10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird

 

 

By Monica Engebretson

Grassroots Coordinator

Animal Protection Institute

 

 

Birds are not domesticated animals. Domestic animals are animals that have been bred for hundreds of years to live in the care of humans and are distinct from their wild ancestors. Birds commonly kept as pets are no different than their wild relatives - they are the native species of other countries.

 

 

Chlamydiosis (psittacosis) and avian tuberculosis can be transmitted through the air from birds to humans. These diseases can cause significant illness, especially for people with compromised immune systems. Birds also continually shed "feather dust" - particles of feathers, which may aggravate asthma in some people. Many homes with pet birds have HEPA-type air filters in rooms with birds to control allergies from bird dander.

 

 

Parrots, including lovebirds, parakeets, and cockatiels, are noisy and messy, and can be destructive. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of any parrot's social communication. Birds eat continually throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere. Birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew electrical cords, paper, and curtains.

 

 

All parrots have long life spans. Depending on species, they may live 20 to 50 years or more. Caring for a bird is often a life-long responsibility.

 

 

Parrots are extremely social animals, and have been compared to human toddlers in the needs of their emotional and social lives but, unlike children, they never grow up.

 

 

Birds are active and inquisitive and must be provided with ample room to move about and play. An indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room (windows covered, no cats/dogs, no ceiling fans, etc.) that will allow the bird(s) to fly is good for exercise. Birds with clipped wings can get exercise by climbing, swinging, and flapping, if provided with ample space, toys, and climbing structures.

 

 

All birds need a varied diet, not just seeds or pellets, but grains, beans, fruits and vegetables too.

 

 

Light exposure and sleep are very important to birds. Birds need at least 4 hours exposure to UVA and UVB rays from sunlight or full-spectrum lighting to provide them with vitamin D, which promotes vitamin A absorption, critical for upper respiratory health. Birds must have a minimum of 10 hours of sleep each night.

 

 

Birds are very sensitive to air quality. Unlike humans, a bird replaces nearly all the air in its lungs with each breath. Because no residual air is left in the lungs during the ventilation cycle of birds, they transfer more oxygen and more pollutants during each breath. Birds should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes (hairspray, cleaners, etc.), or Teflon coated materials. Exposure to some toxic inhalants can cause immediate death; chronic exposure to other toxic can lead to premature death.

 

 

Birds need veterinary care from a veterinarian that specializes in birds. Proper vet care for birds can be expensive. Your vet will probably recommend a complete examination and diagnostic tests when you first acquire your bird; in addition, she/he will probably recommend annual well-bird examinations. Smaller birds require the same vet care and regular examinations.

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

*This text was prepared by

Monica Engebretson, Grassroots Coordinator, Animal Protection Institute

Please copy, distribute and utilize this document in its entirety for the benefit of all companion birds in your care. http://www.petfinder.com/journalindex.cgi?...tion/1.1.28.txt

 

 

Monica Engebretson

Animal Protection Institute

Another good post, wish the pet stores would have something like this when the public is PURCHASING a bird!

10 Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a Bird

 

 

By Monica Engebretson

Grassroots Coordinator

Animal Protection Institute

 

 

Birds are not domesticated animals. Domestic animals are animals that have been bred for hundreds of years to live in the care of humans and are distinct from their wild ancestors. Birds commonly kept as pets are no different than their wild relatives - they are the native species of other countries.

 

 

Chlamydiosis (psittacosis) and avian tuberculosis can be transmitted through the air from birds to humans. These diseases can cause significant illness, especially for people with compromised immune systems. Birds also continually shed "feather dust" - particles of feathers, which may aggravate asthma in some people. Many homes with pet birds have HEPA-type air filters in rooms with birds to control allergies from bird dander.

 

 

Parrots, including lovebirds, parakeets, and cockatiels, are noisy and messy, and can be destructive. Vocalizing (squawking, chirping, talking) is an important part of any parrot's social communication. Birds eat continually throughout the day, dropping and discarding bits of food everywhere. Birds are instinctively programmed to chew and shred wood, whether it is a perch, toy, picture frame, or furniture. Birds will also chew electrical cords, paper, and curtains.

 

 

All parrots have long life spans. Depending on species, they may live 20 to 50 years or more. Caring for a bird is often a life-long responsibility.

 

 

Parrots are extremely social animals, and have been compared to human toddlers in the needs of their emotional and social lives but, unlike children, they never grow up.

 

 

Birds are active and inquisitive and must be provided with ample room to move about and play. An indoor or sheltered outdoor aviary or a flight safe room (windows covered, no cats/dogs, no ceiling fans, etc.) that will allow the bird(s) to fly is good for exercise. Birds with clipped wings can get exercise by climbing, swinging, and flapping, if provided with ample space, toys, and climbing structures.

 

 

All birds need a varied diet, not just seeds or pellets, but grains, beans, fruits and vegetables too.

 

 

Light exposure and sleep are very important to birds. Birds need at least 4 hours exposure to UVA and UVB rays from sunlight or full-spectrum lighting to provide them with vitamin D, which promotes vitamin A absorption, critical for upper respiratory health. Birds must have a minimum of 10 hours of sleep each night.

 

 

Birds are very sensitive to air quality. Unlike humans, a bird replaces nearly all the air in its lungs with each breath. Because no residual air is left in the lungs during the ventilation cycle of birds, they transfer more oxygen and more pollutants during each breath. Birds should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, chemical fumes (hairspray, cleaners, etc.), or Teflon coated materials. Exposure to some toxic inhalants can cause immediate death; chronic exposure to other toxic can lead to premature death.

 

 

Birds need veterinary care from a veterinarian that specializes in birds. Proper vet care for birds can be expensive. Your vet will probably recommend a complete examination and diagnostic tests when you first acquire your bird; in addition, she/he will probably recommend annual well-bird examinations. Smaller birds require the same vet care and regular examinations.

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

*This text was prepared by

Monica Engebretson, Grassroots Coordinator, Animal Protection Institute

Please copy, distribute and utilize this document in its entirety for the benefit of all companion birds in your care. http://www.petfinder.com/journalindex.cgi?...tion/1.1.28.txt

 

 

Monica Engebretson

Animal Protection Institute

 

 

I don't know if you know but the API is pretty much against birds in captivity and against people who have pet birds.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

got to agree i dont think we should have groups like this on this forum im all for stopping animal cruelty but read further on their site no pet birds ect

I believe I posted the article for the information only which I found on petfinders not for a statement other then that and the article is excellent (in my defense) and for people that are against it they have excellent advice for those who are looking to purchase.

Edited November 4, 200618 yr by lovey

I thought the info was good - the info itself isn't anti-birds.

its not the link or info but look at their main site of the person who wrote it if you want to promote a group of people against keeping birds fair enough who am i to argue

I am misunderstood I wasn't promoting the people or the group - I never said that in the post. I guess it was assumed. Petfinder found it good for their site and they promote adoptions. I felt the information was good to pass along. I didn't pin it a mod did so they can certainly unpin it (they must have found it good).

 

I apologize for posting the info that I felt was valuable. I suppose it is perception, I am not here to argue at all it is not in my nature but to pass along info just as others do on this site. I see your point as in the group but as I said it was posted for the good information it gave only.

 

Nerwen, I have never heard of them either personally myself and when it was orginally posted and pinned I thought it was only for info too as you said.

Edited November 4, 200618 yr by lovey

I pinned it for the info, i've never hear of API before

the info is good but if you post that and link the site you are promoting them i never heard of them but i have a built in distrust for organisations like these so always look at their main site to see what they are like

Yeah it's just that people will see the name and associate something else with them.

It's great info for sure though.

I just thought people should know that they are against the keeping of exotic pets.

At least they are presenting information in a useful and informative way. I detect no bias one way or the other in the information they gave.

Leave the information but delete the bottom bit with the details on it if no-one likes it one there. I think the info is great and should be given out at petstores!

we can't we have to give credit to the right person or it is plagerisim

Personally, having never seen this thread before now, I read through it and thought "What a great post". I was then really dissapointed to read on to see that people thought it should not be posted as it was from a 'controversial organisation".

 

I read the post for what it was... spreading really good information that many people don't think about before purchasing a bird. Information that may have stopped one or two people from purchasing a bird thoughtlessly, which then ends up in a rescue somewhere. I am all for posts like this, regardless of the source.

I agree that is why I posted it feathers , thank you for the support.

I think it's good info. I wish people in pet stores would know these things, so they can educate the customers.

 

I think it would be great if animals could be free, but it's not possible. So I think it's very important that there are people who love them and take care of them and treat them as a part of the family !!! And I belive these animals live happy lifes even when they're not "free"

The information is good and useful. And of course, true. Birds are not domestic animals. It doesn't mean, however, that we shouldn't keep them as pets. Choosing pets correctly, and creating the best possible environment for our pets is essential. That is why potential pet owners should have such information. Thank you, Lovey!

I didnt see the anti bird thing other people saw. I was grateful for this post it was good for me been new to the bird keeping thing.

Thanks