Getting a pet at home is a great choice, one step closer to being happier. Pets can really teach you so many things about unconditional love, happiness in little joys, work-play balance, self-love, and a lot more. Yes, a home without paw scratches on the furniture and torn pillows and bitten wires surely feels perfect, but will always feel a little incomplete. (I’m sure every pet owner will relate to this) Why? Because a little food bowl, tank, or cage in a corner just shows how humans and animals can coexist in perfect harmony. It’s the mime, loving company of all kinds of pets that comfort all pet parents.
Many animal species have been domesticated by humans since the beginning of time. And animals have developed loyal bonds with their human friends. Dogs, cats, cows, horses, hens, and many birds even show the same unconditional love-bond for their pal, accepting humans as one of their own kin. Certainly, humans have made their own choice whilst choosing what animal/bird they wish to extend their arms wide for and make friends. Some like paws, some like claws, and some even love the wiggly ones. These decisions on having pets even depend on health concerns.
Many people are sadly allergic to certain pets, but it doesn’t mean they cannot have that companionship. There’s always a way! If a lizard is too goth for you and an alpaca wouldn’t be approved by your parents, maybe you could bond with the aviators.
Is It a Good Idea to Pet a Bird?
The ones with free spirits and affection towards the bird life have always frowned upon the idea of petting or ‘caging the bird’. Which is not exactly what we do when we pet a bird.
The birds that are bred to be kept as pets have always been non-defensive towards humans and in fact, like to be caressed. Domestic love birds and budgies are some of the few home pets that like humans. So having your own aviary is not a crime against nature at all.
A few of the reasons to keep a pet bird at home are:
- An intelligent pet with proper training that can make you laugh, run small errands even, entertain you, and comfort you.
- Lesser grooming time compared to bigger and furrier pets. (Added advantage)
- Some bird species become your long-lived companions as they can live longer than most 4-legged pets (nearly more than 60years old!)
- Highly social with humans and other birds so you can have as many lovely chirpy bird species as you like
What should I know about bringing home pet birds?
The cage you provide becomes a comfortable nesting place for the bird. But very few creatures like to spend days inside a cramped space. Birds especially, because they’re born with the ability to fly. They naturally like to be off the ground and hop around a larger area. Meanwhile, they don’t need to be taken on walks twice a day, so you can let them be inside the house. Just close the windows in case you have a curious pair of wings, as home pet birds tend to fly out and get lost.
Another effort that you should make, if you’re sure of having a pet bird, is to never buy birds caught from the wild. Living in India, you will commonly find poachers selling wild parrots and other songbirds. The birds caught from the wild are not adapted to home life and many of them get their feathers clipped by poachers to keep them from taking flight. The depressed animal will either die an early death or seek escape, making you a little gloomy at the same time. So here are the best home-suited pet birds you can safely adopt than buying-
1. Parakeets
Parakeets or budgies are the most popular domestic birds in the bird pet community. All birds have a certain personality and the parakeet has the biggest, and that’s why it makes the top choice. They are energetic yet silly and are the friendliest of birds. Parakeets can be loud enough to wake the neighbour's dog if not given enough attention. But when kept uncaged and fed lovingly, they are most humble and playful. For those who like it more peaceful, the lineolated parakeet or the linnie is less vocal and likes to sing slowly. Here’s what you need to do for them-
● Parakeets need heightened ceilings and wider walls for it to afford good exercise range and move around
● Their cage shall be no less than 50 inches tall allowing free movement
● Get toys but keep them smaller than your parakeet- paper boxes, shreddable hay rugs and tiny bells should do
● Keep bowls of fresh water in the cage and around the bird’s living space
● Keep a number of small food bowls in different corners to get the bird moving around the cage and stay energetic.
● Feed them fruit pellets, add some berries from time to time, and add small veggie pieces to the mix like carrots or broccoli
● Avoid too much carbs like rice and other common food grains
2. Cockatiels
Cockatiels are a craze on social media and video platforms. Their curious and affectionate nature makes them the best entertainers. They are from the cockatoo family and are miniature parrots that like to hop and dance too if trained. They aren’t as quiet as the budgies but they certainly pack a lot of whistling and silly activities that keep the owner engaged. They certainly need a lot of attention to make them less vulnerable to late-night scares and depression. Here’s how you can keep them chirping-
● Cockatiels like larger spaces both for home and cage with a lot of perching stands and ropes around the house
● They are water-loving birds and like to bathe so keep a big enough bowl handy with fresh water changes
● Cockatiels are activity freaks so get a lot of foraging toys and keep them around the house
● Keep small bowls of cereal in the cage and give them fresh water thrice a day
● Cockatiels grow fat if they eat a lot of foods with glucose or sugar, so keep the treats hidden and add veggies to their daily diet
3. Canaries
Canaries are peaceful-looking, soft-singing birds and they are exactly as they look. Trying to tease or frighten a canary can be hostile toward their peaceful nature. They are generally tender and don’t like to be handled but they might come and sit on your shoulders and peek. They are never bored of their cages and keeping them hung in places where you live or spend a lot of free time gives them the required company. Here’s what they like-
● They like hopping from perches so get a cage that is at least 3 feet tall with perches and bowls for food and water
● Cover windows and mirrors as they tend to crash in confusion
● Simple ring climbing or hanging toys are good enough for the not-so-active canaries
● Regular bird pellets along with spinach and sweet potatoes can be a great diet for canaries
4. Conures
Conures are not the bird for beginners but if you have enough free time and activities in your day, they can be your best friends. Conures are sharp and energetic birds on the inside and are of different colours on the outside. But before you adopt a pair, remember that they will want attention or become angry and start biting. Here’s how to appease them:
● Keep them in a tall cage as they have long tails and like to move inside the cage
● Get a lot of foraging and shredding toys to keep their energies focused
● Declutter their flying area and keep valuables away as they tend to destroy things in their cute bird rage
● Seed pellets and crunchy veggies are their favourite diets, you can also add some fresh fruits
5. African Gray Parrots
African grays are the most popular among parrots that can talk. It can easily imitate noises and even make conversations if trained and stimulated. They are smart sociable birds that like to be around their owners and need a lot of activity as they tend to get bored easily. They might become aggressive if due attention is not paid each and every day. Here’s how to pet them properly-
● African grays have large wingspans so find the largest bird cage you can get for them to move freely
● They are generally smart so always keep activity-inspired toys handy. You can play with coins and let them untangle ropes. Keep them busy with foraging toys and maybe some dancing
● Give them bird pellets on the regular mixed vegetable shallots and fruits that are low on sugar like kiwis and payas
● They like challenges so give them shelled nuts to crack and eat after some activity as treats
Try the different mutations and colour combinations in pairs of the birds above and let us know your experience if you’re already petting one. Always get birds from an experienced and registered aviary that excels in home-bred pet birds. But in most cases, we highly recommend you ADOPT instead of buying one.
FAQs
Q. How to pet a bird properly?
A. Petting a bird down the spine and rubbing under the wings will make them possessive of you as it turns them on. It sees you as a mating partner. So try under the beak or the head to keep them from attacking others.
Q. How to know if a bird likes me?
A. A bird will wiggle its beak from side to side or grind them if they like you.
Q. How to bond with a bird?
A. Do NOT make sudden movements and try to cuddle pet birds too much with your hands. Let them perch on you and patiently feed them treats from your palm to get their attention. Always be gentle with pet birds.