Some birds life span is 15 to 20 years or more. Most small parrots are sociable by nature.
They make ideal pets and rapidly become devoted to the owner who cares for them. This is a
general care guide to get you started if you are interested in adopting a bird.
Please take along a small travel cage or pet carrier to take your baby home with you. Putting
birds in boxes stresses them out more than is needed in the transfer to a new home. After
you arrive home allow your baby time to adjust to its new surrounds.
Please make sure you have the supplies you will need for your new bird BEFORE YOU
BRING YOUR BIRD HOME! Buy the biggest cage you can afford. Oval or round cages
do not allow enough room to move about. Make sure the cage will be located in a place that
is not in direct traffic, draft or sunlight but still allows your bird to be a social part of the
family. Remember your bird needs room to stretch his/her wings.
A cage cover is a great idea, it allows your bird to sleep and feel secure. Make sure the room
is not to dark at night. This will keep your bird from having night frights. A small
automatic night light works great for this.
Please give your bird fresh food and water every day! Even if it looks like there is food/seed in
the dish. Some seed hulls can make it look as if they have food. Birds have a really fast
metabolism and can starve very quickly. Water starts growing bacteria in 8 hours or less.
Never allow your bird to ingest Chocolate, Avocado, Salt, Alcohol or Caffeine. THESE
CAN KILL YOUR BIRD!
Try to feed your bird at the same time each day, morning is best. Pellets, Seed Mix (both
available at your local pet store) and Frozen mixed vegetables, slightly cooked (served cooled
NOT HOT) are a great variety for birds. There are other fruits and vegetables you can give
your bird fresh and washed thoroughly. Click on the link for a list of safe fruits and
vegetables .
Have toys available for your bird, especially for birds kept alone during the day. A bored bird
is unhappy or worse! Avoid toys that may catch on nails, foot or leg band. When selecting
toys for your bird, choose those appropriate for the size of bird you have. Toys made for
parakeets break easily and may become ingested. Take time and spend at least one hour with
your bird out of the cage each day.
Birds like to bathe every day. You can buy a bird bath at your local pet store or provide a
safe dish that your bird can not dump. You can also lightly mist them with a spray bottle.
Some birds really enjoy this. Nails and wings can be kept trimmed by the breeder where you
purchased your bird or your Avian Veterinarian. If you do not already have one this link of
Veterinarians Certified in Avian Practice is a great place to start.
There are several good publications on pet birds in general available at your local pet store.
Cockatiels A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual, Conures A Complete Pet Owner's Manuel
and Guide to the Quaker Parrot all by Barron’s and Bird Talk Magazine are a few examples.
Please also check out A Parrots Bill of Rights and the links page for more information.
