It's easy to get lost in a pet store and end up buying a new parrot.macaws can live for 80 years or more, and different types of pet birds have unique needs.Do your research before buying a bird to avoid a situation where the bird is unhappy and the owner is overwhelmed.Make sure the bird is healthy and happy before you buy it.
Step 1: If you have limited space, buy a small bird.
Smaller birds, like budgies or cockatiels, are a bit easier to care for, and are better suited to households with children.The bigger the bird, the more demanding it will be of your time, and the less suited it is for kids.Younger kids may be able to help care for budgies and cockatiels with supervision.Small birds need smaller cages, but make sure you have enough space for them.Talk to your vet if you have any questions.Smaller birds tend to live between 5 and 10 years.
Step 2: If you can handle it, consider a mid-sized bird.
Mid-sized birds like parrotlets and lovebirds require more cage space to live longer than small birds.Birds get more needy in terms of attention as they get bigger.Smaller children can be at risk of being bitten or scratched by mid-sized birds.If you have pre-teens or teens at home, lovebirds and parrotlets might work out.Mid-sized birds don't thrive when left home alone for long stretches, so take your work schedule and social calendar into accountSmaller birds don't need as much attention as larger birds.
Step 3: Tell me if you are prepared to care for a large bird.
A lot of care is required for macaws and other large bird breeds.Different types of parrots can live for up to 80 years.Consider what your life will be like in 5, 10, and 20 years because of a large bird.Do you think you will be able to provide a stable, healthy home for the bird for a long time?Younger children are not suited to households with large parrots.A large bird can hurt a child even with a trimmed beak and claws.The financial responsibility should be ignored as well.The cost to care for a small parakeet can be as little as $500 per year, while larger birds can cost as much as 3 times more.A macaw could be an investment of up to $75,000USD.
Step 4: You can learn more about the species you are interested in.
You can consult bird care books and websites and talk to other bird owners.This information can be used to narrow down your options.If you want a bird that will constantly be talking and flying, or if you prefer a quieter bird to give you company, you have to decide.A big, talking African grey parrot will act differently from a small, singing canary.Birds need special care.Medium-sized birds are known for their striking colors.They have highly specialized digestive systems that require a diet of fruit and pollen, which results in a lot of liquid droppings.
Step 5: Talk to your neighbors before getting a bird.
An impulse buy is never a good idea for a pet bird.It is important to make sure that everyone in your household is on board with sharing the responsibility of a bird.It's like welcoming a toddler into your home when you bring home a bird.Birds are noisy, so if you have neighbors in close proximity, you should alert them.They may need to make some changes.
Step 6: If possible, work with a reliable breeder.
Ask your bird-owning friends for referrals for bird breeders in your area, and visit them yourself before making a purchase.Make sure the birds are kept in clean, humane conditions and that the breeder is willing to answer your questions.How frequently do you breed pairs?If should be more than 3 times.What kind of diet do you provide?What kind of veterinary care do your birds get?What do you know about the bird's genetics?
Step 7: It's a good idea to look at a pet store and its birds.
Some pet stores are great places to buy birds.You need to visit the store yourself to find out if it is a good place to get a bird.The birds' cages should be roomy, clean and stocked with a variety of food and clean water, and the store should look and smell clean.The birds should be social and friendly.You can ask questions such as: "What type of diet do you feed the birds?", "Which breeders do they use?" and "Do you offer a 48-72-hour "health guarantee?"If they can't give you satisfactory answers, look elsewhere.
Step 8: Take in an abandoned bird has added problems.
Many people don't realize the commitment required for bird ownership, so there are a lot of abandoned birds.Birds can be well socialized, happy, and healthy, or they can have a range of health and behavioral problems.If you are working with a shelter or rescue operation, get as much information as possible about the bird's past ownership and any health or behavioral concerns.If a group offers training for taking in abandoned birds, sign up.If you want to take in a bird from a friend or family member who can no longer care for it, you should increase the amount of time you spend with the bird.
Step 9: If you want to know if the bird is friendly or lively, watch it.
What you see is usually what you get from the birds.If a bird seems friendly and outgoing at the pet shop, that is what it will be at home.It may have a hard time becoming socialized if it seems scared and wary of people.There is a difference between being more quiet and subdued and being terrified.The bird is likely to have been mistreated if it appears to be overly anxious or fearful.
Step 10: Clear eyes, trimmed talons, and smooth feathers are what you should look for.
Birds with clean, clear, glossy eyes are healthy.This can be a sign of a poor diet and/or health problems.It's a good sign that birds feel unwell if they look unwell.Smaller birds can have dangerous talons so they should be trimmed and maintained.The seller should tell you about the talon care procedures they use and give you advice on how to continue it.Birds should not have ruffled or unkempt feathers.If a bird has a skin condition or behavioral issue, it can lead to feather-plucked.
Step 11: Get as much information as possible about a bird's diet, lifestyle, and health history.
When you have narrowed down your search to a single bird, you should get as many specific answers as you can.If it has been given time to play and socialize, and if it's been kept alone or with other birds, you can find out a lot.You should not finalize your purchase until you are completely satisfied with the information and answers you have received.Buying a bird of any size is a long-term investment and can be very rewarding.
Step 12: Purchase supplies and set up the cage.
You should make sure you have everything in place to care for the bird before you buy it.This is one of the reasons why buying a bird should be gradual.If you think you don't need anything else, think again.Birds need lots of space, things to keep them occupied, and a varied diet.
Step 13: There is plenty of room to move around in a cage with multiple perches.
Bigger birds need larger cages.Many birds will do better if you can provide a safe room in which they can roam freely from time to time.Canaries need a cage with 0.25 in (0.64 cm) bar spacing.The cockatiels are in 51 61 cm and have a spacing of 1.3 cm.The conures have a spacing of 1.59 cm.The Amazons have a 0.75 in spacing.The Macaws have a spacing of 1 in ( 2.5 cm).
Step 14: The cage should be set up.
Birds prefer to be in the center of the action, not in an isolated room.They need a quiet place to sleep.Birds have very sensitive respiratory systems so you need to keep the cage far away from any smoking, heavy fragrances, chemical fumes, and so on.Place newspapers or paper towels at the bottom of the cage.It's easier to clean up than using wood or cat litter.Plan to change the lining at least once a day.Make sure the bowl is the right size for your bird to bathe in, and add a sturdy bowl that can be used as a bird bath.Ladders, bells, and sisal rope toys are appropriate for birds.There should be multiple perches on multiple levels of the cage.
Step 15: Add fruits and vegetables to your bird feed.
The easiest and best way to ensure a pet bird is getting adequate nutrition is to make high-quality bird pellets, which are the main component of its diet.The pellets should be supplemented with bite-size pieces of corn, broccoli, carrots, yams, peas, bananas, apples, or grapes.It is recommended to feed a bird twice per day.It's important to provide a constant supply of clean drinking water.If you want to provide your bird with the right amount of pellets and other food, talk to your vet.