Summer Safety for Pet Birds

by  Susan Chamberlain

Summertime can be the best time of year for your pet bird if you take a few precautions:

• Keep your bird’s flight feathers trimmed. Escapes often occur during warm weather when doors and windows are opened more frequently. Don’t want to have your bird’s feathers clipped? Be sure your pet is safely inside its cage when doors are likely to be opened.
• Keep ceiling fans OFF when flighted birds are at liberty inside your home.
• Make sure window screens are in good repair. This will help keep insects OUT and your birds IN!
• West Nile Virus is active during the summer. Be sure to prevent standing water in your yard.
• Take your bird outside safely in its carrier or travel cage.
• Whether traveling or at home, be sure your bird can seek shade inside its cage or carrier to prevent overheating. Never place an acrylic carrier or cage in direct sun.
• Remove fresh foods (eggs, fruit, vegetables, etc.) from your bird’s cage after a few hours, as spoilage happens more quickly in the warm months.