Keeping birds as pets has become increasingly popular in India. Birds like parakeets, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, canaries, and myna are some of the more common pet bird species found in Indian households. Choosing the right bird to keep as a pet depends on factors like space availability, noise levels, required care and maintenance, temperament, costs and legality.
What are some good options for pet birds in India?
Here are some of the best pet bird options for Indian homes:
- Budgerigars or Parakeets – Small, colorful, inexpensive and relatively easy to care for. Make chatter noises and require daily out of cage playtime.
- Cockatiels – Small parrot-like birds that are very affectionate and bond well with owners. Make whistling noises and need a large cage.
- Lovebirds – Social birds that do well in pairs and bond closely with owners. Small but noisy. Need lots of toys and interaction.
- Finches – Small passerine birds like zebra finches and society finches that do well in flocks. Inexpensive, low maintenance but not very interactive.
- Canaries – Vocal songbirds that are lively and active. Need large cages and special balanced diets.
- Mynas – Intelligent birds that can mimic speech. Omnivorous and need lots of stimuli. Better suited for experienced bird owners.
What factors should I consider before getting a pet bird in India?
Here are some important factors to consider before getting a pet bird in India:
- Space – Most birds need large cages and plenty of room to flap their wings. Estimate the space you can provide before picking a species.
- Noise – Parakeets, cockatiels and mynas can be very vocal with screeches, chirps and mimicry. Only get noisy birds if you are sure you can tolerate the decibel levels.
- Care Time – Birds are high maintenance pets that need daily interaction, cleaning, feeding, grooming and vet checks. Are you able to commit the time?
- Costs – Budget for an appropriate cage, toys, perches, vet bills, food and supplements. Bigger birds cost more.
- Lifespan – Certain birds like parakeets and cockatiels can live 15-20 years. Be ready for a long-term commitment.
- Temperament – Choose birds based on your personality. High-strung birds need patient owners.
- Legality – Native birds like munias are illegal to keep as pets. Stick to captive-bred exotic species.
What are the best pet birds for beginners in India?
Here are some of the best pet bird species for beginners in India:
- Zebra Finches – Tiny, colorful finches that adapt well to cages. Do well in pairs or groups. Easy care.
- Parakeets – Hardy birds ideal for first-time owners. Entertaining and relatively easy to tame.
- Canaries – Require specialized care but their vocalizations and bright colors are appealing for beginners.
- Society Finches – Cheerful and active finches that are easy to care for. Need to be kept in pairs or groups.
- Diamond Doves – Small, charming doves that bond closely but are not very demanding in their care needs.
What are some beginner mistakes to avoid with pet birds in India?
Here are some common mistakes beginner pet bird owners should avoid:
- Getting only one finch or parakeet – Social birds are happiest with a companion.
- Using a small, inappropriate cage – Get the largest possible cage for your bird species.
- Not providing enough toys and perches – Birds need environmental enrichment to stay engaged.
- Skimping on a varied, nutritional diet – Seeds alone are deficient. Offer pellets, fruits, veggies.
- Letting birds out unsupervised – Make sure windows and doors are shut so birds don’t escape.
- Neglecting hygiene – Clean food and water bowls, perches, cage floor daily.
- Assuming a bird will start talking – Only select species like mynas, parrots and budgies can mimic speech.
- Not avian vet visits – Wellness exams and emergency vet care is vital for pet bird health.
What are the best pet bird species for apartments in India?
The cramped confines of apartments can be challenging for pet birds. Here are some of the best apartment-friendly pet bird species in India:
- Budgerigars – Small, active parakeets that adapt well to apartments in large cages.
- Cockatiels – Make some noise but are compact and affectionate apartment pets.
- Lovebirds – Bond strongly with owners and are petite enough for apartments.
- Diamond Doves – Peaceful, quiet doves that need minimal space to thrive.
- Canaries – Their small size and lovely songs make them ideal for apartments.
- Finches – Zebra, society and other finches need just enough room for a large cage.
The key is ensuring the bird gets 4-6 hours of daily out of cage time for exercising and interacting.
What are the best pet bird species for children in India?
Children and birds can formclose bonds but small, sturdy species are safest for kids. Recommended pet birds for children include:
- Parakeets – Hardy, interactive and able to tolerate handling by kids.
- Cockatiels – Friendly and willing to perch on fingers once tamed.
- Canaries – Gentle songbirds that enjoy children’s company.
- Finches – Smaller finches like zebra finches are ideal starter pets for kids.
- Doves – Sweet-natured and unlikely to nip or bite young hands.
Parental supervision is still needed when kids interact with pet birds. Proper handling techniques should be taught.
What are some important pet bird care tips for beginners in India?
Here are some key pet bird care tips for beginners in India:
- Start with a hand-fed, well-socialized bird from a reputable breeder or store.
- Allow 2-4 weeks for the bird to adjust to its new home before intensive handling.
- Set up the cage in a quiet, low traffic area away from direct sunlight or drafts.
- Include several clean water and food bowls plus toy rotation to prevent boredom.
- Offer a nutritious diet with pellets, vegetables, fruits and modest seeds.
- interact positively with the bird for at least 2 hours each day.
- Trim nails and wings when needed and bring to an avian vet for wellness exams.
- Join online groups to connect with other bird owners in India for advice.
Where can I find captive bred pet birds for sale in India?
Reputable options for finding captive bred pet birds for sale in India include:
- Specialized bird breeders – Find via online searches, classified ads, bird clubs.
- Pet stores – Mall pet stores sometimes carry popular pet birds.
- Bird markets – Visit markets in your city to find bird breeders and vendors.
- Online – Check sites like Quikr, OLX for pet birds listed in your area.
- Veterinarians – Avian vets may know breeders with birds for sale.
- Bird clubs – Connect with local bird associations to find breeders.
- Social media – Search for bird enthusiast Facebook Groups and sellers.
Avoid buying wild-caught birds which are often less healthy and may transmit diseases. Insist on seeing quarantine papers.
What are the yearly costs and important supplies for pet bird ownership in India?
Here are the approximate yearly costs and key supplies needed for pet bird ownership in India:
- Yearly costs:
- Food – Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000
- Toys – Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500
- Vet visits – Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000
- Miscellaneous – Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000
- One-time essential supplies:
- Cage – Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 15,000
- Perches, dishes – Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000
- Toys – Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500
- Grooming kit – Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500
Bigger parrot species can cost significantly more. Budgeting Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 yearly for a single pet bird’s expenses is recommended.
What permits and licenses are needed to own exotic bird species in India?
Here are some key permits and licenses required for owning exotic bird species as pets in India:
- Import license from Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) – For imported exotic pet birds.
- Ownership certificate – Issued by State’s Chief Wildlife Warden for certain exotic species.
- Captive Breeding certificate – From Central Zoo Authority to breed exotic species.
- Veterinary health certificate – Imported birds require certification of good health.
- Municipal pet license – Some cities require annual license to keep exotic birds.
Research laws in your state and secure all mandated permits before acquiring an exotic bird. Legal exotic pet birds include parakeets, cockatiels, finches, doves etc. Native birds like munias are usually banned.
What are some important things to train pet birds to do?
Here are some useful things pet birds can be positively trained to do:
- Step up on finger – Teaches bird to voluntarily step onto hand when cage is opened.
- Target training – Peck a stick target to better control bird movements.
- Recall – Come when called to return to cage or shoulder.
- Speech – Some birds can learn words, tunes, sounds with persistent training.
- Shaking hands – Grasp finger and shake on cue, a fun trick.
- Wave – Wave a wing when given the wave cue.
- Turn around – Spin in a circle while on a perch or finger.
- Kisses – Touch beak gently to nose or lips.
Use rewards like millet spray and always train in short, frequent, positive sessions. Avoid punishment-based training.
What are some common health problems seen in pet birds in India?
Some common pet bird health issues in India include:
- Respiratory infections
- Psittacosis/parrot fever
- Parasites like roundworms
- Enteritis
- Egg binding in females
- Conjunctivitis
- Obesity
- Feather plucking
- Toxicity from fumes like Teflon
- Broken blood feathers
- Crop stasis
- Calcium deficiency
- Egg yolk peritonitis
Consult an avian vet promptly if your pet bird seems ill and avoid self-medicating birds.
What signs indicate a pet bird may be sick and needs veterinary care?
Look for these signs a pet bird may be ill and needs veterinary evaluation:
- Fluffed, plumped feathers
- Sitting still at bottom of cage
- Loss of appetite
- Beak wiping
- Tail bobbing
- Nasal discharge
- Discolored droppings
- Eye or beak swelling
- Vomiting
- Labored breathing
- Weakness or inability to perch
Separate sick birds and call an avian vet right away if any concerning symptoms are seen.
What emergency first aid can be provided to an injured pet bird at home?
Here are some first aid steps that can be provided to an injured pet bird at home before getting veterinary care:
- Restrain gently using towel or gloves to avoid further injury
- Try to stop any severe bleeding using home methods
- Cover with box to prevent flapping if broken wing or leg is suspected
- Allow access to water to prevent dehydration
- Keep stressed bird in quiet, warm, dark location
- Monitor closely for worsening condition
- Avoid giving any medications, drops or ointments
- Transport quickly and safely to nearest avian veterinarian
Even minor injuries can be fatal for small birds, so urgent vet care is crucial.
What are some common myths about pet birds in India?
Some common myths about pet birds in India include:
- Birds like parakeets are only for children – Birds need knowledgeable adult caregivers.
- Birds can live healthy lives in tiny cages – All birds need sufficiently large enclosures.
- Pet birds don’t need regular veterinary care – Yearly vet visits are highly recommended.
- Birds’ feelings aren’t easily hurt – Harsh treatment and neglect stresses birds.
- Trimming wings prevents flight forever – Wings grow back after molting.
- Birds prefer to be solitary – Highly social interaction is vital for pet birds.
- Birds are low maintenance pets – Daily attentive care is crucial.
- Hand-feeding baby birds makes best pets – Weanlings need proper rearing.
Research a bird species thoroughly and consult experienced owners to avoid misinformation.
Conclusion
Caring for pet birds in India is rewarding but requires commitment to their specialized needs. With ample space, time, proper supplies and veterinary care, birds like parakeets, cockatiels and finches can thrive and bond strongly with their owners. Learn all about a particular species in advance and join local bird clubs to become part of the enthusiastic Indian bird owner community.