Birds · Breeds
The budgie, a proper care guide to Britain's favourite small parrot
Budgies are small, affordable, and full of character, and they are far more than the neglected cage-bird of tradition. Here is what they actually need to thrive.
Articles by Tom Reeves
Birds · Breeds
The cockatiel, a care guide to the friendly crested parrot
Cockatiels are gentle, affectionate, and characterful, one of the best pet birds for many homes. Here is what they need to thrive, from company and diet to their famous whistling.
Birds · Behaviour
Why is my bird plucking its feathers
Feather plucking is one of the most distressing and stubborn problems in pet birds. Here is what drives it, why a vet must come first, and how to help a bird that has started.
Birds · Food
Safe and toxic foods for birds
Fresh food is a big part of a good bird diet, but a few common items are dangerous and one is deadly. Here is what you can safely share with your bird, and what to never let it near.
Birds · Health
The household dangers every bird owner should know
A bird's body is exquisitely sensitive, and ordinary homes are full of things that can kill one fast. Here are the hidden hazards, from non-stick fumes to open windows, and how to make a home bird-safe.
Birds · Behaviour
Why does my parrot scream, and how to quieten it
Some noise is normal and healthy. Relentless screaming is a bird trying to tell you something. Here is what is behind it, and how to turn the volume down without making it worse.
Birds · Breeds
Which pet bird is right for you
From a budgie to a macaw, pet birds vary enormously in noise, mess, cost, and how long they live. Here is an honest guide to choosing one you can actually live with for its whole life.
Birds · Food
Why an all-seed diet is bad for your bird
A bowl of seed is what most birds are sold with, and it is quietly one of the biggest causes of illness in pet birds. Here is what to feed instead, and how to make the switch.
Birds · Toys
How to keep a parrot from getting bored
A parrot has the mind of a toddler and a beak built to destroy. Without enough to do, that intelligence turns on itself. Here is how to keep a bright bird genuinely occupied.
Birds · Training
How to get your bird to trust you and step up
You cannot rush a bird into liking you. Here is how to build real trust with a nervous or new parrot, at its pace, and teach the step-up that everything else is built on.