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Owning a pet bird is a special experience. There is nothing quite so unique as the bond between a bird and the person who cares for him or her. It can last decades—a bird or person’s entire lifetime—and enrich the lives of everyone who witnesses it.

Yet, birds are unlike other, more common pets in many ways. One of these is that, for some types of birds, the call to move to a warmer climate stirs in the air every autumn. If you notice bird behavior changes during this key migration season, you aren’t imagining things. 

The team at Ten West Bird and Animal Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, explains why bird behavior changes during the fall and what bird parents can do about it. 

Migration Season, Explained

Every fall, thousands of wild birds migrate either from Texas to even warmer climates, or to Texas from Northern states. As cool, crisp air descends on our neighbors up North, birds find refuge in the warm wetlands of San Antonio. Because, let’s face it: here in South Texas, it doesn’t exactly cool off a whole lot in the fall and winter.

Even though pet birds spend most of their time indoors, they can sense the changes outside—changes in daylight, temperature, barometric pressure, and potentially even an uptick in the sounds of migratory birds may make them feel antsy. 

Imagine how you’d feel if you could hear hundreds of your friends arriving on your doorstep at around the same time every year.

You’d start to expect it. You’d feel thrilled with the change. And you might also feel a touch stressed out about missing out on all the fun—or preparing for countless guests.

This might just be how some pet birds feel during migration season. Or perhaps it really all just boils down to a change in the photoperiod and the pressure in the air. Whatever the reason, it’s key to keep an eye out for the small changes that signal something’s making your avian companion feel off. 

Do you notice a change in appetite during this time, or an unusual increase or decrease in grooming? What about a change in how often your bird vocalizes?

As soon as you notice a change, it’s time to act.

Here’s what you can do to help your avian friend feel stable during migration season.

Tips for Calming Your Bird During Migration Season

First things first: make sure you keep your routines the same during migration time. Birds are highly intelligent animals, and they are tightly tuned to changes in your daily rhythm. If you haven’t already, establish a calming care routine for your bird.

Consider:

• Maintaining a consistent feeding, play, and sleep schedule every day
• Using soft music or white noise to reduce startling sounds outside
• Offering new foraging toys and exciting activities that keep your bird engaged, mentally
• Making sure your bird gets the right amount of uninterrupted sleep every night
• Spending extra one-on-one time interacting with and training your bird

Extra mental and physical stimulation can help your feathered friend feel as though they’re part of the migration fun, too. 

You can have fun with this, too! Spend an extra 30 minutes to an hour each day letting your avian pet fly around the house. Set up a new perch or two in an unexpected place, and let your bird find and enjoy it often. You can even incorporate special food-based treats into these perches, giving your bird a new, exciting seed mix to enjoy during the autumn migration season.

Keep up these calming yet energizing routines yearly, and your bird will begin to associate migration season with your own special yet familiar changes.

Companion Bird Care in San Antonio

If nothing you do seems to be helping your bird feel better this migration season, or if you’re worried the changes might have more worrisome roots, the skilled team at Ten West Bird and Animal Hospital is here to help.

As your trusted local avian veterinarian in San Antonio, we have years of experience helping birds and other exotic pets meet their wellness needs. Reach out to us at (210) 696-1700 to schedule an avian wellness appointment today.