Abstract
When you decide to keep birds as pets in your home, be sure to understand that you are not making a decision on impulse. Because raising birds is also a very advanced knowledge. Before you bring a pet bird home, you need to do some basics about it.
If it is the first time to raise a pet bird, you should first learn how to take care of the pet bird, so that you will not be at a loss when they return home. You have to take care of their diet, hygiene, and even their mood to make sure they don’t get sick or depressed. To help you get started, we’ve put together a complete guide for you, the beginner. Next, you will learn how to take care of a pet bird.
Why Pet Birds So Popular
Birds are an excellent choice for pets because of many reasons. These are just a few of the reasons birds make a good pet choice:
Beautiful and Attractive
Even if you’ve never raised a bird, you’ve seen birds with feathers of all colors on the Internet or in parks. That’s right, different species of birds have different colored feathers. So their appearance looks very ornamental. Birds like parrots, for example, have attractive body colors. So they are visually appealing.
Intelligent and Obedient
Pet birds have high IQs and can even interact with people. According to research, birds have problem-solving skills and strong cognitive abilities. In addition, we all know that bird friends also have a strong ability to imitate. And they also like to talk to their human friends. You can also play games together if you have time to train them.
Longevity
Although the lifespan of different species of pet birds is different, the average lifespan of pet birds is still very long compared to other pets. How long do pet birds live? The average budgerigar has a lifespan of 8 years. Medium-sized birds such as mynah, the golden sun, etc. are about 10-16 years. Medium-to-large parrots can live for 20 years. Large parrots like macaws can live up to 60 years. Some can live to 80 if you take good care of them and feed them properly. Incredibly, a bird might stay with you for the rest of your life.
Low Cost
Compared to other pets, pet birds eat very little. Birds have a very diverse diet, and they eat a lot of food. Such as millet, thistle, hemp seeds, high grain, wheat, beans, rice, rice grains, etc. Aside from the cost of food, birds rarely need to visit the veterinarian. They don’t need expensive veterinary care as long as they’re healthy enough.
Small Living Space
Pet birds can easily fit into their living space. If your apartment is too small for a dog or cat to run around, small pet birds are a great option. For tenants. Some landlords may levy pet fees on tenants who keep cats and dogs. But they will ignore pet birds. Therefore, keeping birds is also an economical choice for tenants.
10 Types of Pet Birds for Beginners
There are more than 100 types of pet birds in the world, but not all of them can be domesticated. Let’s take a look at some of the 10 popular types of pet birds that are suitable for domestication today.
Budgerigar
Budgies are small species of climbing birds native to the Australian outback, which usually feed on the seeds of plants. It has a wide variety of temperaments, naughty, cute, lively, and easy to raise. Therefore, it has become one of the top ten types of pet birds in the world that are most commonly kept and loved by the public.
Canary
There are many varieties of canaries, it just depends on which one you like. This bird is beautiful in appearance, and its hair is mainly yellow, red, and white. Their calls are also very pleasant. It is one of the most popular domestic types of pet birds.
Wen Bird
The bird is very beautiful, with colorful feathers, and common black, yellow, and redheads. Their feathers are extremely colorful. The colorful bird is a famous cute pet bird in the world, but because of its small variety, it is an endangered species. Our common domestic colorful birds are basically artificially cultivated. The biggest feature of this bird is that it is strong and easy to raise.
Starling Bird
The plumage is black, the claws are yellow, and the breast milk is also yellow. Myna is not only a popular family cage bird but also an important agricultural and forestry bird. Starlings can imitate the calls of other birds, as well as simple human speech. It is a very popular cage bird. Like a parrot, it can imitate human speech, but it is quieter. The staple food of this bird is all kinds of cereals, which is very easy to raise.
Lark Bird
It is loved by people for its melodious singing voice. It has always been family-friendly. The lark has a lively personality, and families who don’t like noise must not keep it!
Thrush Bird
Listening to the name is a very artistic bird. It is indeed rather literary. It also likes to tweet, its singing is melodious and melodious, and its voice is very loud. Thrush is a famous cage bird. Much loved. But this bird is also very timid, it is recommended to cover a black cloth outside the cage. Be careful not to mix with other aggressive birds.
Pearl Bird
This is a very small bird, tame and affectionate. The food of the pearl bird is mainly millet with shell, which is easy to raise. I recommend buying a pair of pearl birds, which are convenient for viewing and breeding.
Oriole Bird
Feathers are mostly a combination of red, yellow, and black. Oriole can also be kept in pairs. This bird has a clear and melodious call, which is very suitable for domestication. It mainly feeds on insects, most of the feathers are very bright in color, and the overall look is very beautiful.
Cockatiel Bird
When it comes to domestic birds, how can we not mention parrots? There are many species of parrots, and this cockatiel is very suitable for domestication. But be careful, this kind of pet bird is not very combative and should not be mixed. In addition, they are very timid and shy.
Acacia
A bird with a very nice name. The voice is not as beautiful as the lark, but the appearance is very beautiful. When raising this kind of bird, pay attention to taking them out to play often, which will make the acacia in a better mood.
Cost of Raising a Pet Bird
You must know that the cost of keeping a bird is much higher than the cost of buying one. Depending on the type of bird you buy, the price is also different. Rare pet birds are naturally more expensive, and common pet birds are naturally cheaper. Having a small pet bird is a long-term affair. There are a few pet bird supplies you need to know.
- Bird Cage
A bird cage is a one-time investment, and the cage won’t break unless you smash it. You can also buy used cages if you like. Of course, it’s cheaper to do it yourself.
- Feed
A medium-sized bird friend will eat about a kilogram of feed a month.
- Snack
There is also no need to buy additional imported food. There are enough fruits and vegetables at home.
- Toy
living comfortably without anybody’s help. Small bottle caps, small wooden blocks, etc. can be worn in strings to play with, just pay attention to hygiene. In this way, apart from the price of buying pet birds and bird cages, it doesn’t cost much a month. So the cost of raising a pet bird is not very high.
How to Take Care of A Pet Bird
No matter what your reasons are for getting a cute pet bird, having a beautiful and cute pet bird as a companion at home is a delight to watch. Well, now let’s get to the point. How to take care of a pet bird?
How to “Move” a New Pet Bird?
When you decide to keep a cute pet bird at home, you will be excited to plan how to take good care of them. In fact, taking care of a new pet bird that arrives at your home is also a science.
No matter where you start, prepare your bird’s “moving” container in advance. Most birds do not like to be moved around in the open air. Therefore, for small birds, it is more comfortable to choose an airtight box than a bird cage. Punch a few air holes on the lid and top of the sides.
If the “moving” process is only a few hours, there is generally no need to prepare any food. However, if the transit time is longer, you should sprinkle some food on the bottom of the bird’s box. Fruits and vegetables are a great source of hydration on the go. But avoid placing fruit that is too mushy, as small birds can smudge their feathers by stepping on the fruit.
Stop as little as possible on the way home with the bird. And you should never put a bird in an enclosed, oxygen-poor space. The best thing to do is to place the bird box on the floor inside the car, where it is safe and free from direct light and drafts. If you have to stop while moving a bird on a hot summer or cold winter day, don’t leave the bird alone in the car. Because the temperature inside the car can rise or fall very quickly, it can kill small birds.
Pet Bird Diet
When raising small pet birds, never forget to feed them. If not fed for a whole day, the bird will starve to death. Food for birds is relatively simple. The chicks can be made into a paste with water such as soybean meal, cooked egg yolk, green cabbage leaves, minced meat, cod liver oil, and calcium powder. Due to the large food intake of chicks, they are generally fed once in the morning and the last time at 19:00 in the evening. Feed every 1-2 hours at the beginning, and every 3-4 hours after 7 days. Afterward, the bird can be fed according to the bird’s mouth and call.
Healthy Fruits and Vegetables
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Corn
- Carrot
- Chili
- Pea
- Pumpkin
- Kiwi
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Grape
- Tomato
- Apple
- Melon
Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid
- Avocado
- Celery Stick
- Chocolate
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Garlic
Bath
When the bird has grown to a certain time, teach it to take a bath when it can fly. First, use a tea tray to hold water, tie a wooden stick to it, use insects to lead it over, and first sprinkle some water on it with your hands. It didn’t take long for it to jump into the water by itself. This is the nature of the bird, and it doesn’t need to be taught.
Keep Warm
We know that birds have the habit of migrating to escape the cold. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to keep warm during artificial breeding. Some feathers or cotton wool should be laid under the nest, and a thin layer of wool should be covered at night, but pay attention to ventilation. If the temperature drops significantly, you can hang a 25-40 watt light bulb in the cage. While keeping warm, don’t overheat your pet bird.
Nail Trimming
Pet birds have sharp nails, so bird owners need to trim their nails frequently to avoid scratching themselves. But sometimes pet birds file their nails naturally while playing. Sometimes you don’t need to prune. But you still have to pay attention to this problem.
Pet Birds Socialization
Birds are flock creatures, which means they love company. They also want a friend. So when you have free time, you must communicate and play with it more, rather than keep it in the cage and ignore it. If possible, you can directly raise two pet birds, so that they can accompany each other. In addition to giving the birds enough food and a good living environment. The owner should also take the bird out for a walk on a regular basis to get in touch with other birds. Or go to the woods in the mountains and let the birds feel the breath of nature. This will make the bird’s body and mind healthier and live a more lively and happier life.
Provide Bird Cage for Pet Birds
There are many types of bird cages, all kinds are available, and there are no strict standards. You can also make your own bird cage if you have time. But in any case, it is necessary to prepare a safe home for small pet birds.
Choosing A Right Bird Cage
When it comes to choosing the right cage for your cute pet bird, in general, bigger is better. A rule of thumb is that the cage should be large enough for the bird to fully spread its wings. The material of the bird cage needs to be strong and safe.
If you don’t know where to start, then I recommend Aivituvin to you. This is a bird cage manufacturer with more than 20 years of manufacturing experience. Many people buy their first kennel at Aivituvin. And the product is both natural and strong, with a modern, fresh finish.
The Location of The Bird Cage
Place the bird cage to avoid the bedroom, kitchen, high temperature, or cold place. It is best to place the bird cage in a well-ventilated area. And pet birds also need sun exposure for vitamin D. Therefore, near a window is ideal.
In addition, it is also advisable to place the bird cage in the living room. The living room has a large space, and people often move around, so pet birds will not feel too bored. And the ventilation in the living room is good.
What to Put in The Bird Cage
- Food and water bowls
- Toy
Bird friends get bored when left alone, so they need something to entertain. Such as puzzles, swings and hanging toys.
- Perch
Bird friends naturally like to climb and sit on branches. So it would be nice to have a habitat where they can crawl at will.
Disadvantages of Raising Pet Birds
Every pet has its own flaws. Birds have beautiful appearances and good qualities, but keeping them can also bring some inconveniences. You may encounter the following troubles.
Pet Birds Can be Noisy
Usually, you can use their calls as moving music. But they usually make all kinds of squeals, and there’s no way you can stop them. In severe cases, you may be reported by your neighbors.
Pet Birds are Destructive
They polish their beaks by gnawing, keeping their beaks neat and sharp, making them easier and more convenient to use. In short, biting behavior is a very important behavior for bird friends. Such behaviors are also innate and we cannot change them. The electrical wires, network cables, and water pipes in the home are very attractive to them, and they like to chew on these things, which are very dangerous.
Pet Birds Need Socialization
We mentioned above that birds are social animals. Loneliness can make birds frustrated and unhappy. They’ll be happier if they have someone they can play with. If your bird is not singing or moving happily, this could be a sign of depression. So if you’re only going to keep one bird, you’ll want to spend time and effort playing with it. But if you want to keep two pet birds, then it will save you a lot of time and the birds will be more lively and healthy.
Final Thought
If I had to recommend a breed of the best pet bird for beginners, I would choose the budgerigar. They are disease resistant and readily available. The food of budgies is simple, you can give them millet and water spinach. There are four kinds of tiger skins: green, blue, yellow, and white. You can buy them according to your preferences, or you can mix them with different colors. It’s a lot of fun to raise, good luck!
Pet birds can bring you and your family a lot of joy. But be sure to read our guide to small pet birds to help you prepare yourself before buying. It will accompany you for a long time.