Adopting a pet bird can be exciting but caring for a bird can be different than caring for other pets such as cats and dogs. Whether you are adopting an Amazon parrot, a cockatiel, a lovebird or parakeet, birds need special attention. The bird can be a wonderful and interesting pet and as long as you know how to care for it properly, your feathered friend can give you decades of enjoyment.

The most important thing you need to do is be sure that you’re new friend has a proper cage. You need to select a cage that is the right size for the bird. A large parrot will need a pretty good-sized cage, but a parakeet can exist in something smaller. Be sure to buy the best cage you can afford for the safety of your bird and convenience of cleaning. Along with the cage be sure to get some bird toys and other accessories.

Of course you’ll need to feed your pet bird and you want to consider giving them a healthy diet not just bird seed. Many birds love to eat the same types of foods that we do but some human foods like chocolate, avocados, mushrooms and onions can make your bird sick or even kill him so you’ll need to be careful what you do feed him. Typically, though, you want to give your bird a varied diet so he gets all the nutrients he needs to be healthy.

You also need to think about bird proofing your house so that you bird does not become injured when he is out of his cage. This means making sure he can’t fly out of windows or doors or hurt himself by flying into the glass. Also be careful when you’re cooking you know what your bird landing in a hot pot of soup! Please consider throwing out your Teflon pans – the fumes from the Teflon can be lethal to birds.

Before you bring your pet bird home be sure that you have a good avian vet that you can take your bird to for routine checkups or if he starts to get sick. Birds can be very fragile and they don’t show their sickness until they are very ill so we need to keep a close eye in your feathered friend in order to keep them in tip top shape.

Whether you end up with a pair of chattering parakeets, a shy cockatiel or large parrot, a pet bird can be a wonderful companion that will keep you amused and delighted for many years.