| Selecting and Training Birds |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-212 |
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It takes a special person to care for a bird, say Ask DIY Pet Care Experts Stephanie Zielinski and Joel Tatum. Below, the veterinary duo answer five of the most common queries about selecting and training birds as pets. Q: How do I choose the right bird? A: A lot of birds can live a very long time. The macaw (figure A), for example, can live up to 80 years. Some birds have the intelligence of a small child, too, so they need a lot of care and attention. Consider how much care you're willing to give when before you decide to get a bird. Then research the different types of birds. Some will need more attention than others, some cost more and some are very noisy. Generally, it's a good idea to start out with a small bird, like a budgie or a cockatiel (figure B). They have just as much personality as the larger birds like macaws or amazons, which are best left to the experts. If you decide to take on a bird, you want to get a healthy one. He should be interested and alert, looking around at his surroundings. Make sure the nostrils are clear and free of any type of discharge. And look for bright, clear eyes that don't have any discharge. A bird that's sick may have half-closed eyes. Look for birds with eyes wide open. Then listen to the bird's breathing for clicking or wheezing sounds -- they are signs of respiratory infection. Also try to detect "tail bobbing," meaning a bird's tail bobs down as it labors to breathe, another sure sign of respiratory problems. Ask the person who's selling the bird if she offers a health guarantee. Then you can take the bird to an avian veterinarian for a complete check-up, and return the bird if it has any health problems. Even if the check-up is not offered as part of the price of the bird, a veterinary visit should be your first order of business after purchase. Q: What kind of cage should I buy?
A: The largest cage that you can afford! Birds in the wild are free to fly around and pet birds also need space, so buy a cage that's big enough for your bird to stretch his wings. Never buy a round cage. None of them are big enough for a bird to fly from perch to perch. Flying around and around in such a cage can also damage your bird's tail feathers. Never put your bird's cage in direct sunlight or drafty areas, or near registers or radiators. Keep the temperature around the cage from 65 to 85 degrees F. Q: How do I hand-tame my bird? A: The key is taking your time and making sure your bird's wings are clipped, so she doesn't injure herself. Talk softly to your bird for the first few days, or more, until your bird is calm when you approach. Next start feeding your bird through the bars of her cage, so she can get more used to your hand. If all goes well with that after a few days, open the cage and start feeding your bird through the door. Once she's comfortable with that, feed your bird through the open door, keeping the hand you want her to step on between her and the food. Slowly pull the food back while gently pushing up on the bird's chest with your finger so she'll step on. Make sure to say the word "Up!" as soon as she steps on, so she'll learn to associate the word with the command. And then give her a lot of praise and give her the treat. Don't get frustrated if your bird doesn't catch on right away. Q: How do I get my bird to eat fruits and vegetables? A: Get creative! Make the pieces long or put them into toilet paper rolls -- hang them from the roof of the cage -- whatever it takes to get the bird interested. Q: How do I get my bird to talk? A: First, a word of caution. If you only want a bird so that it will talk, you probably shouldn't be buying a bird, because there's no guarantee and it takes lots of patience. With that said, if you do want a talking bird, some are more likely to speak than others, including amazons, cockatoos, and African grays. To start training your bird, take him from his cage with your hand and then move your hand very close to your mouth. Pick one word and say it as clearly and succinctly as you can. Say the word for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, twice a day. Web site resources for Bird Selection and Training: Bird Care From All-Creatures.com Selecting A Bird From Kaytee.com Birds From Pet Help.Net Books: Caring For Your Pet Bird
by David Alderton
ISBN: 0789410774
Dorling Kindersley (1997)
DK Publishing, Inc.
95 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-4800
Fax: 212-213-5240
Web site: www.dk.com Your And Your Pet Bird: The Complete Owners Guide To Cage And Aviary Birds
by David Alderton
ISBN: 0679740619
Alfred A. Knopf (1992)
Random House, Inc.
299 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10171
Phone: 212-751-2600
Web site: www.aaknopf.com
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