BIRDSFeathered Friends

Thinking about buying a bird?

I‘ve had a number of smaller caged birds over the years.  Most of them have been the smaller variety like finches, budgies, canaries and the bigger ones like cockatiels.  They all have their own little personalities and their own quirks but some things they all have in common.

I have not yet found a bird that doesn’t moult.  That is, they are constantly either fixing their own feathers or the feathers on another bird.  Preening is a whole other story.  Suffice it to say – birds preen and they moult.  Their feathers fall out and new ones grow in.  Of course, every time the birds flap their wings for exercise those feathers are scattered all over the room and beyond.

Some birds require more care in this area that others and sometimes it depends on the condition of the air in your home.   A healthy, happy bird does not have bald spots.

Caged birds usually eat seeds and seeds have shells.  Most birds don’t eat the shells so they have to get rid of them and as they use their beaks to break them open the shells fly everywhere.  I do occasionally give them shelled seeds, fruits and vegetables but they need the hard shells to keep their beaks in good condition.   I use cage skirts that fit around the bottom of the cages to keep the seeds, feathers and dust on the inside of the cage instead of on the floors and furniture.

Seed eating birds require gravel, egg shells or oyster shells to help them digest their food.  I also provide them with minerals and cuttlebone.

Clean water to drink and for bathing are essential to keep them hydrated.  I have a bath attached to the side of the bird cage but they invariably want to take their bath in the drinking water instead.   This means that at least once a day and sometimes twice a day they have to be given fresh water.  I think I will have to find a way to train them not to drink their bath water.  I guess they don’t know the difference.

After all that eating, preening, bathing, and drinking you need someplace for them to exercise.  You will need a cage with enough room in it that is free of toys, drinking and food cups and anything else you might have in there so the wings can be fully expanded.  I must admit – I do allow mine to fly outside the cage now and then and although I have had to put slats across the top of the cupboards to keep them from chewing it and having to make sure the ceiling fans are off – they do enjoy the freedom.

Now with all that done – they are going to relax – and well, they must get rid of some of that food and water they had.  Ripped up newspapers, cedar chips, grit paper and a host of other products that are disposable can be put in the bottom of the cage and must be renewed regularly.   Try to find a cage that is easy to clean – it sure saves a lot of time.

Finally the day ends and it is the only time they are semi-quiet.  Those budgies still chatter when they are napping during the day. I cover the cage at night and this usually stops the chatter and they are all tucked in but…. I have a cockatiel.  Many nights I have had to rush out to see what was after my birds and could not figure out what the problem was until I found out that cockatiels suffer from night fright and often in the middle of the night they scare themselves and the rest of the birds too.  The noise is unbelievable.  I have now installed a night light behind the cage and everyone sleeps much better.

Another thing to think about is where you are going to put the cage or cages.  You will need either a stand or a table top of some sort that is away from direct sunlight, heaters, and toxic plants.  Birds will chew anything they can get their little beaks on and plants that are within easy reach of the cage will either look like a lace doily or be gone altogether.   As some of those plants can be toxic to birds so you either have to know which plants can make them sick or it is probably easier to just keep them away from the cage.

Now it is time to bring home that new pet!!

About the Author

Rose Emerson has a great love for birds and animals of all kinds. Her website BirdSupplyWarehouse.com and her blog ThingsISeeInMyYard.blogspot.com have a great selection of supplies, suggestions and ideas to help you start or maintain your own bird watching hobbie or keeping a pet bird at home.

Quaker Parrot preening Lovebird

Jungle Talk POwer Preen small Bird parrot TOY NEW FUN $3.99

Radko~PREEN SUPREME~JEWELED~CLIP-ON FEATHERED BIRD~NWT~BLOWN GLASS ORNAMENT $77.77

NEW! BIG BUTTERFLY LEATHER PREEN – Parrot Toys & Bird Toy Parts by A Bird Toy $9.95

NATURAL BIRDIE WAFFLE – PREEN FUN! bird toy parrot toys $4.95

LOT of 2 JUNGLE TALK POWER PREEN bird parrot TOY NEW BUT imperfect READ CHEAP $5.99

NATURAL BIRDIE WAFFLE – PREEN FUN! bird toy parrot toys $4.95

NEW! BARREL MAN – CHEW & PREEN Parrot Toys & Bird Toy Parts by A Bird Toy $3.95

NEW! BIG BUTTERFLY LEATHER PREEN – Parrot Toys & Bird Toy Parts by A Bird Toy $9.95

PFBT Parrot Toy Bird Toy Parts Ribbon wood Cotton Preen $6.95

Planet Pleasures Preen n Munch Large 23in Natural Bird Toy $9.95

Jungle Talk Power Preen Small Bird Toy $5.27

Anhinga preening Florida Everglades USA Photo Mugs Anhinga preening Florida Everglades USA….

Common Crane, Grus grus, preening, Hornsborga, Sweden, spring Photo Mugs Common Crane, Grus grus, preening, Hornsborga, Sweden, spring….

Photo Mugs White-faced Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna viduata) adult pair, courtship preening….

Peacock – 24W x 15H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Bio-Oil PurCellin Oil Facial Treatment Products Buy Bio-Oil Intensive Treatments – Bio-Oil PurCellin Oil 60ml/2oz. How-to-Use: …

Jungle Talk 08523000 Jungle Talk Power Preen Small Bird Toy $18.27 Power Preen features lengths of 100 cotton rope encased in a bird tough nylon powerhouse. Simply hang in the cage for a preening subsitute that your bird will love. Rope refills available. Recommended for small to medium birds. Size 10in x 3in. Durable and Sturdy. Plenty to Pull On. Interactive Bird Toy

HD Enrichment Pod Preen Machine 195502855 $19.21 Compact customized and refillable Enrichment Pods are the perfect solution for Birdie Boredom . Ideally sized for use with cockatiels parakeets and other small companion birds. The Preen Machine Pod challenges your birds instincts by encouraging healthy activity and exploration. Fill the Preen Machine with bird safe paper products nesting material or your bird s favorite treats. Preen Machine reduces boredom and allows your bird to engage in healthy preening behavior. Spacesaving easytouse pod simply attaches to the Enrichment Wall. Pods are compatible with most wire bird cages. Refillable and customizable. Fill the Preen Machine with bird safe paper products nesting material or treats and watch your bird play. Connects directly to the Habitat Defined Bird Cages to provide a fun and effortless way to interact with your pet bird. Approximate size 2 W x 5 H x 2 D

Bird $16.82 Bird

Planet Pleasures 50640181 Planet Pleasures Preen n Munch Small 9in Natural Bird Toy $17.78 All natural toy of rope bamboo oyster shell vegeleather and cocnut shell. The vegeleather pieces are colorful. Satisfaction Ensured. Your Pet will Love it. Makes for a great Gift.

Planet Pleasures 50640182 Planet Pleasures Preen n Munch Large 23in Natural Bird Toy $22.95 All natural toy of rope bamboo oyster shell vegeleather and cocnut shell. The vegeleather pieces are colorful. Satisfaction Ensured. Your Pet will Love it. Makes for a great Gift.

Zoo Max Toys 84500132 Zoo Max DUS132 Buzzy 7in Bird Toy $20.8 Sisal rope natural leather nontoxic dye. For: Cockatie Lovebird Neophema Small Conures etc up to Small Parrots. Your little one will enjoy it. They will preen the sisal rope.

Preen 24-63774 Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer $16.52 Preen 24-63774 Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer Preen 24-63774 Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer Features: Organic weed preventer stops weeds before they start Immediately safe for kids and pets Easy to use applicator Sprinkle around established vegetable, herbs, and fruits Can be used every 4 to 6 weeks 100% corn gluten meal Treats 250 square feet 5 lbs

Preen Vegetable Garden Prevent 5 Pounds 2463774 $32.5 Preen garden weed preventer prevents summer and winter annual weeds from growing in flower and vegetable bedsPreen garden weed preventer prevents new weeds from growing it does not kill existing ones.Sprinkle preen garden weed preventer evenly over the soil surface at the rate of 1 oz. per 10 sq. ft. being sure to keepgr112310 Fertilizer.Dimensions (L x W x H):0.39 x 0.7 x 0.95

Preen Vegetable Garden Prevent 25 Pounds 2463782 $55.49 Preen garden weed preventer prevents summer and winter annual weeds from growing in flower and vegetable beds.Preen garden weed preventer prevents new weeds from growing it does not kill existing ones.Sprinkle preen garden weed preventer evenly over the soil surface at the rate of 1 oz. per 10 sq. ft. being sure to keepgr112310 Fertilizer.Dimensions (L x W x H):2.33 x 1.17 x 0.25

Planet Pleasures 50603144 Planet Pleasures Caterpillar 12in Medium Bird Toy $16.51 Made of hand woven twisted palm leaves and abacca fibers. Variety of colors. Birds love to preen and chew natural fibers. Great materials for feather fickers. Size approx 12in. . All Natural. Great Fun. Birds Love to Play

Eight In One Bird Bath Pump Spray 8 Ounces D141 $20.01 Scientifically formulated to keep birds plumage bright and beautiful.Conditions skin cleans and softens feathers relieves minor skin irritations and removes scales which cause scratchingand .8 Oz. Contains Natural Preen Gland Oil Lanolin Andaloe Vera.Dimensions (L x W x H):2 x 2 x 8

Preen Garden Weed Preventer 5.625 Pounds 2463795 $33.04 Preen garden weed preventer prevents summer and winter annual weeds from growing in flower and vegetable beds and aroundtreePrevents new weeds from growing it does not kill existing weeds.Recommended for use around ornamentals.Will not harm most established plants granular easy to use formula.Apply any time: spring summer or fall.Active Ingredient: 1.47 Trifluralin.Dimensions (L x W x H):0 x 0 x 0