If you are thinking of adopting a pet bird, you’ll be joining the 5.7 million households in the US that are home to at least one pet bird. Loving, affectionate, and full of character, a bird can be a wonderful first pet for children. It can help to teach them about the responsibility of owning and caring for an animal. But as with any pet, birds need the right care, attention, nutrition, and stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Choose The Best Breed Of Bird For You
Before you buy or adopt a pet bird, you need to do proper research. Find out as much as you can about the different varieties of birds to help you decide which is best for you. If it’s your first bird, it’s often a good idea to start with a smaller breed that is easier to handle and will be less frightening for your children if they peck at them. It’s common for people to choose budgies or cockatiels as their first pet bird. While they are small, they are very clever and enjoy learning and interacting with their human family.
Bird Cage Essentials
Your new feathered friend will need a suitable cage where they will sleep, eat and play. It must be large enough so that the bird can spread their wings and comfortably walkabout. However, they shouldn’t spend all their time in their cage. Your bird should be spending most of its day outside it interacting with you. Ensure there are plenty of wooden perches for them to jump around on and a ladder to climb onto. Make sure your bird also has a little place they can hide away and rest, such as a nest or bird box for when they want alone time.
Food And Water
Each bird variety is different, so you’ll need to do plenty of research to know what you should feed them. Many pet birds thrive on a pellet-based diet supplemented with different vegetable and fruit bits they can nibble to keep things interesting for them. Dark-colored leafy greens and fruits are ideal. You can choose to give your bird a pre-prepared seed mix, just make sure it’s nutritionally balanced, and they don’t just pick out the tasty bits. You also need to make sure your bird gets plenty of fresh water every day.
Play And Exercise
Pet birds do best when they have plenty of stimulation. Try to play with them for at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Toys can help them interact with you and help to stimulate their complex brains. Various toys and items birds love to play with include wooden and wooden-like objects to even twisted paper, plastic, and cardboard. Just check what be best for the size and strength of their beak. Make sure they have a birdbath to play and bathe in. Birds enjoy being clean, so give them a bowl that’s big enough for them.
Once you have done all your research and have the right cage, food, and toys, you are ready for your new feathered friend to join your family. It may take some time to build a bond and train your new bird, but with the right care and attention, they should settle into your family in no time.
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