18/01/2023
Copied from Luna Moon,
but so much truth.
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So you want that bird you saw at the pet store?
Things to keep in mind that no one talks about.
They are complex, expensive, needy, LOUD. Every one of them.
Often times people go and buy on a whim. People want this stunning large bird, like macaws and cockatoos. Why? They’re flashy, they saw cute videos, and they talk.
But here's what you don’t see:
Diets-
A seed only is NOT healthy or sustainable for the bird of any size. ( little budgies to macaws.) Nor is a pellet only diet any better.
You will spend hours chopping and cutting and googling “can ( bird ) eat ( ingredient )” and sure enough they won’t even touch it.
You will find one bird can eat something and another bird can’t.
The feeding time is MESSY. They wear it, throw it, you wear it… just like babies.
They are flock animals. This means when you eat they want to eat it because it’s “safe” even if it’s not.
This also adds to cooking items like pots and pans. The coating on some of them are so toxic the fumes alone can unalive them. Same goes for feeding them something that was cooked on it.
Airborne toxins-
If you enjoy your candles and febreeze and plug ins… don’t get a bird. All of these are toxic to birds. Toxic means unalive. Toxic does not mean "safe to use in another room". From hair spray, perfume, glade, candles, incense, vapes, wax melts, smoke… and so much more. Their lungs are so sensitive it’s crazy.
Temperature sensitive-
They require a very small range of acceptable temperatures and humidity. If this is out of whack they can get sick. Most of us humans aren't comfortable in a 75° home. But you know what? They are. And humidity? I mist my birds daily with warm water until the room feels like a sauna. They love it and need it.
Health-
Birds often do not show signs of trouble until they are found unalived.
Every single day I spend 20 mins looking over droppings. The number one way to find an issue is poopology. 💩
Just take them to any vet, right?
No. On various occasions we have had to seek medical for the birds and it’s hard.
You need an exotic vet and you need one that knows what they are doing. This often means when you have a major case you’re driving to a university. - this is not cheap. We have spent more on the birds medical bills this year than our human medical bills combined.
The noise-
They all make noise, some more than others. Some of my loudest birds are the smallest ones! You cannot punish a bird for singing a song, flock calling, screaming and making noise… that’s part of them. Some make beautiful songs, some chatter away constantly…… and some scream like a tornado is ripping through a pig farm.
The biting-
They ALL bite. It's not IF they'll bite, it's WHEN. You cannot flick them on the nose for bad behavior. Why? It makes fear of hands and they will act out MORE. Bites can be nibbles and bites can break skin and bones. No bird is truly domesticated and all they have is their beak to tell you to back off.
Life span-
Now all birds have various life spans. Our cockatiels on average live to be about 18… that’s like a whole human child. Some can live up to or exceed 80 yrs. So if you buy a baby macaw you best have a will in place regarding the care because it’s highly unlikely you outlive that bird. And about that Will ...
Outliving the bird?
Birds often have only a few select people they trust and love. I can hand off Apollo to just about anybody and not have a worry. I cannot do the same for Wayland. Keep this in mind for larger birds. If you pass away and have a macaw….. it’s not going to understand where you went and why new people are there and why they don’t have the routine. At this point you see them being in rescues or rehomed. The belief that your family or child will take them on after your death is a fantasy that is very often NOT the case. Rescues and shelters are PACKED with big birds, many for this very reason.
Routine-
Birds NEED routine. They love a schedule. When we get up the birds are singing before they are even uncovered and they tuck themselves away before we are ready to sleep. Cockatiels are one of the few that need a large amount of time to sleep. They need about 10-16 hours. if they get less they are just like toddlers that didn’t sleep and skipped nap time. Yup, not fun.
For every cute moment you see online or in movies with birds, there are about 500 not so cute things not caught on camera.
Don’t get a bird because they look cool or think they’re cute or you expect them to talk and do tricks. Get a bird if you’re willing to adapt YOUR life and habits for them to have a life long companion. ❤️
