Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Mitch Rezman

All the birds get chopped fruit and veggies for breakfast every morning

We replace the vitamin water in all 4 home birdcages around 4 PM when Keto and Chili come upstairs leaving their work cages (on mom’s desk) behind.

At about the same time we pull all the morning breakfast dishes along with the water dishes from all 6 cages (2 downstairs – 4 upstairs). 

If any of the food dishes are soiled they get pulled.

That food usually goes into a fresh dish (which is why you need at least 2 sets of food and water dished to help keep you sane), but not always instantly.

I may pull the dishes to replace the paper on the bottom of the birdcages where we keep the parrot’s dishes and do some tidying up which could take a while.

The budgies have 3 Tweeky Cleans and a hardened glass pie dish on the floor of the cage (the grate) to satisfy their ground-foraging instinctual needs.

At least once a week we pull the Tweeky Clean mess-less feeders to thoroughly wash then allow them to dry.

The Tweeky Cleans may not arrive back filled with food to the aviary for a couple of hours because we try not to be at the beck and call of our flock.

What I’ve wondered for the longest time is “What are the bird’s expectations that they will indeed receive food and water at any time in the future once it vanishes”?

Here are my thoughts,

Pet birds’ expectations and understanding of food and water dish changes are based on several factors:

1. Routine and consistency:

Birds are creatures of habit. If you consistently change their food and water at the same times each day, they learn to expect this routine. Over time, they associate your actions with the arrival of fresh food and water.

2. Past experiences:

Birds learn from repeated experiences. If every time you remove their dishes, you return with fresh food and water, they begin to anticipate this outcome.

3. Trust:

A well-bonded bird trusts its caregiver. This trust extends to the belief that you will provide for their needs, including returning with food and water.

4. Visual and auditory cues:

Birds are observant. They may recognize specific sounds or actions associated with food preparation, like the rustling of a food bag or the sound of running water.

5. Short-term memory:

While birds don’t necessarily “know” you’ll return in the human sense, their short-term memory allows them to anticipate the return of food based on recent events.

6. Hunger and thirst cues:

Physiological needs also play a role. If a bird is hungry or thirsty when you remove the dishes, they may be more attentive to your return.

7. Species-specific behaviors:

Some bird species naturally forage throughout the day, so they may be more adaptable to temporary absences of food dishes. (Think pie dish on the bottom of the budgie’s aviary).

It’s important to note that sudden changes in routine or prolonged absences of food and water can cause stress for pet birds. Maintaining consistency and ensuring that fresh food and water are always available is crucial for their well-being.

We see that manifesting itself when Catherine and I must leave early in the morning leaving Keto, Barney, and Chili locked in their home cages until our return – sometimes the next day.

Also, all birds that are out of their birdcages must return to their home at birdy bedtime 8 PM 30 minutes before their full spectrum lights shut off.

To help make nighttime confinement palatable everyone gets nummies.

Barney the cockatiel gets a very small sprig or two of millet while the 6 budgies may split up to 3 sprigs and/or the shake from the millet canister.

Keto vacillates between a millet sprig or a piece of AviCake, we never know.

Chili will only accept a small shard of AviCake.

We know what our pet birds expect of us, are you tuned into yours?

Written and Approved by Mitch Rezman and the Windy City Parrot Content Team

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Mitch Rezman

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