Download our poster of frights and sights for your bird while its outside.
With spring and summer comes warmer weather and more time spent outdoors. Before bringing your feathered family member along on outings, be aware that things we take for granted can scare your bird. A picnic at the park could turn into a search & rescue if your bird if is able to fly and becomes spooked by a passing car, a barking dog or a child chasing after a ball.
Here are simple tips to keep your bird safe and happy.
1. Train your bird to accept wearing a bird-safe harness. This might take a few weeks, but the pay off is worth it. You won’t have to worry about your bird flying off and your bird will enjoy being perched on you. If you opt to take your bird outdoors with a wing-feather trim, make sure it is a recent trim (within a week or two) and that it was done properly. (Some gifted fliers, such as cockatiels, can still gain altitude and fly within a week of their feather trim!)
2. If your bird is skittish or on its first outing, avoid high-traffic areas, such as crowded parks, busy streets and shopping areas. Start with excursions in your yard or walk down a quiet street. Once your bird becomes more accustomed to being outside with you, you can broaden the scope of its outings.
3. Let you bird enjoy time outdoors with you while it's in a travel cage or carrier. You won’t have to worry as much about unexpected predators charging after your bird. Set up your bird’s cage or carrier near you while you garden, read the paper or write a letter.
Download our poster of frights and sights for your bird while its outside.