January 5th is National Bird Day

10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Bird Happy

National Bird Day recognizes that birds are non-domesticated animals that belong in the wild where they can fly free and express their natural behaviors. However, due to the large number of birds living in captivity which cannot be returned to the wild and the limited space available in avian sanctuaries, optimizing care of birds held in private hands can go far in reducing suffering and improving the welfare of captive birds. We provide the following suggestions for those with birds in their care.

1. Provide a healthy and varied diet — not just seeds, but grains, beans, vegetables (cooked and raw) formulated pellets, and some fruit. (Harmful foods include chocolate, avocado, highly processed or overly salted foods, human junk food, and caffeine.) Read a Q&A about the ethical issues involved with feeding birds.
2. Give your bird the largest enclosure possible — no space is too big for a creature adapted to flying through jungles and across savannas.
3. Provide daily exercise and ample out-of-cage time, preferably to include free flying in a safe, supervised environment. (Bird-proofing a room for out-of-cage time includes keeping birds away from items containing lead and zinc, and from paint chips, ceiling fans, electrical cords, cats and dogs, and open windows.)



4. Offer a variety of toys and enrichment activities. (Buy toys from creative BirdyBooty toys and help support bird rescue.)
5. Provide plenty of socialization with other birds and/or human caretakers.
6. Give access to unfiltered sunlight and/or full-spectrum lighting. Birds need exposure to UVA and UVB rays from direct sunlight (windows block necessary UV rays) or full-spectrum lighting to synthesize vitamin D necessary for bone health.
7. Offer daily or weekly misting with a clean spray bottle of water to promote feather and skin health and for fun! Some birds prefer to bathe in a small container (like their water dish); others enjoy being misted with water. It is important to allow the birds to air-dry in a warm room or in the sunshine.
8. Develop games and teach your bird skills (“jobs”) like foraging or treasure hunts (this can be done in the house or with creative toys in the cage), cleaning up toys by putting them in a basket.
9. Provide a secure enclosure, carrier, or harness so your bird can enjoy the outdoors with you.
10. Place multiple perches/stands throughout the house so that your bird can benefit from ambient “flock time” while being included in family activities like watching TV or movies, preparing meals, playing cards or games.
11. Remember your bird’s health care is just as important as yours.  Make sure your bird has an annual physical examination yearly with his or her veterinarian.  Early detection of disease or health concerns will make sure your friend lives a long and healthy life.

Wondering what else you can do to celebrate National Bird Day click here to find out what you can do to protect the wild birds in your yard and here to find out how you can protect wild birds from window injury.