| Owning a pet bird can be a wonderful experience. | | | | As your pet bird ages, you will have to monitor |
| Small birds like finches are very active and their | | | | him carefully for changes in behavior and |
| antics can be quite amusing. The larger birds like | | | | appearance. If your bird spends most of his time |
| cockatiels and parrots are more interactive and | | | | in his cage, you are probably going to find that he |
| need more attention. No matter what type of pet | | | | appears to be the same, day after day even as |
| bird you have, sadly, he will age and many times | | | | he gets older. In general, as your bird ages, his |
| he will require more specialized care as a result. | | | | feathers many times will look dull in appearance. |
| This extra care of your aging pet will keep him | | | | He will spend more time sleeping and move |
| more comfortable and a great addition of your | | | | around more slowly. An older bird that has other |
| family for longer. As your bird ages, it is important | | | | birds for companions may actually get bullied and |
| that you do all that you can to take care of him. | | | | chased away from food and water. Special care |
| So, how long can you expect your pet bird to | | | | will need to be taken to assure that the older bird |
| live? How long you can expect your bird to live | | | | gets enough food, water and rest. Vitamins added |
| will depend on the breed of bird you have and the | | | | to food or water can also help ensure that your |
| environment it lives in. Smaller birds like finches will | | | | pet bird is receiving the nutrition he needs. Your |
| live on average 3-5 years. The medium sized birds | | | | bird's droppings are also a very good indicator of |
| like cockatiels can have an average life span of 15 | | | | your bird's overall health. Any changes in color and |
| years. Some of the very large bird species can | | | | consistency could be a sign of problems. |
| out live a human. That means that in order to | | | | It is important to establish a relationship with an |
| properly care for your aging pet bird, the first | | | | avian veterinarian in your area. It is recommended |
| thing that you need to do is to be familiar with | | | | that your bird be examined once a year to make |
| the life span of your particular bird breed. | | | | sure that your bird is healthy and doing well. |
| How well your particular pet bird ages will depend | | | | Taking your bird to the vet will ensure that there |
| on a variety of things. The one thing that you can | | | | is a record on file of the condition of your bird |
| greatly influence is your bird's environment. A | | | | year by year. Birds are very good at hiding illness |
| clean cage, clean water, proper food and regular | | | | from you and it may not be obvious that there is |
| exercise will all go a long way towards making | | | | something wrong with him. It will be easier to |
| sure that your bird lives a long and quality life. | | | | catch any problems with regular wellness visits. |
| Feeding the right diet for your bird will ensure that | | | | The sad fact is that as your pet bird ages he will |
| your bird gets the proper nutrition. Enough | | | | be more prone to getting sick and an established |
| exercise will keep him strong and active, even | | | | relationship with an avian veterinarian may just |
| when he is older. Birds are very intelligent animals | | | | save your birds life. Over the long term, a vet will |
| and the larger bird breeds require social interaction | | | | be able to help you keep your beloved pet bird |
| either from you or from another bird to live a | | | | happy and healthy for a long time. |
| long and happy life. | | | | |