An exotic bird can be one of the most rewarding life long pets. If you are considering adopting an exotic pet, it is important to research what type of bird best suits your lifestyle. Birds are extremely intelligent therefore are relatively easy to train and love to learn new "tricks". Grooming a bird is minimal because they groom themselves, preening their feathers daily to keep them clean. They are very social creatures and with proper training can be as loving as a dog or cat. Birds tend to bond strongly with their owner and many live more than 100 years making them a life long companion. If you live in an apartment a pet budgie, canary or finch would take up very little space & provide wonderful companionship.
When researching there are a few basic questions to begin with:
What are the best foods to feed?
When to trim his nails?
Should I clip his wings?
How much time should they be allowed outside their cage?
How often should I clean his cage?
How big of a cage do I need for the specific species of bird I am interested in?
Are there any medical concerns that I should be aware of?
It is equally important to research possible dangers to the bird in your home. Many times someone will adopt a bird with very little knowledge of the possible dangers the bird may face. There are items you may use every day in your home that can be dangerous and even toxic to birds. An obvious problem for birds would be cigarette or cigar smoke, which can cause eye, skin & respiratory problems. Did you know that many household cleaners release dangerous fumes that are fatal to birds? Chlorine bleach, ammonia, aerosol air fresheners are all toxic to birds.
There are foods that can also cause issues and death in an exotic bird. Chocolate of any kind, caffeine, onions and avocados should never be fed to your bird. Plants like Oleander should never be kept where your bird might eat or perch on the branches.
Most surprising on the list of dangerous household items are non-stick cookware and other household items possessing a non-stick surface made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). When heated toxic fumes are released that may kill your bird. It is important not to use non-stick cookware, drip pans, irons, ironing board covers and heat-lamps that have PTFE coating around your bird.
