Wing Tips: So... You (Think You) Wanna Buy a Bird

Birds are amazing and complex creatures, and there's lots to know and consider before bringing one into your life and home. Here are several important considerations to get you started if you are thinking of getting a bird.

Financial Considerations

Many birds are extremely expensive animals to purchase. Large birds are especially costly for many reasons. The price of the bird is then multiplied by the price of the cage, toys, food, vet bills and any other accessories. Destructive birds can increase their costs by destroying furniture, clothing and valuables in the home. Toys must be replaced constantly for such birds.

Remember, even a "free" pet isn't free. You must still go on buying food and other items to keep any animal alive and healthy.

Experience

Have you ever had a bird in your household before? Do you know all the demands of owning a bird? If not, it is important to become educated. You might consider a smaller, more manageable bird, such as a budgie or cockatiel, to start with. It's ideal to learn some of the ins and outs of bird ownership before considering medium to large parrots, which require considerable responsibility.

Age & Lifespan

You must consider both your age and the average lifespan of many birds. Canaries and finches usually only live 3 to 5 years. On the other hand, some large birds, such as macaws, can have lifespans of 100+ years in captivity, and often must be "willed" to a new owner after their original owner passes away. This is extremely hard on birds, who often bond to one or two people.

It is always best to pick a bird whose average lifespan matches up with yours. Budgies tend to live around 9 to 10 years, and are good as both starter birds or pets for older adults. Many medium sized parrots may live to be around 30 years old, and would be suitable for more knowledgeable bird owners in their 20's or 30's. Do the math so that you do what is best for yourself and the bird.

The Time Factor

Many birds, especially parrots, need a lot of attention. Not only must they be fed, watered and have their cages cleaned, but they need play time and love from their owners as much as possible daily. If you travel frequently or find yourself too busy to work a pet into your day, a bird is not recommended.

On the other hand, if you already have a bird, it has likely bonded to you. In this case, if you find yourself frequently busy or away, please don’t feel that you must abandon your bird. Once a bird has bonded to its owner, it can be very hard on the bird to be parted from you. Therefore, maximizing quality time would be crucial. This is definitely not the ideal situation, but it may be good for the bird to stay with its original "flock leader." Many birds will not take to new owners easily.

 
The Noise Factor

How many decibels can you handle? You will find out quickly with a bird in the house. Some people can't handle the quiet chitter of a male canary, and others love the noisy squawks of a macaw. Visit bird shops to learn the noise levels of different types of birds. The whole family should be involved with this decision.

Speech & Talking

It is important to understand that not all parrots are capable of speaking, and not all birds with mimicking ability will choose to speak. If mimicking ability is a personal consideration in your purchase, be sure to research the speaking capability of different birds.

Also, understand that birds only repeat what they hear, and it is your responsibility to monitor the words to which they are exposed. Some parrots will pick up on a word the very first time they hear it, and they may begin to repeat things that you don't wish to hear. Once a bird learns a word or phrase, it is nearly impossible to get them to stop repeating.

Allergies

Many bird owners find out too late that they or someone in their family is allergic to bird dust. Everyone in the family should spend time with the specific bird type you are interested in purchasing, whether in pet shops or friend's homes, to see if the bird's dust affects them. Different types of birds have different amounts of dust, so some may affect an individual more than others.

For birds in the home, it is best to have a room air filter nearby (but not blowing on them), and rooms should be vacuumed often. Additionally, birds should be able to take frequent baths or showers to keep their dust down, and to keep the birds themselves from itching.

Placement in the Home

Where in your home will your bird live? Ideally, birds need to be in a comfortable, low traffic, draft-free location. Avoiding drafts includes cold or hot air blowing on the bird from an HVAC register, as well as air coming in from windows or entryways. They should not be placed too near the kitchen to avoid exposure from cooking fumes (non-stick coatings are deadly to birds), and they should never be exposed to smoke of any kind, be it from a fireplace or a cigarette. Bird dust may affect computers and electronics, so it is advisable to keep cages away from such equipment.

Don't forget, the location of a bird’s cage will become its territory. For many parrots, moving the cage location periodically may be recommended to keep the bird from becoming "king" or "queen" of the household. Once you have chosen a proper location, you might consider if there's room to relocate a parrot's cage within that area from time to time. At minimum, it can be helpful to periodically reconfigure their interior cage layout to minimize dominant behaviors.

 
Children

Children can be a risk to birds, and birds can, in turn, be dangerous around children. Children should be taught to respect all animals in the home. With birds, they must learn never to stick their hands in cages, nor should they reach for or handle a bird without permission and supervision. Screw-in locks on all openings, including feeding doors, are ideal for keeping birds in the cage and children's hands out.

When a new baby comes into a household with a parrot, it is often the bird that needs to learn respect. Gradually and safely introduce the parrot to the baby so the bird does not become jealous of this new creature who is getting more of your attention. Even with the demands of parenthood, remember that your bird still needs love, attention and playtime whenever possible.

Other Animals

Other animals can be a threat to birds, for obvious reasons. Dogs and cats are predators. Birds are prey. With proper introduction, dogs and cats can often live in harmony with birds, but the owner must be careful and watchful at all times. Birds and other animals should never be free to roam in the same area without supervision.

With some predators, the only way to find harmony with birds in the same house may be to keep them completely out of contact with one another at all times. Otherwise, the bird is a sure loser, and the emotional and financial loss will be great.

If you already have birds and wish to introduce a new bird, it is important to quarantine the new bird from the others for a minimum of three months (preferably at a location outside your home), and it's vital to visit an avian vet to be sure the new bird has no diseases which may be passed into your existing flock.

Are You a "Bird Person?"

There are many reasons why people pick a bird for a pet. Many think they are cute. (And they are!) Some may feel a parrot will make them seem distinguished or wealthy. Others may want a creature to show off to friends. But no matter the reason, birds are not just objects for show. Many birds are purchased for the wrong reasons and abandoned when the owner realizes they have gotten in over their head. Abandonment is extremely difficult for most animals, especially birds.

Be sure you know everything possible before deciding to purchase or adopt a bird, and realize that birds are extremely intelligent, social and sensitive creatures needing love and attention from their owners. If you are truly a "bird person," you will understand these needs, and understand that there is much more than money tied up in this decision. Frequently, there is also a strong emotional bond that will form between an owner and their companion bird.