Birds
were a part of our household since I was little. It was the one pet we
could have because we all had allergies to animal dander.
As a
child, I rescued a baby robin, and raised it for several years. It ate
raw hamburger as a youngster and drank water from a straw. As it grew
older, I would dig up worms from the yard, and feed it. She slept on my
pillow above my head, and I named it "Bobbi" because it was a robin, get
it? LOL
Once I became old enough to have a job, and have my own
income, I started my own collection. I bought two parakeets. One was
mean, her name was Peeper, she was light blue. And the other was nice,
his name was Corkey and he was lavender.
Eventually I married,
and my in laws had birds too. They had canaries, parakeets and quaker
parrots. My favorite uncle raised Parakeets and Canaries too. We then
still had my parakeets, and we also bought a cluster of breeding
finches.
So birds were a part of my every day life, and I grew
to love them and enjoy them. They make nice pets and are easy to tend
to.
When one of my sons were ten, he rescued a Pigeon. It had a
broken wing. We took it in, and bandaged it, and fed it seed, and
catered to its needs until the wing healed. Once it healed, we let the
Pigeon out, to see if it could fly. The Pigeon pruned itself and then
flew away, high into the sky.
Presently I have Parrots, a Ring
Neck, and a Severe Macaw. I also have two cockatiels, and one parakeet.
My house can be quite noisy at times, yes. But on other occasions, it
can be quite musical! LOL
For those who don't already know,
parakeets and cockatiels can be raised in the same cage, and many
breeders do this. If the cage is too small, and you breed your birds,
that is the only time they may need separated.
Birds need their
feathers trimmed, so they don't fly away. They also need their toe nails
clipped so they don't get too long or out of control. The same can be
with their beaks, unless they frequently use a cuddle bone. There are
also sand paper strips to place on their perches to keep their nails and
beaks trimmed up. You can trim them yourself, or take them to a pet
store, or a friend who does this. And you have to keep up with this,
because if you don't it can get out of control, and your birds can even
fly away. And tame birds are not safe if released into the wild.
You have to be careful, because birds can get mites, and lice. If you
have a wild bird with your domestic, it is not a good or safe
combination, because the wild birds have diseases and bugs. And
amazingly enough, the wild birds sometimes actually need and depend on
their own mites and lice and dirt, to keep them alive and healthy. So if
you raised birds, and you rescue an outdoor bird, your best bet is to
have an outdoor shelter for the outdoor bird. And then when you come in,
after tending to the outdoor bird, you have to wash your hands
thoroughly. I don't even suggest wearing the same clothes, because the
bugs, can get in and on your clothing.
As for Parrots, they are
famous for mocking, so be careful what you say, good or bad. Chances are
high, you will be repeated. Cockatiels can even imitate, just not as
much as the Parrots. And Parakeets and canaries, love to sing beautiful
music. However, parakeets can imitate as well. It all depends on what
your bird wants to learn, say and do.
How you spend your time
with your bird, depends on how he will adjust to people and training.
Never extend your arm to any bird, with your thumb sticking out. Birds
see the thumb, and for some reason, take it as a threat-more often then
not. Tuck your thumb under your fingers. Do not act scared, every animal
can detect fear. And if you are afraid, so are they.
My birds
love bath time. You can do this too, either with an empty spray bottle
(bought empty, not re-using one with chemicals in it!) or in the sink,
and even the tub. (DO NOT make the water VERY deep!) You can also place a
bowl in the bottom of the cage, so your birds can decide when they are
ready, to dive into the water.
Another thing to know, is that
birds love sharing your human food with you. It helps them to feel
involved. And it isn't bad for them, many people I know personally who
have birds, either make their pets a plate, or allow the bird to fly or
walk over when they are eating and eat from their plate. (I am aware
this will disgust some people!) But the nutrition of what we eat, is
sometimes good for them. My cockatiel loves mashed potatoes. My ring
neck loves peanuts and Popsicles, and my Severe Macaw loves Beefaroni.
Just like us, they have taste preferences.
When and if you
decide to breed your birds, many species want a little privacy with bird
boxes. You can make these yourself, or get them in your local pet
stores. There are different sizes for every bird, so please ask when you
are searching for one, so you don't get the wrong one for your pet.
Imagine a finch breeder box for a big Macaw, it just isn't going to
work!!!
If you are lonely and don't want to have to take your
pet potty outdoors, or change a litter box, or are allergic to pet
dander, you might want to try a bird. Start small, with something simple
like a parakeet. Birds will even like watching TV with you, just so
long as you are with them, enjoying them, and loving them; feeding them
and taking care of them, they will be happy and live a full life.
And if you raise your birds with cats and dogs, the cats and dogs, as
well as the birds, will learn to get along, and realize that they are
family. I have cats, and dogs, and birds.
And my birds will ride my cats
and dogs, and call them. And the dogs will report to the birds and
await orders. It is funny. And sometimes when my birds are out, and you
poor dog and cat food and feed the furry ones, the birds will fly down
to the food dish where the furry animals are eating, and eat too. Just
to be a part of them! And yes, everyone shares!
Birds are a nice
addition to any family. Don't be afraid to give them a try, they truly
are not that hard to raise and love. And if you ever want advise from a
bird owner, (ME!) feel free to ask. Also there are a lot of great books
out there that can offer tid bits, and advise. Every person has
different advise and learning experiences to share. And for those of you
who have birds, and have had bad or different experiences, that is
typical. Everyone is different, and so are animals.
