I believe you have the sweetest bird on the planet. After bringing the bird into your family, you now have a huge responsibility to keep it happy and healthy. Making a bird happy requires fulfilling their physical, mental, and social needs. Keeping a bird happy is essential to ensure better health, a longer lifespan, and strong bonds with its owner.
Though different species of birds have different needs, there are some common things to consider for their better life. You don’t need to be a bird expert to keep a bird with your family. However, in this article, I will help you maintain everything to keep your sweetest bird happy.
PROPER ACCOMMODATION
First, you will need to ensure a safe and large enough cage for your bird. A cage that’s at least 24″x18″x18″ is a good starting point. Inside the cage, put some toys and perches of different sizes so that they can fly around, climb, jump, and play. Birds like to play with toys. So make sure they have access to more toys. You need to see what kind of toys your bird likes most. You need to clean the cage at least once a week. It is more important for both birds and your health.
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Birds need rest and sleep. So keep them out of light at night for good sleep. Protect them from predators, and if you have a cat or dog, your bird can get attacked or scared. Your bird can always be in panic if it gets scared by any chance. The best thing is to bond them as friends.
You need to protect them from insects like mosquitoes, cockroaches, and anything else that can harm your bird. You can put a protection net over the cage to protect them if you have this problem.
COMPANION
Birds are social creatures. They do need a companion to thrive, which can bring their happiness. You can imagine how a person feels if they live alone. The same thing can happen with a bird. Though not all birds require a companion to stay happy, for most of them, it’s crucial.
If you have one or a small number of birds, try to spend your time with them. You can train your bird or teach it tricks, commands, games, or any sentence or its name (if it is able to talk). To keep it entertained for more time, I bond my birds with my cat as a best friend. If you have kids or other pets like dogs or cats, you can do the same. This mental stimulation can boost their happiness.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE
Just like humans, birds need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. Without it, they can develop obesity, muscle weakness, and even heart problems. By letting your bird fly, climb, and play, you need to keep their body strong and mind sharp. Regular exercise also prevents boredom, so you’ll see fewer bad habits like feather plucking or screaming.
I allow my bird to fly out of the cage every day. I installed some perches in different high places of my room so that they can fly. However, you need to make sure that you’ve tamed your bird well, and it won’t fly away out of your home. Make sure your room is safe before you allow them to fly out of the cage. I placed toys beside the perches that promote more movement, like swings and climbing ropes.
CARE FOR HEALTH
Taking care of your bird’s health is essential for a long, happy life. You should regularly check for changes in behavior, appetite, or feathers. If you stay alert, you can catch problems early and avoid serious issues. If you schedule regular vet visits, your bird will stay healthy and thrive.
I always keep an eye on my bird’s behavior and make sure it’s eating well. Once, because I didn’t pay enough attention, my bird caught a respiratory infection. Now, I regularly clean the cage, check its feathers and eyes, and take it to the vet if I notice anything unusual. Remember, an unhealthy bird can never truly be happy!
BALANCED DIET
A healthy diet is essential for a bird’s happiness and well-being. Balanced nutrition, including seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables, boosts energy and strengthens immunity. Proper nutrients keep feathers vibrant and maintain a healthy weight. A well-fed bird is more active, playful, and emotionally balanced, promoting overall happiness.
I make sure my bird has a balanced diet with seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Seeds and pellets provide essential nutrients, while fruits and vegetables add extra vitamins for a healthy, happy bird. I also offer treats like apples or carrots to keep things interesting. You should provide a variety of foods to ensure your bird stays active and well-nourished.
You should also always offer clean, fresh water. I change it daily to keep my bird hydrated and healthy. Additionally, I provide a bathtub for my bird to splash around in, which keeps it clean and entertained.
THINGS TO BE ALERT ABOUT
Even after doing everything correctly, there are a few things you should avoid to keep your bird happy and healthy. First, I would like to say never feed your bird chocolate, avocado, apple seeds, or salty food. These are toxic to birds and can make them very sick. I would rather stick to bird-safe fruits and veggies instead.
You should also avoid placing your bird’s cage in a noisy or stressful environment. Loud noises can scare your bird and make it anxious. Make sure your bird has a quiet, comfortable space to relax.
And remember, don’t ignore your bird’s body language. If your bird seems quiet, scared, or sad, ask yourself if you’ve done something differently? Share in the comments if you’ve ever noticed your bird reacting to a change in its environment!