Will my bird talk?

there is no guarantee a bird will talk, though some species have a better talent for it. If you keep talking to your bird and practice words with them regularly, they may pick it up over time.

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Does my bird need a friend?

Once you build a relationship with your bird, they will view you as their flock and their social need will be met. Getting a bird for a bird can ​sometimes create challenges that were not there before. The birds could immediately bond with each other and not want to spend as much time with you. Alternatively, there is chance they might not get along. Should that happen, they will need to be caged separately. However, if you yourself want another bird, it's still best to keep them separate for safety. They can socialize and entertain each other from a distance.

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Can I put a different type of bird in with my bird?

Sometimes this works, but it's always the best to keep different species housed separately. Other types of birds can have different beak sizes and behaviors. To avoid stress and injury, don't assume mixing species will be successful and keep them separate. 

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Should I clip my bird's wings?

This is a personal decision with many factors. If you can ensure a fully flighted bird will have a safe environment, leaving them flighted is doable. However, if others in the home tend to leave doors or windows open, the bird can fly out of reach, or is at risk of hurting themselves flying, clipping could be a safer option for your household. Often times, when bringing a new bird home, it's advised to clip the wings for the new transition. It keeps the bird calmer and therefore easier to work with. Wing clipping is only temporary and will grow out with their molts. Properly trimming wings does not hurt the bird in any way.

 

Do I need to trim my bird's beak?

Hopefully, you will never need to trim their beak. a beak trim is necessary if the bird has sustained a physical injury to the beak or has a potential underlying illness. This can result in the upper mandible growing far too much downward (like a walrus tusk) or sometimes the lower mandible jutting upward (like a snaggletooth). If the beak is trimmed without needing it, it can cause overgrowth and will need to be trimmed the rest of their lives. Giving your bird plenty of toys to chew naturally helps maintain the beak. In addition, wanting to trim your bird's beak just because they bite hard is not a valid reason to trim.

 

How do I know when it's time to clip my bird's nails?

The easiest way to tell it's time is if their nails hurt when holding them, or snag on your clothing or toys. Ideally their nails should look like half of the letter "C". Nails should be cut every 3-4 months.

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Should I cover my bird's cage at night?​

This is also a personal Choice. Some birds feel more comfortable covered and others do not need it. If the house gets chilly or is otherwise noisy, covering them can keep them warmer or help settle them in for the night. It can also help with night frights if your bird is susceptible to them. 

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What is the band on my bird's leg?

A leg band is for breeder identification. They often have the breeder's initials on them, an identification number for the bird and sometimes the year the bird was hatched. They do not contain any tracking device in the event of escape. The leg band can be removed at a vet's office. 

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Does my bird need a nest to sleep?​​

No, your bird does not need a nest to sleep. Nests are only for breeding birds. If you give a bird a nest (or perceived nest like object, like a tent) it can make your bird hormonal which increases behaviors like biting and screaming, or egg laying in females. They are completely okay sleeping on their perches. Be sure to provide them with a variety to choose from so they can rest comfortably.  

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How do I get my bird to eat pellets?​

Switching a bird on a seed based diet to pellets can be time consuming, but there are a few methods to try if the bird is being picky. Most start with gradually increasing the amount of pellets mixed into their seed every other week until the bird accepts the new food. Some offer a separate dish of pellets next to the seed dish and the bird can curiously approach at their own pace. If your bird is an adventurous eater otherwise you can make 'birdie bread' with crushed up pellets in to get the bird accustomed to the taste. It can take time but the key is to keep offering it. Never starve your bird by only leaving pellets and nothing else to transition "cold turkey."

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Why is my bird scared when I change his cage around?​

As prey animals, it's normal for them to be afraid of environmental change. Your bird's cage is their safety and home, so changes are worthy of unease. That being said, it's healthy for them to change up their set up occasionally. It keeps things interesting for them. Changing out perches and adding new toys will keep them engaged during cage time. Additionally, rearranging the cage often can also lessen cage territoriality. 

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What temperature do birds feel the most comfortable?

In general, when you're comfortable, they're comfortable. Most indoor raised birds do well within the range of 60-80 degrees. Birds are adaptable to temperature changes, but they must acclimate. If you were to take a bird raised indoors and put them into an aviary in the middle of summer, it could be deadly. It's best to bring them out during fair weather to prepare for the extremes of summer and winter. 

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Does my bird have mites?

Most birds kept indoors will not contract mites, but one way to be sure is look for small, pepper-like flecks in their water bowl or in-between their perches. Sometimes you can even see movement on their feet. If you see mites present, they should be treated for it and their cage deep cleaned. 

 

How do I get my bird to stop laying eggs?

If you aren't trying to breed your birds, or you just have a solo female attempting to lay eggs, there are few things that can be done to stop or lessen the behavior.

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• Block access of dark, cozy places that can be perceived as a nesting spot. Sometimes when the bird comes out to play, she might attempt to go under furniture. She is looking for a nest. 

• If you place paper over the grate of the cage and spy your bird burrowing under it, that is also nesting behavior that can be stopped by simply keeping the bedding under the grate. Giving them a tent or any other hiding place also encourages egg laying.

• Lots of birds enjoy a cuddle, but be mindful of where you touch them on their body. stick with petting only the head. If you stroke their back or under their wings, you are touching your bird how a mate would.  

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​​​​​​​​​​My bird will not stop screaming! What do I do?

All birds will make noise to some degree, and depending on species, some do regularly scream. Excessive screaming can be a learned behavior. If your bird enjoys spending time with you or enjoying playtime out of cage, it's normal they will call out when it's time to go back. you can stop a habit before it starts by encouraging independent time alone. Make their cage a safe, fun place to be; not a punishment. Give them lots of toys and foraging opportunities to preoccupy them, use their minds and expend excess energy. A common mistake people make that accidently rewards the bird for screaming is returning to shush, soothe or yell at the bird while they are screaming. Think of it in terms like a child having a tantrum in the check out line and rewarding them with candy to calm them. It could work in the moment, but the bird ultimately learns "when I scream, you come back." Breaking an established habit can be very hard, but practicing the above (with patience) can help.​​​​​​​​​​