Just like anything else, there are proper and improper ways to handle a pet bird. Birds are not as easily tamed as dogs or cats, and as such, taking one into the arms is not as easy. Birds are fairly delicate creatures, both physically and mentally. It can be simpler than you may believe to hold your feathery companion safely if you practice the right skills. To ensure that you and the bird get the most out of your handling time, read the advice provided below. How do I hold a bird correctly?
Make Your Bird Learn to "Step Up"
Make Your Bird Learn to "Step Up"
Even though most bird owners don't consider themselves expert trainers, it's crucial that they teach the birds a few fundamental commands so that they can be happy and healthy. For safety, the most crucial of them is the Step-Up Command, which teaches birds to step on the owners' fingers and is quite simple to learn. Once you teach your bird this instruction, you'll find it much simpler to take your companion out of its cage and to move it around your house without having to deal with frightful situations where it's "catch me when you can."
Keep your bird from perching on your shoulder.
Bird owners frequently let their birds climb, ride, or sit on their shoulders, but this is not a good idea for a number of reasons. To begin with, letting your bird perch on your shoulder allows it access to your eyes, ears, and other delicate facial areas. If your bird gets scared or upset when perched on your shoulder, it may bite you, which might be painful and harmful. By keeping your bird close to your forearms or hands at all times and keeping it away from your face, you can completely eliminate the risk.
Utilize a towel if required.
When you try to safely hold a bird, it can help both of you practice toweling in these scenarios because there are occasions when it may be difficult to grasp onto a bird's when performing a wing and nail trim. Even though it's not ideal to towel the bird all the time, there are situations when it's important to restrain the feathered friend, and toweling your pet can help keep him or her calm and safe. Remember that birds can easily become overheated, so if, for any reason, you must towel the bird, make sure you do it as soon as possible.
Never grab a bird by its tail, legs, or wings.
No matter how skilled your bird is at the "step-up" order, you should never grab him by the wings, legs, or tail. You run the risk of frightening your bird and injuring his sensitive feathers, but you also run the risk of consequences like fractured bones or other injuries. Should you need to lift a bird that will not come near you, do it securely by holding onto it with a little towel or padded gloves to prevent scratches or bites to your fingers.
Never shake, squeeze, or hit your bird.
In contrast to other pet species, birds are extremely delicate due to their intricate anatomy and specialized design, which is intended for flight. It's crucial to keep in mind that you should always handle your bird gently. Even if your bird is resistant to handling, you should never squeeze it or hold it too tightly. By doing this, you run the risk of breaking a pet's bones, harming internal organs, and worse. Try using these bonding tactics with your bird if it feels like the only manner in which you can hold him is to hold on to him tightly. This will let your pet appreciate being handled or accept it without fear or reluctance.
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