Birds are among the top five pets usually found in homes. People prefer them for various reasons. Some like talking birds because they can easily be taught specific words. Some owners want birds that come in pairs because they look great together. Others are intrigued by a particular species, making them want one as a companion for love and affection. Here in this article, we tell you “Things Bird Owner Should Know”. So continue reading to learn more about it.
Things Bird Owner Should Know
Buying your first bird companion should not be done with a craze; instead, every owner must take careful consideration if they already have a cat or dog. While bird lovers will happily tell you about the hilarious antics of their feathered friends, what they don’t mention – and what might not even cross their minds – is the simple fact that birds aren’t for everyone.
Owning a bird means dealing with a completely different set of problems and responsibilities than other famous pet owners (cats and dogs owners).
So here are the things anyone must know before owning a pet bird:
1. Birds are messy by nature
No matter the size or the species, birds are messy, and this is an indisputable fact. Not only will the food be dropped into their cages, but most birds love to throw food between the bars of their enclosures and on the floor below, especially after they have eaten it. Also, the droppings will spread everywhere, i.e., on the cage, on the floor, and the enclosure walls. Fortunately, cleaning around a birdcage can be done quickly and efficiently using a broom or a vacuum cleaner.
2. The birds are noisy
Another undeniable fact is that the birds are noisy. While some birds, such as the common loon, create lovely music when they vocalize, others don’t. Some species create quite a ruckus: they squawk and scream for several minutes or up to 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Decide how many noises your nerves can tolerate when selecting which species of bird you want.
3. Birds chew on anything
All pet birds will chew on anything they can get into their beaks, i.e., it includes food, wood, paper, cardboard, plastic, plants, fabric, and woodwork. But there is a reason for this, i.e., A bird’s beak grows continuously throughout its life and must be worn out or trimmed to prevent overgrowth.
Therefore, chewing is a self-maintenance procedure for birds. In addition to creating a mess, frequent chewing can lead to the destruction of valuable items such as furniture, etc. The solution is to provide your pet with a variety of safe and fun toys to break and destroy at will.
4. Birds molt and produce feather dust
Molting is a natural process by which a bird sheds its old feathers and new ones grow. This can take a while, and as a result, there will be many feathers scattered on the floor under the cage and floating in the air.
When the new feathers emerge, and old ones fell off, dust is produced, and there can be quite a bit of it covering the floor, the cage, and the surrounding area. So bird owners must remove those feathers from their cells for better hygiene.
Things Bird Owner Should Know (Cont.)
5. Birds need specialized diets.
If you want to keep your cute and lovely bird happy and healthy, you need to make sure you give it a serving of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Besides providing excellent nutrition, this will allow your bird to experience different flavors and textures, which will stimulate its mind.
6. The birds will bite
While they are certainly not overly aggressive but the birds will bite. They will bite anyone, especially their new owners.
Many bird owners have had their ears, nose, or fingers bitten, and the extent of the injury depends on the size of the bird’s beak. So as a potential bird owner, you must know that you have to face multiple bird bites.
7. Birds need socialization in the early stage
While common pet animals, such as dogs and cats, will generally remain domesticated even if their owners don’t have a lot of time to spend with them, birds are wild and need to be handled and socialized frequently to keep tame.
8. Birds are sensitive to smell
Scented candles, air fresheners, and oils pose health risks to the birds. This is because they have very sensitive air canals and respiratory systems that make them vulnerable to chemicals and fumes from the environment. As such, smoking is not recommended as long as you are around a bird. Likewise, it is advisable to wash your hands well after smoking before touching a bird.
A bird’s responsive sense of smell can also somewhat affect your kitchen utensil preferences. With a bird in the home, nonstick cookware and Teflon should be removed and replaced with alternatives, as these items emit odorless smoke that can be fatal to birds.
9. The birds wake up early
Be prepared to adjust your sleeping schedule when you have a pet bird. You’ve probably heard chickens doodling when the sun comes up. Companion birds are also the same. They may not make the same sound, but they wake up very early. They will even start to make a fuss if you are not there to serve breakfast when they are awake. So be sure to take note of what time they usually get up.
Conclusion: Things Bird Owner Should Know
Birds are fascinating creatures. They make great pets, and they are the top choice for pet owners after cats and dogs. If you have a pet bird, you must feed them well, know their routine, and provide the best natural habitat.
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