Most people look up bird care when they’re about to bring a bird home (or they already have one) and want to check the basics: what to feed, what sort of cage is actually big enough, and which everyday household risks can hurt a bird quickly.
Small mistakes matter with birds. Their bodies are light, their lungs are efficient, and problems can escalate fast. A calm, steady routine—good food, clean air, safe housing, and regular vet care—does more than keep them alive. It lets them settle, move, forage, bathe, and rest the way a bird should.
Choosing the right bird
Before you choose a species
Pick the bird that fits the life you already live, not the one you hope you’ll have later. Size, noise, mess, and lifespan all shape the day-to-day reality.
- Space: birds need room to climb, hop and fully extend their wings. Bigger parrots need substantially larger housing and more time out of the enclosure.
- Noise: many parrots are naturally loud at dawn and dusk. This can be normal behaviour rather than a “problem”.
- Time: most pet birds need daily social contact and enrichment to avoid boredom and stress behaviours.1
- Lifespan: many parrots can live for decades. Make plans for housing changes, travel, and who will care for the bird if your circumstances shift.
Popular birds in Australia (and what that implies)
Budgerigars and cockatiels are common starter birds because they’re small and adaptable, but they still need thoughtful food, clean air, and daily stimulation. Rainbow lorikeets are striking and busy, yet their diet is specialised; they’re adapted for nectar and pollen, with fruit and other foods playing a smaller role.7
Housing and environment
Cage size, setup, and the shape of a safe day
A cage is not just a container. It’s the place your bird eats, sleeps, climbs, and watches the house move around them. Aim for the largest enclosure you can reasonably fit, prioritising width for movement.
- Bar spacing: choose spacing that prevents head entrapment and escapes (this varies by species and size).
- Perches: offer several perches of different diameters and textures to support healthy feet. Avoid relying on a single smooth dowel.
- Food and water placement: keep bowls away from favourite “toilet perches” to reduce contamination.
Birds benefit from an environment that changes gently: fresh branches (bird-safe species), foraging options, and toys rotated to stay interesting.1, 2
Where the cage goes
Choose a spot with steady light and household presence, but without constant disturbance. Avoid kitchens and anywhere fumes may build up. Keep the enclosure out of draughts, away from direct sun through glass, and protected from sudden temperature swings. If the cage is outside or in an aviary, make sure there is reliable shade and shelter from wind and rain.1
Diet and nutrition
The main principle: seeds are not a complete diet
Many illnesses seen in pet birds trace back to long-term nutritional imbalance. All-seed diets are a classic culprit—often too high in fat and too low in key nutrients (including vitamin A), with flow-on effects across skin, feathers, immunity, and more.3, 4
For many commonly kept parrots, a quality formulated diet (pellets) plus a wide range of vegetables is a practical foundation, with seeds and nuts used sparingly as treats or training rewards.3, 8
Lorikeets need a different menu
Rainbow lorikeets are specialised feeders: in the wild they mostly take nectar and pollen, with fruit, seeds, and insects making up a smaller portion.7 In captivity, they generally need a dedicated lorikeet nectar diet and careful hygiene, because wet foods spoil quickly.6
Feeding routine and hygiene
- Fresh water daily: clean bowls and refresh water every day; some birds foul open bowls quickly, so hygiene matters.2, 6
- Fresh foods first: offer vegetables and other fresh foods early in the day, then remove anything that’s wilting or spoiling.
- Store food properly: mouldy or poorly stored seed (and pet-grade peanuts) can be dangerous. Keep feed dry, sealed, and in-date.3
Health and veterinary care
Common problems to watch for
Birds are skilled at masking illness. Changes are often subtle: a quieter bird, less interest in food, fluffed feathers for long periods, altered droppings, tail-bobbing with breaths, or sitting low and still.
Nutritional disorders are common, especially in birds eating mostly seed, and can contribute to poor feather quality and chronic skin/respiratory issues.3, 4
Regular check-ups and early action
Find an avian-experienced veterinarian before you need one. Routine checks help catch weight loss, diet issues, and early disease. If your bird becomes suddenly unwell, treat it as urgent—birds can deteriorate quickly.
Socialisation and behaviour
What “normal” bird behaviour looks like
Most companion bird species are social by nature. In the wild they often live in pairs or groups, and they spend much of the day moving, calling, feeding, and searching for food.1 In the home, that same wiring shows up as a need for company, routine, and things to do.
Learn your bird’s baseline. The small details—posture, feathers held sleek or fluffed, where they choose to sit, how they eat—often tell you more than any single sound.
Bonding without forcing it
Move slowly and predictably. Sit near the cage. Talk softly. Offer a favourite food through the bars. Let the bird choose to approach. Trust is built from dozens of uneventful, safe interactions.
Training and enrichment
Training that supports welfare
Simple, practical behaviours—like a calm “step up” onto a hand-held perch—can make daily care easier and reduce stress during transport or vet visits. Use positive reinforcement (a small treat or favourite food) and keep sessions short.
Enrichment that matters
Enrichment is not decoration. It’s how you give a captive bird the chance to forage, chew, shred, manipulate, and explore.
- Foraging: hide part of the daily food in paper, cardboard, or safe foraging toys.
- Rotation: swap toys regularly so the cage stays mentally “alive”.
- Natural materials: add bird-safe branches and chewable items to support normal chewing and beak wear.1, 2
Grooming and maintenance
Bathing and feather condition
Many birds bathe readily when given the option. Offer a shallow dish of clean water, or a gentle mist if your bird tolerates it. Consistent access to bathing can support feather condition and comfort.2
If feathers look persistently ragged, greasy, or broken—or if the bird is over-preening—book a vet check. Feather damage is often a symptom, not a standalone issue.
Beak and nails
Healthy birds usually maintain their beak through daily use, chewing, and climbing. Provide appropriate perches and chew items. If nails become overgrown or the beak looks cracked, misshapen, or flaky, have an avian vet assess it rather than trying to fix it at home.
Safety and precautions
Fast, silent household hazards
Birds are extremely sensitive to airborne toxins. Fumes from overheated non-stick cookware and other PTFE-coated items can be deadly, sometimes within minutes. Keep birds well away from kitchens during cooking, avoid overheating non-stick surfaces, and consider switching to bird-safer alternatives if you can’t control exposure risk.9
- Air quality: avoid smoke, strong aerosols, and harsh cleaning fumes near the cage.
- Open water, fans, windows: supervise out-of-cage time; ceiling fans and open doors/windows are common causes of injury and escapes.
- Electrical cords and small gaps: birds explore with their beaks—assume they will test anything within reach.
Biosecurity: when “wild birds” and “pet birds” overlap
If you notice clusters of sick or dead wild birds, don’t handle them. Record the location and report it via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888).10
Final thoughts
Good bird care looks quiet from the outside: clean water, good food, safe air, room to move, and steady companionship. Over time, these small choices add up. A bird that feels safe will eat well, sleep deeply, and use its space with confidence—bright-eyed, busy, and unmistakably itself.
References
- RSPCA Australia — How to help your pet bird have a good life
- RSPCA Knowledgebase — How should I care for my birds?
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Disorders of Pet Birds (Bird Owners)
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Nutritional Diseases of Pet Birds (Professional)
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Management of Pet Birds
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Feeding a Pet Bird
- BirdLife Australia — Rainbow Lorikeet (bird profile)
- Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) — Birds (care and feeding guidance)
- Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center — Teflon (PTFE) Toxicity in Birds
- Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) — Vets and bird flu
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom