How to Pet a Bird for the First Time
Birds are magical creatures that can lift our spirits when we’re feeling down. They bring us joy and make us smile. And what better way to show your appreciation than by giving them a little love? Whether you want to adopt some exotic birds from an aviary or just have a few chickens in the backyard, here’s how to get started caring for birds of all ages.
What You Need
You’ll need these things before you even consider getting birds:
– A clean cage (a wire one will work fine)
– Food (pellets, seeds, etc.)
– Water bottle/bowl
– Toys
– First Aid Kit (with bandages, antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, etc.)
– Hand sanitizer
– Nail clippers
– Litter pan
– Hobby gloves
– Bird-friendly food and water dishes
– Quill scissors
– Bird toys
Aviary cages come ready to go with food and water. If yours doesn’t, you may be able to buy starter pellet mixes at your local feed store. To clean your birdcage thoroughly, soak a large cleaning sponge under soapy warm water, scrub inside and out, then rinse well.
The best kind of food to give your birds depends on their diet. Many commercial brands exist, and they range from cheap pellets to pricey organic ones. Make sure to read labels carefully different kinds contain different amounts of nutrients. The most important thing is to choose a brand that has been developed specifically for parrots. Pellets should also not be chewed up into tiny pieces as they choke the parrot. Instead, crush them into larger chunks.
When choosing bird toys, look for multi-functional items that allow parrots to play with each other while keeping their feathers safe. Avoid anything that could harm the birds if swallowed. Here are more tips for picking out fun stuff for your new pets.
How to Pet Birds
There are plenty of ways to interact with birds, whether you’re trying to bond with them or train them to do tricks. Check out our guide below for lots of ideas. Once you start interacting with your birds, you might find yourself wanting to take them home with you. But there are many reasons why this isn’t recommended, including the fact that birds aren’t domesticated animals like dogs and cats. Here are five simple steps you can use to help get comfortable around birds:
Start Slowly- Give your bird time to adjust to you. Be patient, and don’t force interactions.
Keep your distance- A good rule of thumb is about 4 feet away. Don’t hover over your bird. Move back and forth between feeding them and interacting with them instead.
Use baby steps- When you move closer to the bird, it’s natural for them to feel threatened. Try starting small, such as gently touching a wing or beak.
Don’t force it – Let your bird lead the interaction. For example, let your bird approach you first, rather than forcing them to fly towards you because you’re holding a treat.
Enjoy yourself! Finally, remember to enjoy your experience with birds. This is supposed to be fun!
Tips for Getting Started With Bird Care
Once you’ve got everything set up, it’s time to start interacting with your birds. There are tons of activities you can do to keep both you and your bird entertained. Here are 5 easy steps you can follow to get started:
1. Start Slowly and Get Comfortable
Give your bird a chance to become accustomed to you. Start off slow, taking baby steps. Touching their wings, beaks, or talons may seem strange, but let your bird explore those areas without any pressure. Eventually, you’ll be able to handle your bird’s wings without having to wrap them behind your back.
2. Keep Your Distance
A common mistake people make is hovering over their bird. Not only does this put unnecessary stress on your bird, but it makes you appear threatening to your pet. It’s OK to touch your bird’s wings, beaks, or talons, but stay close enough to see what’s going on, but far enough away that your bird feels safe.
This also means you shouldn’t stand directly in front of your bird unless you want them flying towards you. It’s better to stand slightly to the side of your bird.
3. Use Baby Steps
As your bird gets used to interacting with you, it may start moving closer to you. Just wait until your bird flies towards you. At this point, you can begin to reach out and touch your bird. Remember, you’re training your bird to trust you, so don’t push your bird beyond its comfort zone.
4. Don’t Force It
While it’s nice to encourage your bird to engage with you, you shouldn’t force your bird to do something against his or her will. If your bird shows signs of distress, remain calm and don’t force interaction. Even though birds may seem fragile, they are strong fliers and can usually survive most situations. However, being forced to do something causes undue stress.
Your bird may not understand why it has to interact with you right now, but eventually it will learn that it must respond to you in order to receive treats and affection. As long as you remain consistent and gentle, your bird will accept your presence.
5. Enjoy Yourself!
Finally, remember to have fun interacting with your bird. Take pictures, videos, and notes to document your experiences and share them with friends. Birds are great companions that make people happy. By engaging with them, you’re showing them that you appreciate them and making them happier.
