One of the most important parts of bird ownership is the initial process of learning about all the responsibilities that come with an avian pet and whether or not these things appeal to ones personality. This can seem like a strange task with many complicated aspects but with some preparation, inner realizations and research anyone can find the ideal pet for them. Self honesty will pay dividends! As one learns all the aspects that go into bird care they’ll be able to make their own decision whether owning a bird is a good fit for them. Before even beginning the search for a colorful feathered friend, an individual should consider what goes into owning a bird and if this type of relationship makes sense for them. Birds are very intelligent, active, loving and sensitive creatures.
Cleaning the cage 🥳 what fun!
Birds are different than other pets and people in that they will always require daily care from their owners. This includes
- Cleaning the cage and play areas daily
- Interacting with the bird daily
- If the bird enjoys it, cuddling with it several times a day
- Preparing food daily and feeding the bird multiple times per day
- Cleaning the food and water dishes daily
- Visiting the pet store for supplies, and learning about all the different products available
- Bathing the bird daily and frequent grooming sessions
- Having a reputable veterinarian that sees the bird at least once per year and can see the pet for avian emergencies (which requires and avian expert)
- Continually learning about the birds breed and how to care better for the pet
- Being understanding and having ample patience with the bird
Birds require special care from qualified veterinarians.
Many birds kept as pets, especially parrots, have very long lives ranging anywhere from 10 to over 50 years! This is critically important to understand as if one doesn’t have a personality that can commit to care for a bird their entire life they can become bored with the pet. During the birds entire lifespan they will require the same amount of loving care from their owner. If an owner becomes bored with their pet, this usually ends up with the bird being sold and moved around from home to home which isn’t good for the bird or any new owner(s). With this in mind, taking a few weeks or months to learn about birds and the care they require is a rewarding process that can set a bird and owner up for a long and happy life. Really, a bird owner needs to be able to put their pets needs before their own and do so without getting frustrated and/or angry at their pet.
If this seems like a monumentally difficult task then bird ownership may not be for you. Learning this before owning a pet bird is absolutely the way to go as there are many other pets who can fit into any particular type of lifestyle. If these aspects of bird care appeal to you, then there could a lucky bird in the world waiting to be brought to your home! People who are animal advocates and find a love for birds can be superb candidates for pet ownership. It's highly recommended to join avian clubs to further ones knowledge and this is very easy to do with the internet. Social media has endless opportunities to connect with fellow pet owners and are great places to find local clubs, but they should be used as a starting point. There are many excellent avian clubs that meet up on a regular basis. Members who are part of these groups have wealths of information about birds, superb tips for care, years of experience with using pet products and in many cases have networking connections to reputable breeders or businesses who sell pets.
Lastly, there are many great books that are written by highly respected avian vets that have detailed and quality information thats invaluable to any pet owner. Here are some books with lots of information spanning different aspects of care across many different breeds:
The Handbook of Cage and Aviary Birds
The Complete Practical Guide to Pet and Aviary Birds
The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged & Aviary Birds
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