By Mariah Ramirez

Birds are highly intelligent, and their world is much different than yours and mine. For birds, their world requires a deep understanding and thorough research. Caring for a pet bird is more than just giving them food, water, and a cage. In this post, we will go into the importance of doing your research before selecting your feathered companion.

"When I got my first bird, I saw her in the window at my local Pet Supplies Plus. I had no idea whether she was a male or female, the bird I saw looking at me stole my heart. I knew nothing about her except that she was a light blue parakeet.

Once Yoenis and I got home, thankfully I knew to give her a big cage instead of a small one. I had not yet known the proper bar spacing and dimensions needed for her species, my thought process was to go to Amazon for a medium bird sized cage.

That night, I wanted to get the bird named Yoenis used to my hand so I read an article on my phone on how to get her to step up.

She thankfully was trusting in my gentle hands. What I learned was that not all pet store birds are tame, the bird's nature heavily depends on their experiences and upbringing.

I looked at the pet care sheet the store had given me. I chose to give her the vet recommended seed, I changed her water bowl, and added some toys for her. I decided I would take her to the vet for a well visit to learn more about her in a month.

Upon reading, and befriending various bird owners on the Instagram app, I learned that Yoenis may indeed be a female. I learned the term "cere" and "hormonal", along with the fact that her lifespan would be approximately 15 years if I took very good care of her.

Part of me wished I had done more research before getting her. I loved her so much, and I was 100% dedicated to giving her the best life possible. A childless millennial, she was my child in my own eyes. I felt in my heart that all pets, birds included, were lifelong commitments. There was still so much to learn, and I was very thankful that her temperament was gentle.

When I took Yoenis to the vet, the vet stressed the importance of including vegetables and pellets into her diet. She was a decent weight, not over or under, but birds need a healthy mix in order to get the nutrients for healthy digestion and functioning.

Years had gone by, and thankfully I had more knowledge on her species. 

Yoenis had entered a phase where she was laying eggs, and I found myself with more questions than answers. I sought out the opinions of experienced bird owners on parrot forums.

I made a choice to get Yoenis a friend, which was to get her to lay less. This decision was not well thought out, highlighting the importance of knowing your bird.

The new bird, named Mystery, was a green male. Their babies were adorable, yes, and Yoenis was a doting mom. I was amazed at how she cared for her babies, and thankfully I read up on how to syringe feed the young ones, in case mom was overwhelmed. It did not get to that point.

The point is, we all start somewhere, yes, but a bird is a beautiful soul that requires extensive research and top quality care. They are not a toy or something that can be given away because an owner was not prepared. The sad reality is, there are many birds in this world that are not receiving proper care due to their owners being uninformed of their basic needs. 

Getting a bird is a wonderful choice, and when someone is lucky enough to care for one, the reward of being loved by that bird is unlike anything else.

There are many situations where emergencies arise, and as birds are sensitive, small and delicate, knowledge is key. There are so many household products that pose a risk to your bird's airways and respiratory system.

Aerosols, sprays , smoke and teflon pans are the number one threat to household birds. When you take on the responsibility of getting a pet, factoring in their environmental hazards is a must. Their safety should be your priority.

There is so much to learn, and since Yoenis, I have had about five different pet birds. I now have two pet Cockatiels, Moltres and Pete, and I am blessed to say I know how to provide for them.

Choosing to get a bird is wonderful, but knowing how to give them a long and happy life is even better.