Preparatory Measures Before Taming Starts

A welcome home celebration for your new bird won't be needed. In fact, noise and confusion may initially create a fearful environment for your new pet.

Some things in homes might at first be threatening. So the first few days will be of special importance, and precautions will have to be taken to allow for an adjustment to a new environment.

Young birds and birds that have been handled adjust more quickly than older ones . As a general rule, allow 2-3 days for young birds and a week for older ones before taming begins.

Protection
So that a new bird is not overwhelmed by a new environment, the top and sides of the cage are covered-leaving only a front view exposed.

Memory
Animals that have to survive in the wild have excellent memories for bad things that happen to them. Not only do elephants never forget, neither do birds. If birds are ever teased, hit or frightened, either purposely or accidentally, they won't soon forget the incident.

Diet
Continue the same diet that your bird was fed before you obtained him. NO CHANGE FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK! Changes in foods which seem of no consequence might keep birds from approaching their food. Be certain that when you begin adding new foods that it is done gradually, and that your bird continues to eat well.

Water
The most essential food in your bird's life is water. For this reason, a person can easily understand the need to always keep clean fresh water in his drinking cup.

Food Consumption and Droppings
Until birds are well adjusted to their new home, food consumption should be closely watched. Fear and stress can "kill" a bird's normal appetite. With no appetite they may eat insufficient food or none at all. Because birds have relatively short intestinal tracts and because food passes through rapidly, the volume of droppings is an excellent index of food consumption.

A normal parakeet will have approximately thirty to forty droppings per day. If that many droppings are counted every 24 hours, you can be certain your bird is eating well. Less than thirty droppings could be cause for concern.

Change the cage paper daily for health reasons and to note the number and character of droppings.

Paper to Cover the Bottom of the Cage
Paper, whether newspaper, brown paper, paper towels, or other types, not only serves as a readily available disposable cover for the bottom of the cage, but also has the advantage of allowing the droppings to be easily viewed. Likewise, by stacking several sheets of paper, the daily routine of cage cleaning will simply involve removing the top sheet and disposing of it. The droppings can be quickly checked at this time.

Behavior Near Pet Birds
Birds can give us a lesson in observing and understanding body language. They study a person's every gesture, expression, movement and action as if their lives depended upon them. They notice everything and read a person's attitude very well.

Avoid approaching strange birds carelessly. A rapid advance, running, and quick movements easily frighten them. A person's actions and gestures should not be intimidating, threatening or provoking.

Personal Appearance
When I think of birds, their superb vision always enters my mind. Yet even with keen eyesight, under certain conditions, they can fail to recognize their owners. When appearance has been altered, especially if it affects the face or head, they can be confused as to your identity.

When birds see their owner wearing a hat and coat, they may believe it is a stranger. Even the growth of a beard can change a man's identity sufficiently to confuse birds. Costume parties are not for birds!

A Daily Routine
Certain procedures for maintenance need to be performed daily-cage cover removed in the morning, fresh water given, cage paper changed, breakfast, dinner and treats fed, taming schedule repeated, and cage cover applied in the evening.

When bird owners perform these functions in the same order each day birds accept them best. This type of regularity allows birds to know what is going to happen next. So if possible, make it a habit of taking care of birds in the same order and approximately same time daily.

Also, the routine a person establishes for himself becomes very familiar to birds. Birds will understand what time you arise each morning and that you sleep late on Sunday morning.

Sleep
Darkening the cage with a cover for 8 - 12 hours at night provides an easy way of compelling birds to get sufficient sleep. Plenty of rest helps the adjustment process and serves to protect a bird's physical and mental health. The cover needs to be dense or thick enough to provide darkness.

Noise
While your bird is becoming familiar with the sounds of your home, try to keep offending noises at a minimum-door slamming, loud radios, and dogs' barking. After a week all ordinary sounds should be well accepted.

Probably the most upsetting noise to birds would be those sounds produced by people arguing, screaming, shouting, or fighting. Just as in the wild, any sound of alarm makes all animals uneasy and fearful.

Cage Height
A cage should give your bird the feeling of height. The height of a cage in a room has a remarkable effect on birds. A cage on the floor causes birds to be nervous and fearful. Move he cage to a table or counter height and most birds will be satisfied.

Cage Location
Birds need to be kept in an area of the house where they can view and become acquainted with normal household activities and sounds, and begin to feel comfortable in the presence of people.

While birds tolerate many hours of isolation well, they need daily socialization with people.

The family room or any other room with plenty of activity would probably be ideal.

Toys and Mirrors
Seeing their reflection in a mirror or shiny object distracts birds and seriously in with taming. Some toys have the same affect. It's best to keep toys and mirrors out of the cage during the taming process.

Escape and Flying Loose
If a bird becomes loose in a room, be cautious. Rushing to grab him may create fear in his life that will take months to overcome.

First, the owner should never do anything to frighten birds. So, if you are going to catch your bird, you're best off wearing a disguise. It doesn't take much to fool a bird, so an old fishing hat, pulled low on the head, plus an unfamiliar smock is adequate. Do not speak during the retrieving process because your bird may recognize your voice. Place the bird back in his cage; leave the room-, take off your disguise and return. He will never know that you caught him.

Second, don't catch birds with your bare hand. Your hands are supposed to be a friendly source of affection and food. Cover your hands with a towel or gloves.

Capturing a loose bird with a net can be very effective. The owner will still not want to associate himself with the process, and would use the precautions mentioned in Escape and Flying Loose.

Body Weight
Feathers effectively hide a bird's weight just as a baggy suit might hide a person's weight. For this reason, weight changes cannot be detected on birds by visual observation. Frequent weight checks are advisable, especially on a new pet.