Care
Birds big or small require a lot of attention and care to live happy, healthy, fulfilled lives. Here's a good starting point for your new feathered friend!
Cage: Size, Material, Safety
Cage size can vary, but the minimum recommended dimensions for your parakeet's cage are 1/2 m wide, 1/2 m deep, and 1 m tall. Bar spacing should be 1.3 cm apart.
An open enclosure with numerous perches and places to play is preferred. Flight cages, which are wider than they are deep, are ideal for your little parrot to stretch their wings.
Stainless steel, steel, iron, and acrylic are safe cage materials, though it is important that any paint on the cage is powder coating and that there is no rust present that the bird could access.
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Toys: Fun Begins at Home!
Parrot toys are key to keeping your little friend entertained and happy. Personally, I recommend sticking to all-natural materials and making little toys and activity mats yourself for your feathered friend. Not only does this save on expenses but it lets you cater to your bird's preferences! Examples of toy materials great for lovebirds include woven seagrass mats, sola wood, gobi tails, pine blocks, natural vine rings, cork pieces, rattan, and vegetable tanned leather.
Vet Visits: Go Early, Go Often
There are two primary components to veterinary care for your pet lovebird: yearly preventative check-ups and sick visits.
You should bring your bird in to see a certified Avian Veterinarian at least once a year to check on your bird's health and make sure everything is going well.
Though we all hope it never happens, it's important to bring your bird to a vet as soon as you think it may be ill. Birds are masters at hiding illness, so by the time symptoms are visible the bird could be very ill, and every minute counts.