Birds that Make Good Pets

  • Parrots
  • Parakeets
  • Canaries
  • Mynahs
  • Ducks and geese
  • Cockatoos and cockatiels
  • Love birds
  • Finches
  • Pigeons and doves

When you Choose a Pet Bird, Look for These Features

  • Sleek Plumage
  • Bright eyes
  • Alertness

These are Bad Signs

  • The bird is fluffed up and sitting at the bottom of the cage.
  • There is diarrhea in the bottom of the cage.
  • The bird constantly picks at its feathers and plucks them out.

Caring for your Bird

  • Large birds should have enough room to stretch their wings and fly. Consider building an aviary if you choose a large bird.
  • Canaries, finches, and parakeets do well in an indoor cage.
  • Keep the cage in a sunny spot away from drafts.
  • Set the cage in an area where you and others will be able to interact with the bird.
  • The cage should have a removable floor tray for easy cleaning, self feeding seed and water holder, and perches.
  • To prevent your bird from getting bored, put swings, bells, a mirror, and fresh vegetation in the cage.
  • Put grit on the floor-birds eat this to aid digestion.
  • Fasten a cuttle bone to the cage. This is a good source of calcium, and keeps the bird’s beak in good condition.
  • Cover the cage at night to give the bird a sense of security.
  • Clean the cage regularly and often to prevent parasites, and give the bird fresh seed and water every day.
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User Comments

  1. Joe Poniatowski

    On January 18, 2008 at 7:39 am

    Great tips for anyone considering a pet bird.

  2. Nick Kenney

    On January 18, 2008 at 8:18 am

    Great advice, Ruby! Jan has two parakeets and I have two finches.
    Joe Poniatowski is new to Triond and seems like a very nice guy.
    I told him to read your work…

  3. C A Johnson

    On January 18, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    These are great tips. I definitely have to show this to my mother because one of her birds just died recently. She is looking to buy another bird now.

  4. Dee Huff

    On January 18, 2008 at 12:45 pm

    This is really good advice Ruby. Nice article.

  5. Darlene McFarlane

    On January 18, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Great tips, Ruby.

  6. Jared Stenzel

    On January 18, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Great tips, I’ve always wanted a bird.

  7. Judy Sheldon-Walker

    On January 18, 2008 at 3:44 pm

    Good tips, Ruby. Thanks.

  8. IcyCucky

    On January 18, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    Great article, Ruby!

  9. Lucy Lockett

    On January 18, 2008 at 9:28 pm

    Good advice for people who would like a pet bird.

  10. Liane Schmidt

    On January 19, 2008 at 2:41 am

    Great, informative article.

    Best wishes.

    Sincerely,

    -Liane Schmidt.

  11. Ruby Hawk

    On January 19, 2008 at 10:29 am

    Thank you everyone for your interest, and C. A. Good luck to your mother with her birds. Joe, I look forward to reading your work. Best wishes to you all, and thanks for dropping by.

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