Are you thinking about getting your first pet bird? Or maybe you are just curious about owning one. Like all pets, birds require commitment. While they may seem like low maintenance feathered friends, they are not ideal pets for most. They have a whole different set of requirements in comparison to your usual four-legged buddies.

But if you are seriously considering getting a pet bird, there are some important factors you need to know about owning a bird, as being informed will help make your experience an easier and happier one. Here is a list of things to consider:

Diet

A varied diet with fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts is essential for birds.

In order for any pet bird to thrive and be healthy, they should be provided with a varied diet. In addition to their diet of commercial seeds that you can get from the pet store, it is highly recommended that fresh fruits and vegetables be given daily as well. This added nutrition not only benefits their health but also offers them outlets for additional stimulation through texture and taste.

Behaviour

Birds are remarkable creatures with great personalities. But they do have some pretty inherent characteristics and instinctual traits that may pose an issue for potential bird owners.

• Birds can be very messy. They have a tendency to scatter food and droppings everywhere. This is why bird owners often find themselves having to frequently clean areas around their bird’s cage. But no worries, these regular occurrences can be easily minimized with innovative products such as cage skirts, which can be easily attached to cages to catch stray food bits and droppings. You can typically find these nifty items at your local pet store.
• Though not all bird species have the ability to speak, all of them can be quite vocal. And this can intermittently go on throughout the day for several minutes at a time, causing noise disruption. This may be a concern if you are living in an apartment/condo with strict pet ownership rules, or have fussy neighbours in general.
• Like rodents’ teeth, a bird’s beak is continuously growing throughout its life and must be worn down to prevent overgrowth. In order to keep their beak trimmed, they need to chew on appropriate items (cuttlebone, gnawing wood etc.) on a regular basis. Therefore, if not provided with enough bird-safe chew toys for enrichment, they end up being destructive. It usually means trying to get their beaks in anything possible out of self-maintenance.
• Some birds are known to be nippy, biting even their owners. But this does not mean that they are being aggressive. Their tendency to bite often stems from self-defence or them just giving a playful nip like cats and dogs. But with proper training, this can be minimized.
• Birds are essentially wild, and unlike dogs and cats, they require consistent handling and socializing with their owners to remain tame and build trust. This can help with behavioural issues in the long run.
• Birds like parrots require a lot of mental stimulation from toys in order to keep active and not stress out. Intelligent birds such as budgies, macaws shouldn’t be always kept in a cage. They need a large room to stretch their wings and play or else they will develop anxiety and stress, leading to many health problems.

Lifespan

With proper care, White Cockatoos can live from 40-60 years. Photo by Bradley Howington on Unsplash

Depending on which species of bird you are intending to get, make sure you research or enquire about their life expectancy from the seller or breeder. Some birds can live for a very long time, up to decades! For instance, popular species such as the Indian Ringneck parakeets can live up to around 30 years with Cockatoos averaging at 40 years or more! So if your desired species is one that is able to live for a long time, be sure you can commit to taking care of it in the years to come.

Now that you know what is involved in owning a pet bird, you may be more confident in purchasing one. Or maybe you are having second thoughts. But if you are ready to surround yourself with feathered friends and up for the challenge, know that you will be in for some great companionship. Birds are highly intelligent and trainable, usually vibrant in colour, and make for a great, entertaining addition to your homes. This is why they are among the list of top household pets around the world!