Tips and Guide to Keeping Pet Birds Safety at Home

One of the more fragile mammals in the animal kingdom, it is hard to imagine that some species of birds can live longer than their owners. Some may have even heard of the practice of miners going into mines with a canary. Miners used the canaries to gauge if the air in these tunnels were unhealthy, as the birds would perish long before the air reached fatal limits for humans.This practice is proof to the fact that birds are very attuned to the environment.

Just like birds found in the wild, pet birds are susceptible to unhealthy odors as well. Many household items, Teflon pans, aerosol sprays and even furniture polish, can be lethal to birds. One of the best practices when dealing with substances that may give off pungent odors is to use it in airy areas far away from your birds.

Pet birds have a natural inclination to chomp and it can be a major issue. Lead poisoning can be caused when a bird chews on soldered joints found on welded items. Also, birds do have a penchant to chew on potted plants. Despite contrary belief, poinsettia plants are not poisonous. It is important to remember that if you are unsure if a plant is toxic or not, it is best to err on the side of caution and move the plant away from the bird. A small pot of innocuous parsley can be helpful to the bird to overcome the desire of nibbling on houseplants as it is a safe substitute.

Fresh food that is fed to your birds will do them a whole lot of good; however, avocado, coffee and chocolate, are toxic to birds and should never be fed to them.

During festive seasons, many families tend to bring trees into their homes. Many people associate a tree with a birds natural habitat and assume that their birds will enjoy climbing it. While the birds may in fact enjoy such an activity, many pine trees are toxic to birds, especially if they have been treated with any type of preservatives. In addition, ornaments and electric lights can pose a safety hazard to your birds.

If your bird does not have its wings clipped, there are quite a few additional safety concerns to be addressed. First, all windows and glass doors should be covered in some way. A good bet is achieved by blinds, shades or curtains. Placing safety decals on windows and glass is another option, besides curtains or blinds, to alert the bird that the glass is there and help avoid serious or fatal accidents. Mirrors and other large reflective surfaces should be treated similarly when your bird is out of its cage.

Standing water can pose as a form of danger as well. The bird can meet its untimely end in a toilet bowl or full kitchen sink in a few seconds. Cooking while a bird is out of its cage is not advised, especially if you have an uncovered pot on the stove.

Finally, always be mindful of the whereabouts of your bird even if its wings are clipped. On an updraft, even a bird with clipped wings can glide for quite some distance. It is easy to forget that your bird is perched on your shoulder when your doorbell suddenly rings and you rush to answer it but you must remember never to carry your bird to an open door regardless of whether or not its wings are clipped.

Article Source: Article Crop

About the Author

Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet owners deal with their home pet problems. You can find more home bird care problems and solutions on his site.

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