General Bird Care

General Information and Tips

1. Birds will die if they are in a draft - yes if you put your cage over an air duct this would not be good, however this is an animal that flies! They love to be outside. Most likely your baby was bred in an outdoor aviary. With this in mind do not decide to put your bird out and leave him out in the dead of winter or the middle of summer. Use your head and allow him to acclimate to the weather. I have outdoor cages and all of my birds have time outdoors.
2. Birds only bite if they have no other choice - HA - I do not know who came up with this one. Learn your birds body language - any Amazon owner will tell you this is critical to a good relationship. A bird will let you know when he does not want to be messed with. My suggestion would be to respect those signals. Do your homework - some species are more prone to aggression then others. Pick the pal that is best suited to your lifestyle and circumstance.
3. Birds do go through the terrible twos - at about 8 months old and it can last a year. Do not get discouraged with your pet like a two year old grit your teeth and help him get through it - this stage passes.
4. Birds react differently to molting - some can have a real tough time (women should be able to relate real well) it is like birdie PMS. Get some Necton-Bio, sprinkle it on the food this will help. However do not continue with it after the molt.
5. Become familiar with your birds general behavior, appearance and the appearance of their feces. If anything changes your bird could be ill, call your avian vet immediately.
6. Do not buy anyone's older bird unless you are an experienced bird handler. I know that price looks attractive, but you are buying someone else's problem. I have heard every reason in the world as to why they have to sell their beloved pet . We are having a baby translates into - the bird bites. We are moving translates into - the bird screams constantly. We are getting a divorce means I have to move into an apartment and my wife hates the bird - the bird hates all women. I think you get the picture. To complicate this you have the fact that a bird bonds for life - even a terrific bird my not take well to a move, like telling your children - gee I am sorry but you are going to have to move in with the Smiths. It is truly no different. Of course there is always the chance they will like the Smiths better! Get a hand fed baby and raise him properly it will truly be the experience and pet of a lifetime.

Behavior

First and foremost do your homework before you purchase your bird. All species are created equal but some will be a better pet then other. Like dogs each "breed" has its own traits. Talk to lots of people one good or bad experience with a particular species may not be representative. These guideline refer to handfed babies only.
Adult or Wild Caught Birds are a different discussion. Below are some guidelines:
1. Never allow a large bird on your shoulder, I do not care how wonderful he/she is, it is not safe - you have no control over a bird on your shoulder. Even if he is a wonderful bird that would not hurt anyone - this animal has not been out of the jungle that long and works on instinct. If he gets frightened he is going to try to warn you that there is danger and go at you with his beak to try to make you fly away out of danger. Unfortunately for you, your head does not fly and you are getting stitches in your cheek!
2. The bird should have the largest cage you have room for and can afford. Watch your bar spacing he should not be able to get his head through the bars.
3. Have a separate play area that you take him to, not the top of his cage.
4. Never take a bird outside without clipping his wings, even a baby, the first flight could be right up into a tree.
5. Rule of thumb - spend as much time with your baby when you get him home as you intend to spend with him the rest of his life!
DO NOT SPOIL YOUR BABY.
Otherwise you will be putting an ad in your local paper "bird and cage cheap".
6. If possible put your cage in a quiet area, not a living area. Keep a perch in the living areas so your bird can always visit with you. In front of a window is a wonderful place for your cage.
7. All perches should be chest level, which if you are shortlike me is a trick. If the bird is above you, in his mind he is dominant. This is like telling your two year old he is in control.
8. Do not put your cage in a doorway. This will keep him in a constant state of alert never knowing when he will be startled.
9. Contrary to popular belief these are very hardy animals - most are bred outdoors. By all means take them outside (wings clipped of course). My Blue and Gold Macaw rides my bike and goes just about everywhere with me. He has even had dinner at local restaurants, on the patio of course.

Diet

I prefer a seed pellet mix even though pellet is a complete diet, it is in the birds nature to crack seeds and nuts and play with them. You can wean to pellets so the bird will get used to eating them and add a good seed nut mix later. Fruit and veggies are a must and more veggies then fruit. I use frozen mixed veggies and mix them with things I chop in my food processor such as:
 

I will also add to this mix, grapes, coconut, watermelon and of course the ever popular corn­on­the­cob. I do not feed my birds table food, nor do they eat at the table. The first time Otis (my first umbrella cockatoo) walked across my husband's plate of pancakes put an end to that. L'Avian puts out something called Bean Cuisine ­ you can purchase this at your local pet supplier. Boil water then put in the mix. Let it stand for about two hours. Drain it and put the mixture in ice cube trays and freeze them. They break out like ice cubes and can be feed frozen. All of my birds love this. It also makes a great weaning food. Treat ideas: Rice Cakes Popped Corn Crackers Health cereal types I think you get the picture. NO AVOCADO, APPLE SEED, OR CHOCOLATE.