Pet bird

While a finch certainly won’t die from being alone, she will be quite unhappy. Kristy Coury from Finches by Kristy said, “Finches should never be kept as a solitary animal. They always need to be kept as two or more as they are very social. Just because you should have more than one doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have all the same species. However, Coury warns that not all species can be housed together. Find out which species tolerate one another before placing them together.,

You saw it at a pet store or bird show and were captivated by the non-stop antics of the colorful, 9-inch, hopping bird — a birdie gymnast with charisma to spare, and the only parrot with a white belly. The caique (pronounced ky-EEK) has you captivated. Now you wonder: What would it be like to own such a bundle of energy?

Backyard bird watching, or birding, is an excellent way to unplug and get back in touch with nature. In fact, according to studies conducted by Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology, watching birds around your home and attracting them to your yard may relieve anxiety and depression. Even better, backyard birding is a practical, inexpensive hobby. It doesn’t even require you to have a yard. All you need is a regular supply of food, bird feeders, clean water and a safe environment free of predators and food competitors, namely squirrels.

For more than a decade, cockatiels continue to hold the title as America’s favorite pet bird. With their cheerful disposition and gentle nature, cockatiels make excellent companions for children, families, the elderly and chronically ill. Before acquiring a cockatiel, however, here are five care tips you should be aware of in order to be a saavy cockatiel owner.

Of course, the smaller the beak, the lighter the bite. “It is the beak size — not the bird size — that counts,” said Gayle Soucek, a pet trade consultant in Illinois and author of Doves: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual (Barron’s, February 2006). For example, a cockatiel might weigh nearly the same as a Senegal, but the Senegal has a much larger beak and a much stronger bite. That doesn’t completely mean a bite from a smaller beak cannot cause pain. In my experience, birds with smaller beaks tend to use them more precisely, with better aim. They seem to find the more narrow, tender places like the cuticles. In my experience, they will also more likely react by grinding the tissue without letting go rather than a bite and release.,Something all bird owners surely know is that parrot beaks are powerful. But how powerful? There are few reliable sources on this, but some people have estimated that a large macaw has the bite strength of 500 to 700 pounds per square inch, which is close to that of a large dog bite. Just watching a large macaw or cockatoo crush a Brazil nut, rip a 2-by-4 into shreds or break a weld on metal cage bars convinces most observers that a bird’s beak is powerful and not to be messed with.

Want your bird’s culinary experience to blossom? Try adding a few safe, edible flowers to their diet. A bird’s diet is generally made up of pelleted foods, fruit, vegetables and treats, says Byron J.S. de la Navarre, DVM at the Animal House of Chicago. Edible flowers aren’t typically something birds eat and their unique textures can provide an enriching, foraging-type of activity for them. “Most edible flowers are harmless, but not all of them are,” says Byron J.S. de la Navarre, DVM at the Animal House of Chicago. “Lilies, for example, are not safe and can be toxic. Garlic and onion should also be avoided.” Before you start picking petals for your parrot’s plate, check our list of safe edible flower choices. As a guideline, de la Navarre recommends that you feed in moderation to avoid upsetting your bird’s stomach. Also, be sure to wash the flowers before feeding them to remove any pesticides or droppings.

Finches grow to about 4–6 inches long for most species.  There are hundreds of finch variations, including Gouldian, zebra, and Java sparrow.  Your finch can live up to 10 years or more with proper care, depending on the species. ,Finches are small songbirds that come in many different species. They make wonderful pets for all kinds of families.  If you’re exploring the idea of caring for a pet finch or recently got one, here’s how to take care of them to ensure they thrive. 

Do you ever hear a tiny gritch, gritch, gritch sound coming from your cockatiel’s cage? If you do, don’t be alarmed. It’s your bird grinding his beak and this behavior is perfectly normal, says Byron J.S. de la Navarre, DVM at the Animal House of Chicago. No one is certain why parrots grind their beaks, but it is believed they do it to soothe themselves, especially before they go to sleep. Beak grinding reflects contentedness and a relaxed state. Most cockatiels grind their beaks just before falling asleep or when they are resting deeply on a perch like the Living World Pedi-Perch Cement Bird Perch. “There could be several reasons why parrots grind their beaks, but it most commonly occurs right before they roost,” Dr. Byron says. “Usually they’ll sit on their bird perches, maybe have one of their legs held up and then you’ll hear them grinding their beak.” But it shouldn’t be an excessive behavior, de la Navarre says. Beak grinding is not similar to teeth grinding in people, which indicates anxiety. Birds will generally chew on the bars of their cage, groom excessively or exhibit other destructive behaviors when stressed, he says. But if you notice your bird grinding his beak during periods other than before bedtime, if the grinding lasts for prolonged periods of time or if you notice any beak damage, consult your veterinarian. To help redirect this type of behavior, provide your bird with safe chew and foraging toys like Super Bird Creations Bagel Cascade Bird Toy, Planet Pleasures Spiked Pinata Natural Bird Toy or Bonka Bird Toys Foraging Star Bird Toy. Some people believe that the grinding has something to do with keeping the beak trim, but there’s no evidence to prove or disprove that hypothesis. So, if you hear the little gritch, gritch, gritch of your bird grinding her beak before a nap or just before bedtime, you can be assured that your bird is comfortable and feeling well. Chris Brownlow has been writing about pets for over 10 years. As a writer who believes in immersing herself in her topic, she has tasted more than 20 different flavors of dog and cat food while working on an advertising campaign for PetSmart. Prior to her pet days, Chris was a print and digital journalist at The Tampa Tribune and The Virginian-Pilot. Featured Image: iStock.com/Nickbeer

Bird seed foods are commercial seed mixes formulated specifically for pet birds. These mixes are tailored to specific bird species or by beak size. In general, the smaller the beak, the smaller the seeds, and the bigger the beak, the bigger the seeds. Our feathered companions are notorious for “choosing favorites” when it comes to what’s in their food bowl. Many pet birds will pick through the seed mix to weed out their short list of favorites (especially higher-fat seeds like sunflower and safflower) and ignore others.,While a seed mix is often a go-to bird food because of its familiarity, a seed-only diet can fall short nutritionally for pet birds. Bird pellets, on the other hand, are formulated to offer a uniform complete blend of nutrition. As a bird parent, it’s important to understand the differences between seed and pellet diets in order to give your feathered friend the best food for their unique needs.

Flying isn’t the only way birds get around. Your bird might also try to climb your face while exploring. In the wild, birds spend a lot of their time climbing trees and hanging from branches, so climbing comes naturally to them.   Birds like to explore different textures. If your bird is on you, they might try to climb up your face to reach the hair on top of your head. Or they might try to climb down from your head onto your face to explore your facial features such as your eyelashes, eyebrows, nose, ears, and lips.   If you wear eyeglasses, a bird might climb onto your face to play with them. Young birds especially tend to be “beaky” and seek out different textures with their beaks. ,You’re trying to relax with your pet bird nearby, but instead, you feel the flutter of feathers and little bird feet ascending your cheek like a climber attempting to tackle Everest. What started as quality out-of-cage time with your bird now has you asking yourself, “Why is my bird trying to climb my face?”   Here are some reasons why your pet bird might be attempting this, and the steps you can take to encourage healthier alternatives.