How to Care for Your Pet Bird

Tips, resources for feeding, housing, enrichment, and more for parrots and other birds kept as pets

Parrots and other birds kept as pets (like canaries and finches) have very specialized needs. Studying up on those needs will help ensure you're providing the best life possible for your feathered friend.

We've pulled together general guidelines, but you'll be most successful if you grab a book or two on the subject (suggestions below) and always, always consult a board-certified avian veterinarian (see below for more on that, too), especially if you're new to birds.

Provide as much out-of-cage time as possible—this will mean bird-proofing your house »

Birds don't want to live in cages any more than we do. If you have the space, consider dedicating a room in your house as your bird's room so she has to spend as little time in her cage as possible. If a bird room isn't in your near future, commit to having the bird out of her cage, in a safe, always supervised space, whenever possible when you're at home. This is important for enrichment and the opportunity to fly.

Birds will chew anything in sight: wires, cords, the wall (most paint is hazardous), furniture, etc. To keep your bird safe, remove or adequately cover any of these materials, and ensure that all windows and doors are closed. Keep your bird away from other pets in your home if you're unsure of their dynamic (cats and dogs are obvious ones). And familiarize yourself with the list of the most hazardous household materials (air fresheners, scented candles, and Teflon cookware are the biggies).

Let your bird fly—don't clip her wings

Everything about a bird's physiology is designed for flight. They have wings, hollow bones, and specialized respiratory systems that allows them to use air differently than we do. Because they're prey species, they need flight as a means to feel safe and normal.

Find a board-certified avian veterinarian »

See her or him at least once a year; call whenever something seems off.

Most dog and cat veterinarians don't treat birds. Among those who treat/see birds, very few are board-certified in avian medicine. But finding one who is can make all the difference in supporting a long, healthy life for your bird. A board-certified avian vet. knows parrots' nutritional and behavioral needs better than most, and he or she will be your partner in providing optimal care for your pet.

Plus, birds are flock animals, so they mask their symptoms when they're sick. It's critical to know your bird so well that you can detect the most minor of shifts in his behavior, then immediately contact the vet. Often this is the only opportunity you'll get to save his life. The basic rule with birds is that you can never be too cautious. When in doubt, call the vet. You can find an avian vet at the Association of Avian Veterinarians' website.

Consider adopting more than one bird »

Parrots and other birds kept as pets are flock animals. At a minimum they need a close relationship with you, but they'll thrive if they have a good relationship with another bird with whom they live (to understand this, imagine living your life without seeing another human). Talk to your local avian rescue organization to learn about other birds who might get along with yours.

Feed your bird well

Did you know that most parrots and birds kept as pets should eat very little seed? It's fattening and not health-supporting in high quantities. Most birds should be on a diet of a high-quality, organic pellet and a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains. Talk to your avian veterinarian about diet, check out the diet resources from Phoenix Landing (for instance, the "Nourish to Flourish" book and "Feeding our Parrots Well" DVD). The two most reputable, commercial bird food companies are Harrison's Bird Foods and Roudybush.

Provide the biggest cage you can afford and design it for fun, safety, comfort »

A cage can never be too big for an animal who has wings. As your bird will likely spend a good amount of her time in her cage, you'll want to design it for comfort (vary the perch heights, make sure food and water access is easy, etc.) and stimulation (great toys!). Check out the Bird-Safe Store for cages, toys, perches, and more.

Different Kinds of Large Birds

Birds of all types and sizes are certainly captivating and fascinating creatures, but some of the most impressive of all are the large birds, and in particular, the large parrot species. These birds know no ends to their talents -- many of them can learn to talk, perform tricks, and complete a variety of tasks to delight their owners, enriching the bonds that they share with them. Most of all, these birds have endlessly charming personalities, and many would argue that they are some of the most affectionate pets in the animal kingdom. Read on to learn more about some of the different types of large birds that are commonly kept in captivity, and discover what it's like to share a home with these magnificent creatures.

• Cockatoos

Originating in Australia, there are as many types of Cockatoos as there are colors of the rainbow -- but one thing that they all have in common is that they make incredible affectionate and loving pets for the right people. Caring for a Cockatoo can be a tough job. They require many hours of direct interaction each day and thrive on their owners' companionship. Anyone who adopts a Cockatoo must make sure that they have plenty of free time to spend with their birds, otherwise a Cockatoo will not be very happy in captivity. For those who are up to the task, these birds can provide a wealth of love and companionship.

• Eclectus Parrots

Another favorite type of large bird are the Eclectus Parrots, also hailing from "Down Under." These birds are unique in that they are known as a dimorphic species, which means that the males can be discerned from the females just by looking at the colors of their feathers. The male Eclectus is a bright green color, with red and blue accents on the undersides of his wings. The females are a brilliant red color, with vivid purple bellies. Both make excellent pets, and have charming and affectionate personalities when properly socialized.

• African Grey Parrots

As their name makes evident, the beautiful African Grey Parrots are originally from Africa, and are widely known as some of the most intelligent bird species on the planet. Many studies have been done on these birds, and the results have been astounding -- some have even found that these birds have the intellect and emotional capacities of human toddlers, which is pretty incredible! Of course, this means that African Greys need special owners that have a deep commitment to caring for them. They need lots of human interaction, mental stimulation, and socialization in order to thrive as pets, so it's important that anyone who adopts one to make sure that they can meet their needs.

• Amazon Parrots

The strikingly beautiful Amazon Parrots come from South America, where they make their homes in warm and humid climates. Even so, they have grown to become popular pets all around the world. These birds are very clever and many become proficient talkers, building impressive vocabularies and speaking with great clarity. They are affectionate with their owners and form strong bonds with their human caretakers. Amazon parrots have been known to live for a very long time in captivity, even in excess of 60 years. For this reason and more, it's very important that those who are interested in keeping one as a pet has the desire and the means to commit to providing excellent care for them.

• Macaws

The bold Macaws are some of the most easily recognizable birds on the planet, no doubt due to their popularity in movies and bird shows around the world. It's no wonder that these birds are a favorite of those in the entertainment industry -- they are beautiful, intelligent, and highly trainable, capable of learning to mimic speech as well as perform a variety of tricks and commands. Like other large birds, Macaws make loving pets who bond strongly to their owners and need lots of interaction. Make sure that you are able to provide a Macaw with several hours of social time each day before rushing out to bring one home.

Best Birds for Young People

It's easy for kids to become fascinated with animals, and birds are no exception. Often, I receive letters from parents asking about the best types of birds to get as a pet for their children. My usual response is that they should first make sure that their child can be a good owner for a pet bird! All bird species need special care and attentive owners to make sure that they thrive in their homes as pets. If you feel like your child is responsible enough to keep a pet bird, then you might consider some of the species listed below as a pet for them. Remember that you must always take care to peek in and see how your little one is doing with his or her pet, however. Even the most responsible children can use a helping hand now and then, and you don't want an innocent bird to pay the price for a child's inability to care for it.

Budgies

One of the most popular pet bird species for young and old alike are the charming little Budgies, also known to many as simply "Parakeets." Budgies are pretty little birds that can be found in a variety of color combinations. They are extremely intelligent and can be taught a number of fun tricks, and many learn to speak very well, although they have tiny little voices. On average, a pet Budgie lives for between 5 and 9 years in captivity, although some have been known to live for much longer

Finches

 Cockatiels

Another type of bird that has long been hailed as an excellent choice for children is the beautiful and intelligent Cockatiel. It's rare for one of these birds to talk, but many Cockatiels enjoy mimicking other types of sounds, such as doorbells and telephones. These birds have unique personalities and playful natures, making them a good choice for older children who want a bird that they can really interact with. Cockatiels normally live for between 10 and 20 years in captivity, so make sure that your child is up to the task of being responsible for their bird for quite a long time before bringing a Cockatiel home.

Doves

An often overlooked species that happens to be my personal favorite for quiet, well-behaved children is the lovable Dove . Doves are calm, gentle, reserved birds who do well with people who embody the same traits. Older children in particular might do well caring for a Dove, who can grow fondly accustomed to being gently handled and played with. Some captive pet doves have been known to live for up to 25 years, so keeping one is definitely a commitment, however, they can make lovely pets in the right situation

Conures

For extremely responsible children who are perhaps a little older, a parent might consider adopting one of the many captivating types of Conures as a pet. Conures are medium sized parrots, but many of them possess the same traits as their larger counterparts. They have big personalities, and do best with owners who are committed to providing them with plenty of exercise, playtime, and interaction. If you are interested in getting a Conure for your child, then you might do well to consider the bird more of a family pet, if anything. Be aware that in all likelihood, you will need to assume some of the responsibility of caring for the bird, as such a species could prove too taxing for a young person.