Birds come in a wide range of sizes, colours, and forms, making them one of the most diverse groups of domestic pets. Birds may be a handful, so they aren’t for everyone, but those who have them enjoy them, despite the mess and noise. Continue reading if you believe you know everything there is to know about pet birds to see if you can learn something new!
There are an estimated 18,000–20,000 bird species on the planet! Approximately a dozen families of birds are maintained as pets, each family including up to a few dozen species.
In 2017, the United States had around 6 million pet birds.
Parrots and non-parrots are the two most common pet birds.
Parakeets and Cockatiels are the only birds that may be called completely tamed. In essence, all other forms of pet birds are wild creatures.
Dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of birds! Except for one genus of dinosaurs, all became extinct 65 million years ago. The dinosaurs that remained evolved into the birds we know and love today. On the other hand, birds began to evolve some 150 million years ago.
A pet bird can cost as low as $10 for little birds like parakeets to as much as $5,000 or more for huge, exotic birds like Macaws.
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest known bird was Cookie, a Cockatoo who lived for 82 years and 89 days. Cookie survived till the 27th of August, 2016.
It’s fairly unusual for certain parrot species to live for 40–50 years, often outliving their owners.
With adequate care, most pet bird species live at least 10 years old, making birds a multi-year commitment regardless of species.
The dancing antics of cockatoos are well-known. These birds, according to research, make purposeful motions that they modify to variations in tempo and rhythm. They are the only creatures who have demonstrated these talents, aside from humans. Even primates haven’t demonstrated these talents!
Many different species of birds may be taught to love music by playing it for them while they are in a good mood or enjoying a nice experience, such as playing with a new toy or sampling new food. This can assist them in associating music with good experiences, improving their mood.
Certain birds are known to regurgitate undigested or partly digested food to feed their young. Some parakeets have displayed this behaviour by delivering delectable, regurgitated food as a sign of affection when interacting with people.
Keep a close check on your bird’s eyes. Your bird’s big dilated pupils might indicate that he or she is content. On the other hand, small, pinprick pupils might indicate that your bird is tense and about to bite.
If your bird grinds or clicks its beak, it’s most likely expressing happiness or satisfaction with anything it’s been given, such as food or a toy.
Cockatoos, for example, will lift their crest on top of their heads to signify that they are pleased to see you.
Routine is beneficial to birds. Changes in their schedule, such as disruptions, might cause stress and behavioural issues.
Some birds, such as roosters, are so ingrained in their patterns that they may be as dependable as an alarm clock. This is one of the reasons why some localities prohibit the ownership of roosters.
Many household birds are very susceptible to some airborne pollutants. Artificial room fresheners, cleaning products, and even the vapours released by Teflon-coated cookware, which humans cannot detect, are examples.
Birds, like dogs and cats, require regular veterinarian care. These visits might be for nail, wing, or beak trimmings, as well as routine health checks to ensure no diseases develop.
Psittacosis is a bacterial illness that affects more than 400 different bird species. It’s potentially fatal, but it’s also curable. It’s also known as Parrot Fever, and it’s very contagious among birds. It can also be transferred by humans who have come into touch with an infected bird or its belongings, such as feathers or bedding.
Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease that can cause a moderate to severe lung infection and is transmissible to people.
Pet birds are very interesting, there are so many things to learn about them. Let us know in the comments what species of birds do you have…