Opening your home and heart for birds can be a great experience, but getting started in this world can be a little weird. Many birds are abandoned in shelters every year because their tutors find they do not know how to take care of them properly.
Here are some tips for you to choose birds that best suit you and your family.
Dedication to birds
Almost all species of birds desire interaction with humans in their day to day life and can develop destructive behavior if neglected. Thinking about it, ask yourself: How much time do you have to give to your new pet?
Some species of birds, such as parrots, spend time outside the cage and with their guardian, while other species do not need as much of their time if they have other companions of their species nearby.
Also take into account how much time you have daily to take care of your bird’s basic needs, such as diet, cleaning the cage, exercises, among others.
Bird noise
The amount of noise you can tolerate can help a lot in choosing your bird. Do you want a bird that talks and sings or loud and repetitive noises tire you, your family members and neighbors?
When the subject is noise, cockatoos, macaws, and jandaias are the noisiest birds. Male canaries have a nice corner, but they often sing. The calopsitas can be noisy due to their constant whistle (usually the males are more vocal than the females). The quieter birds are: mandarin, manon, diamond gold.
Care expenses
Having a sense of how much you can afford to care for your pet is of utmost importance, even when it comes to birds. Take into account the initial expenses, with cages and nurseries, but also the monthly, including visits to the veterinarian, food, among others.
Are you a first-time tutor? The best birds to start are the canaries and parakeets. Some larger species, such as cockatoos and macaws, are incredible but can be much more expensive to maintain.
Lifetime of birds
Many birds have great longevity if well looked after. Many species live longer than cats and dogs and can reach 40 to 60 years or more. Thinking about it, it’s good that the whole family agrees to receive this new pet, which can be passed on to a future generation of tutors.
Poultry personality
Birds have varied personality and you can find a little of everything according to the species chosen. Some birds love to sing and whistle. Others are quiet and there are still those who love to talk. If you are looking for an affectionate bird and you like to spend time with your human, this is also possible.
Before choosing a species, do your research to determine which bird has the characteristics that you value most and which will best suit your home.
Adopting an adult bird
Many people prefer to adopt or buy a young bird because that way it will be possible to train them and create a bond for a lifetime. However, there are many advantages to adopting an adult bird.
Birds in adulthood can be well trained and friendly. If you are thinking of adopting a bird at this stage, be informed about your medical history, personality, needs, and current diet. If you eventually decide to change the diet of your new pet, do so gradually and with the help of a veterinarian.
