Welcoming a Bird into Your Family

Just like you and I, the bird’s environment and its social interactions with others are keys to normal development. Getting this right is difficult, especially since we are not birds and most of us make lousy bird parents. Keep in mind that most behavior problems occur due to errors or omissions in the bird’s social development. What follows are some key steps in the process.

A young bird must be nurtured and comforted – this is the easiest part for most of us. Yes, a safe, secure, and loving environment is very important, but we cannot stop there. As a bird owner, we must be parent, friend, peer, teacher, trainer, counselor, boss, and primary caregiver. As the weeks go by, the bird’s development transitions to becoming a more active participant in activities critical to its survival. Exploration should be encouraged with supervision to satisfy their normal curiosity. The bird learns to not be afraid of new things and learns important skills. Exploring should encompass the physical environment inside and out (if safe to do so) and the introduction of new things into its surroundings.

Birds are athletic, they can fly and they need to fly – it is what they were made to do. A newly fledged bird should be allowed to fly and then the wings are carefully trimmed using a graduated method so as to not amputate the bird’s self confidence. Unfortunately, we see too many birds that never learned how to fly, steer, and land. Crash landings can be avoided by trimming the wings so they coast and don’t just drop from the sky. Exercise is important to a bird’s physical and mental health. Daily exercise is a must.

In the wild, birds spend more time foraging for food than anything else. This is a very important activity for pet birds as well. Providing one bowl of food the bird finishes in 10 minutes leaves the bird with nothing else to do the rest of the day. No wonder a bird with one bowl of seeds picks its feathers out. A variety of foods should be offered in many locations both in and out of the cage. Several food bowls, food stuck through the bars, food offered by hand, food on a tray or in its own cage (so the bird has to pick at it to get the food), or food on a skewer etc. Birds should forage several hours a day, usually in the mornings and evenings.

Again, most of us make lousy bird parents. Because of this many birds grow up as juvenile delinquents with no structure to their life, no understanding of good behaviors vs. bad, and no idea what they are supposed to do. Birds need to go to school and get a job. Beginning at a young age, they can be taught to behave (no biting or screaming) using positive rewards for the right kind of behaviors. The reward is usually a favorite food which is only offered when the bird has done something it was asked to do correctly. They should be taught new commands continuously. It establishes a line of communication between owner and bird that the bird can understand. Step up and step down are the first two commands, taught first outside the cage, then inside. Then there is poop on command, wave, turn around etc. Using a voice command and a hand gesture, the bird is coaxed to perform the command. If it does so, the reward is offered (usually a treat) but that reward is only offered when the bird performs correctly. The bird will try to get it right. This is basic obedience training for birds.

If you have ever purchased something to improve the look and feel of your home, you understand the concept of enrichment. The same old thing day in and day out makes for a very dull life. Instead, we can enrich the bird’s environment by adding to it or changing it. Periodically changing fixtures or furnishings can lead to a healthier happier bird. It gives them something to investigate, something to do, something to enjoy.

Birds love to play games. Peek a boo, chase, hide and seek, catch etc. Activity is good. Birds tend to have fewer problems when there is plenty to do. Provide a cage location with at least one secure side. Remember that too many animals around might make the bird a nervous wreck. They tend to view other animals as potential predators.

When it comes to communicating with people, most birds have only a few options. They scream to be heard, they bite to say no, etc. Birds are very gregarious and chatty creatures. You are part of the bird’s flock. Just observe how birds in a flock interact in the wild. So, try to communicate with your bird. Ask the bird to do something, and if it does so then reward the bird. If the bird is engaging in a behavior you dislike, the best response is no response. Teach the bird how to get what it wants. If they are incapable of or never learn any other way to communicate with you, it is very likely their response will be screaming, biting, or withdrawal. We should offer our attention and respond when they "call us" in an acceptable fashion.

Dr Paul Skellenger is the Veterinarian for Veterinarian Care. US and has over 20 years in Veterinarian medicine and experience with bird care. For additional information you can contact one of our Veterinarians in your area.