Basic bird care
Bird Houses
Bird care starts with housing for your bird. Birds need a good environment that provides a place to rest as well as places to play and exercise.
There are options when thinking about the types of bird houses for your pet. You can provide a very large bird cage or a smaller cage along with a play area outside of the cage, often utilizing a playpen. You can also provide a flight cage for regular exercise.
Bird cages
All birds should be housed in a cage that is as roomy as possible, this is especially important for birds that will spend most or all of their time in the cage.
Cage Specifications & Cage Placement
Birds need to be able to stretch their wings and flap them without hitting anything. They should also be able to make short flights, hop around and play with bird toys.
Birds that live exclusively in a cage will need a space of three times their wing span as an absolute minimum, with more space being better.
*Horizontal bars on the sides of bird cages are very important, birds like to climb and are very playful.
*The bar spacing needs to be small enough that the bird cannot get its head through them.
*Metal bars are good for birds that like to chew.
*It is really nice if the cage is easy to clean. Many bird cages have a slide out tray and an easily removable grate.
*Outside the cage you can provide a playpen along with safe bird toys.
*Bird cages should be placed in a draft free area that is well lit, but not in direct sunlight.
*To make your birds feel secure and comfortable keep their cage against a wall or in a corner.
*Place your bird's cage so that it is at eye-level or lower for good social interaction. You don't want your bird above your head, being up higher means they are dominant.
*You don't want to place your bird in the kitchen or in a room that is too near to the kitchen. Birds are highly susceptible to airborne fumes and toxins. A small amount of smoke or the vapors from Teflon cookware could kill your bird.
Bird care starts with housing for your bird. Birds need a good environment that provides a place to rest as well as places to play and exercise.
There are options when thinking about the types of bird houses for your pet. You can provide a very large bird cage or a smaller cage along with a play area outside of the cage, often utilizing a playpen. You can also provide a flight cage for regular exercise.
Bird cages
All birds should be housed in a cage that is as roomy as possible, this is especially important for birds that will spend most or all of their time in the cage.
Cage Specifications & Cage Placement
Birds need to be able to stretch their wings and flap them without hitting anything. They should also be able to make short flights, hop around and play with bird toys.
Birds that live exclusively in a cage will need a space of three times their wing span as an absolute minimum, with more space being better.
*Horizontal bars on the sides of bird cages are very important, birds like to climb and are very playful.
*The bar spacing needs to be small enough that the bird cannot get its head through them.
*Metal bars are good for birds that like to chew.
*It is really nice if the cage is easy to clean. Many bird cages have a slide out tray and an easily removable grate.
*Outside the cage you can provide a playpen along with safe bird toys.
*Bird cages should be placed in a draft free area that is well lit, but not in direct sunlight.
*To make your birds feel secure and comfortable keep their cage against a wall or in a corner.
*Place your bird's cage so that it is at eye-level or lower for good social interaction. You don't want your bird above your head, being up higher means they are dominant.
*You don't want to place your bird in the kitchen or in a room that is too near to the kitchen. Birds are highly susceptible to airborne fumes and toxins. A small amount of smoke or the vapors from Teflon cookware could kill your bird.
bird supplies
Bird Feeders
Bowls are needed for foods, treats and water. Small birds can use plastic bowls. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls generally are needed for medium and large parrots. These bigger birds will often chew up plastic bowls, or even pick up their bowls and dump them or toss them to the floor. Built in bowl holders are often a part of the cage and may be designed to keep the bird from removing the bowl. Other bowls are attached with hooks, bolts or clips, and may mount inside or outside the cage depending on the design.
Bird Perches
Perches not only provide standing places for birds, but also give them an opportunity to exercise their beaks and keep their beaks trim. Perch size and shape can vary depending on the bird, but should fit their feet. A 1" perch is comfortable for most parrots and a 1/2" perch suits smaller birds.
Round and oval wooden perches are often used, and sometimes plastic or rope perches are used for small birds. Variety in both size and shape is important to exercise your birds feet. Natural branches are great for providing this variety. Concrete perches make nice additional perches for parrots to help them keep both nails and beak trim.
Bird Toys
Bird toys are a great way to combat boredom and provide exercise for your pet bird. Toys for birds are designed in lots of combinations of woods, leathers, ropes, chains, bells and even acrylics. Toys such as swings and ladders are designed for chewing and climbing, while stainless steel mirrors are for viewing and comfort. The wide range of non-toxic colors, fun textures, shapes and sizes, sounds (and even smells) that you'll find in bird toys will keep both you and your bird interested in checking out new ones.
Bowls are needed for foods, treats and water. Small birds can use plastic bowls. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls generally are needed for medium and large parrots. These bigger birds will often chew up plastic bowls, or even pick up their bowls and dump them or toss them to the floor. Built in bowl holders are often a part of the cage and may be designed to keep the bird from removing the bowl. Other bowls are attached with hooks, bolts or clips, and may mount inside or outside the cage depending on the design.
Bird Perches
Perches not only provide standing places for birds, but also give them an opportunity to exercise their beaks and keep their beaks trim. Perch size and shape can vary depending on the bird, but should fit their feet. A 1" perch is comfortable for most parrots and a 1/2" perch suits smaller birds.
Round and oval wooden perches are often used, and sometimes plastic or rope perches are used for small birds. Variety in both size and shape is important to exercise your birds feet. Natural branches are great for providing this variety. Concrete perches make nice additional perches for parrots to help them keep both nails and beak trim.
Bird Toys
Bird toys are a great way to combat boredom and provide exercise for your pet bird. Toys for birds are designed in lots of combinations of woods, leathers, ropes, chains, bells and even acrylics. Toys such as swings and ladders are designed for chewing and climbing, while stainless steel mirrors are for viewing and comfort. The wide range of non-toxic colors, fun textures, shapes and sizes, sounds (and even smells) that you'll find in bird toys will keep both you and your bird interested in checking out new ones.
Bird Exercise
Exercise and activities are extremely important to keep your pet bird healthy and happy. Birds are inquisitive, social, and they like to play. Exercise is natural for them and easy to provide.
Short Flights
A bird's cage needs to accommodate their full wingspan so they can safely flap their wings and exercise them. If they are kept in the cage all the time, they need to be able to make short flights. A cage should be at least three times their wingspan if they are kept caged all the time.
Climbing
Parrots of all sorts love to climb on ladders and the horizontal bars of their cage. Some like to hang from the top of their cage or from various toys and swings hanging in the cage. Natural perches not only provide exercise for the parrots toe muscles, they also keep birds gnawing on the bark and the wood. Cuttlebones are good for beak trimming as well as a calcium supplement.
Bird Toys
Toys provide entertainment as well as exercise and most parrots like to chew. Perches, swings, ladders and toys all become objects of entertainment and chewing.
Plastic toys are only safe for small birds like finches and parakeets. Larger parrots will destroy them and can be injured by the chewed pieces.
Various woods, leathers and acrylic make good chew toys for all parrots.
Playpen
The playpen is a play areas located outside the cage. They have a variety of perches, ladders, toys and swings that give birds a place to exercise and play. Playpens usually have food and water dishes which allows you to leave your bird out for as long as you'd like.
Bird Baths
Most birds love a bath! A bath placed in the bottom of the cage or mounted through a side door will allow small birds to bathe, and they can create quite a splash. Often birds will take a bath in their water dish if not provided with a bath!
Other/larger birds prefer a light misting from a spray bottle 2 or 3 times a week. Birds anticipating a bath will often spread their wings out to catch the mist and call loudly when being sprayed. Hand-tamed birds often prefer to shower with their owners.
Short Flights
A bird's cage needs to accommodate their full wingspan so they can safely flap their wings and exercise them. If they are kept in the cage all the time, they need to be able to make short flights. A cage should be at least three times their wingspan if they are kept caged all the time.
Climbing
Parrots of all sorts love to climb on ladders and the horizontal bars of their cage. Some like to hang from the top of their cage or from various toys and swings hanging in the cage. Natural perches not only provide exercise for the parrots toe muscles, they also keep birds gnawing on the bark and the wood. Cuttlebones are good for beak trimming as well as a calcium supplement.
Bird Toys
Toys provide entertainment as well as exercise and most parrots like to chew. Perches, swings, ladders and toys all become objects of entertainment and chewing.
Plastic toys are only safe for small birds like finches and parakeets. Larger parrots will destroy them and can be injured by the chewed pieces.
Various woods, leathers and acrylic make good chew toys for all parrots.
Playpen
The playpen is a play areas located outside the cage. They have a variety of perches, ladders, toys and swings that give birds a place to exercise and play. Playpens usually have food and water dishes which allows you to leave your bird out for as long as you'd like.
Bird Baths
Most birds love a bath! A bath placed in the bottom of the cage or mounted through a side door will allow small birds to bathe, and they can create quite a splash. Often birds will take a bath in their water dish if not provided with a bath!
Other/larger birds prefer a light misting from a spray bottle 2 or 3 times a week. Birds anticipating a bath will often spread their wings out to catch the mist and call loudly when being sprayed. Hand-tamed birds often prefer to shower with their owners.
bird safety
Keep your bird safe! It is up to you. It is very important that you know how to take care of a pet bird to keep your bird safe. Some of the most familiar hazards can be avoided with a little common sense and by paying attention.
Avoid accidents
Be cautious when your bird is out of its cage, be sure it is safe.
*Don't leave windows and doors open.
*Don't have any water-filled vessels lying around, or toilet lid up.
*Make sure the stove isn't hot.
*Make sure the ceiling fan isn't running.
Physical Harm
Avoid physical harm to your pet bird. Don't ever hit your bird and don't let anyone else hit your bird.
Watch for toxic plants
Watch what your pet bird chews on outside its cage. Don't let your bird eat any toxic plants like oleanders, azaleas, juniper, daffodils, philodendron, lily-of-the-valley, etc.
Avoid toxic substances
Some important pet bird information to know includes substances that may be toxic to your bird. Do not leave any of these substances sitting out and put away any rags or dust clothes that you used to clean with.
*It is very important to make sure that your bird's cage is painted with lead-free paint.
*Make sure your home also has lead-free paint if you allow your bird to fly about the house.
*Tap water delivered in lead pipes can have a toxic affect on your bird.
*Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, seizures, diarrhea and lethargy.
*If you are at all concerned your bird might be poisoned, take your bird to the avian vet right away!
Poisons
Some common household poisons to avoid
*Antifreeze
*Any household pest you eliminate with poisons also becomes toxic to your bird
*Alcohol
*Ammonia
*Detergents containing boric acid
*Drain cleaners
*Various types of fuel including gas, oil and kerosene
*Furniture and metal polish
*Gasoline
*Hair dye
*Laundry bleach
*Mushrooms
*Nail Polish
*Oven Cleaners
*Paint and paint thinner
*Pesticides
*Pine oil poisons (rat, snail, roach bait)
*Rust remover
*Shaving lotion
*Spot removers
*Super Glue
*Toilet bowl cleaner that hangs exposed inside the toilet bowl
*Various types of bathroom cleaners
*Varnish
Avoid accidents
Be cautious when your bird is out of its cage, be sure it is safe.
*Don't leave windows and doors open.
*Don't have any water-filled vessels lying around, or toilet lid up.
*Make sure the stove isn't hot.
*Make sure the ceiling fan isn't running.
Physical Harm
Avoid physical harm to your pet bird. Don't ever hit your bird and don't let anyone else hit your bird.
Watch for toxic plants
Watch what your pet bird chews on outside its cage. Don't let your bird eat any toxic plants like oleanders, azaleas, juniper, daffodils, philodendron, lily-of-the-valley, etc.
Avoid toxic substances
Some important pet bird information to know includes substances that may be toxic to your bird. Do not leave any of these substances sitting out and put away any rags or dust clothes that you used to clean with.
*It is very important to make sure that your bird's cage is painted with lead-free paint.
*Make sure your home also has lead-free paint if you allow your bird to fly about the house.
*Tap water delivered in lead pipes can have a toxic affect on your bird.
*Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, seizures, diarrhea and lethargy.
*If you are at all concerned your bird might be poisoned, take your bird to the avian vet right away!
Poisons
Some common household poisons to avoid
*Antifreeze
*Any household pest you eliminate with poisons also becomes toxic to your bird
*Alcohol
*Ammonia
*Detergents containing boric acid
*Drain cleaners
*Various types of fuel including gas, oil and kerosene
*Furniture and metal polish
*Gasoline
*Hair dye
*Laundry bleach
*Mushrooms
*Nail Polish
*Oven Cleaners
*Paint and paint thinner
*Pesticides
*Pine oil poisons (rat, snail, roach bait)
*Rust remover
*Shaving lotion
*Spot removers
*Super Glue
*Toilet bowl cleaner that hangs exposed inside the toilet bowl
*Various types of bathroom cleaners
*Varnish
Bird foods
Birds need good nutrition, a diet that is designed for them and has the necessary components for a balance diet. A healthy diet includes a wide variety of foods like pellet, grains, seed, fruits, vegetables... Also provide plenty of fresh daily water.
Vegetables and Fruits
These include soaked and sprouted seed and even some green plants (make sure they are non-toxic). Fruits are a good supplement such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables are also good supplements such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed .Do not allow your bird to eat the seeds from fruits or veggies.
Protein Supplements
Additional proteins can be offered, such as cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, and even cooked chicken. Many birds will eat what you eat. Be sure anything you offer is not toxic to your bird. Most foods are okay but there are some that can poison birds.
Mineral Supplements
Cuttlebone and calcium blocks will also provide necessary minerals for maintaining your birds health.
Vegetables and Fruits
These include soaked and sprouted seed and even some green plants (make sure they are non-toxic). Fruits are a good supplement such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables are also good supplements such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed .Do not allow your bird to eat the seeds from fruits or veggies.
Protein Supplements
Additional proteins can be offered, such as cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, and even cooked chicken. Many birds will eat what you eat. Be sure anything you offer is not toxic to your bird. Most foods are okay but there are some that can poison birds.
Mineral Supplements
Cuttlebone and calcium blocks will also provide necessary minerals for maintaining your birds health.
links
COCKATIEL LINKS
*http://www.cockatielcottage.net/
*http://www.cockatiel.com/
*http://cockatiel-care.info/
GREEN CHEEK CONURE LINKS
*http://birds.about.com/od/conures/p/greencheek.htm
*http://www.birdtricks.com/Conures/green-cheek-info.html
*http://gcch.tripod.com/faq/faq2.html
CRIMSON BELLIED CONURE LINKS
*http://beautyofbirds.com/crimsonbelliedconures.html
*http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-species/profiles/crimson-bellied-conure-2.aspx
*http://www.birdcompanions.com/FCA%20Crimson%20Bellied%20Conures%20as%20Pets%202008.pdf
*http://www.cockatielcottage.net/
*http://www.cockatiel.com/
*http://cockatiel-care.info/
GREEN CHEEK CONURE LINKS
*http://birds.about.com/od/conures/p/greencheek.htm
*http://www.birdtricks.com/Conures/green-cheek-info.html
*http://gcch.tripod.com/faq/faq2.html
CRIMSON BELLIED CONURE LINKS
*http://beautyofbirds.com/crimsonbelliedconures.html
*http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-species/profiles/crimson-bellied-conure-2.aspx
*http://www.birdcompanions.com/FCA%20Crimson%20Bellied%20Conures%20as%20Pets%202008.pdf