger is better. Ensure that the cage has ample play and exercise area. Bar spacing of the cage should be appropriate for the species purchased.

May you and your pet bird share many good times and happy memories. Birds are very special friends. If your bird learns to talk, you have shown patience and persistence. However, many birds never learn to talk and still develop strong bonds with their owners. Watching your bird play on its own, or sharing a book or just the bird talk (noise) can be very relaxing. They love to watch you preen—shave, shower, brush your teeth, etc. They also love to share a meal with you from time to time.
 

Copyright © 2001 Cele Birds - Quality Pet Birds -- Last modified: 04/25/2008