Birds Of The Same Feathers

Cover windows and reflective surfaces such as mirrors and T.V. screens when you let you bird out for exercise. Birds just don't understand the difference between glass and air!

Keep real plants in a separate room. Many household plants and cut flowers are toxic. Birds often nibble the leaves, so it is better to have artificial plants in the room your bird is in. As a very general guide, plants from bulbs are toxic but have a look on the web for an exhaustive list.

Try to keep your bird in a spot where the temperature is even - placing them near a radiator can trigger moulting (loss of feathers) and placing them in draughty spots can kill them. Remember to give a shady spot if your bird is in a sunny spot or it could get heatstroke.

Keep pets away from your birds. A cat's instinct is to hunt and they can't help being attracted to fluttery little things.

Change your bird's water every day, as germs rapidly multiply. Store seed in airtight containers or it will go off and lose nutritional value. Offer your bird a mixed diet e.g. canaries appreciate a little bit of clean dandelion leaf every now and again.

If you have a fish tank, keep it covered if your bird is out. Birds can drown if they land in it and get their feathers wet. Don't let your bird drink from your teacups or wine glasses - water is safe and that's what they want.

Keep your bird covered as evening wears on, and reduce the noise level. Birds need more sleep than humans.

Place the television screen out of the line of sight of the birds. TVs flicker in a way that birds find unpleasant. Also, don't have any lights shining right on your birds (think about the placement of hinged ceiling lights, etc.).

Check your bird cage for any points where a bird's foot could become trapped, i.e. between the door and the sides. Also, do not give your bird any toys which it could become