Budgerigars are very common pets in our families, and this is not surprising. They are smart birds, it is interesting with them, they can be taught to talk, the maintenance is inexpensive when compared with other animals, and they take up little space in the apartment (although this is how you look, because parrots can be very active and be literally everywhere at the same time) … Nevertheless, many owners know very little about their pets, which sometimes has a detrimental effect on the bird. I will share my experience not as an ornithologist or veterinarian, but as an experienced and experienced owner of these wonderful birds that have been real members of our family for many years.
What do you need to know if you have a parrot and you want him to live a long and happy life? Without lengthy prefaces, I will list the points that at one time I singled out for myself:
- It is very harmful for parrots (and birds in general) to eat the same food as us. Yes, it is very touching to watch a bird drinking borscht from a plate or biting off your bread. But our food with you can cause serious harm to the health of the bird, up to poisoning, which the bird may not survive.
- Parrots have a very fast metabolism. If the bird is poisoned and has not received treatment, usually death occurs in a day. Unfortunately, poisoning is very easy to overlook. Birds can be poisoned at home by anything, one of our males was poisoned, for example, with wallpaper glue, when he was gnawing this same wallpaper. We were lucky to be spotted on time. How do you know if a bird has been poisoned? Trembling (or flinching) of the wings and tail, refusal of food, vomiting are possible. I highly recommend that you always have Enterosgel in your first-aid kit, we do not translate this medicine, there is always a spare tube. This drug literally saved my bird from death, when the symptoms were already very pronounced, while the improvement came within a minute (!) After taking the drug. I also give this magical thing to a dog sometimes. And in general, now I am calm - if suddenly my parrot accidentally eats something that is not intended for him to eat (for example, after trying the cream from my face), I immediately give a drop of gel, without waiting for the symptoms. The drug itself is harmless.
- In my opinion, only Fiori food can be considered safe food. Someone also recommends "Padovan", but, in my opinion, the pieces of fruit in this food of absolutely unnatural colors look like potential poisoners for poultry. Rio-type feeds have already tarnished their reputation - a batch of feed was released, from which a lot of birds died, the feed turned out to be too iodized. Therefore, I would not take risks with cheap feed, the birds do not eat so much to save the unfortunate fifty rubles a month. Mineral stone also exists for me only "Fiori" - this is the only mineral stone in my memory without sharp fasteners. If you go to any forum for parrot lovers, you will see how many legs and beaks have ruined these metal mounts. For a parrot, a beak injury can become a disability for life, many cannot eat on their own after that, so I recommend playing it safe and learning from other people's mistakes.
- The water must be fresh. Always.
- Many houseplants are poisonous to birds. I have only one plant, for this very reason. I bought chlorophytum, which with peace of mind I allow my birds to gnaw, it will not do them any harm.
- Do not give the bird any (!) Dubious treats and feeding, if you are not one hundred percent sure of their safety. Better not give it at all. Too many birds have died from all kinds of treats sold in pet stores to offer the bird the first "tasty" on the counter, as well as the second and third.
- Parrots are very curious. I don’t want to give depressing statistics, but because of my curiosity, these birds very often die. Never leave a bird outside the cage when leaving the house. Do not leave large-necked water bottles open. I still do not put glasses of water in the room with the bird, any containers of water - if I leave the room, I take either the bird or the water with me.
- It is advisable not to let the bird into the kitchen, or at least not to let it out of the cage while you are cooking - often birds sit on hot pans, hot pots, etc.
- Parrots are social birds. In some European countries, a law has been passed that prohibits the solitary keeping of these birds, as they suffer greatly, even being the most tame birds in the world. At the same time, matriarchy reigns in parrots, therefore, for example, two males can be settled together, but two females are highly undesirable, they will begin to rigidly divide the territory. If you first purchased one bird, and not a couple, and now decided to still ensure the bird's need for communication with your own kind, you should act very carefully and take it seriously: in no case should you immediately add a new bird to your cage. "Keshe" birds are likely to be extremely hostile towards each other, especially if you are trying to mate a male and a female. Many articles have been written on this topic, if you do everything right, then the risk that the birds do not get along is minimized.
- A bird cage should be a spacious house with ladders, swings, toys, and not a punishment cell in which the bird has nowhere to turn around.
- The flight of the bird must be ensured necessarily and regularly. If this is not done, obesity, heart disease, and many other problems can develop. The most important thing is that it is simply inhumane towards the pet. One of our birds died of a stroke, since his former owners (it was a male) practically did not let him out of the cage, so he lived with them for a year and a half in a punishment cell, his heart became very weak, and, starting to fly with us, he was constantly tormented shortness of breath. The outcome was sad.
- If you search and study the material on the topic of "what this or that behavior of a parrot" means, you will become much better at understanding your feathered pet.
For almost twenty years I have been familiar with these wonderful creatures and I can say that I am immensely jealous of those who live with these birds. Our last bird has not been with us for about two months, and I cannot decide to let a new bird into my soul and house. Despite the fact that the bird weighs about thirty grams, it occupies the whole house, and when it leaves, silence and emptiness remain. A parrot can become a real friend to you, can love you with all its soul, which these birds have incomparably more than themselves.
How many birds I have seen, and each one has its own character, its own habits, its own quirks, its attachments and antipathies. I really love dogs, but, to be honest, I had birds that turned out to be much more interesting than dogs, much smarter and more intelligent. Therefore, if a bird lives in your house, and you know little about it, try to make friends with it, tame it, and the return will greatly exceed the invested mental strength.
