Please Don/t Put That Bird In The Back Room!!!

[starfire]

About two months ago a friend was over and was
playing with my bird. My bird was playing and talking
with her. Finally she said, my bird is so aggressive,
and mean. I can't figure out why he used to be
friendly and sweet like this bird. She has had this
bird about 8 months. Since I have birds almost my
whole life she wanted to try to figure out what was
wrong with her bird. Then about month went by and I
finally went over her house to check on the bird.

For one thing, the bird was in the back room away from
the 'action' that was going on within the household.
The bird felt deserted I am sure. Right off, I told
her birds need to be where the action is going on in
the house. The bird needs to feel like it is a part of
the family. Another thing I noticed was the seed
hulls. I asked when the last time the bird has been
feed. She said the other day but he still has seeds to
eat. I told her to take a closer look at the seeds. To
an untrained eye they are seeds. I took some bird food
in my hand and should her the difference between the
seeds and the seed hulls. After a few more suggestions
we found a place for the bird in the family room with
a lot of sunlight. I gave her a cuttlebone, gravel
paper and a few more things the bird was lacking. I
also told her to give the bird crackers, cheerios,
veggies to see what kind of treats the bird might
like. Also to cover the bird up at night so he won't
get a draft. The family has started taking up time
with the bird and now the bird is like a family
member. It is such a difference in this bird now then
it was a month ago. They still have a few problems but
they are working on the bird being a part of the
family. The bird still snaps at them sometimes but for
the most part things are much better

I saw a program several years back that said
birds can get depressed if their social needs aren't
met. I believe that.

Birds in the parrot family have an exceptionally long
life expectancy so I'd be really sure you want to make
this commitment before purchasing one.

Also be sure your heirs want to make the commitment too. They also require a lot of attention. I have to completely clean his cage every other day and vacuum under it daily.

[auntieemu]

All good advice.

[Kathy]

I think most pets need that interaction except maybe fish. Even turtles seem to enjoy 'family time'.

I'm glad you're helping your friend learn how to take proper care of her bird. They're such pretty and intelligent creatures.


Good tips for anyone contemplating adding a bird to their family.

[Deleted]

Be careful with gravel paper. It's better to use newspaper and put sand in the cage. That gravel on that paper can be like shards of glass and will sometimes cut their feet and you don't realize it until the foot is swollen and infected. I know lots of people have used it with no problems but I like to be safe rather than sorry. It's good that you are helping her. Yes, parrot type birds live SOOOO long. We recently lost our Rosie, a rosella. She was 18 when we found her in her cage one morning. LB, the cockatiel is 19 this year. Clementine, a love bird, will be 4 this year and Dot, cockatiel, will be 2. I keep saying that I 'm going to get a beebee but haven't yet.

[starfire]

I have used gravel paper for years as long as I have had birds ( at least 20 years or more) and never had any problems. Maybe it is different kinds of gravel paper.

I guess you learn what works best for your bird.