How To Choose a Healthy Pet Bird

Setting out to become a pet bird owner first and foremost involves being able to tell when a bird is healthy or sick. Most of us can easily suspect when something is wrong with a pet cat or dog, possibly because they're fellow mammals. With birds the signs of troubled health are a little different.

1. Choose a bird that eats heartily.  A good indication of a healthy bird is that it eats often. As such, the bird will have a lot of droppings. If the droppings are brown or shows signs of blood, then the bird might be sick. A normal bird dropping has to look black or dark green and has a white waste substance called urates.
2. Choose a bird that appears to be active and alert.  The bird's behavior signals its health. Choose one that is up and about in its cage. Never get one that sits in the corner of the cage and looks lethargic and sleepy.
3. Choose one that has bright feathers.  Dull feathers in birds almost always signal illness.
4. Check the bird's breathing.  Respiratory distress can mean serious health problems in birds. Choose one that breathes normally without any wheezing or audible sound.
5. Check the eyes and nasal area.  Healthy birds have vibrant eyes. Do not get one that has any kind of swelling around its eyes. Additionally, any discharge from the bird's eyes and nostrils could mean serious illness so be careful to look out for these signs.
6. Buy a bird that has been weaned and can already eat on its own.  Fully weaned birds are the best choice especially if you have no prior experience in raising a pet bird.
7. Interact with the bird first before buying it.  Birds that are well adjusted to human interaction will be better pets. Interacting with the birds before finally choosing one is very important. Well-adjusted birds will not recoil if touched by human hands.
8. Buy from a reputable bird breeder.  Birds bred in a clean environment will have a greater chance of surviving, as they are less likely to have infections. Buy only from a breeder that observes strict standards of cleanliness.
9. Choose a bird that has been bred in a closed aviary.  Most avian diseases are spread through the air. Buying a bird bred from a closed aviary will essentially mean that it has not been exposed to other birds that may be afflicted with avian diseases.

Birds can be lovely pets. That is why knowing the basics of choosing and taking care of them is essential for any individual who chooses a bird for a companion animal.