Seasonal Preparation

Fall is upon us! Now is the time to prepare for the coming winter months to ensure your companion birds have everything they need to have an enjoyable fall and winter.

So what DO your birds need? Let's look at the basics: lighting, food, warmth, and housing.

Lighting

What sort of lighting is your companion bird exposed to? Incandescent lighting? Fluorescent lighting? Natural sunlight (not filtered through a window)? Light intensity and exposure time are critical for birds. It's the way birds set their biological clocks. Too much full spectrum (sunlight-like) light and your bird is ready to go into mating mode. Too little light and your bird is lethargic and listless.

Food

Your bird's diet if very important. Just like humans, if you are not getting the right blend of essential nutrients your performance and well-being suffer. For the October meeting, Diane Richards will be presenting avian nutritional information and some samples of her birdie receipts for all in attendance.

Warmth

Our bird companions are quite adaptable. My flock members are mostly found in rain forests and semi-arid regions. Ann and I like the house to be approximately 66 degree Fahrenheit year-round with a little (45 percent) humidity. Our bird rooms also have individually controlled heaters and humidifiers to allow our birds a species-specific environment. Our macaws a bit warmer and more humid than the cockatoos. Know your bird, know what type of environment is right for them. Have the room they spend the majority of their time in as warm, or cool, as your bird likes it.

Housing

Just remember: Purchase the largest cage you can afford, with the proper bar spacing for your companion bird. There needs to be adequate room for the bird to spread its wings without sticking them halfway through the bars on either side of the cage. There needs to be room for perches, toys, water, food, and treat cups in addition to your bird being in the cage.

What would a house be without furniture and entertainment? Ensure that your companion bird has a variety of perches available. After all, birds are on their feet 24/7 and don't really "sit" unless they are nesting. Ann and I use "natural" perches, tree limbs from bird-safe trees. In Alaska, most of the deciduous trees are safe to use for perches (see http://www.robharvey.com/information/plants.html). Also use the "soft" rope perches to give your bird something different for its feet to rest upon.

Make sure you have your full spectrum lighting, a good supply of birdie breads, and comfy area to be with your bird and enjoy the fall months!

I want to thank all of the Alaska Bird Club members who assisted in making this year's Annual Companion Bird Seminar a success: Susan and David Allen, Nancy Lang, Suzanne Nye, Leanna Rein, Diane Richards, Jennifer Slaughter, Ang Taplin, Ann Taylor, Cindy Welbourne, Lin and Karl Westgard

The Alaska Bird Club • P.O. Box 101825 • Anchorage AK 99510
akbirdclub@yahoo.com