Keeping birds can be a wonderful hobby that brings joy and life into your home. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure your birds feel safe and comfortable. Here are a few practical and easy-to-follow tips to help you create a cozy environment for your feathered friends.
Our bird expert Alea, who has been living with birds in her home since she was seven years old, shares valuable insider tips and practical advice based on her many years of experience keeping birds.
The Right Cage: Size and Location
The cage is where your bird will spend most of its time. It should be spacious, safe, and comfortable. With the following tips, you can create a home where your bird feels completely at ease:
- Enough space: As a general rule, a cage can never be too big. Of course, not everyone can set up a separate room or even a comfortable outdoor aviary for their birds. A good rule of thumb is that the cage should be at least three to four times the bird’s wingspan. Budgies and many other bird species feel most comfortable in a rectangular cage (wider than it is tall), where they can already take short flights.
- Safe materials: A birdcage must not contain any toxic substances, have any sharp edges, and the paint should be durable enough not to peel off. In addition, you should ensure that the bars are spaced far enough apart so that your bird cannot get its head stuck between them. Dark bars are usually better than light ones to avoid reflections that could quickly become uncomfortable for a bird’s sensitive eyes.
- The Right Location: Place the cage in a quiet spot away from drafts. The kitchen is unsuitable due to the fumes produced during cooking. Birds generally love natural daylight, but direct sunlight should be avoided. Therefore, you should always check beforehand whether a spot near a window is suitable. In a location with little natural light, cage lighting designed specifically for birds’ needs can help compensate.
Toys and Activities
Most pet birds are social animals, which means they should be kept in pairs at a minimum. Budgies and parrots are also known for their exceptional intelligence and strong play instinct. Even as adults, parrot species still clearly enjoy playing.
It is therefore important for the health and well-being of pet birds to ensure they have plenty of stimulation and exercise.
- A variety of toys: There is a wide range of toys available for bird cages, such as swings, ladders, ropes, and much more. You’ll quickly discover what keeps your bird entertained best. Be sure to rotate the toys regularly so your bird doesn’t get bored.
- Natural materials: Nature offers a wide variety of materials that can also be used as toys and are available at no cost: corks, branches, pinecones, empty egg cartons, and much more make a wonderful addition to standard bird toys.
Alea's Insider Tip: Even though they look colorful and cute, I don’t use plastic toys. Instead, I’ve lined the cage with natural branches made of hazel, corkscrew hazel, and apple tree wood. This prevents pressure sores on their delicate little feet. My budgies also get the chance to fly freely every day. Because no matter how big the cage is, birds need to fly to stay healthy!
A balanced diet and fresh water
By providing a species-appropriate and balanced diet, you can help ensure a long and healthy life for your feathered friends. Most bird species enjoy a good mix of grasses, seeds, and special birdseed. Find out in advance which food is best suited for your pet bird:
- A varied diet: What applies to us humans also applies to our feathered friends: A balanced diet strengthens the immune system and boosts vitality and well-being. Most bird species love a varied diet consisting of seeds, grains, fruits, vegetables, and special birdseed.
- Fresh water: Of course, drinking is much more important than eating—and that goes for birds, too. Provide fresh water every day and clean the water dish regularly to prevent germs and disease.
- Beware of “toxic” foods: Some foods that are harmless and very digestible for humans are completely unsuitable or even toxic for birds. Avocados, for example, can cause respiratory problems, heart abnormalities, and even death. Chocolate also contains substances that are toxic to birds and should never be given as a treat. Additionally, any products containing caffeine are unsuitable.
Alea's Insider Tip: My budgies are totally crazy about fennel and cucumber—there’s never any left. Before I try out new fruits or vegetables, I always make sure to check whether my budgies can tolerate them at all or only in small amounts. I always keep twice as many water bowls on hand. That way, they can dry for 24 hours after cleaning before being used again. This naturally kills off a large portion of the germs.
Regular care and hygiene
Cleanliness is essential when keeping birds. This applies to both the cage and the birds themselves. But don’t worry: birds are relatively easy to care for, and with just a few tips, you can create a healthy home for them:
- Cleaning the Cage: Clean your bird cage thoroughly at least once a week. This helps prevent diseases and, of course, ensures that your birds feel completely at ease again. Droppings and food scraps that have fallen to the bottom of the cage are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and should be removed promptly.
- No harsh cleaning agents: Warm to hot water is usually sufficient for cleaning. For heavy soiling, you can also use a mild soap. Avoid disinfectants, perfumed soaps, or other harsh cleaning agents. The substances they contain can be harmful to your bird, and an environment that is too germ-free and sterile is not healthy for birds.
- Bird hygiene: Provide your bird with a bathing area so it can clean itself. If the cage is large enough, the bathing area can be placed directly inside the cage so it is accessible at all times. Also, check your bird’s claws and beak regularly and have them trimmed by a veterinarian if necessary.
Create a species-appropriate home for your birds
Before you bring a bird into your home, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the specific species and its needs. In addition to this, there are many other tips on caring for birds that we’ll be covering in our blog. Check back regularly—there’s always something new to discover.
(c) Photos: Alea