Care for your bird
Find general information about your bird’s nutrition, environment, housing, exercise and health needs.
Our UQ VETS avian experts treat birds of all shapes and sizes, from budgies and finches to macaws, pigeons and even ostriches.
Housing for your bird
What to look for in a cage
Choose the largest cage that can be accommodated in your home for birds that are confined most of the time.
The cage must be strong enough to resist bending or dismantling by the bird, made of non-toxic material and designed for safety and ease of cleaning.
In most cases, the cage would need to be wider than it is tall to accommodate stretched wings. Provide ample height for long-tailed birds.
How to keep the cage clean
Clean the cage floor and bowls daily to help prevent problems with food spoilage.
Clean the whole cage every week.
Blood on the floor or abnormal droppings are signs of potential illness.
Which cage liners to use
So you can monitor the appearance and number of droppings, use substrates such as newspaper, paper towel, or other plain cage liner paper rather than wood chips, shell grit, kitty litter or sand.
Substrate can grow bacteria and fungus so minimise your bird’s direct contact with it.
What perches does my bird need?
Natural wood branches, appropriately sized, from pesticide-free and non-toxic trees (such as hardwoods, citrus, eucalyptus and Australian pine) are clean, easily replaceable and inexpensive.
Some well-placed perches may be adequate for agile climbers like parrots because they tend to prefer the highest perch if you provide multiple perches.
Provide a minimum of two perches, one at each end of the cage, for species such as finches, which prefer flying or jumping. You can place more perches in larger cages if they don’t overcrowd the cage.
Position perches so that droppings won’t contaminate food and water sources and high enough so that the bird’s tail doesn’t contact food, water or the cage floor.
Choosing food and water bowls
Whether you use wide food bowls or deep cups depends on the type of bird. Healthy parrots with normal balance can easily approach food and water bowls so in most cases bowls don't need to be directly beside a perch.
Birds often over-eat or chew on food dishes out of boredom. Placing the food at the opposite end of the cage from their water will ensure your bird gets some exercise between eating and drinking. Keep two sets of dishes so you can clean one set while the other is being used.
Providing security
Many birds benefit from a retreat for privacy such as a paper bag, towel or nest box.
How to create an optimal environment
Monitor temperature and humidity
A healthy bird can tolerate temperatures that are comfortable to its owner. Sudden changes in temperature may be a potential threat to a sick bird.
Pet birds can adapt to a range of humidity levels, although birds native to subtropical climates may benefit from occasional increased humidity in the home – for example, in the bathroom with a running shower or frequent misting of the feathers with water (don’t spray your bird directly; spray above it so the water comes down like mist).
Provide light and fresh air
Supervised access to fresh air and direct sunlight (not filtered through glass or plastic) are beneficial if shade is available.
How to keep your bird stimulated
Most pet birds are intelligent and active, so it’s important to identify and meet their psychological needs. Place the cage near family activity in the home.
Letting some species of bird out of its cage indoors will give it freedom and exercise. If you let your bird fly indoors, be aware of other pets, ceiling fans, large windows, hot pans on the stove, and open doors.
Toys are useful as mental diversions and encourage exercise and beak wear but choose toys with the bird’s safety in mind. Chewable items include branches, pinecones, rawhide chews and soft white pine.
Many enhancements to the cage and home can occupy your bird’s attention. Some like to tear paper and enjoy the cardboard from a toilet paper roll; others may like a piece of corn on the cob or a passionfruit. Even branches with leaves placed on or against the outside of the cage, that the bird can pull through the wires, is a form of occupational therapy.
What to feed your bird
Your bird’s diet is critical to its overall care. You can create an adequate feeding plan from a variety of commonly available foods, or you may feed it commercially formulated bird food.
Always keep your bird on the best possible diet, not just during moulting or breeding seasons. It may need more food during certain times but should never be on a diet that needs improving.
Dietary needs vary between species, so ask your UQ VETS avian veterinarian for feeding recommendations.
How to keep your bird healthy
Minimal care is required for a healthy, well-fed pet bird. Confined, indoor pet birds that eat an all-seed diet usually require more care for their beak, nails, feet and feathers.
As a new feather develops, the bird may pick at the pin feather cover to open it. Don’t interpret this as feather picking or a reaction to mites.
Pure water is the most appropriate feather spray. Keep feathers free of oily substances. Gently clean soiled feathers with a mild detergent solution such as baby shampoo, followed by a thorough rinse and dry.
Contact your UQ VETS avian veterinarian for advice about wing clipping to prevent escape or injury, or for taming or training.
Removing or keeping leg rings divides opinion. If a closed ring is left on the leg for identification purposes, check under the ring occasionally for signs of dirt accumulation, swelling, or constriction of the leg.
Most birds enjoy daily bathing. Some will bathe in a dish or bowl; others prefer a large handful of wet lettuce leaves. Don’t add anything to the water. If your bird resists bathing, a daily misting with clean water will encourage it to groom itself and will keep it clean.
We recommend an annual health check for early detection of potential problems.
