Question: Reasons to Avoid Giving Live Birds As Gifts
I've been doing a lot of Christmas shopping lately and I can't think of anything at all to get for my bird-loving sister. She already owns one parrot whom she adores, so I can't think of anything that would make her happier than to get another bird that she could play with and enjoy. Do pet birds make good presents for Christmas and/or birthdays?
Answer: NO. In fact, giving a live bird as a gift to anyone at all, regardless of how much they love birds, is a very bad idea.
There are several reasons for this. First of all, you can't be sure that the recipient of your gift is willing or able to take on a pet bird, even if they already have one -- and no matter how big a bird lover they are. For example, people who rent their homes often have a landlord-imposed limit on how many pets they can keep. An additional bird might put them at risk of violating the terms of their lease. On another hand, adopting a new bird means buying a new cage, maintaining a constant supply of new foods, treats, and toys, and setting aside funds for veterinary expenses. In short -- birds can be expensive, and even if you give someone a pet bird as a gift, it means that they have to be able to support it financially for the rest of its life. How would you like getting stuck with that sort of responsibility as a "gift"?
To take things a bit further, some people deliberately keep only one bird in order to maintain a stronger bond with them. Perhaps the existing bird was a rescue who does not get along with other birds. Perhaps the bird has been diagnosed with a disease like PBFD and must be quarantined from other birds for the rest of its life.
Further still, many bird owners insist that when they chose their pet birds, it was really because the birds chose them. By giving someone a bird as a gift, you are robbing both the bird and owner of the opportunity to pick their new companion.
Instead of buying a pet bird as a gift for the bird lover in your life, consider giving them a gift card to their favorite pet supply store. That way they can have a ball shopping for the pets they already have, or for supplies for a new pet that they decide to adopt themselves. That way you will have done your part to get them a great gift, while recognizing and supporting their lifestyle and showing an interest in the birds that they love so much.
There are several reasons for this. First of all, you can't be sure that the recipient of your gift is willing or able to take on a pet bird, even if they already have one -- and no matter how big a bird lover they are. For example, people who rent their homes often have a landlord-imposed limit on how many pets they can keep. An additional bird might put them at risk of violating the terms of their lease. On another hand, adopting a new bird means buying a new cage, maintaining a constant supply of new foods, treats, and toys, and setting aside funds for veterinary expenses. In short -- birds can be expensive, and even if you give someone a pet bird as a gift, it means that they have to be able to support it financially for the rest of its life. How would you like getting stuck with that sort of responsibility as a "gift"?
To take things a bit further, some people deliberately keep only one bird in order to maintain a stronger bond with them. Perhaps the existing bird was a rescue who does not get along with other birds. Perhaps the bird has been diagnosed with a disease like PBFD and must be quarantined from other birds for the rest of its life.
Further still, many bird owners insist that when they chose their pet birds, it was really because the birds chose them. By giving someone a bird as a gift, you are robbing both the bird and owner of the opportunity to pick their new companion.
Instead of buying a pet bird as a gift for the bird lover in your life, consider giving them a gift card to their favorite pet supply store. That way they can have a ball shopping for the pets they already have, or for supplies for a new pet that they decide to adopt themselves. That way you will have done your part to get them a great gift, while recognizing and supporting their lifestyle and showing an interest in the birds that they love so much.
