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A Bird's Bill of Rights

© Anne Watkins

Companion birds have it easy. All they have to do is sit in their cages, look pretty, sing nice little songs and be happy to see us when we decide to spend a few minutes with them. Right? Wrong! Nothing could be further from the truth.

Birds are living creatures and they have certain rights that must be addressed. As their keepers, we should do our best to understand their needs and see to it that their lives are as happy as possible. After all, they didn't ask to be our pets! Here are a few of the basic rights that all companion birds are entitled to.

1. Respect. Treat your bird with respect at all times. It is a vibrant, thinking, feeling creature. Birds experience emotions, too, and a bird that is treated with respect will be happier and healthier.

2. Privacy. Everybody needs privacy from time to time, and birds are no exception. Make sure your bird has a quiet, safe place to which it can retreat when it feels the need for a little 'alone' time. Don't pester it to play if it doesn't want to--when it is ready for interaction, it will let you know.

3. Protection. Your bird has the right to expect you to protect it from other pets that may harm it or from people who may frighten or annoy it. Don't let anybody pick on your bird, and always make sure it is safe from any sort of danger. After all, it has no way to escape.

4. Proper nutrition. Since your bird can't forage for itself, it's up to you to provide the best, most nutritious diet possible. Feed not only a high quality seed mix or pelleted diet, but fresh vegetables and fruits, too. Some yummy 'people' food will be appreciated from time to time, too. Just remember; no avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or anything too fatty or sugary.

5. Rest. Every bird needs plenty of undisturbed rest. Either cover the cage at night with an appropriate cage cover, or make sure that the cage is in a quiet, safe place. Don't let anybody disturb your bird when it is resting.

6. Play time. Who doesn't need plenty of fun play time? Birds are active, intelligent creatures that get bored if they don't have interesting things to keep them occupied. See to it that you carve a bit of time out of each day for some fun and games. At the very least, get some cool birdie toys to hang in the cage when you can't be there.