One of the more fragile mammals in the animal kingdom, it is hard to imagine that some species of birds can live longer than their owners. Some may have even heard of the practice of miners going into mines with a canary. Miners used the canaries to gauge if the air in these tunnels were unhealthy, as the birds would perish long before the air reached fatal limits for humans.This practice is proof to the fact that birds are very attuned to the environment.



Just like birds found in the wild, pet birds are susceptible to unhealthy odors as well. Common household appliances and items such as Teflon pans, aerosol sprays and even innocuous furniture polish can be fatal for birds. One of the best practices when dealing with substances that may give off pungent odors is to use it in airy areas far away from your birds.

Pet birds have a strong desire to chew, and this can prove to be a serious danger. Lead poisoning can be caused when a bird chews on soldered joints found on welded items. In addition, birds like to nibble on potted plants. Despite popular sentiments, poinsettia plants are not deadly. It is better to be safe than sorry so do err on the side of caution should you be uncertain if a plant is poisonous for your pet bird and remove it from the reach of your pet. To provide your birds with a safe alternative, a small pot of parsley can help avoid the temptation of nibbling on your houseplants.

Feeding your birds fresh food is usually good for them; however, avocado, coffee and chocolate, are toxic to birds and should never be fed to them.

As the holiday season approaches, most people will bring a tree into their house. Many might think that a bird's natural habitat is a tree and have the belief that their birds will have an affinity for perching on it. While the birds may in fact enjoy such an activity, many pine trees are toxic to birds, especially if they have been treated with any type of preservatives. In addition, ornaments and electric lights can pose a safety hazard to your birds.

If your bird does not have its wings clipped, there are quite a few additional safety concerns to be addressed. First, all windows and glass doors should be covered in some way. The best way to do this is with curtains or shades. An alternative to curtains or shades is placing safety decals on the glass so your birds can tell the glass is there and avoid serious injury or even death. You should treat other large reflective surfaces and mirrors in a similar manner when your pet bird is released from its cage.

Standing water can also be a hazard. Your bird can drown in a toilet or full kitchen sink in a matter of seconds. Cooking while a bird is out of its cage is not advised, especially if you have an uncovered pot on the stove.

Finally, always be mindful of the whereabouts of your bird even if its wings are clipped. On an updraft, even a bird with clipped wings can glide for quite some distance. It is easy to forget that your bird is perched on your shoulder when your doorbell suddenly rings and you rush to answer it but you must remember never to carry your bird to an open door regardless of whether or not its wings are clipped.