How to Take Care of a Bird

Birds can make for fun, feisty and wonderful pets, as long as you properly provide for your feathered friends. You can have your finch, parakeet, cockatiel or other pet chirping in happiness, even if he’s not in a gilded cage, if you care for a bird following some simple steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cage
• Perches and toys
• Water and food dishes
• Bird food
• Perch brush
• Newspaper or other cage liner

1. Pick an adequate cage in which the bird can move around and fully spread his wings. Stock it with plenty of perches, a water dish and a food dish, and line the bottom with newspaper.

2. Keep the cage in a room that does not get too hot or too cold, out of direct sunlight and away from any heating or cooling vents.

3. Get your bird smaller seeds and bird food mixtures if he’s parakeet or canary size, larger chunks of fruit and food if he’s a bigger variety. Provide fresh food and fresh water daily.

4. Birds generally love to interact and play. Get some hanging toys, beak blocks and other colorful items to amuse the bird. A large variety of bird toys are available at your pet store; pick ones that fit the size and strength of your feathered friend.

5. Birds also generally poop a lot. Replace the cage liner and scrub down perches and bars at least once a week, more if the cage is looking icky. Change the food and water more than once a day if you see bird waste piling up in them.

Tips & Warnings

• If your bird stops eating, starts to pluck out his feathers or is otherwise morose, get him treatment. A change of environment can stress out a bird, as can an illness. Take him to the vet as necessary.
• If you are going to let your bird loose around the house, be sure you don’t have any cats, open windows or hot frying pans on the stove. Seriously.