Birds

BIRDS

Choosing a bird as your pet can be very rewarding and each species is wonderfully unique. Birds are intelligent, entertaining and active. Some are even playful and affectionate. Their inquisitive nature and capacity for learning makes them fascinating and captivating pets.

CARING FOR CAGED BIRDS

In order to keep your birds happy and healthy, follow these simple steps:

1. Feed a good diet of water, birdseed, grit, fresh fruit and vegetables.

2. Provide a cage in a safe and warm place in your house.

3. Watch out for feather plucking and self-nibbling as these can be signs of stress.

4. Practise good hygiene for your bird and its cage. Clean its cage out once a week.

5. Make sure your bird receives regular veterinary check-ups

6. Always wash your hands after handling your bird.

Choosing the right bird
When it comes to birds, there are so many different species to look out for and enjoy. So choosing the right bird for you can be a big decision. Certain kinds of birds are suitable for certain kinds of environments.
When choosing your bird, a healthy one should be lively and alert, have a good plumage and a clean vent region.

Socialising

If you pay a lot of attention to your bird, it will be content to be left alone in the cage. However, if your bird is left alone frequently, it is worth considering a companion. Just remember, birds need to adjust to company so don’t be surprised if there are a few squabbles to begin with.

Cleaning Routine

Birds are naturally clean animals, so you will need to ensure your bird’s home is cleaned regularly (once a week). Whilst cleaning the cage, make sure your bird is placed in a secure and well-ventilated box.

CARING FOR WILD BIRDS

Hygiene

When a large number of birds are attracted into your garden to feed, their chances of contracting a disease are slightly increased. However, there is nothing to worry about at all, provided you keep tables and feeders clean. So sweeping up waste food and husks at least once a week is a good thing to do.

You should also move feeders and tables to different positions within the garden to prevent the ground below them becoming infected.

Providing clean water

This is actually just as important as providing food, as birds need it both for drinking and bathing. So always keep your birdbath full of clean water – even in the middle of winter.

Positioning feeders and tables

This will depend on the size and type of garden you have, but feeders can be hung from trees, fences or anywhere you like in your garden.

Types of food and types of feeder

Most high quality bird food brands will have information on their packaging about what different species of birds like to eat and what feeders you will need.

It is important to remember that some birds won’t use a feeder at all and for these species you will need to put food out on either the ground or on a table or ideally both.

A few specific tips and words of advice

Peanuts should only ever be fed using a wire mesh feeder – many birds choke if they try to eat whole peanuts.
Black Sunflower seeds can attract large numbers of Greenfinches and it is very important to clear up the husks.
Niger seed is almost guaranteed to attract Goldfinches and you won’t get a more beautiful or colourful bird in your garden.