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