Have you ever thought about what it means to be a great companion to your bird? In other words, how well do you support your feathered friend in different situations—whether it’s helping your bird feel comfortable around visitors, ensuring they have a fulfilling daily routine, or advocating for their well-being? Being a responsible and attentive bird steward goes beyond providing the basics like food and shelter—it’s about creating an environment where your bird can truly thrive.
#1: You Set Your Bird Up for Success in Social Situations.
When hosting guests, you ensure your bird feels safe and respected. You establish clear house rules—no reaching into the cage, no unauthorized feeding, and no forced interactions. If your bird enjoys being in the middle of the action, you let them observe and engage on their own terms while teaching guests to read bird body language. At the same time, you’re mindful of those who may not be comfortable around birds, creating a balanced and positive environment for everyone.
#2: You Choose the Right Vet for Your Bird.
Your bird’s health is a top priority, and you make sure they receive expert care by choosing a veterinarian experienced in avian medicine. Even if it means traveling farther for appointments, you ensure your feathered companion is in the best hands when it comes to checkups, illness, and emergency care.
#3: You Keep the Peace with Your Neighbors.
Birds can be vocal, and you take steps to prevent noise from becoming a nuisance. You strategically place your bird’s cage to minimize disturbances, such as away from shared walls, and keep them busy with enrichment activities, like foraging opportunities, interactive play, and “busy-work” items, such as wood toys to chew and bird-safe shreddable items, to reduce excessive vocalizations.
#4: You Lead by Example as a Responsible Bird Steward.
You show others what great bird care looks like by maintaining a clean cage, providing a nutritious diet, and engaging in meaningful interaction with your bird. Whether it’s ambient attention (having your bird nearby while you relax) or hands-on playtime, you prioritize their well-being and enrichment.
#5: You Keep Your Bird’s Living Space Safe & Engaging
You know that safety and enrichment go hand in hand. You routinely inspect your bird’s toys, cage accessories, and perches for wear and potential hazards like frayed ropes or sharp edges. You rotate toys in and out of the cage, and switch around swings and climbing toys to give your bird variety. (Check out this webinar recording with Dr. Stephanie Lamb on tips to keep your bird’s environment safe.)
#6: You Keep Your Bird Mentally & Physically Stimulated.
Parrots are intelligent, active beings that need both mental and physical exercise. You provide opportunities for problem-solving with puzzle toys and foraging activities, and you encourage movement through climbing nets or ladders, supervised flight, and other safe out-of-cage activities.
From social interactions to enrichment and healthcare, you ensure your bird has everything they need to feel safe, stimulated, and loved. By being a supportive and attentive pet bird steward, you help your bird live a happy, enriched life, strengthening your bond and making every day together more rewarding.
Thank you I think these are very helpful hits. Once I adopted my green cheek, I went Online to find out how to care for him and take care of them properly.
I don’t know that all people do that and I don’t know if all pet shops and breeders let potential adoptee know how much is involved in taking care of one of these little creatures. So I appreciate these tips. I hope people read them and take advantage of them.
I had bird experience working in a mom and pop shop as a teen. Now in my 40’s I knew I was finally ready for a bird. I did at least six months of extensive research watching all the great bird behaviorists on YouTube, reading every single thing on green cheeks as that’s what I got. Then I learned even more about the rights and wrongs of bird husbandry that first year esp….nine years later I’m still learning! It breaks my heart that the mass majority of people either get their kids a parakeet or tiel, not realizing they need large cages and EVERYTHING ELSE that accompanies having a bird. And too many breeders-most just breed and don’t socialize them, then they sell them to pet stores for cheap so they profit big time. If you’re going to breed you need to make sure they’re ready to go to a new home without freaking out and more. Sorry for going on. Just upsets me how many unwanted birds are out there and there is a getting worse. It reminds me of beta fish and how shops have them in 3 Oz cups-betas need tanks at least 25 gallons or more, not a 1gallon or tank. If people just did the research it could change the amount of unwanted parrots out there. I better stop before it cuts me off lol. Thanks for the article!
This is very helpful since retail pet stores like Petco and Petsmart sell conures and cockatiels and employees know nothing about birds or their proper care and those who purchase a bird from these retailers are provided with no useful information on being a successful bird companion.
I wanted to buy a bigger cage for my sons galah. as it can’t fly and spends most of its time sitting in the corner on a food tin.it verry board and frustrated sometimes it gets hold of its toy and wants to rip it of the cage .I’ve noticed it rasping its beak on the cage bars which could disfiger its beak .I’m really so sorry for this 3 year old bird but they won’t listen and I’ve had a big row with them over this .now I’m banned from them .