10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Bird Happy
- Provide a healthy and varied diet — not just seeds, but grains, beans, vegetables (cooked
and raw) formulated pellets, and some fruit. (Harmful foods include chocolate, avocado, highly
processed or overly salted foods, human junk food, and caffeine.) - Give your bird the largest enclosure possible — no space is too big for a creature adapted
to flying through jungles and across savannas. - Provide daily exercise and ample out-of-cage time, preferably to include free flying in a safe,
supervised environment. (Bird-proofing a room for out-of-cage time includes keeping birds away from
items containing lead and zinc, and from paint chips, ceiling fans, electrical cords, cats and dogs,
and open windows.) - Offer a variety of toys and enrichment activities. www.healthybird.net
- Provide plenty of social interacation with other birds and/or human caretakers.
- Give access to unfiltered sunlight and/or full-spectrum lighting. Birds need exposure to UVA
and UVB rays from direct sunlight (windows block necessary UV rays) or full-spectrum lighting to
synthesize vitamin D necessary for bone health. - Offer daily or weekly misting with a clean spray bottle of water to promote feather and skin
health and for fun! Some birds prefer to bathe in a small container (like their water dish); others
enjoy being misted with water. It is important to allow the birds to air-dry in a warm room or in
the sunshine. - Develop games and teach your bird skills (“jobs”) like foraging or treasure hunts (this can be
done in the house or with creative toys in the cage), cleaning up toys by putting them in a basket. - Provide a secure enclosure, carrier, or harness so your bird can enjoy the outdoors with you.
- Place multiple perches/stands throughout the house so that your bird can benefit from ambient
“flock time” while being included in family activities like watching TV or movies, preparing meals,
playing cards or games.
