Bringing a New Bird Home

So you are thinking about adopting a pet bird. Besides deciding which type of bird to get, there are many other considerations. How much of a commitment is this? Where will the bird live? Who will take care of a bird? What type of cost is involved? Should you get one bird or a pair?

Use this guide for tips on how to adopt a bird and what to expect once it is home.

Picking a Bird

Pet birds are typically sold individually or in pairs. If you buy a single bird, it is more likely to bond with you. When you buy two birds together, they will probably bond with each other, and you could be ignored. For this reason, my daughter adopted a single small parakeet, named Lemon for her solid yellow color. She bonded with the bird and was successful in some training. After a year, though, she purchased a second parakeet, white in color and so named Marshmallow. The two birds adore each other, and though Lemon has less interest in my daughter, she appears to be a happier bird over all.

Once you have decided which type of bird to adopt, visit a pet store and observe the appearance and behavior of the birds. Healthy birds will be active and alert. Examine the bird's feathers to make sure they are vibrant and clean. The eyes should be bright and free of discharge. The beak should be free of discharge as well. Typically, the pet store allows a two week return policy, so if the bird appears sickly or is just not a good fit, you can make the return.

Take some time to see how the birds act. Is the bird quiet and inactive, or noisy and climbing all over the cage? Smaller breeds will be more active in general, but observing the birds for a while may give you a better idea of their disposition.

Where Will You Keep the Bird?
When you purchase a bird, you will need to buy a cage and have somewhere safe to keep it. It will need to be out of direct sunlight and away from any type of draft. If you have other pets, the birdcage needs to be placed in a secure spot where it will not be disturbed by curious cats or dogs.

We like to keep our birds in a central area of the house - between the kitchen and breakfast room. When selecting a spot, remember that birds are noisy, messy and smelly! Though we clean the cage regularly, there always seems to be a bird smell, as well as little feathers and seed all over the place. Every morning, we change the newspaper-lined bottom of the cage and sweep away excess bird debris from the surrounding area with a small dustpan and brush.

Pet Bird Supplies
When you purchase a bird, the pet store staff will help you select the right cage and necessary bird supplies. The cost of a bird can range from $15 for a parakeet to hundreds of dollars for the larger parrots. Some basic supplies you will need are:

• cage
• food bowls
• toys
• mite/lice spray or container
• vitamins
• food
• Bird Care

When you adopt a bird, you need to be aware of the time commitment involved, and you need to decide who will care for the bird. Most birds love attention and will not do well if they are ignored. Finches and canaries are exceptions to that rule. They typically will not interact with you and do not like to be handled. These birds will be happy with other birds, so it is advisable to buy them in pairs or multiples.

To care for your pet bird, you will need to:

• change food and water daily
• keep cage clean
• keep cage free of mites (sprays or hanging containers can be used)
• give vitamins (can be sprinkled in food or water)
• train bird if desired
• cover at night
• take to an exotic vet if it gets sick
• give love and attention

Adding a Second Bird to the Cage

Introducing a New Bird

If you already have a bird and are thinking of adopting a new one, here are some things to consider.

• If you plan to keep the birds together, you will probably need a larger cage.
• Male + female = baby birds
• You may need a second set of food and water bowls, though some birds will share.
• You will go through more food.
• Another bird means more noise and mess!

When introducing a new bird, it is possible to have a bird that is territorial and will not be so accepting. You should place them in separate cages side by side for a week and then try to introduce the new bird into the big cage. If there seem to be any problems, you can separate them at night until they get used to each other.

Bringing a Pet Bird Home
Once you bring your bird home, don't be surprised if it is very quiet and inactive the first couple of days. It will need a little time to get used to its new surroundings. You may consider covering a portion of the cage to give it a place to hide and feel secure.

Life Span of Pet Birds
One thing to consider when picking a bird is its lifespan. Are you committed for ten years or 75? Smaller birds, like parakeets, may live to be about 10-15 years old, but some types of parrots may outlive you.

Pet Companion Birds Species

This is a list of the Top 5 Companion Bird Species available. Brief descriptions of these popular birds are sure to help potential owners decide which type of pet bird they should buy.

1.  Parakeets/Budgies
The common Parakeet, or Budgerigar to be exact, makes a wondeful pet for children or those who are new to keeping birds. These hardy little jewels come in an array of beautiful colors, and require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. They are quite intelligent in spite of their small size, and while most are content to whistle and sing, some have been known to learn a word or two. Average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.

2.  Cockatiels
These medium sized birds are simply a delight to keep. Members of the parrot family, these Australian natives are known for their surprisingly advanced whistling and singing abilities. While Cockatiels are capable of learning to talk, many owners find that their birds prefer to whistle, and tend to mimic quirky, random sounds such as the ringing of a telephone. These birds are available in increasingly diverse color combinations and have an average life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.

3.  Finches and Canaries
Finches and Canaries are other popular types of pet birds. With most varieties measuring 5 inches or less, Finches and Canaries require less space than most other bird species. Unlike parrots, which are hookbills, Finches and Canaries are known as softbills or waxbills. These little birds thrive in small flocks, and generally pay little attention to humans -- making them perfect pets for those who love to watch birds, but would like a pet that requires minimal interaction. A well cared for Finch or Canary can live for up to 10 years.

4.  Lovebirds
Lovebirds are one of the smallest known parrot species. These beautiful little birds should not be overlooked in favor of larger, more demanding parrots; any Lovebird owner will tell you that these birds possess all the intelligence and personality of the largest of macaws. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. At around 6 inches long, the Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

5.  African Greys
African Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds, some boasting vocabularies of up to 2,000 words! Because these birds are so smart, they tend to be demanding pets, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. If you are looking for a highly intelligent and affectionate friend, however, the African Grey may be right up your alley. Greys typically live 50-70 years.

Considering a Pet Bird?: Things You Should Know Before Buying a Bird

So, you really want a pet bird. So much in fact, that you've already picked out a name, chosen a location for your pet's cage , and scoured the internet for information on your favorite species . While you might think that you are quite well prepared to dive into the world of bird ownership, there are many aspects of keeping a bird that most owners don't find out about until after they've purchased one -- and most of the time, they wish they had known beforehand.

Read on for some insight into what it really takes to care for a bird on a daily basis. You may be shocked to find that inviting a feathered friend into your life may require a few lifestyle changes on your behalf!

You may need new cookware. Teflon or non-stick cookware can be fatal to parrots and other pet birds. The coating gives off an odorless fume when heated that can kill a bird within minutes. This means that any non-stick cookware you may own will have to go, and you will need to invest in pots and pans made of stainless steel or another safe substance.

Say goodbye to candles and air fresheners. As with the Teflon and other fumes, scented candles, scented oils, and air fresheners can all pose a health hazard when you use them around your pet. Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and are easily overcome by chemicals and fumes.

No smoking in the house. Period. You guessed it -- cigarette smoke is just as bad for your bird as it is for you. (If not worse!) If you do choose to use tobacco products, use them outside away from your bird to keep him safe and healthy. And don't forget to wash your hands before handling your bird if you've recently smoked!

Plan on waking up early. Birds wake up with the Sun each morning, and they are ready to start their days bright and early. They will expect you to do the same. Be prepared to adjust your sleep schedule as needed to accomodate your feathered friend. Your bird will need his breakfast soon after waking, and you'll have to be there to serve it.

Invest in a really good vacuum. Birds are quite messy, to put it lightly. In many cases, you will need to sweep or vacuum daily to keep up with the constant flow of seed hulls and other debris that will accumulate around your pet's cage. Be sure that you are up to this task before bringing a bird into your home.

You may have to get rid of some of your houseplants. Many commonly kept houseplants are toxic to birds and could kill your bird if he injests them. You will need to find new homes for them before you adopt your feathered friend.

You will need to watch what you wear. Birds are naturally attracted to shiny objects, which makes things like jewelry and sequins great targets. You will need to take these off before handling your bird, to protect yourself, your pet, and your items. Also, you should be prepared to lose many buttons to your feathered friend. It's a good idea to have some spares and a small sewing kit on hand.

Owning a bird takes a lot of time. Birds are not domesticated like cats and dogs, so they have to be tamed on an individual basis. If you buy a tame, handfed bird, you can be assured that a lot of time and effort went into shaping his little personality. To maintain the fruits of all that labor, you have to be able to handle and interact with your bird every day. Aside from that, daily cage cleaning also takes up more time than many are willing to spare. You should be absolutely sure that you are able to devote enough time to maintaining a bird before buying one.

You'll have to put up with some noise. Sure, some birds can talk, but all of them can scream, chirp, cackle, screech, tweet, or coo, amongst other things. Your bird will probably make a variety of these noises, and it may not always be at a time when you want to hear them. If you want to own a bird, you'll have to figure out a way to cope.

Don't expect your bird to be a social butterfly. You may well end up with a bird that is completely tame when you deal with him, but refuses to tolerate other people. While there are certain species that are more prone to becoming "one person birds" than others, it can happen to any bird, particularly if only one person cares for and interacts with it. If you are buying a bird for your family, it's imperative that everyone learns as much as they can about the bird, and participates in its care and maintenence. Otherwise, your pet may decide to play favorites, which can lead to sore fingers and hurt feelings.
If you are prepared to deal with all of the issues on this list and more, then a bird may be an ideal pet for you. Remember, the more research that you do before you buy a bird, the better off you and your feathered friend will be. Although it takes effort to keep a bird as a pet, the relationship that you can form together makes it all worthwhile -- just ask anyone with birds of their own, and they'll be more than happy to tell you all about it.

Dog4U, Inc. Needs Donations: Help Transport Rescue Dogs from South Carolina to The Buddy Dog Humane Society, in Massachusetts - Can You Help?

The first transport of March 2015 will transport 9 rescue dogs from South Carolina to the Buddy Dog Humane Society in Massachusetts; also making the trip will be 4 cats that have placements in New England!

Please support this transport fundrazr so that 12 animals can find their forever homes! All of these pups were rescued from death row or high risk situations, they now need your help to make the thousand mile journey - the last leg of their rescue story!

The excessive snow storms in New England have delayed our transports for the last several weeks, we now have the opportunity to get these guys on the road. We can not rescue new dogs and cats until space becomes available - the only way to create space for a no kill rescue is to get dogs placed! Dog4U, Inc, is a volunteer run no kill 501 c 3 non-profit organization. Our tax Id number is 20-5311280 - your donation is tax deductible!

If you would like to make a donation, click here:

About:
Dog4U, Inc. Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is a no kill 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Our goal is to save as many animals as possible with a no kill policy. We take in dogs, horses and a limited number of cats and farm animals. We provide local adoptions, though we primarily place our dogs through other no kill shelters and rescues in New England, where there are more homes available for them. All donations go directly and exclusively towards the needs of the animals. Dog4U, Inc. runs on a volunteer and family basis. Donations are tax deductible and can be made by going to www.dog4u.org/make-a-donation or by mailing a check to : Dog4U, Inc. P.O. Box 1514, Camden, South Carolina 29020

Website: Dog4U, Inc.

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