One only needs to consider the past practices of how miners used canaries as a gauge for unhealthy air levels in the mines to sense how keen birds are to their surroundings. Should canaries expire while in the mines, it would alert the miners that the air was at an unhealthy level with abundant time for the miners to leave. While birds are sensitive creatures, they are also known to outlast some owners.

Pet birds are easily affected by unwholesome smells, similar to wild birds. Common household appliances and items such as Teflon pans, aerosol sprays and even innocuous furniture polish can be fatal for birds. The best policy when handling anything that may give off a strong odor is to use it in a well-ventilated area that is well away from your birds.

Pet birds have a natural inclination to chomp and it can be a major issue. Lead poisoning can be caused when a bird chews on soldered joints found on welded items. Also, birds do have a penchant to chew on potted plants. Despite contrary belief, poinsettia plants are not poisonous. It is important to remember that if you are unsure if a plant is toxic or not, it is best to err on the side of caution and move the plant away from the bird. To provide your birds with a safe alternative, a small pot of parsley can help avoid the temptation of nibbling on your houseplants.

Feeding your birds fresh food is usually good for them; however, food like coffee, chocolate and avocado are fatal for birds and they should never be given such foods.

As the holiday season approaches, most people will bring a tree into their house. Many people associate a tree with a birds natural habitat and assume that their birds will enjoy climbing it. It is true that birds might enjoy this exercise, many pine trees could have had preservatives or chemicals administered and prove fatal to your pet. In addition, ornaments and electric lights can pose a safety hazard to your birds.

If your bird does not have its wings clipped, there are quite a few additional safety concerns to be addressed. First, all windows and glass doors should be covered in some way. The best way to do this is with curtains or shades. An alternative to curtains or shades is placing safety decals on the glass so your birds can tell the glass is there and avoid serious injury or even death. You should treat other large reflective surfaces and mirrors in a similar manner when your pet bird is released from its cage.

Standing water can also be a hazard. Your bird can drown in a toilet or full kitchen sink in a matter of seconds. If a bird is released from its cage, cooking with an uncovered pot is especially ill-advised.

Finally, always be mindful of the whereabouts of your bird even if its wings are clipped. Even a bird with clipped wings can soar for a considerable distance if there is an upward breeze. It is easy to forget that your bird is perched on your shoulder when your doorbell suddenly rings and you rush to answer it but you must remember never to carry your bird to an open door regardless of whether or not its wings are clipped.