| Regardless of the fact that many birds can | | | | will want to bring a tree into your home. A |
| potentially outlive their owners, We need to | | | | common misconception many people have when |
| remember just how fragile birds are when | | | | they bring a tree home is the assumption that |
| compared to many of the other types of pets | | | | their birds can make good use and get |
| we could own. An interesting fact that | | | | enjoyment out of climbing it. In reality many |
| demonstrates the fragility level of birds is | | | | types of Christmas trees are pretty toxic to |
| how miners used to actually exploit this | | | | birds. Many times they have been treated with |
| weakness in order to insure their safety | | | | some form of chemical preservative to help |
| while underground. They would often bring a | | | | them last longer during the holidays. In |
| canary down into the mines with them since | | | | addition, many of the ornaments and the |
| they knew that the birds were extremely | | | | electric lights that we traditionally hang on |
| sensitive to potential dangers and the canary | | | | our trees can also pose a safety hazard.If |
| would die if the air in the tunnel was | | | | your bird does not have it's wings clipped, |
| becoming toxic.Most pet birds also have this | | | | there are additional safety concerns you |
| same sensitivity to toxic fumes. Even common | | | | should prepare for. First, you need to make |
| every day items such as aerosol sprays, | | | | sure that all of the windows in your home |
| Teflon pans and even household furniture | | | | have shades or curtains so that if you let |
| polish can be potentially lethal to most | | | | your bird fly around abit you can cover them |
| birds. It's highly advisable that when you | | | | while your bird is out so he wont just fly |
| use anything that has a strong odor or gives | | | | through any old opening. If your home also |
| off fumes that you do so in a well ventilated | | | | has glass doors, you should cover them as |
| area that is a good distance away from where | | | | well. If you decide not to use any curtains |
| your birds are kept.Another dangerous hazard | | | | or shades, in the very least you should |
| for your new pet bird is their natural | | | | attach some form of safety decals on the |
| attraction to chew on objects. Many birds | | | | glass itself so that your bird can tell the |
| like to bite and chew on items that are | | | | glass is there. It is not unheard of to hear |
| welded which may cause them to develop lead | | | | stories where a bird has flown into a glass |
| poisoning from the soldered joints on the | | | | window it could not see and broken it's neck. |
| object they were chewing. Birds also enjoy | | | | Any type of mirror or other reflective |
| nibbling on potted plants and flowers. Make | | | | surfaces pose the same type of problem.You |
| sure that if you keep any plants close to | | | | should also be sure you don't have any kind |
| your birds cage that they are edible or at | | | | of standing water that is easily accessible |
| the very least non toxic. In cases were you | | | | when your bird is out of it's cage. It's very |
| are not really sure, it would be best to keep | | | | easy for a bird to drown in a toilet or the |
| them safe distance away just to be on the | | | | kitchen sink in just a few seconds. Cooking |
| safe side. Despite all the stories regarding | | | | while allowing your bird to fly around the |
| poinsettia plants being poisonous, in reality | | | | house is also not the best idea, especially |
| they are pretty harmless. Another good idea | | | | if you have any pots on your stove |
| would be to provide an alternative that is | | | | uncovered.Lastly, more than one bird owner |
| inherently safe, such as a small pot of an | | | | has over looked the fact that his bird was |
| herb like parsley which may help your birds | | | | perched on their shoulder just as he rushed |
| avoid the temptation to nibble in the first | | | | to answer the front door. You should never |
| place.If you tend to feed your birds | | | | carry your bird with you to an open door, |
| different kinds of fresh foods, you are doing | | | | regardless wither or not their wings are |
| a good service for your birds health in most | | | | clipped. Even a bird with clipped wings will |
| cases. However, it is very important to note | | | | still be able to glide fairly far if they |
| that there are indeed some things you should | | | | happen to catch an updraft.Some of these |
| never feed your birds. For example, items | | | | things may seem highly unlikely to occur but |
| like avocado, coffee and chocolate are | | | | when you love your pet, any potential danger |
| natural toxins to many birds.When the holiday | | | | is worth being prepared for. |
| season begins to approach, chances are you | | | | |