What you should know before buying a bird?

There are many types of pet bird species to choose from. They each have unique traits and differences that make some types better for certain people than others, so it’s important to research the different species before making a decision as to which you’d like to bring home. The more you are able to learn about the types of birds that you’re interested in, the more likely you will be to choose a bird that is a good fit for your home and lifestyle.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a bird to your family here are a few common species:

Budgerigars, more commonly known as Budgies, are members of the parakeet family and are ideal pets both for first time bird owners and those who would just prefer a small bird. True to the typical traits of most parrots, Budgies have the ability to talk, come in an array of beautiful colors, and enjoy forming close bonds and interacting with their human caretakers. We recommend you feed them with the specially formulated and well balanced Versele-Laga Prestige Premium Budgie.

Finches are a great option for those who would prefer not to handle and interact with their birds. Finches are tiny, somewhat skittish birds who much prefer the companionship of other finches to that of humans. While they are small, they require a rather large flight cage with narrow bars, and do best in small flocks of 3 – 5, depending on the cage size. They can be a joy to watch and listen to and are one of the easiest pet bird species to care for. They can live for up to 10 years. We recommend you feed them the specially formulated and well balanced Versele-Laga Prestige Premium Tropical Bird.

Canaries, known for their colours and beautiful songs, have been among the most popular pet bird species for many years. There are many different types of canaries to choose from, depending upon your personal taste. Much like finches, canaries are very delicate and do not tolerate handling very well. Because of this, they are not well suited for households with small children. They can live for up to 10 years. We recommend you feed them the specially formulated and well balanced Versele-Laga Prestige Premium Canary.

Cockatiels are capable of learning to talk, but many owners find that their birds prefer to whistle, and tend to mimic quirky, random sounds such as the ringing of a telephone. These birds are available in increasingly diverse colour combinations and have an average life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years. We recommend you feed them the specially formulated and well balanced Versele-Laga Prestige Premium Australian Parakeet.

African Greys are said to be the most intelligent of birds, some boasting vocabularies of up to 2 000 words! Because these birds are so smart, they tend to be demanding pets, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. If you are looking for a highly intelligent and affectionate friend, the African Grey may be right up your alley. Greys typically live for 50-70 years. We recommend you feed them the specially formulated and well balanced Versele-Laga Prestige Premium African Parrot or Prestige Premium Parrot.

Shelter – Buy the largest cage you can reasonably manage in your home. Be sure that your bird cannot slip his head between the bars. It should be convenient to clean and allow easy access to food and water containers. The perches should be of varying sizes. Rinse them off before placing them in the cage. If you have other birds, you should initially place your new bird in an isolated room since many birds harbour contagious, disease-causing organisms. This is very important to the wellbeing of all of your feathered pets. An avian vet can advise you as to the safety of introducing the new bird to your other birds when you visit them for a physical exam.

Food – What does your bird need to eat? We now know that seed is not the only food needed by pet birds, and in fact, birds on a seed-only diet are very unhealthy. Only 50% of a bird’s diet should be seed. Of the other 50%, fruits and vegetables are the most important. This is where he obtains vital minerals and vitamins. If your bird is reluctant to try new foods, try cutting the fruits and veggies into small, seed size pieces. Sometimes mixing them into the seed helps. It is all right to cut back on his seed a bit. Offer it only for an hour in the morning, and an hour in the evening. During the day provide only fruits and veggies to eat. Visit your closest Stodels branch and ask for the highly nutritious and balanced Versele-Laga range.