How to Choose a Pet Bird

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By eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(7 Ratings)

Know all you can before choosing a pet that can out live you.

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Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

1. Talk with several bird specialists and/or your Vet.
Step 2

2. Discuss your family situation, what you expect from a pet bird and your budget.
Step 3

3. Read everything you can about the bird you are considering.
Step 4

4. Decide if it fits your lifestyle.
Step 5

5. Decide if you can give the bird the time and love it needs.
Step 6

6. Decide if you can provide the appropriate caging, food, toys and vet care.
Step 7

7. Visit several pet shops and breeders.
Step 8

8. Make an informed decision that you will live with for 20 to 100 years.
Step 9

9. Buy a bird from a reputable shop or breeder.
Step 10

10. Take it to a Vet who specializes in birds for a new bird check-up.
Step 11

11. Take it home and give it the best care, the cleanest environment, quality food and lots of love.

Tips & Warnings

1. READ, READ, READ!
2. Don't buy a bird on a whim.
3. Look at the facility for signs of illness and cleanliness.
4. Ask lots of questions.
5. Do yur research. This is a life long commitment.
6. Birds are not dogs or cats. Dogs and cats are predators. Birds are prey. They have a different psychological behaviors.
7. Birds live in flocks with other birds and are very social.
8. Most birds today have been hand fed and are bonded with people.
9. They need, want and expect to be handled and treated as part of their human flock.
10. Enjoy a wonderful relationship with a very unique pet.

Comments

gypsywitch said

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on 7/21/2009 Wow, pretty generic advice.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Don't ever give a bird to somebody as a surprise present. The person for whom the bird is intended has to go through all the steps before he is ready to be considered as a fit family member. Having a pet of any description is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Your bird will accept you as a member of its family - you have to treat your bird in the same way. And remember that birds have likes and dislikes just as humans do. Allow the two to find each other to guarantee a happy owner with a happy bird.