For years the dogs of this world have stolen the spotlight when it comes being the ideal pet. They’re intelligent, fun, cute, and of course what is man without his best friend? Despite their endearing personalities and soft fur, dogs aren’t the only ones who are able to fill the void of man’s best friend. Birds, too, can make for fantastic pets. The common misconception that birds only sit in their cages and squawk is not only inaccurate, but it fails to credit the sentimentalities and bonds that birds have with their owners. Like dogs and cats, birds are emotional and intelligent pets that, when cared for and treated well, can be just as fun as any other furry animal and certainly more unique.
Before one can turn that feathery puzzle into the perfect pet, there are a few behaviors that we as owners should be aware of. The quickest way to get on good terms with our pet is by understanding each other and birds, like dogs or cats, have unique behaviors that may seem confusing to a new owner but shouldn’t be cause for alarm. Keep in mind that birds are living, breathing, and most importantly feeling creatures. In order to keep a relationship with your bird healthy, remember that birds don’t necessarily have to talk in order to express their feelings. There are many other obvious signs that you will see over time that will tell you how their feeling or what they need.
If a bird becomes excited it doesn’t always mean that it’s upset or angry. However, there are a few behaviors to be aware of and if it does seem your bird is either agitated or exceedingly excited, it’s never a bad idea to keep your finger out of its’ face. Eye pining is when the eye of a bird dilates in and out repeatedly and quickly. This is often a very obvious sign of excitement, as is the flaring of tail feathers. When your bird starts clicking its beak, it is most notably a warning to keep your distance. Wait until the bird has stopped clicking or has been left to calm down over a period of time before attempting to stick your hand in the cage.
Some other movements may not indicate any excitement and rather serve functional purposes. Feather fluffing occurs when birds have finished cleaning themselves in order to rid of the excess debris that’s collected within the folds of the feathers. Feather fluffing is also done to keep a bird warm, though, so if your bird seems to be doing an excessive amount of it, it may be ill. Birds may also wipe their beaks on a perch or on the cage after their done eating to rid of extra mess.
Depending on the bird, you may notice that yours has something called a feather crest atop their head. This row of feathers resembles a feathery Mohawk when flared and can indicate a variety of emotions based on the bird. If you notice your bird flaring their crest, take note of its other behaviors. Is it excited? Angry? Hungry? Bored? Ill? Other birds will bob their heads or shake for no obvious reason. It’s not a reason to be alarmed, but it may indicate anxiousness. Birds will also shake after bathing to dry themselves.
Other traits you may notice include the bird grinding their beak right before they fall asleep. This hints to contentment. Birds will also preen their feathers to keep them straight and clean, and this is only cause for worry when the preening becomes excessive. If your bird seems to be biting or plucking their feathers out, something is wrong and the bird may be ill. Regurgitation, not to be confused with vomiting, is also a typical behavior found with birds. Regurgitation occurs when a bird becomes attached to another bird, hatches some eggs, or even establishes a strong bond with its owner. The difference between regurgitation and vomit is that the vomit will stick to the beak and feathers of the bird, making it quite messy and obvious.
Keep in mind that your bird was not bred to live in a cage, ergo the tight confined environment might bore your pet after a while. Give your bird space to fly free and equipment to play with. Like all pets, birds enjoy some free time and the occasional good toy. If you see your bird attempting to lift off in the cage or shuffling uneasily, it’s a good bet that it’s bored or needing some open air. Consider blocking off a room and letting the bird go. It will appreciate it in the long run and the exercise will relieve a lot of pent up energy. Birds will also nap frequently throughout the day. Birds will usually sleep on one leg, and if the bird looks fluffed and is sleeping on two legs it may be ill.
Birds can become so attached to an owner that jealousy and possessiveness can become an issue. If you start noticing this behavior in your bird, don’t become frustrated or agitated in return. Your bird could feed off your negative energy and act aggressive too. Instead, try to deter the behavior in a calm and patient fashion. If you understand what triggers the reaction, you should be able to reverse it. And that is how the owner and pet create a mutual bond of understanding, respect, and friendship.
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