Translated by Nick R
Pets are a fundamental part of our daily lives, turning out to be part of our family and a loyal companion. But, speaking of birds, what are the pros and cons of having a pet bird?
Table of Contents
Advantages of having a pet bird
Having a pet is fabulous and birds are no exception. Actually, taking a general analysis of pet birds we can say they are an excellent choice when it comes to selecting an animal friend. In fact, birds have become one of the humans’ favorite pets in recent years, especially in 2021 and 2022.
Advantage 1: pet birds are economical
Birds are pets that don’t require large sums of money for their upkeep. Monthly, depending on their size, they could cost you the modest sum of between $10 and $100. Read on, here are some of the most important expenses.
Feeding a bird is inexpensive
Relative to other pets, feeding a bird is not expensive. In fact, most of their diet is based on three types of food: birdseed, fruits, vegetables and others.
Birdseed
Birds should eat between 10% to 15% of their body weight in birdseed. This food is essential to keep your friend in good health, exceeding 50% of their diet in most of these animals.
The monthly cost of birdseed is $2 and a maximum of $20 per pair, depending on the size of your pet.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables make up 25% and 30% of their diet, depending on the species. Parrots are among the birds that like these foods the most.
The price varies, but I assure you, it will not be expensive; you can include these bird delicacies in your daily groceries.
Others
Other foods such as treats, snacks, and feed are important to supplement your bird’s diet and can be found from $1.5.
Basic bird care is inexpensive
Bird care is simple and it will be pretty easy to keep them without spending a lot of money. What do pet birds need?
- A cage. This must-have accessory will be the most expensive, starting at $10 (depending on size).
- Accessories such as perches, feeders, and bathing bowls are priced from 1 dollar.
- Toys from 1.5 dollars.
- An occasional visit to the vet or a yearly check-up can cost $150, including vaccinations and routine exams (about $12 a month).
- Grooming products that you should buy sporadically. These products start at $3.00.
More information about the costs of keeping a bird here.
Advantage 2: pet birds are very intelligent
Although they are underestimated, birds in general are very intelligent. Through various research and scientific studies, it has been shown that birds can reach an intelligence comparable to that of a 5-year-old child.
According to joint research between the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and Loro Parque Fundación with several species of parrots, they discovered that these birds have the same intelligence as monkeys (less than great apes), with a great capacity for reasoning and learning.
Problem Solvers
Birds are capable of solving simple problems, they can create tools and find alternatives to the obstacles they face. Precisely, based on the research of Christian Schloegl and Judith Schmidt that compares the intelligence of the parrot with that of the monkey, I can tell you that the level of reasoning of these little animals is much higher than previously thought.
The scientists used several grey parrots for an experiment that was based on finding a nut inside one of two glasses that were presented as options. The two researchers concluded that the parrots understood the cause and effect relationship by showing that they related the sound produced inside the glass to the presence of the nut. They also tried to trick them by playing a recording of the sound, but the parrots did not react because they knew it was a fake.
They learn tricks
These animals have the ability to learn different tricks in a short time, they are intelligent animals with a certain level of cunning that allows them to learn to perform exercises that they memorize with repetition. In addition, they will always find a way to win the prize.
Birds can talk
Among other abilities that birds have, some of them can talk, an ability that was thought to be characteristic only of humans. A parrot, for example, can memorize more than 100 words. Thanks to their extraordinary memory, you can teach them enough words to start a conversation between friends.
Advantage 3: Pet birds are strong
Generally, you would rarely take your bird to the vet; they have a very strong immune system, that is, they do get sick and seriously but the chances are minimal if well cared for.
Birds have an excellent immune system
The immune system of birds is similar to mammals because they have a phylogenetic ancestor in common. Yet, our winged friends possess a particularity, a unique organ. This organ is called the bursa of Fabricius, where B lymphocytes develop, responsible for creating antibodies. They basically memorize the characteristics of intruders and attack for future infections.
However, it’s good to take preventive measures. Therefore, I recommend you pay attention to keeping your pet’s vaccinations up to date to avoid fatal diseases. Keep in mind that vaccines cannot prevent some diseases.
One of the most frequent affections in birds is caused by air currents, the wind can play against you when you keep your friend uncovered, near windows or terraces; exposed to the cold. It can also happen that you forget to cover their cage at bedtime and your friend catches a cold.
Advantage 4: pet birds are easy to take care of
Another advantage of having a pet bird is how easy it is to take care of them. This doesn’t mean that they don’t need care, but in general, that they don’t demand so much attention and depend less on their owners than other pets. For example, dogs are more spoiled and dependent.
Feeding your pet bird
Of course, feeding is the main concern for any pet. In birds, depending on the species, it is basic; largely based on seeds and fruits.
Maintaining good hygiene
Hygiene is fundamental for any animal and birds require your attention since they are kept enclosed in a group inside a cage where they eat and excrete. Grooming is fundamental, but not complicated.
Bathing your bird
Bathing your friend is very important if you want to ensure its well-being, which must be around 2 to 3 times a week. Guarantee that it has clean water for bathing at all times.
Clean cage and accessories
Cleaning your pet’s environment is as essential as regular bathing, so clean its cage and accessories every day.
Take care of its beak and claws
Your friend’s beak and claws are essential for their well-being. If they grow too long, this can cause locomotion, feeding, and general health problems. However, this is not something to do all the time and you can fix it yourself or with your veterinarian.
Advantage 5: pet birds add color to your home
As pets, birds bring beauty to your life with their cheerful and colorful nature.
Birds are affectionate
Birds build very honest and genuine bonds of affection with their owners, even though their displays of affection are very subtle.
They are faithful companion animals that will never abandon you. Cockatiels and parrots, for example, are very affectionate and will often seek your attention: they like physical contact and show their emotions more intensely than other domestic birds.
Birds like to sing
Birds also have the ability to sing, but not all, but most passerines such as canaries and mandarin diamonds emit beautiful melodies that will brighten your day. In addition, all birds make sounds that will bring harmony to your home.
Bonus
Birds are excellent pets and companion animals, good with children and grandparents. They are recommended pets for first-time owners, for example, a child, who will learn to have responsibilities. On the other hand, they are animals used in therapy with the elderly and for emotional care.
Disadvantages of having a pet bird
Even though birds have many advantages as pets, nothing in life is perfect. So, let me share with you some of the disadvantages that these little animals have.
Disadvantage 1: pet birds create messes
Your friend can become very destructive and messy if you are too; perhaps, the coexistence becomes somewhat complicated.
Foraging is a common natural behavior of all animals consisting of shredding and smashing things. I’m sure you have an idea; shredding all kinds of things like wood and cardboard all over the place. On the other hand, when eating they make quite a mess, and the more birds you have, the more you will have to clean up. Unless you’re ready for this, don’t have birds in your house.
Disadvantage 2: birds are very noisy
All birds make sounds, some sing, and some talk; they are very noisy animals that will keep making noise early every morning if they are in good health.
If the noise gets in your and your neighbors’ way, perhaps having a bird is not a good idea. In the case of songbirds, they will sing all day long, especially when they are in heat. On the other hand, larger birds like macaws will not sing, but they are very talkative and will talk all the time.
Disadvantage 3: They can transmit diseases to humans
When we have birds as pets we are faced with diseases that these animals can cause or transmit to us. The most common affections are:
I hope it has become clearer to you the pros and cons of having a bird as a pet and you decide if it is the best option for you.
