If you own just one bird, chances are you have minimum cleaning and waste problems.  It is easy to buy treats and toys because you are not spending so much on things like grooming.

When you lay out big bucks for items like toys, perches and playgyms, it takes a bite out of your wallet.  To ensure that these items last for some time, the proper care should be afforded for each piece of your bird’s equipment. Sand or scrape wooden perches that have been cleaned to keep them looking like new.  Clean and dry your cage bars on a daily basis to prevent any corrosion.  It is always a good idea to rotate your bird’s toys frequently to keep his interest engaged. 

When you are choosing toys for your bird, get the appropriate size.  If you buy a toy too big, your bird will ignore it and you will have wasted your money.  If you buy a toy too small, your bird is bound to destroy it quicker than it took for you to get it out of the package.  Remember, size does matter.

So do the materials that toys are made from matter?  Pick toys that are made of sturdy and easily cleaned materials.  You can find toys made with hardwood, plastic, leather, and other durable materials.  Some toys come with replacement parts, and bird owners always have the option of creating unique toys from the materials their birds prefer.  You can find many things to help you build and design your own bird toys.  In the end you may actually find that it is not only cheaper, but you enjoy creating them! In a future article we will discuss the materials you can use for making your own parrot toys!

To keep toys in rotation, wash them and dry them thoroughly.  Inspect them closely looking for any cracks that may catch little toes and strings where they can tangled.  Sand any wooden toys that look a bit worse for wear and make sure that you wash any cotton or leather toys in warm sudsy water and rinse extremely well.  Clip any loose or frayed string to ensure added safety.

Our birds are our world, but they can cost us quite a bit of money if we aren’t careful. Daily newspaper and be used for cage liner; never place your bird’s food underneath any of his favorite perches to keep his poop from spoiling it.  Feeding him a well balanced diet of veggies and fruit can also allow your bird mix to last longer. You can own a bird without breaking the bank!

Related Articles:

Let me entertain you!

Pellet Diets

The importance of parrot nutrition!

What should I feed my parrot?

Popularity: 42% [?]

Are you worried your cockatiel or any other bird for that matter may be suffering from boredom?  You can take some simple steps to ensure your cockatiel takes more enjoyment from his environment and keep his mind agile.

Many cockatiels will be content to hang out on a playgym, but most will take the opportunity to become explorers.  If you own a playgym and your bird doesn’t seem to have much interest in staying there, you can outfit the area for fun.  You might think of attaching some new toys on the playgym.  You can also offer a dish that is filled with items like chewable/flavored wood, marbles, plastic buttons and even some air popped popcorn as an added treat.

There are cockatiels who are great snugglers.  If this describes your bird, you can offer him various cuddling options.  There are plush sleeping huts as well as toys you can purchase to fill this need when you aren’t at home.  Keep an eye on your cockatiel when you first bring a plush toy home because you don’t want him/her to get carried away and ingest any of the fabric.

Your cockatiel may enjoy play fighting with his toys.  You may notice that he takes great pleasure in bringing any and all toys down.  If you notice that your bird enjoys this, get him some sturdy and colorful toys he can destroy happily.

When you look at the high price of bird toys, you may become discouraged that you aren’t providing your cockatiel with enough stimulation.  Have no fear, many items you have in your home can be utilized for a cockatiel to play with.  You can try wooden clothespins, strips of burlap, loo paper and the cardboard that is at the end of the roll, to name just a few things that may interest your bird.  With just a little thought and creativity, you are sure to find many more home based toys your bird will enjoy.

Cockatiels are attracted to shiny objects………..  Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 31% [?]

A common complaint of bird owners is the mess that your bird can make all over your floor.  Most people don’t mind the noise of owning a bird, but we certainly don’t know anyone who enjoys the mess that owning a bird brings.  Between food being tossed outside the cage, to birdie poop, keeping your home clean can become quite a challenge.

A new revolution involving cage design appeared on the horizon in the 80s.  Prevue cages carried this feature during the turn of the century.  The original intention of this feature was to direct the fallout from seeds into the cage.  Now this feature is standard on most of the models of larger cages.  Even though some mess ends up on the floor, the bulk of it gets redirected to the cage floor.

Every day manufacturers are discovering new ways to combat the mess of owning a companion bird.  Prevue Pet Products have come up with a patented product that some bird lovers don’t want to live without.  Clean Life Systems is a cage that is designed to manage the mess of even the sloppiest birds.  It seems that the smaller the bird, the bigger the mess, and Prevue Pet Products have kept that in mind when they designed the Clean Life Systems birdcage.

Clean Life models incorporate the seed guard precisely into the foundation of the cage and the drawer has a rim that makes a seal that eradicates the space between the cage and the drawer.  This ensures that nothing falls between the cracks.  It is equipped with a pull out bottom that makes cleaning even easier.

You can purchase Clean Life Systems if you have multiple birds.  You can stack them to give your birds a sanitary home and save space in yours making bird keeping even easier and more enjoyable.  Special features ensure that waste from the cage on top does not drop into the cage on the bottom.  When you decide to house your feathered friends in a Clean Life Systems cage, you are providing a more sanitary environment not only for your household, but for your bird as well.

You can find Clean Life Systems cages in many sizes to house a variety of birds.  They are great for smaller birds like……. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 27% [?]

Before you even make the decision to buy a pet bird, you should do as much research as possible.  When you are ready to go out and buy your bird, you should be armed with enough knowledge to choose, house, feed and train your new friend in at least the basics of bird care. Here at BirdTrade we have written a few articles on buying your first parrot which contain tips on where to buy, what to ask and above all what to expect! Check out our birdcare tips section.

The first book you should choose to own is a book that focuses on the species you have decided to share your home with.  It should tell you what to expect in terms of behavior, housing needs and nutrition as well as many other things you will need to know in order to be a successful bird owner.  Not all birds are alike, so if you think you know about one species and decide to buy another, what you do know may not apply to the bird you have chosen.

You will also want to have a book that will teach you about your bird’s behavior and how to solve any problems that may arise.  If you own a parrot, you may want to check out

“The Pet Parrot Book” by Dr. Peter J. Snyder.  ) This book may give the new parrot owner some insight into the hormonal changes you can expect your parrot to go through during the course of his/her lifetime.  He also sheds some light on the sometimes mysterious behavior and actions of our parrots.

One of our favorite books is “The Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot” by Mattie Sue Athan.  Ms. Athan is one of the foremost parrot behaviorists and her books are an essential item for anyone who wants a well behaved bird.  This book addresses such issues as screaming, biting, feather chewing, and many other issues that may crop up during your relationship with your bird.  Most pet parrots are re-homed because of behavior issues.  When you have the knowledge to address these issues, you will be less likely to give up on your problem bird.

If you want to breed your pet birds you will need a book to learn how to feed and equip your birds with the necessary materials to build a viable nest to raise their young.  A great book for this is

“The Parrot Breeder’s Answer Book” by Gayle A. Soucek.  This is an excellent choice for those who have no prior experience.  Ms. Soucek herself is an experienced breeder and she covers the basics of breeding in terms that are easy to understand.  Some areas the book covers are who should breed parrots and who should not, where and how to obtain breeding stock, maintaining your flock health, avian reproduction, incubation and how to rear your chicks.  It also includes how to work with an avian veterinarian and how to sell your chicks.

Owning a parrot is a rewarding experience.  If you are not prepared it can be a nightmare.  The best way for you to learn all about parrot ownership is to read, read, read.

Popularity: 41% [?]

There are a few products on the market that you can buy that can make taking a bath or shower with your bird even more enjoyable.

One innovative product is called the Perch-N-Sink.  The Perch-N-Sink will mount to any smooth and flat surface like your kitchen sink or even the bathtub.  Many times bathing gets put off because the owner is trying to find a convenient time to shower with their feathered friends.  A Perch-N-Sink is a terrific alternative to a traditional shower perch.  You can also use the Perch-N-Sink like the conventional shower perch.  When you own a Perch-N-Sink, you are covered for just about any type of bathing situation.  You can even use your Perch-N-Sink as a tabletop perch or training stand.

On the more traditional side of shower perches, why not try the "Sandy Shower Perch" that can be used in the shower or in a window.  This Multipurpose Window/Shower Perch has big suction cups to give your bird added security from falls when it attaches to a window.  When you are not using it in your shower, attach it to a window where your bird can watch the world go by while they enjoy basking in the warm sunlight.

The Shower Tower is made by….. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 8% [?]