As far as pets go, birds are one of the most curious, colourful, and often noisy additions to a home. People have been drawn to their colours, song, and in the case of some species, their ability to mimic and talk. They can however, live for up to 30 years, so it’s important to consider the commitment involved before buying one.
The overall cost of buying and keeping a bird will vary depending on the species, and the age. Although hand reared young can be more expensive, they are also tamer and easier to settle into their new home. There are many different species of bird, some of which can be kept inside in a cage, others in an outdoor aviary. Popular breeds kept as pets include canaries, budgies, and cockatiels.
Each bird will have different requirements in terms of space, food and nutritional needs, and other equipment. It’s important that you can fulfil all these needs when you take on a chosen bird, otherwise they may become agitated, likely to bite/nip, and may develop the habit of plucking their feathers. If housing a bird indoors, then you also need to make sure they are living in a well ventilated room, and their cage is placed in an area that can be cleaned easily, as they can be messy. Hygiene within the cage or aviary is also important to ensure a healthy bird and living environment, so keeping birds can be somewhat labour intensive. Vets will be able to give advice on common illnesses, parasites, and other signs of ill health, and what can be done to help prevent these things.
With regards to relationships between birds and children, there are no hard and fast rules. They will be a great visual/vocal stimulant for children of any age, and some species of birds can be friendly and very affectionate towards children. Any handling and interaction of birds, is best left for older children. Smaller birds have fragile bone structures, while the larger species have strong beaks and claws, so any interaction/handling should be supervised.
Research is certainly the key to ensuring you and your children have the knowledge needed to look after birds, and give them the environment they need to flourish in. There might be a lot to take in, and it’s certainly time consuming, but ultimately the rewards are there. Who knows your children may grow up to own, show, or even breed a whole host of birds.
