How to Care For Pet Birds

By Sandro Burns

If you are the proud owner of a pet bird you already know how nicely they fit into your family. If you have kids, they most probably adore your birds and take every possible measure to play with their little friends. But pet birds shouldn't be handled roughly, they require attention, care and love from your whole family and the more you learn about these amazing animals, the better you can enjoy them.
Before you select a bird at the pet shop or the breeder, be sure you understand what is expected from you for the bird you select. If you are short of space at home you should think twice about buying a large parrot for example.

Also factor in your needs in regards to the time you can invest in your bird. Cockatiels for example are very good mates to humans and they don't go well with being left alone for long spells of time. They love interaction and are ideal for people who love the idea of having a bird sit on their shoulder all day long. If space is indeed an issue, choose a smaller bird, like a budgie or a finch instead.
For those of you who enjoy big birds, make sure you have ample space available for the new family member. Buy a bird cage that is big enough so your bird has ample room to play. The last thing you wan is for your bird to become depressed and lonely because nobody ever plays with him.

Pet birds love to be taken out of their cages, especially if they are hand raised which is another important point to consider. Always choose a hand raised bird over one that is not. You will grow a lot closer to them and it is easy to handle them with your hands, plus it is more fun.
You will also need to learn how to handle the bird accordingly. Resist to grab your bird just like that. They deserve your respect and even though they love to be petted and stroked, they are not always ready for it. They too love their space and time out - just like us humans.You will soon learn to see your bird's daily rhythm and adjust to it accordingly.One of the most important aspects of bird care is their food. Learn about foods that are safe and those that are not - it could save your bird's life. Some food is toxic and so are most house plants.
It always helps to talk to an experienced pet bird owner to learn what is right for them.

If you want to train your bird, I suggest you arm yourself with tools that can teach you to train your bird. Some birds don't take lightly to being trained and they need special attention from you. If your bird tends to scream or bite a lot, he might have been terribly neglected or abused in the past. It is possible to work with these birds with a lot of love and patience on your behalf.
There is a wide range of training tools available in the pet bird market these days. Choose from training videos, books, eBooks and more to learn about your bird's behavior.It doesn't take a degree to care for your pet bird in a humane and loving way. All it takes is a bit of patience and time.