Although it is my personal opinion that birds should remain free to fly and conquer the sky, many owners successfully keep some species as pets. Choosing the right bird as a pet should start with adhering to the existing legislation. I refer here to the Conservation of Wild Life Act 1958 which permits some species such as the Common Amazon parrot, the Bullfinch, the Parakeet and the Picoplat to be legally captured and kept caged; but prohibits the captivity of other species during closed hunting season (April 1 to September 30) such as wild ducks, waterfowl and the common vulture (corbeau). For the full list of species please contact the Wildlife Section, Forestry Division at 662-5114.
Having ascertained that you are permitted to keep a particular species (or obtained a permit to keep a protected species), you should spend some time researching the following:
• Life span of the bird (some large parrots can live for decades and may outlive you);
• Bird behaviours and what you want or expect from your bird (talking, singing, performing tricks, some like to be handled and tolerate cuddling whereas others are more apt to bite you);
• Incidence of species-related behavioural problems (biting, screaming, feather-plucking);
• Your lifestyle
Once you have chosen a species suitable to your environment and standard of living, the next step is to choose a breeder. In an ideal world, you would be able to go to a registered breeder who is breeding based on improved genetics for aesthetics, health and temperament. However, all of our pet stores are unregulated and most sell live birds; and the breeders we have tend to be more concerned with making a sale than with the welfare of the animal. If you can source a reputable breeder, make sure the bird is not taken from the parent before it has become independent (at least six to eight weeks old). The first step is to take your bird to an avian veterinarian for a thorough examination to ensure that it is healthy. To ensure a long, happy and healthy life for your new companion clean the bird's environment daily! Clean the feeding utensils, perches, toys and cage with hot, soapy water. If you use paper for droppings, do not use paper printed with coloured ink since most of these are toxic to birds. Birds should never be placed near draughty windows, doors or air vents since they are unable to escape the air flow and can become ill after prolonged exposure. At the other extreme, do not leave them in direct sunlight.
Birds need the sun's ultra-violet rays to help in the absorption of calcium from the food they eat. Calcium makes their muscles well-toned and makes their bones strong and tough. Caged birds are often denied sunlight as most of the time they remain indoors. Indoor birds need 12-16 hours of light a day. It is best to keep your birds on the same schedule so their internal clocks are not constantly being reset. To ensure optimal exposure to sun rays you can keep the cage near a window through which UV rays are coming in or place the cage outside on a sunny day but remember to cover a part of the cage with a cloth so that if the bird feels to cool itself it can get under the cloth. If you must use a cage, it should be large enough for your bird to spread and flap its wings without hitting the bars. A flight cage is ideal, where the bird can actually fly thereby developing the flight muscles. Cages can be useful at times in protecting your birds from the "outside" world (other pets, children, friends and relatives) as well as keeping the bird out of trouble. We will complete our tips on bird care in captivity in my next column.
Guide to Buying from a Pet Store
If you have no choice but to purchase a bird from a pet store, check it for the following:
Ensure the bird is breathing well (not wheezing or straining).
Eyes and nostrils should be clear and clean.
Feathers should be shiny with no bare spots.
The bird should be alert and aware.
Feel the bird's breast bone to check its weight. A protruding breast bone means the bird is underweight and could be ill.
Handle the bird to make sure it likes you.
A sick bird would look tired, droopy with ruffled features and would always have the tendency to hide its head under its wings.
An ill bird would also have its droppings stuck to the feather of the tail.
Always request a complete bill of sale and make sure you can return the bird if your vet determines it is not healthy.
This article is copyright to Best Pets Animal Behaviour Service. For further information contact Kristel-Marie Ramnath at 689-8113 or bestpetsbehave@ hotmail.com