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Bird Care

Most people do not like birds as pets because of the aspect of the cage. Do you think that birds should be kept in cages? Maybe if the cage were bigger you might accept? How big?

As far as bird care... birds should always have fresh air, feed and water, afterall this is what they would have in their natural habitat. In the olden days miners would take a bird into a cave to detect poisonous gases... if the bird suddenly died, you would know something is not right, I share that just for emphasis on providing 'fresh air' for the bird.

Care Bird

Birds can be great pets, but yes the cage is definitely a bummer to keep clean. Birds have no sense of "hygiene," they fling water, feathers, and feces left and right. If you want a bird, don't keep it near your kitchen or dining area! They will also dig through their food dishes to find their favorite pieces, and fling seeds, fruit and other food hither and yon. So, basically, you are not just cleaning the cage, you are cleaning in a 2 to 5 foot radius around it. The roosts, dishes, bars, etc., need regular scrubbing and disinfecting to remove guano and prevent mite infestations and fungus.

Birds should have a cage big enough to actually FLY from one side to the other; hence, small birds, like finches, can have a small cage, while larger birds, like cockatiels, should have a larger cage. If, of course, you want them to be able to fly. If you have a hand-tamed bird, and you are clipping its wings to keep it from flying, then the cage need not be so large.

Climate is a big factor with birds. What sort of "normal" habitat did they originate from? Warm, rainy, hot? Most birds don't tolerate the cold very well, and can get sick. Hang the cage outside on sunny days, and listen to how they sing! Try to find branches from trees to put in their cages -- make sure the leaves are not hazardous to that particular bird. They love to climb around the smaller twigs and leaves and nibble the bark.

If you're breeding birds, do NOT let any strange bird into the nesting area. They can be very territorial, and some aggressive types will actually try to kill the babies. Believe me, it's heartbreaking.

Roz

Bird Care UFO & Writing Art Education Sciences

Roz, as aways, right on the mark, Sis! A few other factors to consider are stimulation and mimicking of environmental sounds.

Larger birds like cockatoos and parrots, and even some smaller ones like quakers and even parakeets need plenty of stimulation. These are very intelligent, sensory-oriented creatures. They enjoy climbing ladders and ropes. They love investigating, playing with, and chewing on various toys. Many also enjoy activites like roller skating, and riding the family dog like a personal taxi.

Toys should be chosen with care, keeping in mind the size and habits of the bird. Most all birds are avid chewers. Personally, I avoid plastics unless they're of a tough medical grade nylon (like nylabones for dogs). Bells are fun, but be sure they're sturdy with no parts that may become accidentally ingested. Natural untreated wood toys of assorted sizes are wonderful.

Other aspects of bird stimulation are audio and visual. Particularly with larger birds it's often advisable to run a DVD or video for them when they must be left alone for several hours at a time. There are several good releases specifically for birds which have rotating scenes of colorful fish tanks, natural environments, other birds and such. (many cats like these videos, too! ) Many birds enjoy anime. Whatever the owner plays, keep in mind that with repeated veiwings the bird will imitate what it hears, so choose wisely.

Yes, birds are nature's great impersonators. They can be trained to repeat specific phrases over time, but often mimic sounds they hear frequently in the home. A classic example is my beloved childhood parakeet, Prince. He sure was a talker! During that time I shared a bedroom with my sister, who we found out was allergic to him. Prince perfectly imitated her sneezes. He was a tattle-tale, too! He would rat on us, flying about the house squawking, "That's mine!" or "I'm gonna tell!" Prince had quite a repertoire including, "Hey, Pat- where are the kids?" and "Good night, sweet dreams." He could also call our dogs. Of course, the best stimulation is interaction with family and friends.

Edited: fugitive247 on 18th Oct, 2004 - 1:52pm

Care Bird

I don't think birds should be kept in cages, they are born to be free and I hate to see them in cages!. It does not matter how large or pretty the cage is...this is not freedom for the bird and a form of cruelty if you ask me.

Care Bird

My uncle in Trinidad loved having birds around the house, but they were very difficult to take care of. All of them ended up dying after a very short period of time because they needed such articulate care. I personally didn't like keeping the birds in a cage, but we had no other choice. If we let them out, they would fly away. Some birds can be trained to stay indoors or not fly away, but again, it requires a lot of work to achieve this. I would much prefer admiring birds in the wild; where they belong and are free.

Bird Care

I have always wanted to have a bird as a pet but was unsure whether I wanted a cage or just some kind of sanctuary in the back yard. Thankyou for the tips it is something worth thinking about!