Your pet bird is more than just a loyal and funny companion. It’s, for all intents and purposes, one of your best friends. Sure, it may not understand much, and oftentimes, it probably isn’t even aware of its importance for you and your loved ones, but your small feathery friend has made a great impression on everyone you know, and for this reason, like most bird owners, you are probably more than interested in going for high-quality bird toys or bird perches manufactured right here in Australia.
Birds are special animals. Veritable remnants of long-gone dinosaurs, who, surprisingly, are capable of forming genuine, long-lasting connections with their handlers. Yes, a small cat or an adorable pup will probably be a more conventional pet choice, especially so if you’re living somewhere in a suburb and you benefit from the necessary free space in order to accommodate the growing needs of an energetic animal. But what if you don’t have this luxury? What if you are part of the growing number of Australians who can only afford a flat or a rental space with strict pet regulations? For your case, then, choosing a pet bird becomes a wise decision.
I had a small Cockatoo once. I was probably not more than twelve, and I bugged my parents ferociously for a Golden Retriever puppy. But to shut me up, and probably to tell me I am not responsible enough for a dog, they bought me this young, frail, but surprisingly friendly pet bird, which I decided to call “Paulie” (I was truly original). And you know what? Paulie was the best friend a twelve-year-old kid could ask for, and even now, more than eighteen years later, I am grateful to my parents for bringing him into my life.
Let Me Tell You About Paulie
9% of all Australian households own at least one pet bird, and in total, our country is home to no less than 4.4 million feathered friends, most of which are parrots. Is this number really surprising? We all had, at one point, a friend or a family member who advocated the benefits of bird ownership. We all know someone who keeps a bird as a pet, and they're adamant about the connection that these animals can form with their owners. And you know what? I tend to agree. Paulie, for me, was not only a bird. He was my best friend during times when friends for me were just a distant dream.
Maybe he wasn’t as fluffy as a kitty or as energetic as a pup, but every time I would come back from school, he would sit on one of his little bird perches, flap his wings like crazy and look genuinely happy to see me. When I had a hard day, flunked a school test, or genuinely had issues concentrating because of teenage drama, who was there for me? Paulie.
In his own way, I felt like he truly cared about me, that we formed a connection, and that he was the right pet in my life, at the right time. Paulie lived a long and happy life, and when we departed, I knew I had given him everything I could to make his daily living an adventure. He had the best life a small Cockatoo can ask for. And me? I enjoyed almost fifteen years in the company of the best pet one could ask for. He reached his maximum lifespan, he impacted my life in more ways than I can count, and honestly, I will never forget him.
How I Ensured He Remained Healthy All These Years
For one thing, Paulie has probably seen his local vet more times than I have seen my work superiors. Regular veterinary check-ups are, in my humble opinion, one of the primary ways to identify health issues before they can transform into problems that will necessitate a substantial effort to fix. But during these vet visits, pretty much nothing was ever really wrong. And, for all its worth, I think this is because Paulie had an active life, and he was always mentally stimulated by the multitude of bird toys and bird perches I bought for him.
Do you know that saying “Healthy mind in a healthy body”? Well, it applies to our pets as well. From chew bird toys to bird perches, foraging toys, and even small mirrors and baths, the accessories I purchased for Paulie are, I think, one of the main reasons for him getting to live until fifteen. Chew toys, for example, encouraged his natural foraging instincts, kept his beak healthy and also discouraged his destructive tendencies. Comfort toys, however, can stimulate birds’ preening instincts, which is necessary, as your house is probably not the home of a whole flock, and therefore your feathery friend’s social instinct could need some help.
What To Look for In Bird Toys and Bird Perches?
Quality at a reasonable price. Don’t go for the flashiest of products or for brands that promise unequalled behavioural and physical benefits for items that are five times more expensive than the norm. For bird perches, for example, you should typically go either for natural wood branches that mimic the bird’s natural environment or for ropes, which are soft on the feet, can sometimes be used as chew toys, and are great for climbing.
For toys, your options are varied, but as a general rule, you must go for bird toys made of bird-friendly materials that don’t make use of varnishing or coating with unknown toxicity. The more natural the materials, the better and more versatile the product will be. Foraging toys, with treats hidden inside them, are good for the mental stimulation of your pet bird, as are hanging toys, mirrors, or bell toys.
Your pet bird will not be overly picky when it comes to its toy preferences. In fact, it is equally likely that even the most mundane of them will have a tremendous effect on its well-being. And this is a great thing for you, as a pet owner. You don’t have to break the bank in order to take care of a bird. In fact, compared to other types of pets, like dogs and cats, bird ownership, at least in Australia, is downright affordable.
