Caring for a pet bird is not complicated, but there is more to it than a cage and a bowl of seed. Get these basics right and your bird will thrive.
Housing and cleaning
Provide the biggest cage you can fit — wider is better than taller for most birds — with bar spacing suited to your species and a few natural-wood perches of different widths. Keep it clean: change the paper and wash dishes daily, and clean perches and toys regularly. Place the cage somewhere social but out of draughts and away from the kitchen.
Diet and water
Feed a base of formulated pellets plus fresh vegetables every day, with a little fruit as a treat and only limited seed — an all-seed diet causes health problems over time. Provide fresh water daily and a cuttlebone for calcium. Not sure about a food? Check it on our bird food checker.
Company, sleep and health
Birds are social and intelligent, so they need daily interaction or a companion, plenty of toys and foraging, and time out of the cage. They also need 10–12 hours of dark, quiet sleep. Learn what is normal for your bird, since they hide illness, and find an avian vet before you need one.