National Pet Bird Day Date in the current year: September 17, 2024

People have kept birds as pets for thousands of years. There is evidence, for example, that ancient Sumerians had pet birds because the Sumerian language had a word for birdcage. Mentions of pet birds are found in the works by Pliny the Elder, a notable Roman author; there are also records of Alexander the Great’s generals bringing exotic birds from the Indian campaign (4th century BC).

Birds are kept as pets for their colorful plumage, their ability to sing or mimic speech, and/or their behavior. There are more than 200 bird species that can be kept as pets. Popular pet birds include parrots (amazons, cockatiels, cockatoos, grey parrots, lovebirds, macaws, parakeets, rosellas, etc.) and finches (canaries, zebra finches, Gouldian finches).

According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 5.7 million households in the United States own a bird, which is 5% of all households in the country. The most common reasons to own a bird cited by pet bird owners are love and companionship, stress relief, and pet birds being fun to watch and have around.

Birds are popular pets because small bird species can be kept in homes that are too small or otherwise unsuitable for cats and dogs. However, you should keep in mind that different bird species can vary greatly in noise, temperament and level of messiness, and some pet birds are more high maintenance than others.

It is also important to remember that the larger the bird, the longer it will probably live. For example, African greys may live for up to 60 years with excellent care, although their mean lifespan is around 25 years. So getting a large parrot as a pet is a lifelong commitment.

National Pet Bird Day was launched in 2019 by the Bird Enjoyment & Advantage Koalition (yes, it is spelled with a K to create the acronym BEAK). BEAK as a non-profit organization uniting bird product manufacturers and association that focuses on promoting responsible bird ownership.

How can you celebrate National Pet Bird Day? If you’re a proud bird owner, share stories, photos and videos of your pet or pets on social media with the hashtag #NationalPetBirdDay, buy your bird a new toy or treat, and/or help a friend of yours pick a pet bird (or discourage them from becoming a bird owner just yet if you feel that they are not ready for such a responsibility).

If you’ve wanted to get a pet bird for some time, this is your cue to finally do it. Of course, you shouldn’t but a pet bird on a whim: do your research to choose the right bird for your lifestyle. There are many factors you should take into account when choosing a pet bird: the amount of time you can dedicate to your pet, your financial and living situation, the bird’s expected lifespan and level of affection, whether you have other pets or children, etc. Keep in mind that some birds are solitary and prefer to be housed alone, while others get lonely without a mate.