Bird Care Basics: What Your Pet Birds Need to Flourish
Whether you have a sweet little canary or a magnificent parrot, you want to make sure it has the best bird care products so it can thrive. Reading about different breeds of pet birds to understand each and what they need will help you pick the bird that is right for you and provide them with everything they need.
Obviously, all pet birds need a well-built bird cage and food, but that’s just the start. Here’s a list of the essentials that most pet birds such as budgies, canaries, finches or parrots need to thrive. You can buy bird care products in Ireland online or in pet shops.
Best Bird Care Products in Ireland for New Owners
Your goals as a bird owner are to keep your pet healthy, happy and hygienic. These are the essentials to do that for most birds, but do read up on your breed.
Buying new is safest to ensure the items are free of any viral or bacterial illness from another bird.
- A sturdy cage large enough for them to spread their wings and move around.
- A secure perch to sit on.
- Healthy food appropriate for your breed of bird – including some bird treats.
- Food and water dishes.
- A nest or hiding spot. We all like some comfort and privacy! And in Ireland’s cool climate, it is important for your pet bird to be able to snuggle into a nice, warm nest.
- Sand sheets to line the cage. Using sand sheets instead of old newspaper keeps your bird’s claws in good nick and makes it easy to clean the cage.
- Plenty of toys! Birds are actually quite clever, and they will get bored without enriching toys. Parrots, canaries, finches and budgies aren’t as ‘bird-brained’ as you may have thought.
Understanding Ireland’s Climate and Its Impact on Bird Care
Climate should influence how you care for your bird, from where you place their cage to how you manage temperature and light conditions throughout the year.
Ireland’s climate is mild but unpredictable. Winter temperatures rangee from 4 to 7°C, and summers are relatively cool, with averages between 12 to 16°C. Ireland doesn’t experience extreme weather conditions, and although the winter months can be dark and short, harsh cold or heavy snow is uncommon.
Ireland is famous for rain. December and January tend to be the wettest, while spring and summer bring clearer skies and longer days, particularly in the Sunny South-East, including Waterford, Wexford, and Kilkenny, which might enjoy five to seven hours of sunshine during the summer.
Should you cover your birdcage at night in Ireland? The main reason to cover the cage is to provide darkness and quiet so your bird gets enough sleep at night. In summer, when our days are very long, it makes sense to cover your bird’s cage so they aren’t kept awake by the daylight.
Your bird needs to sleep in a quiet area, which can be challenging if you live in a busy part of a city such as Dublin or Limerick. Covering the cage can help with noise too.
Fun for Your Feathered Friend
Your bird doesn’t need anything complicated in the way of toys, but will cheerfully entertain themselves with classics such as rings or bells. One way to prevent boredom is to have a couple of different toys and rotate them so the bird has one for a few days, and then a different one for the next few days.
Birds can even learn tricks if their owners put in the effort to teach them. Birds will enjoy the attention they get learning and performing tricks, and you’ll have fun showing them off. With the best bird care products in Ireland and a bit of your time and attention every day, your companion birds will give you years of joy and entertainment.
