How to look after a pet bird: company, housing, flying, diet and safety

Pet birds can be wonderful companions, but they're often harder to care for than people expect. The RSPCA says many birds are very intelligent and lead busy lives in the wild, finding food, flying and living in groups. That can be hard to recreate at home, and some parrots can live for over 50 years. Each species has different needs, so research the bird you're considering before you bring one home.

In England and Wales, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 requires anyone responsible for an animal to meet its welfare needs. These include a suitable environment and diet, being able to behave normally, being housed with or apart from other animals as appropriate, and protection from pain, injury and disease. Similar duties apply in Scotland under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and in Northern Ireland under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

Company: one bird or two?

The RSPCA says most birds are social animals that do better with the company of other birds. How you manage this depends on the species.

• Budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, canaries and zebra finches. These colony-breeding species can live together in compatible social groups, in a large aviary or a large cage. Every bird needs room to fly and to get away from the others.
• Large parrots, such as African greys, Amazons, cockatoos and macaws. Keep them in a single pair only. The RSPCA warns that two large parrots in one cage are likely to fight. Keep them in separate cages in the same room so they can see and hear each other.
• Hand-reared birds. These may prefer human company and not get on well with other birds.

Introduce new birds gradually. The RSPCA suggests starting with their cages half a metre apart and moving them closer over several sessions. Signs they're starting to accept each other include copying each other, preening and feeding calmly together.

Housing: cage and aviary size

The RSPCA advises:

• Cage size. Your bird should be able to flap their wings as often and as hard as they want. If they spend most of their time in the cage, the height, width and depth should each be at least twice their wingspan. If they spend most of their time out of the cage, at least one and a half times.
• Groups in a cage. Only colony-breeding species such as budgies, cockatiels and lovebirds should share a cage. Add 5% to the size for every small bird over two, such as budgies and canaries, or 10% for birds between 50g and 100g, such as cockatiels and lovebirds.
• Aviaries. The height, width and depth should be at least four times the largest bird's wingspan, plus 20% for each extra bird.
• Position. Put the back of the cage against a solid wall and cover the top with a cloth so your bird feels safe from behind and above.

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) suggests placing the cage out of direct sunlight and draughts, and away from anything that gives off fumes.

Flying: why it matters and how to do it safely

Flying is one of a bird's most important natural behaviours.

Wing clipping isn't recommended

The RSPCA says wing clipping is bad for your bird and doesn't always help anyway. It won't stop your bird flying away outdoors, as any wind can let them gain height. Growing "blood feathers" can be damaged during clipping and bleed heavily. Clipped birds may also be attacked by birds that can fly, and need specially adapted housing.

Safer alternatives

The RSPCA suggests:

• a large aviary with a double-door porch to prevent escapes, or a large indoor flight area where your bird can fly freely for at least six hours a day
• training your bird to fly to you on request
• microchipping or ringing your bird so they can be identified if they escape
• never letting your bird fly outside unless they're in a secure enclosure
• not walking around with your bird on your shoulder, as you could accidentally take them outside

Bird-proof the room

Before letting your bird out, the RVC advises making sure the room is completely secure. Close windows and doors, block chimneys, turn off heaters and fans, and remove any poisonous house plants.

Diet: more than just seed

The RSPCA warns that ready-made seed mixes are high in fat and low in calcium, vitamins and essential amino acids. Seed-only diets can lead to obesity, fatty liver disease and vitamin A and calcium deficiency.

• Parrots. Most of their food should be complete pellets made for parrots, with the rest made up of washed fresh vegetables and some fruit, such as carrots, broccoli, peas and deseeded apple. Give seeds and nuts only occasionally, as treats or training rewards.
• Budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds and parrotlets. These small parrots need some seed each day, but only as a small part of their diet, alongside pellets, fresh vegetables and fruit. An avian vet can advise on the right balance for your bird.
• Canaries and finches. These also benefit from good-quality pellets, plus fresh greens such as dandelion, chickweed or groundsel.
• Never feed avocado. The RSPCA says it's highly poisonous to parrots.

Change a bird's diet gradually, over weeks or months, and talk to an avian vet first.

Enrichment and attention

Birds need to stay busy. The RSPCA suggests encouraging foraging by giving smaller meals more often in different places, hiding food, wrapping pellets in paper or small cardboard boxes to tear open, freezing food in ice blocks, and occasionally offering whole nuts to crack.

Water, bathing and cleaning

The RVC's budgie care advice says:

• fresh water should always be available, both for drinking and in a shallow dish for bathing, and changed daily
• the cage or aviary should be cleaned out at least once a week with a suitable disinfectant, to help prevent disease
• natural tree branches make better perches than sandpaper covers, helping prevent foot injuries and overgrown nails

Household dangers

• Non-stick pans. When pans with a non-stick PTFE coating, such as Teflon, are overheated, they release fumes that are highly toxic to birds. The MSD Veterinary Manual says this is a common cause of poisoning in birds kept in or near kitchens, and small birds often die suddenly. Keep birds out of the kitchen and never let non-stick pans overheat or boil dry.
• Other fumes. The RVC warns that tobacco smoke, air freshener plug-ins and deodorants can irritate a bird's airways and can sometimes be fatal.
• Open windows and doors. Always check before your bird is out of their cage.

Health checks

The RVC recommends annual health checks for pet birds, as medical problems are easier to treat if they're found early. Register with a vet who treats birds before you need one. If your bird's nails need attention, your vet can deal with them at a check-up.