Key Information on Pet Birds
What Kind of animal are Birds?
They come from the class of animals known as Aves.
Are Birds cold or warm-blooded?
Like Mammals, Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates (with bones).
What is their lifespan?
Pet Birds well cared for can live long lives. Large Parrots and Macaws can live up to 100 years. African Grey Parrots can live up to 25 years, and Cockatoos can live for 40 years. Lovebirds can live around 10 years. Popular pets like Budgies and Parakeets can live for an average of 18 years. Finches have a lifespan averaging anywhere from 5-20 years, depending on care.
What do they eat?
Most Pet Birds eat a variety of seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables. Chocolate is toxic to birds, just as it is to dogs and cats
What are their bodies like and how do they move?
Birds have two legs they can walk or run on and fragile light bodies due to their hollow bones. They have feathers instead of fur. Most birds can fly.
Different types of Birds?
It is estimated that there could be around 18,000 species of birds in the world!
Do Birds bite?
Sometimes they may nibble if you poke your fingers in their cage as they might mistake them for treats!
Do Birds Have a Sense of Smell?
Most birds do not have a strong sense of smell. They rely more on their vision to tell them what they can and can not eat. As scent and taste are very closely related, birds do not have a strong sense of taste either. While humans have over 9,000 taste buds, birds only have around 50.
How do Birds see?
Birds have an extra type of “cone” in their eyes. Humans have three types of these cells that help us see all the colours we do, but birds can see much more than we can! They can even see the ultra violet light!
How do Birds hear?
Birds have ears located at the sides of their heads around their eye level. They are covered in feathers for protection. If you catch a glimpse of their ears, they look like little holes in the sides of their heads. Birds can hear very well, as they use their calls and songs to communicate with one another.
Where do Pet Birds live?
Most pet birds can thrive in large spacious cages with adequate food and water. The bottom of the cage can get very dirty and should be cleaned regularly.
Can Birds be trained?
Yes, some birds can be trained to talk, hunt, come when called, do certain tricks and snuggle.
History
Birds, including parrots, are one of the oldest known pets. Even ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs show people with birds on their arms. One reason that they have been popular for so long could be because they are an extremely old species, possibly even evolving from dinosaurs!
