Considerations for a Bird as an Apartment Pet

A bird, as an apartment pet, has requirements to be happy and healthy. Consider the items below as you decide if a bird companion will be right for you and your place.

Company and Playtime

Birds require time with their human parent. Even small birds that are not tamed still need company. If the bird is a larger parrot, or any hand-tame species, it will require several hours of contact and outside the cage playtime. Parrots should have at least 4 hours a day of playtime outside the cage. Make sure you spend enough time at home or have resources to help if you’re away.

Bird Care

A bird requires cleaning maintenance daily, food and water changes daily and general mess cleanup around the cage. Leaving a two foot area clear around the cage will streamline the daily seed sweep. Make sure you have enough space in your apartment for a cage.

Cleaning up After a Bird

Cleaning the food and water dishes daily with soap and water, as well as sweeping around the bird cage and changing the cage liner papers, will take about 20-30 minutes every day. In addition, a deeper clean of the bird cage and all the bird toys is required at least once per month. If the bird is particularly messy (or is a nectar drinker like a lorikeet), the cage may require deep cleanings as often as once a week. These deep cleanings take about an hour and a half to complete. You simply remove the toys and perches from the cage, and wash all the cage and toys in warm soapy water. Chemical cleaners are unnecessary and can sicken a bird, so use only unscented dish soap for cage cleaning.

Apartment Restrictions

Many apartments will allow a bird when others like cats and dogs are prohibited. Check the rental agreement, as there may be specific prohibitions or deposits associated with having a bird in the apartment. Talk to the landlord and get permission in writing before adopting any bird.

If you decide that you have the time and space to bring on a feathered friend, see the tips below:

Choosing the Right Bird

Pick a smaller parrot or a kind of bird you can get several of (like finches or parakeets). Larger parrots require more out of cage time and are more susceptible to isolation-related behavior such as feather plucking. Finches, canaries, and parakeets can be bought in multiples and get along in an apartment happily.

Picking the right breed of parrot is very important and the size and longevity of the bird should be considered. Additional factors, such as the volume of the bird’s cries, should be evaluated as well. A parrot, such as a cockatoo, will call out happily at up to 120 decibels, roughly the same noise level as a jet engine. Smaller parrots, such as lorikeets and quaker parrots, are often a good compromise between a small bird that is not hand tamed and a larger, more exotic parrot.

Pick the Right Cage

A bird’s cage should be as big as possible. Smaller birds, such as budgies or finches, should be able to fly easily in the cage. A good flight cage for parakeets, canaries, or finches would be 3 feet wide by 2 feet deep by 3 feet tall. Attractive large flight cages are available for as little as $139 from The Feather Farm on eBay.