If you're looking for some fresh new ways that you can bond and interact with your bird, then why not try your hand at teaching your pet a few fun and easy bird tricks? Check out these cool tricks that you can teach your pet bird for some great ideas that will help you score some extra socialization time with your pet while keeping them mentally stimulated at the same time. Who knows, you may find out that you have a little performer on your hands, and want to progress to learning even more advanced tricks and commands!

As many bird owners know all too well, a bored parrot is an unhappy parrot, and sometimes an unhealthy parrot. Creatures as intelligent and sensitive as birds get bored very easily when confined to a cage in the same old surroundings day after day. Doing what you can to prevent boredom in your parrot will not only prevent many health and behavioral problems in your pet, it is your duty as a responsible bird owner. For some fresh ideas on how you can better keep your bird mentally stimulated, check out these 5 Steps to Preventing Boredom in Pet Birds. If you implement these tried and true techniques, you'll be rewarded with a healthier, happier pet on the inside and out.

Photo (c) 2011 Alyson Kalhagen licensed to About.com, Inc

While there is truly no such thing as a "low-maintenance" bird species, there are certain types of popular pet birds that are way easier to care for than others in terms of time spent handling and interacting with them. There are even some types of pet birds that prefer not to be handled at all! If you are looking for a pet bird that you can successfully care for without having to devote massive chunks of your already busy schedule to keeping it, then check out this list of Low Maintenance Bird Species. You may discover that the bird of your dreams isn't that hard to come by after all!

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Part of having a pet bird is doing what has to be done to provide it with a safe living environment. On top of getting your bird a safe and spacious cage, you'll need to set aside a safe area of your home in which your pet can roam and play during out-of-cage time. For help with learning how to make sure that your bird's play area is secure and free of outstanding safety risks, check out my new article on How to "Bird-Proof" a Room. It will help you make sure that your feathered friend's playground is as safe as possible, which will translate into a minimized risk of injury to your pet.