Taking birds outside: Dangerous?

[BirdieNumNum]

I always wondered if taking your birds outside was bad for their health or not. Of course fresh air is always good, but since they have such sensitive respiratory systems, could they get sick from going outside? I always get scared of "what if there's swine flu floating around in the atmosphere" or some other disease. I would love to take my bird with me on walks and I know people bring their birds outside all the time (otherwise what's the point of an Aviator harness?) but can a bird get sick from it?

 

[Echo]

No, bringing your bird outside will not make it sick. However, make sure the temperature is comfortable. And of course, either use a harness or a cage to safely have your bird enjoy the outdoor.

 

[BirdieNumNum]

No, bringing your bird outside will not make it sick. However, make sure the temperature is comfortable. And of course, either use a harness or a cage to safely have your bird enjoy the outdoor.

Awesome thanks!! I always worried and wondered and never asked to confirm.

 

[Remy]

Birds come from outdoors, and most birds actually do live outside (wild)! I'd just keep it away from wild bird poop, because that's the most likely way that disease can be transmitted (I think).

That being said, my mom has had a dove in her aviary (she has a few, but this one in particular) for about 7 years. He's always been and outdoor bird. He even escaped once, but came back, and is perfectly healthy and happy.

Puck LOVES to go outside! He'll get on the window sill and make silly noises when he wants to go out. When we do go outside, he gets all happy and excited, even if he's just standing on my finger while I walk around. Sometimes I let him climb around on plants, which he absolutely LOVES! (I'm VERY careful and keep a very close eye on him when we do these things!)

 

[Autumn]

No need to worry about the many dangerous toxins in the air we all breathe it it does no harm. If you are worried about the avian bird flu or swine flu(which is a hype in my opinion) there are indicator species like pigeons, crows, mockingbirds, magpies that basically say if theyre fine outside so is my parrot. But if they start falling from the sky or attacking you then you should probably take a hint.

Just watch for Apex avians hence: Hawks etc.

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Birds come from outdoors, and most birds actually do live outside (wild)! I'd just keep it away from wild bird poop, because that's the most likely way that disease can be transmitted (I think).

Mmm I see what you're saying.. but since our birds live inside and aren't really exposed to the outside as much, would their immune system not be as strong?

No need to worry about the many dangerous toxins in the air we all breathe it it does no harm.

Well that's true, but humans can breathe in teflon fumes and paint and perfume and air freshener and all of that stuff, but that kills birds because they have a more complex respiratory system. Maybe there's a lower concentration of that stuff outside so it's less likely to do damage? I'm not really sure, that's just what I thought.

 

[Autumn]

Birds come from outdoors, and most birds actually do live outside (wild)! I'd just keep it away from wild bird poop, because that's the most likely way that disease can be transmitted (I think).

Mmm I see what you're saying.. but since our birds live inside and aren't really exposed to the outside as much, would their immune system not be as strong?

No need to worry about the many dangerous toxins in the air we all breathe it it does no harm.

Well that's true, but humans can breathe in teflon fumes and paint and perfume and air freshener and all of that stuff, but that kills birds because they have a more complex respiratory system. Maybe there's a lower concentration of that stuff outside so it's less likely to do damage? I'm not really sure, that's just what I thought.

​

Do research on the health or lifespan or reason of death of Feral Parrots population in your state.
You can conclude from there whether the weather is safe, hehehe.
Use Google(No advertisement intended . . .)

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Birds come from outdoors, and most birds actually do live outside (wild)! I'd just keep it away from wild bird poop, because that's the most likely way that disease can be transmitted (I think).

Mmm I see what you're saying.. but since our birds live inside and aren't really exposed to the outside as much, would their immune system not be as strong?

No need to worry about the many dangerous toxins in the air we all breathe it it does no harm.

Well that's true, but humans can breathe in teflon fumes and paint and perfume and air freshener and all of that stuff, but that kills birds because they have a more complex respiratory system. Maybe there's a lower concentration of that stuff outside so it's less likely to do damage? I'm not really sure, that's just what I thought.

Do research on the health or lifespan or reason of death of Feral Parrots population in your state.
You can conclude from there whether the weather is safe, hehehe.
Use Google(No advertisement intended . . .)

Well the wild parrots here probably have stronger immune systems still . Lol sorry for being so stubborn, I'm just still not fully convinced that it's 100% safe, not considering birds of prey and temperature, etc, and I worry about everything. The only wild parrots I could find in my state are Quakers, and they get euthanized. But I still think their immune systems are stronger. Since they face more bacteria and air-born toxins, their immune systems are better and they can fight off the bad stuff. Whereas pet birds are kept in, hopefully clean, households, and they don't need immune systems as strong (I think?).

It's like what happened in the 1920s - when people started getting into cleaning and bleaching and wiping everything clean, diseases grew/developed. They actually originated from clean households, because the people who lived there no longer needed to fight off illnesses, such as polio, since their homes were so clean. Their immune systems weren't as strong, so when the polio started going around they got sick.

Sorry I didn't mean to seem like I was trying to educate anyone. I just learned that in history the other day, which is my worst subject by far (I can never remember anything!), so I was a little excited to be able to apply some of the knowledge . We just learned about FDR and he had polio.

But anyway, if it's like that for humans then would it be the same for birds?

 

[Remy]

This is going to be my excuse for not cleaning! LOL

 

[BirdieNumNum]

This is going to be my excuse for not cleaning! LOL

Hahahhaha and a good excuse at that!!!

 

[Autumn]

You will most likely not reach 100% safety unless you rule out chances and certainty. But precaution is overall best, just be alert!! waha

 

[lene1949]

When I had toddlers my mother was appalled at the dirt on these kids... I told her they need a certain amount of dirt to develop their immune systems.. Her reply was: 'Yes! but surely they don't need it all in one day!'

When I was a teenager, a little boy died - he was only two... They could find no reason, except that he was too clean.

 

[Autumn]

I love your parable ties good with the dilema
Disregard my post birdie the real deal is prior to my
↑Up there↑

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Thanks for the feedback guys!! Lene, great examples. So I guess the bottom line is it's okay to take your bird outside but you should do it a little at a time so they can build up their immune system?

 

[Autumn]

Immune systems build up gradually whether you expose them to hazards continously or occasionally.
Infact it takes time.
Anytime we are all birdbrains, Squak, lol.
I have my budgie with flight wings so im not taking him out. Just careful with him(=

 

[INDI]

Hi there...I always thought it was great for our birds to be outside??...on a nice day I will wheel Tiki's (kakariki) cage outside, so he can enjoy the nice weather...Tiki has also escaped twice on two different ocassions for a period of a week at a time, & has been returned to us , happy & healthy....our new little baby Haro, a 5-6 week old indian ringneck, comes with me everywhere I go...he comes driving with me & sits in his little basket on the seat next to me, & he sits on my shoulder when we walk my kids to & from school...he loves it...he hears all the other bird sounds & responds to them...my goal with this bird is for him to be the best bird companion I have ever had, he will be tame, smart, & a great friend...he is eating fruit & veg...& i give him bird formula for breakfast..
Has anyone ever seen the movie PAULIE??..about the blue crowned conure...me & my kids love that movie...I had a little cry, when he came back to Marie later in his life....if you havent seen it..watch it!!...I hope my little ringneck will be like Paulie when he is older..lol

 

[BirdieNumNum]

Hi there...I always thought it was great for our birds to be outside??...on a nice day I will wheel Tiki's (kakariki) cage outside, so he can enjoy the nice weather...Tiki has also escaped twice on two different ocassions for a period of a week at a time, & has been returned to us , happy & healthy....our new little baby Haro, a 5-6 week old indian ringneck, comes with me everywhere I go...he comes driving with me & sits in his little basket on the seat next to me, & he sits on my shoulder when we walk my kids to & from school...he loves it...he hears all the other bird sounds & responds to them...my goal with this bird is for him to be the best bird companion I have ever had, he will be tame, smart, & a great friend...he is eating fruit & veg...& i give him bird formula for breakfast..
Has anyone ever seen the movie PAULIE??..about the blue crowned conure...me & my kids love that movie...I had a little cry, when he came back to Marie later in his life....if you havent seen it..watch it!!...I hope my little ringneck will be like Paulie when he is older..lol

Aww that sounds great!!!! I know fresh air is always supposed to be good, but birds are so sensitive I just worry about everything. Sounds like you and Haro are on a very positive path, I really admire that! When I get my new bird I'll do the same thing you're doing. It can't be good for birds to be cooped indoors all the time. At least not the best.

I'm so glad Tiki came back to you every time! A lost dog or cat I can imagine returning, but a bird... even if someone spots him, there's no guaranteeing he'll come to you lol! You could probably run after him, but he'll be in the sky and you'll be on the ground, so you can't really "catch" him.

I heard about the movie Paulie!!! I haven't gotten around to watching it, or even searching it though. I don't know why. I didn't even know what it was about, I just heard of someone naming their bird Paulie, after the movie. Sounds like a great movie though! I love movies that make you cry . It just makes you feel so happy inside (unless they aren't tears of joy). I'll definitely get aroudn to watching it, maybe this weekend.

 

[Autumn]

My first budgie we named Paulie after the movie

 

[BirdieNumNum]

My first budgie we named Paulie after the movie

That's so cute!! I actually really like that name

 

[Autumn]

Thanks
I wanted to name him Squirt or Pipsqueak but my family chose Jerry for our other budgie.
Out of all of them I liked Wazoo for a name