Birds as Pets

Do you want a bird as a pet? You could have a lovely canary that may sing up a storm or a parrot friend such as the macaw. Birds as a pet have their advantages. However, they also have their disadvantages.

Birds are clever. Clever meaning they can find lots of mischief. Parrots will find even more tomfoolery if they are bored. Birds are highly intelligent. They are not a window dressing to be ignored. Birds are a flock animal and are highly social. If they don't have their flock, as a pet bird wouldn't, they need you for friendship. A bird cannot be kept in isolation. They do not like to be alone. They cannot be confined to a cage day in and day out. They must have a variety of toys and other outside stimulus. They must have a change of new toys and a variety of healthy food. The dietary requirements of birds are much like a humans. They must have protein, grains, fruit, and vegetables.

Expect birds to be messy and destructive. If they are unhappy, unhealthy, or bored; even more destructive. If you can't deal with your stuff getting broken, don't get a bird.

My first macaw de-wallpapered my wall. The cage was on wheels and was fitted with a on top of cage playpen . Evidently, the cage had gotten moved closer to the wall. I was busy doing something and the macaw evidently wasn't happy. He didn't have my attention and promptly peeled the wallpaper off the wall.

Always expect the unexpected. Often from the upper floor, the bird would hear us yell out to in response to a knock at the door - Come in! One day I got a phone call wondering why we were yelling come in and had the door locked. No one had been home. When people knocked at the door, the macaw was yelling come in to each rap at the door!

A bird will make considerable noise! This is their nature. If you have close neighbors that don't like noise, a bird is not for you.

A bird can be very affectionate and loving. A pet bird can be a great friend and even a confidant. They love to be close to you, see you, hear you and share every moment possible with you. They love to be at your side or on your shoulder. You will be delighted when he tucks his head and asks for a scratch.

Most birds have long life spans many birds extremely long lifespans. Before you get a bird make sure there is someone willing to love your bird and care for your bird as you would if something should happen to you.

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Teaching your Parrot to Talk

As far as I am concerned parrots will do much more than mimic; they can communicate. In fact, I think the case studies done by Dr. Irene Pepperberg–the world’s foremost authority of parrot intelligence and trainer of Alex the African Grey Parrot. Pepperberg proved that parrots can use sophisticated language and can have an extensive vocabulary.

Alex was also able to deal with abstracts and was good at problem-solving. Pepperberg was able to exchange thoughts with Alex. I believed she proved to any non-believers that birds can do much more than mimic, they can communicate.

I never taught a bird to talk by repeating a phrase or word over and over. I taught simply by example. I would talk to the bird, ask questions, describe what I was doing while going about my daily activities.

When I was a young child we had a parakeet. I am not really sure whose pet it was but remembering back it was my mother who spent the most time with him.

She would repeat a phrase over and over again, and that is exactly what Blueboy did, said the same thing, over and over again; pretty bird, Blueboy, pretty bird, Blueboy. That is why you teach communication, not repetition.

One of my first parrots was a hand-fed baby. I would spend hours a day with this bird. Even if I couldn’t spend one on one time with him, even if I was just cleaning house I would always talk to the bird. I just simply described what I saw, depicted what I was doing, asked him questions, though it was a while until I saw the results of my efforts.

When I put the cage cover over the cage during the night, I would sit close by and listen. In the sweetest, lowest voice imaginable I could hear this bird mumbling to himself, over and over, mumble mutter until he went to sleep. He was practicing speech. I also didn’t recognize any formed words in the mutters. It was a while until he uttered his first words. However, as the nights went by I could hear more variations in tone and inflections in his mutters.

BIRD TALK

I had an exhausting day between my two toddlers and work. I had the kids bathed and down for the night. I tucked my parrot in for the night and told him how much I loved him. While putting the cover over the cage I asked him how his day went and told him about my day. He seemed a little huffy because we weren't able to spend as much time together as we usually did, but we made up and I went to bed.

My bird and I had a pretty set pattern beginning each morning. The first thing I would do would be to uncover his cage. During the morning routine, I voiced everything I was doing. Things like, "let’s get your cage door opened, and I will go get you some fresh food and water". I would ask him questions; do you want to go outside with me today? Or, would you like to go for a ride in the car today? I voiced everything.

The next morning I did something I rarely did. I slept in and it felt great. Something woke me out of a deep sleep. I set up and listened. My parrot repeated what he had just said, I thought I was dreaming. “Come here and open this darn door, now!” I had been late getting him up. He had never heard those words in that sentence before. I am sure with all my vocalizations he had heard every one of those words in different sentences.

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Bird Intelligence - Training Birds

Training Birds

The parrot - the bird is much more intelligent than many people suspected; numerous tests have recently been conducted to prove just that. These tests have also proven many birds are capable of communication, not just imitation. It is up to us to provide the tools to develop these abilities. Training your pet bird, developing bird intelligence, teaching your bird to talk also falls under the ever so important socialization.

Providing your bird with social interaction, activities, and play stimuli lead to a mentally healthy and happy bird. When a bird is not satisfied, they can develop unacceptable behaviors such as constant squawking. Some squawking is normal bird behavior. Unhappy and unhealthy birds may also resort to feather plucking, often because of boredom.

There should be no reason why your bird should have behavioral problems as long as they have enough socialization, are physically and mentally healthy, have plenty of time to spend outside of their cage, toys to engage their intellect, and toys that reduce stress.

Your birds don't need the anxiety of angry human drama. Keep arguments away from your birds. They can pick up on your emotions very easily, and it causes distress. Distress lowers the immune system, and you could ultimately end up with a very sick and unhappy bird.

If you are providing all these things, and they display behaviors such as feather plucking or constant squawking, it is time for a complete physical by an avian veterinarian.

If our human kids had nothing but educational toys they would become unhappy just as a parrot would. They need diversity and also something to help with over anxiousness. My birds will spend hours fiddling with blocks, pulling at the strings, and working at knots. These types of toys are some of the best for stress reduction.

Working with, instead of against your bird's natural instincts will go a long way to having a happy parrot. Birds spend a great deal of time working at seeds and nuts, trying to figure out the ultimate puzzle of obtaining their prize.

Look for toys that are non-toxic, with sturdy construction. Many of these toys are a puzzle with a nut or other goodie hidden inside. They have to go through quite of a bit of trial and error, to get at the treat inside the toy. Pick toys suitable for your bird's size and species.

You can also develop their skills and provide socialization by talking to them. Also, parrots love music and sound. Play music and movie DVDs. There will be times when your parrot is alone; it will help them pass the time until you come home. Refrain from loud music and heavy bass.

To allow your bird's intelligence to fully develop they need to use deduction, reason, and observation. They need a wide diversity of activities to keep them motivated. They need a variety of toys to play with, so rotate the toys frequently. Most importantly, they need frequent interaction with their owners and plenty of love.

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My Ferret Book Guides and Exotic Pet Books Guides

Exotic Pets: Family Guide Paperback and Kindle. Available on Kindle Unlimited!

Ferrets: A Complete Guide is available in Kindle, paperback and Kindle Unlimited!