Every day, I receive questions from potential bird parents who wonder if they would be a good bird parent. Most of them read something on the internet giving a reason why they wouldn’t be a good bird parent. There is no perfect parent—for birds, humans, or any other living thing. Sure, there is an ideal, but realistically, we’re all human so we can’t be perfect. I’m going to discuss some of the common reasons why people are dissuaded from bird ownership.
Age
The most common reason people aren’t sure if they should get a bird, is the age of the person. Some say they are too old and others say they are too young.
Older adults typically have the advantages of living in a stable environment in which they are not as likely to move, have periods of job insecurity, or have adjustments to the members of their household, such as babies or divorces. They tend to have reached a point where there is a certain amount of disposable income that can be spent on bird toys, veterinary care, and other avian needs. On the other hand, they are closer to the end of their lives and, if getting a bird with a longer lifespan, need to have a contingency plan in place such as a family member, friend, bird adoption service, or sanctuary that has room for another bird. Some older adults find that adopting a bird from a rescue provides a great solution with a mutual benefit for both the bird and the human. Others select birds with shorter life-spans, such as budgies or finches.
Young children should always be supervised when handling a bird. As they grow older, the responsibility as the primary care-giver can be great for their own development. That having been said, parents need to check and double-check (At least daily!) that there is fresh food and water, that toys aren’t in need of replacement, and that the cage is clean. The parents, therefore, need to recognize that ultimately, they purchased the bird for themselves, and they are the ones responsible for the bird.
Teens and young adults can form life-long bonds with their bird or with a special species. As a teenager, I knew I wanted to ‘raise budgies in my room.’ The parakeet my parents purchased for me around the time of my birth had passed, but the life-long desire for budgies is one that lives to this day. Since I graduated from high school, I have always had budgies. I can’t imagine life without their cheerful chatter. When dating, my cockatoo reduced the available pool of potential boyfriends. Young adults need to consider future partners as well as the impact of marriage and children on the time, emotional energy, and finances and what might then be available for their bird.
You don’t know what your future holds—you could be healthy and active past age 100. You also don’t know what a bird’s future health concerns may be. It could outlive you, or it could have a disease, such as cancer, that will take it out way sooner than you are ready.
Time
Some people tell me they would love to have a bird, but, due to work or family life, don’t have the hours each day they think you need to spend with a bird. For them, the solution could be rather simple—they could get two birds. No, the birds wouldn’t bond to the person and be as handleable as they would if they were an ‘only’, but they will be happy. The interaction between birds can be delightful and entertaining to observe, so this option shouldn’t be ruled out.
Location
Some people tell me that they wish they could have a bird, but they live in an apartment, and it is too small or thin-walled for a bird. One solution involves getting furniture, such as bookcases or entertainment centers, to help block the sound. Tapestries, especially quilts, can also deaden sound. Another solution involves selecting quieter birds, such as finches and budgies or birds with a delightful voice, such as canaries. Many years ago, I knew a couple who travelled the country in an R.V. complete with a flight cage for their budgies in the back. The birds were very happy as was the couple. Based on that experience and my own living in apartments with a significant number of birds, I would say that as long as the landlord permits bird ownership, there is no reason not to have a bird.
Cats
Cats are predators and birds are prey—we learned this by watching Tweety bird cartoons as children. It is not a question of ‘if’ there will be an issue, but rather, ‘when’. I have known dozens of people who said their cat will never bother their bird and, months or years later, have a problem, and often, no longer have a bird. Cat scratches and bites can cause Pasteurella infections (cat scratch fever) resulting in sepsis within 24 hours. Cat scratches and bites are always a veterinary emergency. Having a cat and a bird can work, however, if the cat is kept in one portion of the home and the bird in another. Still, I strongly discourage indoor cats and birds in the same home.
Dogs
It really depends on the dog and the bird involved. As with cats, some dogs are predators and enjoy chasing birds. Like cat saliva, dog saliva typically also contains Pasteurella and can have the same results and is always a veterinary emergency. Dogs are more readily trained than cats. One nip from a fierce cockatoo can teach a puppy not to mess with it. Still, dogs and birds should not both be loose, unsupervised. Ever.
Conclusion
For most people, if they want to share their life with a bird, there is a way they can do this!
