The Beginners Guide to Bird Keeping
Birds are an increasingly popular pet, and there are a lot of options out there in terms of shapes, sizes and colours. However, it is imperative that you do your research because some birds do require a lot more care and attention than other species. Birds can be an incredibly rewarding pet, but you need to be prepared to ensure that you have found the right bird for you and are ready to make a commitment of this size. Read on to find out more.
How to Choose a Bird
First things first, as a novice bird keeper, you should research what breed of bird would work best for your capabilities. There are several species that are better suited to beginners or those with limited knowledge and experience of bird keeping. Species like finches or canaries are incredibly popular with beginners because they are fairly low maintenance. There are also a lot of birds within the parrot family that are suited to beginners, like budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels and parakeets.
There are other birds that require more work, but the payoff might be worth it for the right person. The parrot family is vast and, as such, has some highly trainable and vocal species which draw in some people. Species like African Greys, Cockatoos, Amazons and Macaws. They are a lot more challenging to own and care for, and some can live for up to sixty years. This is where your research comes in.
How Long do Birds Live For?
The lifespan of a bird depends entirely on the species. For example, male canaries usually have a life span of between eight to ten years, whereas some macaws have been known to live to up to seventy-five years. Therefore, this is something that you should take note of when it comes to doing your research because this pet could be with you for a very long time. Some birds can outlive their human owners, and if that’s a possibility, you need to have a care plan in place.
Are Birds a Good Family Pet?
Birds can make as good a family pet as any other animal. However, they may not be great for younger kids who have the tendency to be a little rough with their pets. That being said, young children should always be supervised when playing with any pet for their own safety. Birds make great pets for those with limited mobility or those who spend a lot of time indoors because they can be kept inside exclusively.
Some people think that birds don’t make a good family pet because there is this idea that birds are not cuddly or affectionate, but this is not the case. Birds can be just as affectionate as any other pet; it is all about how they are treated first and foremost though some species are cuddlier than others. Consider this when conducting your research into what bird species would work the best for your family.
The Costs of Owning a Bird
In all honesty, as with most pets, the larger the bird, the more you can expect to spend on it. This is because bigger birds tend to need more food and a bigger enclosure, all of which costs money. As well as their food and shelter, you can also expect to pay out for vet’s fees, insurance and toys or birdbaths to enrich their environments. Be sure to look up Little Peckers; they have a huge range of bird supplies for both pet birds and wild birds, too; they’ll have everything you need to get started.
Caring for Birds
The truth is that birds are fairly easy to care for, especially when compared to other pets’ birds are fairly low maintenance. This doesn’t mean that they can be left to their own devices, they still need feeding, and their cage needs cleaning out regularly. They need to be let out every so often to stretch their wings and experience a little freedom. They need toys or things in their cages to keep them busy, but other than that, they don’t really need much else.
Bird Cage Sizes
A bird needs ample space within its cage. The exact size will depend on the bird, but they need to be able to move about freely without feeling cramped. It should have the room to house perches and toys too. Even with a very generous size cage, your bird still should be let out daily for a bit of exercise.
Can Birds be Solo Pets?
The short answer is no. Most species of birds are social creatures; they need company. Without it, their mental health can plummet, and they can get extremely stressed out and upset. Therefore, you are better off getting a couple of birds instead of just one. Although there are species out there that can survive alone. Birds need you for company, too, they need to be interacted with and handled, and as mentioned above, they can be incredibly affectionate too. In time you will form a bond with your bird, and you will be able to tell when it is feeling a little lonely and when it needs more attention.
Arranging Care in Your Absence
There are occasions out of your control where you will need to be away from your pets for a while, or you might choose to go on holiday; you need to arrange for your bird to be cared for in this event. Most of the time, you should endeavour to keep your pet in an environment that it is familiar with; this means leaving it at home and having someone come in to care for it. If this isn’t feasible, you might have to look for somewhere to put your bird, but this is not always feasible because often they aren’t used to large groups of birds, unfamiliar environments and new situations, and it can stress them out and make them ill. Be sure to do some research and try to ensure that your bird is socialised with other people from a young age.
In Summary
Birds can make just as good a pet as any other animal. They require less care in some instances than other pets, and they are quite low maintenance, which makes them an ideal pet for someone looking for companionship but is short on time or has mobility issues. If you are thinking of getting a pet bird, then make sure you have taken on board the above advice.
