What do you wish you had known before you got your 1st bird??

[HumanWings]

There is so much you need to learn about caring for a bird like
- foraging
- proper food (pellets AND fruits and vegetables)
- the right cage for your bird (correct size and bar spacing)
- parrot body language
- etc

I am learning about it all but I am still new to it all. So what was it about having a pet bird that you wish you had known before you had your bird? I'm looking for good tips for a first timer here.

What are the con's of owning a bird?

 

[Mare Miller]

What I wish I had known of, before I got a bird would have to be,,,their psychological make-up.

The cons of ownership, for me, would have to be the loss of freedom.

 

[Remy]

Probably the biggest almost-mistake I made was bar spacing. I just didn't know. I found a huge cage, never used, on Craigslist for a very good price, and I bought it. The bar spacing is 1 inch, which I later found out is larger than is recommended for caiques. Luckily, Puck can't fit his head through the bars (and he has tried very hard), so I'm able to use it.

I think more of the psychology would have been nice. I did do what I thought was plenty of research, but it didn't prepare me for the moodiness! Some how I missed the "all caiques are bipolar" bit when researching, but when I got him, everyone said "oh yeah, they're almost all like that". I still love my baby, but there are times when I am unable to handle him, sometimes all day, because of his moods. Other times, he's a velcro bird!

 

[goalerjones]

that clipping a birds wings isn't cruel

 

[Spiritbird]

How truly blessed I could be with a TAG in my life.

Con of having a bird for me is no trips away from home. No vacations or weekend get a ways or staying over with friends and family. Everything else I can happily deal with.

 

[Mayden]

Honestly, that I'd get so attached. I love all my animals very very much but Merlin is just something else. He's my baby boy and I sometimes regret getting him purely because of how much I love him, because loving something means getting hurt and I dread the day I lose him or something happens and I know I'll struggle to cope with it.

I don't mind the mess, the noise, the attitude. I do mind the hormones and I wish I'd have maybe been better prepared for that.

Oh and how much of a difference there were in poops! Boy did I get a shock the first time Merlin crapped on me, I was used to budgie poo!

 

[dishgal1]

Honestly, that I'd get so attached. I love all my animals very very much but Merlin is just something else. He's my baby boy and I sometimes regret getting him purely because of how much I love him, because loving something means getting hurt and I dread the day I lose him or something happens and I know I'll struggle to cope with it.

I would have to ditto that. I would never have dreamed I could love a bird so much. When I was younger no one really knew how to take care of birds other than put them in a cage ...........Had a cockatiel once who wouldn't let you near him. Just figured he could never be tamed.

Now there is no excuse for ignorance when getting a bird with all the info out there.

When I got Forrest I had taken several months to decide if I wanted to make that commitment.......you know what, it was the best decision I ever made. He is better than a dog or a cat although we have a mixed breed dog that is almost 14. We love her to death but Forrest is just like a human when it comes to interacting. My sweet little baby. I can't imagine life without him.

 

[ann]

how messy they are! i wish their was an easier way to clean food and water dishes!