How to Adopt a Rescue Bird

If you’re a lover of birds, and you’re finally ready to bring one into your home, consider adopting a rescue bird before you head to the pet store.

We always hear a lot about rescuing dogs and cats, but birds aren’t nearly advertised as much. Just like bringing home a furry friend, adopting a rescue bird is a truly fulfilling experience. Many rescue birds are ones that were dropped off because they were more than their owners could handle. There are birds out there waiting for the perfect forever home, and maybe they’ll find that it’s yours!

January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month, so if you’re interested in bringing a bird into your home, there’s no better time than the start of the new year. Birds can make excellent companions, and they can be a part of your family for many years. If you have a good understanding of everything that goes into owning a bird, the process of bringing a bird into your home will be much easier.

Adopting a rescue bird is a big decision, and it can either go well or be a negative experience. It all depends on what you’re prepared to handle. If your bird is up for adoption because he was abused or spoiled in his past, his behavior could be more than you’re ready for. The easiest birds to transition to a new home are ones who have been neglected. These birds will benefit well from finding love in your home, and their behavior traits won’t be ones that are a burden to deal with.

The other big part of adopting a bird is what kind of bird you adopt. Some birds, like parrots, have lifespans well past 20 years, so they can be a lifelong responsibility. Many types of birds are also known for being loud and messy, so it’s good to know a bit about the type of breed you’re looking at before you take a bird home.

Adopting a Rescue Bird: Where Do You Look?

The best place to look for a rescue bird in need of adopting is your local animal shelter. There are many birds who are in need of homes, and you might be surprised how many are in your area. Contact your local shelter to see what kind of birds they have available.

In addition to giving a bird in need a forever home, you’re also doing your part in supporting a local shelter. Going to the pet store just doesn’t offer the same emotional weight that adopting a rescue bird brings, and the satisfaction of doing something good makes all the difference.

Preparing Your Home for Adopting a Rescue Bird

The more you know about the type of bird you’re going to adopt, the better you adoption is going to be. Many birds are taken to shelters because their owners weren’t properly prepared for their bird’s personality and behavioral traits.

Many birds don’t need a lot of attention to be happy, but if you’re interested in adopting a parrot, be ready to dole out attention and love. Many pet experts say to think of a parrot like a toddler that never grows up. Parrots demand attention from their owners, and if they don’t receive it they can turn to self-destructive behaviors.

Birds also end up in shelters because it’s more expensive to own them than many people realize. From vet checkups, shelters, and even the type of bird you choose can all affect how much it costs to have a bird as a pet. In order to have your home be as ready as possible for your new friend, you have to be ready to accept every part of owning a bird.

Once you’ve made sure you know everything about your bird, you can start getting a space ready for him. Birds need lots of space to move around and play. You can either designate a room for your bird to fly around, or you can get an aviary with ample space and toys to climb on. Toys like ropes, bells, or climbing structures are perfect for entertaining your curious bird. If you have a specific room for your bird, make sure it has window coverings, no other pets, and no obvious hazards like ceiling fans.

Birds also like to eat more than just basic bird food. You should feed your bird fruits, vegetables, and grains so he can have a more varied diet. Depending on the type of bird you have, there might be a type of food that he likes particularly more than another.

One key thing to remember when you bring your bird home is that birds are very sensitive to the air. Exposure to sprayed chemicals like hairspray or tobacco smoke can cause immediate death for your bird because of the way they breathe. Birds replace almost all of the air in their bodies in a single breath, so make sure you keep them away from dangerous fumes and airborne chemicals.

As long as you have a good handle on what your bird needs, and you understand how to keep them safe, adopting a rescue bird will be an incredibly rewarding experience for years to come.