Choosing a Pet Bird

Birds that Make Good Pets

• Parrots
• Parakeets
• Canaries
• Mynahs
• Ducks and geese
• Cockatoos and cockatiels
• Love birds
• Finches
• Pigeons and doves

When you Choose a Pet Bird, Look for These Features

• Sleek Plumage
• Bright eyes
• Alertness

These are Bad Signs

• The bird is fluffed up and sitting at the bottom of the cage.
• There is diarrhea in the bottom of the cage.
• The bird constantly picks at its feathers and plucks them out.

Caring for your Bird

• Large birds should have enough room to stretch their wings and fly. Consider building an aviary if you choose a large bird.
• Canaries, finches, and parakeets do well in an indoor cage.
• Keep the cage in a sunny spot away from drafts.
• Set the cage in an area where you and others will be able to interact with the bird.
• The cage should have a removable floor tray for easy cleaning, self feeding seed and water holder, and perches.
• To prevent your bird from getting bored, put swings, bells, a mirror, and fresh vegetation in the cage.
• Put grit on the floor-birds eat this to aid digestion.
• Fasten a cuttle bone to the cage. This is a good source of calcium, and keeps the bird's beak in good condition.
• Cover the cage at night to give the bird a sense of security.
• Clean the cage regularly and often to prevent parasites, and give the bird fresh seed and water every day.