Birds are sociable little creatures. They thrive on company and frequent interaction. Many species of birds are fun and engaging as pets. If you are considering getting a bird, you will need to prepare basic care items such as good housing and nutritious food. 

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Birds thrive in large cages, so try to purchase the largest cage your house can accommodate. A general rule is that the width of the cage should be at least twice the wingspan of the bird. 

Here are some standard requirements:

• Cage bars should not be too small. Your bird’s talons may get caught on them. Correspondingly, the bars should not be too large. Your bird’s cage may get trapped or they can squeeze through and escape. 
• The larger the cage the better. Larger bird cages may be harder to clean and are more expensive. However, if you are not in the house often or do not have the time to take your bird out for exercise, a bigger cage is essential. It is important to note that small cages can lead to behaviour problems. 

Choosing the Right Cage Shape

Try to opt for a rectangular cage for your bird. Circle cages can be bad for your bird as there is barely any space for the bird. Furthermore, there are no corners for them to feel safe in. Circle cages tend to cause the bird to twist their head which can cause behavioural problems. 

Ensuring Enough Space is Provided

If you are housing more than one bird, ensure that they have adequate space. Never house more than one bird in a small cage. They need space to retreat, fly and to be apart from other birds. Thus, the more birds being kept, the larger the cage must be. 

Placing the Cage in the Right Location

Your bird’s cage should be kept indoors and in a room with frequent traffic. Birds are social animals and will become depressed if isolated. 

• Hanging cages can be transported outdoors and hung at bird-singing corners.  It is important to remember to bring the bird back before cool evening breezes and night air arrive.
• Location of your bird’s cage will be affected by their personalities. A very scalable bird might love being the centre of attention, so you might want to place them in an area with constant human traffic. However, a nervous bird might be happier in a quieter area such as in the corner of a room. 
• Refrain from placing your bird in front of a window permanently. Your bird will constantly be on the lookout for ‘enemies’ which can cause them to feel nervous. Putting their cage against a wall can give them a break from worrying about it. 

Cleaning of the Cage

Clean your bird’s cage on a daily basis as it can reduce the risks of bacterial, fungal or viral infections. A bird that lives in a clean environment tends to be more active and happy. 

• Change the bedding daily.
• Remove uneaten food at the end of the day.
• Clean with basic and non-toxic cleaning supplies. Ensure that a product is safe for birds before usage as birds are easily poisoned.

Bird Cage Bedding

Place some old newspapers or magazine papers on the bottom of the cage. These papers can be disposed of with ease which makes cleaning easier. If you prefer other bedding, you can line the bottom of the cage with wood chips, kitty litter or sand. 

Diet

You should provide your bird with a variety of food on a daily basis. A healthy diet for most bird breeds consists of 75% pellets and 25% human food. Precise dietary requirements are dependent on the species. 

You can consult with an avian veterinarian to understand more about the types of food your breed needs. An amazing veterinary for avian and exotic animals would be Beecroft. Ensure that you are providing the correct feed for the species of bird. Some birds can be picky and others have a very strict dietary requirement. Thus, it is important to get the correct feed. 

Feed your bird regularly at about the same time each day so that your bird knows when to expect its food. Smaller birds with higher metabolism may need to be fed more frequently. In addition to that, you can make feed more interesting and enjoyable. For instance, you can ask your bird to sing or talk for its food. 

Providing Vegetables and Fruits

Give them fresh fruits and vegetables every day as it adds variety to their diet. A mixture of foods is both fun and healthy for birds. You can provide them with a variety of fruits and veggies such as oranges, berries, spinach and celery. 

Fresh Water

There should be fresh water provided constantly. Fill the water dish with average temperature water. Remember to give your bird a large and shallow dish as they can struggle drinking out of deep dishes. 

• You can put the water dish at the opposite end of the bird’s cage from the food dish. Allowing them to move around and be active while eating and drinking.
• Dehydration can occur in birds within one to two days without access to water.

Keep the Food and Water Sanitary

Food and water dishes should be located up high to avoid bird faeces from dropping into their food. Remember to clean your bird’s food and water dishes daily. 

Toys and Socialising

You need to provide at least four toys that are varied and interesting. Place their toys in multiple places around the cage as it will allow them to move around and help satisfy your bird’s foraging instinct. Ensure that these toys are bird-safe. For instance, bells are great bird toys. Here are a list of toys that can be unsafe for birds:

• Frayed ropes
• Wire
• “Jingle-bell” types of bells

Hold and pet your bird regularly as they crave socialisation with humans. They can become bored, lonely and unhealthy if they are left in their cage all day. Play with your bird every day to ensure that they get their daily exercise. 

Taking Care of Your Bird’s Health

It is important to bring your bird to the vet for a regular checkup to ensure that your bird is healthy. 

Additionally, you should provide a large container for self-cleansing. Birds are capable of handling their own grooming and will clean themselves in the container. In Singapore, the weather is usually warm. You can squirt your bird with water from a spray bottle as they love the cooling sensation.