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Managing Multiple Birds

© Mary Wilson

One of the great things about birds is their ability to interact with humans. With the natural flock instinct as a guide, birds want to be a part of the group. Anything their owner, or owner's family, might be doing is seen as being a perfectly acceptable activity for a bird. So, when the question of multiple birds comes up, naturally, the question of having the time to care for the birds.

Although I will give my life as an example, I will also provide the disclaimer that I do not have a normal life. Yes, I work a full time job, own a horse, 40+ birds, three cats, rabbits and gerbils and give them all the love and attention they need; however, I have no social life. My significant other understands my commitment to my creatures, my children, and shares in this. So, families with human children, people with a social life, those with more career retrains, etc., may find that they cannot care for as many birds. This article is also not to be taken as a license to purchase as many birds as one can afford, for the acquisition of birds as if they were mere possession will deprive them of the love and respect that they deserve.

So, how does one go about giving each bird maximum attention? First, ensure that your life allows for birds. Many people purchase a parrot thinking that they are much like a dog or cat, that by simply being with us, they gain the needed amount of attention. This is not true. While birds may enjoy being with us, after all, we're their "flock," they also need individualized attention.

The bird owner should periodically examine his or her life. Are there times when the bird owner could be giving our birds attention, but don't? For example, when I purchased my horse, Fortune, a little over a month ago, I soon realized that the evenings I spent with her weren't allowing me enough time with my birds. I moved them into the living room, then realized that I don't spend my time in my living room. Instead, I spend it in my den, writing. So, I moved my birds into my den. Now, I can give each bird individual attention when I take my mandatory breaks away from the keyboard, and they get to be with me for the majority of my evening.

Secondly, the bird owner has to know when to say no. I'm sure that if everyone purchased every bird that caught his or her eye, we'd all own 20+ pet parrots a piece. The bird owner must be realistic with him or herself when contemplating the bird purchase. Some species require more attention than others. That cockatoo that looks so enticing might be too much for the bird owner who has just enough time for his or her parakeet.

The copyright of the article Managing Multiple Birds in Small Hookbills is owned by Mary Wilson. Permission to republish Managing Multiple Birds in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.