natural pet
Feathered Friends The Pros and Cons of Keeping Birds as Pets by Julie Peterson
Happy and Healthy
Talking birds are delightful. Some mimic human language, others understand word meanings and use them appropriately. “Birds are as intelligent as a young child and as emotionally temperamental as a toddler,” says Mary Miller, who has raised budgies and the small- to medium-sized parrots known as conures at her home in Buffalo and has worked with other birds in rescue facilities. Luther agrees that birds don’t just mimic what they hear. “They understand like a 2- to 3-year-old child. When we are cooking dinner, she will ask, ‘For me?’ or, ‘Can I have some?’” Kata May also articulates her fondness for the pizza delivery person with, “I love you!” Then, “Mmmmmm, thank you,” in anticipation of a treat. Even without words, birds are excellent Complex Commitment companions. “If raised correctly and inBirds follow only dogs and cats as the country’s favorite companion animals, according teracted with on a regular basis, birds can to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lovebirds, budgies and canaries have be very affectionate. They are highly intelan average lifespan of eight or more years, but can live to be 20. Typically, larger birds ligent and social animals, so they form live longer. Because it’s common for birds to outlive their owners, the Avian Welfare deep and lasting bonds with humans,” Coalition, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, helps ensure these pets are included in wills and says de Jongh. estate planning. Nutrition is key to a raising a bird. Birds need to chew, and if they play outside their cages, must be kept away from hazard- Leslie Moran, a Reno-based holistic ous items. Besides droppings, birds also create dander and dust. “Cleaning her cage and animal nutrition and care consultant, the room is a two-hour project every week,” says Luther. is working to end avian malnutrition There’s also the potty mouth. Kata May learned some unsavory phrases from her previ- through the Healthy Bird Project, which ous owner. She sometimes screams, “Shut the hell up!” or, “Turn that #@%&ing thing up!” conducts nutritional research on exotic to get the TV at the desired volume. species. Traditional grain and seed mixes Babette de Jongh, an animal communicator and romance author in Bay Minette, Alalack essential nutrients and contribute to bama, once knew a bird that routinely screamed, “Fire!” resulting in 911 calls. unbalanced protein intake for caged and “Birds can be loud,” says de Jongh. “They generally try to be louder than the ambient companion birds. Moran’s goal is to move the food industry toward the inclusion of noise in the room.” more wholesome choices. “Fresh fruits Luther agrees, saying, “You can hear my bird yell from a city block away.”
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April 2021 | New York City – Long Island
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Kata May is a 30-inchtall, blue-and-gold macaw. “It’s nice to come home and have a conversation with a snuggly bird,” says Joshua Luther, who took over care of the avian when he was 13 years old and she was 11. Now 17 years later, Kata May holds a commanding presence in Luther’s home in Columbus, Wisconsin. “She’s set up where our dining room should be, so my wife and I can sit and talk or play with her.” Luther notes that the cherished pet has a bit of a temper and can bend the bars on her $1,000 cage if she’s bored or angry. Considering the bird has a bite force of 1,800 pounds per square inch, it’s sensible to keep her happy, which could be for another 50 years.
