Translated by Nick R
Taking care of a bird as a pet may not be an easy task given its specific care and how consistent we must be. Don’t worry though, this becomes a simple task when you know the necessary and here I’ll teach you the most important care for domestic birds. Come with me.
Table of Contents
What foods can a bird eat?
Feeding for birds is very specific based on their species, the shape of their beak, and legs, although most domestic birds share the same diet based on seeds called granivorous. However, some species don’t have a specific beak shape and adapt to the environment, an example could be the hen, which can eat seeds or insects during grazing work.
One of the most common commercial seeds is birdseed which has a high fiber and mineral content but do not forget that your bird needs another variety of seeds depending on whether it is molting or breeding, as well as other foods such as fruits and vegetables that can be the delight of your winged friend.
Some recommended foods to supply most of the birds’ nutritional needs are mixed feed because of the variety of seeds and feed for being enriched with vitamins and minerals necessary for your winged friends.
Top 3 best seeds for your pet bird
Negrillo
Due to its high content of fat, it’s recommended that you feed your bird this seed with caution and in small quantities since its purpose is to help our winged friends to conserve energy for the breeding and molting season.
Hemp
Small and pale in color, they are an excellent source of iron and vegetable fats for your bird which help to strengthen its muscles. Give a small spoonful of this seed during the day.
Millet
This particular seed can be given to your birds in two presentations:
- The first one is the breadfruit; the branch from which this food comes. It’s more appetizing in this presentation as a snack for birds such as parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels.
- The second presentation is in loose seeds, somewhat less attractive for winged pets, but with the same benefits which are the contribution of fiber, the low amount of fat, and a good source of carbohydrates.
Cage size and ideal space for the bird
Cage
At the moment of adopting a bird, there are two options of habitat for it. This depends on the species and the number of birds you adopt. Usually, the minimum recommended is a couple, in which a cage can be perfect taking into account the following aspects:
- The cage must be square, with corners to give a good sense of location to your pet inside it.
- It is advisable to always be long, in comparison to the width and height, in our blogs about each of the birds you can adopt you will find suggestions of the exact measurements.
Location of the cage
- The cage should always be placed against a wall or lined at the back to give your birds security and an accurate sense of location.
- It should be in a place where there is good ventilation and the passage of sunlight without being exposed directly or through glass.
- The cage should be placed in an elevated location to prevent any animal such as a cat, mouse or dog from accessing it and harming your winged pets.
Aviary
In the case of the aviary, you’ll find many advantages such as giving much more freedom to your winged pets, and letting them fly, climb and interact with each other, although you should surely have many more elements and care compared to a common cage.
In any case, I suggest this option only if you have more than 20 birds in which you can combine different species, always checking how well they can get along with each other given their territorial instinct. For aviaries I recommend:
- Arrange a good space for the birds, the measures for about 40 pairs of birds are 6 meters wide by 12 meters long and 6 meters high.
- Guarantee the well-being of the bird by avoiding exposing it to strong air currents, intense sun, or intense climatic conditions that can harm it.
- Constantly check the condition of the aviary, the elements in it, and the health of each bird inside.
The playing inside the cage
As you’ll see in many of our special blogs for some species, the adequacy of the cage is of utmost importance for the welfare of your pet, in what we commonly recommend:
- Wooden perches of various textures.
- Swings.
- Mirrors (especially for cockatiels that love to imitate and interact with their reflection).
- Ladders.
- Balls.
You can even design new accessories yourself so your bird doesn’t get bored in the cage.
Be cautious with the bird hygiene
If you want to take care of a pet bird, you’d better make room in your routine for the daily cleaning of the cage, because not only will there be traces of droppings, food and feathers, but also germs, bacteria, and parasites that can harm your pet or yourself.
- So try to always change the newspaper or clean the litter tray daily, as this is where everything the bird discards will fall.
- Birds also enjoy baths, although depending on the species you adopt, they will frequent water or dirt baths. Either way, your pet will appreciate refreshing itself for a while and feeling clean.
- The water in the drinking trough has to be changed every day since humidity will always be a special place for germs, bacteria, or even parasites to reproduce, which you should be especially careful of.
- Even with the daily cleaning of the cage, you must clean it thoroughly periodically, being careful not to use strong products since your birds are sensitive to aromas in the environment in which they are.
The importance of play for some birds
Play is one of the best ways to create affective bonding between you and your bird, it can also be a good way to teach him tricks although not all species are given to close interaction with you and a toy. Remember that, unlike a dog or a cat, birds can be more nervous or disinterested.
The species that I recommend the most for this type of activity are the Australian parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels: each one with a unique personality that you will get to know as you get closer to their care and needs.
Remember that most birds are sociable, so try to always keep them in the company of one of their own species. This way they not only have the opportunity to play but also to interact with each other.
How to interact and play with your bird
The game can work differently with you since, as I mentioned, it could be a good way to teach him a few tricks and entertain yourself. Knowing your bird’s personality and how to approach it to step by step will be important in these cases. Some tips to achieve this are:
- Approach the cage and watch its reaction, the most obvious will be agitation caused by stress or fear.
- Try to bring treats such as fruits or vegetables, something different from the common diet of your pet. This will help the bird to assimilate your presence with this type of reward and will be helpful for the tricks you plan to teach it.
- When taking the bird out, make sure to do it in a controlled environment, with closed doors and windows and without the presence of objects that could harm it or in the vicinity of other pets such as dogs and cats that could react instinctively to the bird.
Learn more details about how to train your bird in our blog.
Warning signals of bad health in domestic birds
Birds may seem easy to care for, and that is mostly true; however, they are also delicate in many ways, including their size, the fragility of their bones, and their sensitivity to odors and other elements in the environment. Some signs in birds that you must pay attention to are:
Lethargy or tiredness
In this state, most probably you’ll find your bird fluffed up and still on a perch with its eyes closed or trembling. Also, if it changes its usual mood, pay attention.
Agitated breathing
This sign can be somewhat ambiguous since not all the times your pet is agitated is due to an illness, but rather to a sign of stress such as being in a noisy environment or close to something that puts him on alert.
It’s best to check how long the agitation lasts and what is causing it. If it is prolonged and accompanied by other signs such as mucus or breathing with an open beak, go to the veterinarian immediately.
Diarrhea
Again, it’s vital that you know what your bird’s stools usually look like. One of the most obvious signs of diarrhea in birds is the abundant amount of water found in their stool, obvious when you observe dry poop and around it, there are large signs of moisture.
Another way to find out is by checking the number of stools per day, if these increase, it is likely to have diarrhea. In these cases, if after 24 hours the signs do not disappear, go to the veterinarian immediately.
Special care for birds in winter
In some countries, winter can be a challenge for those who wish to adopt a bird as a pet because low temperatures can be a danger for some species that come from warm places, but don’t panic! A few simple steps will be enough to keep your pet safe and sound during those cold months.
Temperature and humidity
Each bird has its own temperature and humidity depending on the environment it comes from, but just to give you a general idea, the conditions that your bird should have at home are approximately 20° C and good ventilation.
Elements to keep the bird warm
Now, of the elements you can use to keep your bird warm, especially at night, you can use:
Cover the cage
A blanket or some other element that can keep your pet warm. Remember to keep a part of the cage uncovered during the day.
Heating lamp
Heat lamps are also a good way to keep your bird’s environment warm and one of the best options for aviaries, where a blanket can be somewhat difficult to place.
The advice is that it be 40 watts and for the safety of your pets that the bulb is covered with a grill to prevent any bird from getting hurt.
Likewise, check that the bulb is specifically designed to provide heat and that it does not contain toxic elements for your pet such as Polytetrafluoroethylene.
Finally, allow a space outside the heat of the lamp so that your winged friend can retreat if he/she is not comfortable.
Heating
Heating is a good way to keep the rooms in the house warm in which your pet bird can also be, although you must be cautious with the temperature of the place where it is and the ventilation of the room.
Sheltering spaces in the cage
Some elements inside the cage may be of comfort for your bird, although you must be careful with elements such as textile that may cause asphyxiation or some complexity in your bird when it tries to consume some fiber.
An alternative can be a wooden box other than the nest in which the bird can take refuge, these become useful not only for the cold, but also to be a place of rest or rest.
Go slowly, steadily, and calmly
The work of caring for a bird is constant, don’t pretend to know everything from one day to the next. Many times even each one of them teaches something new to its owner, so go calmly in their care, learning to observe and appreciate all the care they need, even the most basic that can be a challenge for them and for you.
Some blogs to learn more about your bird
How to care for a cockatiel? Everything you need to know about this bird
How to care for an Australian parakeet? – Guide for new owners
How to care for a canary? Everything you need to know as a new owner
How to care for Lovebirds? – A complete guide
