Introduction

Birds from small to large have been kept as pets for centuries around the world. Canaries and other finches are valued for the beauty of their song and plumage. Parrots’ intelligence and ability to talk in human speech has fascinated people throughout the ages.

Many birds in the parrot family are easily tamed and can be very affectionate and playful with their owners, while finches are a better choice for those who prefer to admire them in their cages. Finches and smaller parrots are great pets for customers who are not home much during the day, but medium to larger parrots need a lot of attention, making them not the best pet for everyone.

Learning Objectives

This chapter will give you a better understanding of birds and increase your confidence when selling these animals and related products.

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Examine birds and identify possible health problems.
• Care for the birds in your store.
• Communicate basic needs to customers.
• Explain characteristics of different species and groups.
• Recommend equipment and add-on sales items for birds.

Click on the blue module navigation menu at the top of the page to access a category within the Birds chapter.