When you own birds, you know that accidents may happen.  Depending upon the size of your bird, which accidents are more common will differ.  When you have small bird breeds such as cockatiels, parrotlets, budgies and certain species of conures, there are special considerations you will need to keep in mind.  Nothing is more devastating than losing your companion to a senseless accident that may have been avoided.

Window collisions are a concern for all bird breeds, but can be especially damaging or fatal for small birds.  Your bird loves to fly as well he should, and he may fly with too much enthusiasm right into the hard glass of a window or door.  Most birds learn early to avoid windows during their free flight time, but until your bird does, you can do a couple of things to ensure that no mishaps occur.  Never leave your bird flying unattended until you are absolutely sure he knows that he cannot fly through windows like a ghost. Take the bird up to the window and let him/her touch it with their beak and feet.

Closing the drapes or the blinds until your bird learns the ropes is not usually a great idea as many birds become paranoid about the wonders on the other side of the glass, additionally this can greatly affect your bird’s eyesight if it is kept in a semi-dark room for long periods of time.

One of the most frightening scenarios for bird owners is……… their bird flying away accidentally.  Many times a bird will be frightened by a loud noise or sudden movement and may fly away as a survival response.  Your pet bird is no more suited to living in the wild than a cow or a sheep is.  Accidents like this can happen very easily.  A bird may escape when someone opens the door for any reason, or they may escape from an open window.  For smaller birds, a strong gust of wind is enough to spirit them away.  If you take your bird outside, you can purchase a harness that will keep him safely near you.  You should always use a carrier when you are transporting your bird for extra safety.

There are many accidents that are just waiting to happen, and if you are aware of the risks to your bird, you can take steps to avoid any serious accidents that may bring you and your family grief.  It may be corny but it is true, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

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