Birdfy Outdoor Living & Garden | Petco

Related Articles & Questions

Home & Habitat
Caring for Your Pet Bird During a Power Outage
Learn more about beachcombing tips with your water-friendly dog to understand how to get most out of your dog’s day at the beach.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
New Pet
First-Time Bird Owner? Essential Guide to Your Pet Bird's Perfect Home
Learn some tips about bringing your new pet bird home for the first time. Find out what supplies and actions will help her feel most at home.
Updated on October 23rd, 2025
Care Sheets
Master Medium Parakeet Care: Essential Guide for a Long, Happy Life
Learn how to care for a medium-sized parakeets, recommended diet & bird cage setup. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
Updated on April 9th, 2026
Health & Wellness
Feather Plucking in Birds: Causes & How to Stop It
Learn more about preventing and stopping unhealthy feather plucking or feather picking as it could lead to serious health problems for your pet bird.
Updated on July 17th, 2026
Seasonal Topics
What Is a Catio for Cats? Build the Perfect One
Learn how to create a safe and enriching outdoor space for your cat with our step-by-step guide to designing the perfect catio.
Updated on June 19th, 2026
Training & Behavior
My lovebirds are bored. What are the best toys to keep them happy?
Some toys or changes to the environment are definitely a great way to help reduce boredom. You can look for toys that are soft or fuzzy to encourage preening and chewing behavior, or toys that can move around such as swings or bendy ladders for exercise. Treats that have to be pecked at are also great enrichment. Just be sure to choose toys that are designed for your bird's size and activity level. If you have a pair, you may also want to add in a nest or some nesting material to encourage building and give them extra enrichment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
New to parakeets? Essential care tips for first-time owners.
Parakeets, also called Budgerigars, are small members of the parrot family and they can become good mimics. The average adult size is 7 inches long, head to end of tail. The average life span is between 10 to 20 years with proper care. A well-balanced Parakeet diet consists of: Specialized pellets should make up 60-70% of diet, fresh vegetables and fruits and small amounts of fortified seeds Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily. Do not feed birds: avocado, fruit seeds, chocolate, caffeine or alcohol; it can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats. Things to remember when feeding your Parakeet: Fresh food and water should always be available. Vegetables and fruits not eaten within a few hours should be discarded. Remember, treats should not exceed 10% of total food intake. Housing Parakeets acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A habitat approximately 18"W x 18"D x 18"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1-2" apart, makes a good home for one Parakeet. A flight habitat is strongly recommended. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. Perches should be at least 4" long and 3-8" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings; line the droppings tray with habitat paper or appropriate substrate for easier cleaning. To avoid contamination, do not place food or water containers under perches. Parakeets can be kept alone to bond with pet parent or in pairs to bond with each other. Different birds she not be housed together. Normal Behavior Parakeets are talkers, but their little voices are sometimes hard to hear. Active and need daily time out of their habitats to interact with family. Keep in pairs if unable to devote daily interaction time. Provide foraging toys, which provide important mental stimulation. Housing Maintenance Clean and disinfect the habitat and perches regularly; replace substrate or habitat liner weekly or more often as needed. Replace perches, dishes, and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no habitat parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird. Do not use a lot of cleaning agents around your bird a natural cleaner. Grooming & Hygiene Provide filtered, chlorine-free, lukewarm water regularly for bathing; remove the water when done. As an alternative, mist the bird with water. Clipping flight feathers is not necessary, but when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird. Signs of a Healthy Animal: Active, alert, and sociable Eats and drinks throughout the day Dry nares and bright, dry eyes Beak, legs and feet normal in appearance Clean, dry vent Smooth, well-groomed feathers Common Health Issues Chlamydiosis: Appetite loss, fluffed feathers, nasal discharge, green stool. Seek immediate avian veterinary attention. Diarrhea: Fecal portion of stool is not formed. Multiple causes from diet change to internal parasites. Consult with an avian veterinarian and ensure proper diet. Feather plucking: Bird plucks own feathers; may be due to boredom, poor diet or other illness. Consult your veterinarian and relieve boredom with attention, new toys or new space. Mites (scaly face and leg disease): White deposits on eyes, beak, legs, and feet. Consult your veterinarian. Red Flags Beak swelling or accumulations Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers Sitting on floor
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Can I sell my pet birds back to the store, or what are my options?
Most pet stores will not "buy" back animals. Each one may have a different policy, so you would need to contact the store directly and speak with a manager. Contact the local humane society and ask if they have any people looking to adopt a bird. You can do the same with local veterinary clinics. If there is an avian vet nearby, contact them or check the office bulletin board. There may be options there.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
My female bird is laying eggs. What care and feeding tips do I need?
Feed a good quality pelleted diet (Harrison's, Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or Exact) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh greens and vegetables. Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block. Always have fresh water available. Provide an appropriately sized nesting box and suitable nesting material (straw, Aspen shaving, shredded newspaper, etc.).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
My African Grey parrot is stressed by my cats. Can they live safely?
I am sorry your friend is in this difficult situation. The kitchen is not a good place to house a bird because birds are very sensitive to cooking fumes and cooking with Teflon near a bird an be deadly for the bird. Cats and birds can potentially co-exist, though their presence can cause both of them to be more likely to act aggressively. It may be possible for your friend to keep the bird, but some planning, adjusting, and training may be needed. Here are a few good resources: http://www.vetstreet.com/dr-marty-becker/can-cats-and-birds-live-safely-together https://www.petcoach.co/article/bird-safety-bird-proof-your-home-to-eliminate-household-haz/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/teflon-toxicity-ptfe-toxicosis-in-birds-signs-and-preventio/
Updated on September 24th, 2025