Birds are beautiful animals and often have their own cheeky personalities. Colourful feathers, impressive mimicry and the ability to fly makes them captivating to many. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping a bird as a pet so you’re prepared for the big responsibility of bringing home a feathered friend.
Birds
Responsibilities of owning a bird
Captive birds can live varied lifespans depending on the species, so they’re a big commitment. Cockatoos, for example, can live upwards of 40 years!
Different species have different needs, so always research thoroughly. Make sure you can commit enough time and resources to taking care of your new pet, – they can be difficult to rehome and should not be released into the wild.
Feeding
A caged bird’s basic diet should consist of the specially prepared seed mixtures available in pet shops. This diet should be supplemented with green foods and fruit. Cuttlefish bone should be available in every cage to provide many trace minerals required by birds. Make sure they have access to fresh water and it must be replenished frequently in hot weather or if it becomes fouled.
Handling
It is important to train your bird to be handled, especially to permit examination for signs of ill-health. Begin by letting them become accustomed to being handled in the cage. Soon they will become finger-tame, and then they may be removed from the cage whilst still perched on the finger. It will require a good deal of patience, and gentleness with finger pressures when actually handling the bird. Caution should be exercised when handling canaries.
Training your bird
Always be patient when training your bird. Basic handling training is recommended by RSPCA Victoria, but you can also try to teach some species to mimic sounds and respond to basic commands. Only ever use positive reinforcement techniques to train your bird so they don’t develop unwanted behaviours.
Talking
Whilst canaries whistle, a lone budgerigar which enjoys close contact with the owner will very often learn to talk. These birds are first taught to talk at about six weeks of age, and if they have not succeeded by six months they probably never will. Talk to the bird directly, using the same word over and over. Once the bird has learnt one word, new words or complete phrases may be achieved.
Grooming
Provide your bird with a separate shallow saucer of water in their cage for bathing, particularly on warm days. Many bird owners also like to groom their birds, i.e. trim their wings, nails, and beaks. It’s recommended that this is done by a veterinarian experienced with birds, as your bird may be injured if the correct techniques are not used.
Housing
Your birds housing should be well-designed and built for birds, providing a large space relative to the size and breed of the bird to allow for free movement and flight.
The cage should be positioned in a well lit, sunny area where the birds will have frequent human contact, and in which it will be safe to be released to exercise. A portable cage stand permits the birds to be repositioned for their comfort. Appropriate perches of varying size must be provided as well as well-secured food and water troughs. The food and water receptacles should not be positioned beneath bird perches and any accidental contamination of the food and water by bird droppings must be removed immediately it is noticed.
A tray on the floor of the cage will collect excreta and should be removed each day and thoroughly cleaned. The cage itself should be easy to scrub out, while water and food troughs and perches should be easily removable for cleaning purposes.
Moveable perches, ladders, bells, ropes, swings, mirrors, and suitable toys should be provided for mental and physical stimulation, but if the cage is over-furnished with them you bird could injure itself by becoming entangled. At night the cage should be covered over to let your bird to rest and to protect it from draughts.
If you page your cage outside in the day, care must be taken to protect the bird from predators such as cats, dogs and wild birds. Birds should also never be left in the sun without shade.
The Code of Practice for the Housing of Caged Birds provides minimum cage requirements and can be obtained from the Department of Primary Industries.
Know your legal obligations
Any prospective pet owner should be aware of the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and offenses that are punishable by law. Local councils often have their own legislation regarding cat ownership. Before bringing a cat home, contact your municipality and find out the full range of obligations you are required to adhere to by law.
Before getting a pet bird
Different species have different needs, so always research thoroughly. Make sure you can commit enough time and resources to taking care of your new pet – they can be difficult to rehome and should not be released into the wild.
Buying your bird
Buy your bird from a reputable source. Beware of purchasing it from markets, pet shops or places where large numbers of pets are kept, unless you are satisfied with the condition of the facilities.
Never purchase a pet that looks unwell, or is for sale with other animals that look unwell. If you are ever concerned about the welfare of birds for sale, tip off the RSPCA Victoria Inspectorate.
Bird Health for canaries and budgerigars
If you’re an attentive bird owner, it should be easy to spot if your bird is unwell. Research, learning and keeping a watchful eye are the best ways to ensure your bird stays healthy. If you think your bird is unwell, get in touch with your local vet.
The signs of good bird health are:
- Good demeanour, quiet and approachable, alert, observant, with periods of activity
- Good appetite
- Quiet and rapid breathing, with beak closed.
- Well preened feathers held close to body, with a good sheen
- Beak is not overgrown. No encrustations and able to pick up food easily
- Eyes are bright and watchful
Signs of poor health are:
- A sick bird will droop on its perch, or sit on the bottom of the cage, be silent, with feathers fluffed out and sleep for most of the time, often with its head tucked under the wing
- Breathing may be laboured.
- Overgrown beak and claws
- Feather plucking. This mostly, this occurs from boredom, and once established, the habit is difficult to stop.
- Persistent or deteriorating colds, bronchitis or pneumonia
Common health problems
- Scaly face, a grey encrustation caused by a mite, which gradually spreads around the beak, eyes, feet and legs. Scaly face is contagious. Special insecticidal solutions are necessary to treat this condition and a pest strip hung just outside the cage will help kill the mites.
- Tumours or growths on or under the skin are common. Veterinary advice should be sought early
- Regurgitation of food by healthy single budgerigars should not be mistaken for vomiting. It is a courtship ritual and regurgitation will often take place whilst the bird looks at itself in a mirror.
- Red mites feed on birds at night, causing much irritation to the bird. Signs of mite infection are found on the floor of the cage early in the morning. Dusting the bird with an insecticide and vigorous cleaning of the cage is necessary.
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