Introducing a new bird into your home requires thoughtful preparation, care, and consistency. A safe environment, proper nutrition, and social interaction are key to helping your new companion adjust and thrive from day one.
The cage: a secure habitat
The environment plays a key role in your bird’s well-being. Your bird’s cage should be made of stainless steel, with no galvanized metal, lead, zinc, or copper—these materials are toxic.
Recommended minimum dimensions:
- Width: at least twice the bird’s wingspan
- Height: at least twice the head-to-tail length
Perches: comfort and variety
Offer multiple types of perches to prevent foot problems:
- Flexible rope perches
- Natural wood (cleaned and disinfected)
🚫 Avoid rough cement perches, which can cause foot injuries and pododermatitis.
Place your bird’s favorite perch higher up, but never directly above food or water dishes.
Cage lining: hygiene and monitoring
Use:
- Newspaper: makes it easy to monitor droppings
Avoid:
- Wood shavings, cat litter, corn cob bedding (retain moisture and cause respiratory issues)
Toys: mental stimulation is key
Toys help prevent boredom and behavioral issues:
- Rotate weekly
- Change placement frequently
✅ Safe materials:
- Rope (no loose strands)
- Natural wood
- White paper, paper towel rolls
- Untreated leather strips
🚫 Avoid toys with zinc, copper, or lead components.
Dangerous household items to avoid
Keep your bird away from common hazards:
- Coins
- Curtain weights
- Heated Teflon surfaces
- Stained glass and Tiffany lamps
- Hair dye (don’t let your bird preen you after coloring your hair)
Cage placement: balance rest and interaction
Place the cage in a draft-free area, away from windows and doors.
Your bird should enjoy daytime interaction but sleep in a calm space.
💤 Tips for healthy sleep:
- At least 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep
- Cover the cage with an opaque cloth
- Avoid noise and light during rest hours
Room temperature
Ideal temperature: between 64–72°F (18–22°C)
🚫 No direct sunlight or drafts—even on mild days.
Diet: the importance of balanced nutrition
Base your bird’s diet on high-quality pellets (e.g., Lafeber, Harrison, Tropican) instead of seed mixes, which lack balanced nutrients.
✅ Ideal composition:
- 70% pellets
- 30% fruits, vegetables, and other fresh foods
Other foods to offer:
- Cooked rice, pasta, egg, lean meat
- Unsweetened fruit juice
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
🚫 Toxic foods to avoid:
- Chocolate, avocado, alcohol, coffee, tea
- Raw eggplant, raw potato
- Garlic, onion, chives, parsley
- Salty, fatty, sweet, or processed foods
Social interaction: essential for well-being
Parrots are highly social. Encourage bonding and engagement:
- Share meals (while respecting dietary rules)
- Include your bird in your routine (shower, harness walks)
- Teach simple commands and play games
- Introduce your bird to new people
- Leave music or TV on when you’re away
Foraging: stimulate natural behavior
In the wild, birds spend most of their time searching for food. At home, encourage this behavior:
- Hide treats in paper or cardboard
- Offer whole foods (banana with peel, grape bunch, melon slice)
- Fill interactive toys with nuts or dried fruit
Essential care
- ✅ Bath: once a week (sink, shower, or gentle misting)
- ✅ Nail filing every 2 weeks (avoid cutting too short)
- ✅ Beak trimming: only if there’s an overgrowth
- ✅ Weekly weighing with a kitchen scale
- ✅ Keep a logbook (weight, molting, behavior)
Warning signs of illness
🚨 Call your vet immediately if you notice:
- Constantly ruffled feathers
- Half-closed eyes
- Open-mouth breathing, tail bobbing with each breath
- Silent bird staying at the bottom of the cage
Conclusion
Welcoming a new bird requires special attention. With a suitable environment, balanced diet, and enriching interactions, your bird will thrive both physically and emotionally.
If you have any questions, our veterinary team is here to help!
