If You're Going to Have Someone BIRD SIT, WATCH THIS FIRST!

[@BirdTricks]

Get our new free digital download of our BIRD SITTER HANDBOOK here: birdtricksstore.com/products/the-complete-bird-sitter-handbook?_pos=1&_sid=b2ea03d30&_ss=r

[@dennagrey8055]

A thumbs up for Jamie's mom who loves their birds almost as much as both of you do 💜

[@MacsUsername]

I like your points about previous experience with birds. My bird sitter has previous bird experience and is eager to handle my bird, but she also 100% listens to my bird's body language and follows my directions. Any time she didn't know what certain body language meant, she would send me a video so that I could help her. To me, this was the ideal situation; experienced, but not over-confident. It's also very clear that she LOVES my bird and really wants what's best for her.

[@BirdTricks]

Love that so much ❤

[@jehdo144]

My preference is either no experience OR LOTS OF EXPERIENCE this way they will be more cautious about the bird and not make assumptions.

[@priyanka5690]

Definitely a much needed book, maybe it would be useful to have a bunch of rules if you dropped your birds off at a sitters place. For me, it was always hard to find a birdsitter that would be willing to commute to my house on a daily basis to check/feed my birds, and my family always thought it was better to drop the birds off at the birdsitter's house. In which case, it was important to make sure the sitter knew to not let them out of the cage because its a new environment. It was also important to make sure they kept the bird cage in a room where there was activity, lots of light, room temperature area, not directly next to a window etc.. But my previous birdsitter actually used to work at a petsmart, and she would always send me little videos of my budgies and what they were doing, how they were doing, which was great. It was reassuring to me, because it made me feel they were safe. The sitter actually set the cage and the playstands up in a small room upstairs where there was minimal furniture/clutter, and carefully let the birds out every now and then, so they could fly around from playstand to playstand. Making sure that there werent too many people interacting with them, and that it was mostly her. She also made sure they got their regular baths, she filled up a bowl of water for them regulary.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi how are you?

[@elisemiller13]

Good to know in these wiggly times we live in, that there exists the two of you, putting forth sane, grounded, clear information for all concerned ~ You make the world a better place with your example, knowledge & care ~

[@jehdo144]

Bird sitting can be so bird dependent based on the birds history. Such an amazing resource!

[@Marijemarijee]

I actually only wanted my mom to take care of my birds BECAUSE she is afraid of birds. My birds are impossible to get into the cage (bc they usually don’t have a cage), so anyone who isn’t used to handling birds but is too fearless, would maybe let them out - even if I told them not to do that - and wouldn’t be able to get them back in. I had a backup bird friend who could come if they escaped, but since my mom is scared… she wouldn’t let them escape :’) that’s why I trusted her hahaha.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi hope you are fine

[@jennabeverley4013]

Parrot handling experience- I agree with the both of you, I’d want them to be comfortable with handling them in case they got out and needed to be put away etc etc but I don’t want them handling them/ letting them out on their own voluntarily. That’s my job and not something I’m comfortable with others doing especially when my birds go to someone else’s house rather than stay at home. I also have a bird with a broken wing and I’d hate for something to happen to her whilst I’m not home and that scares me especially in a strange environment to them so handling doesn’t happen unless in case of emergencies ❤

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Jenna how are you?

[@B1rdLadee]

Perfect timing, thank you! I usually take my bird to a boarders. The humans love him, and he loves them. But that’s when we’re gone for a week or more. It’s like he’s going to a hotel. I have an unusual 2-nights-away coming up, and am having a neighbor friend check in for me. This is great for both of us, especially since it may be happening again soon after. Plus my guy is old, so the ‘dying unexpectedly’ is a real possibility that I don’t want them to be traumatized by. 😕😞

[@Simon-ho6ly]

One little thing that may be in there but ive come across, its a bit niche though... Locally we have a VERY well known vet school and its often common to find students offering to pet sit, not only birds but basically any animal you can think of to get experience and knowledge, its something i would say to approach with caution and make sure they understand they are caring and handling healthy animals and its not a chance to practice examination skills and so on (unless you are happy with this) its a bit of a random aside i know but had a few incidents locally of a student being overkeen to do things they have learned or investigate things they have read in texts, but on the other hand a vet trainee can have knowledge and skills that are useful.. mixed blessing but something to consider

[@alys.1304]

You two are sooo cute 😍! This is awesome information to guide us parronts when and if we go on vacation. My husband and I definitely need one but not knowing if we take all our birds or who can watch them has always stopped us from going anywhere. I will definitely download this and hopefully go on a vacation soon. ☺️

[@justAnne49]

My niece and her daughter will bird sit for me,they don't have bird experience(which is great),They do the job that's asked,never trying to touch the birds,I also have a pet camera watching them when I am out or away,

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Anne how are you?

[@Whateverhasbeenmynameforyears]

I would say someone who is attentive and will say something when they see something. If they see a birds feather looking weird I would want a picture just to be sure instead of them ignoring things or being afraid to bother me. Like if the bird is blinking longer than expected I would not mind a question about it. Such subtle things can be a warning and I would much rather be pestered with texts and pictures than nothing being said.

[@tamarapace3036]

My sweet budgie died when I was away. My caregiver woke up one morning and Jack was on the bottom of the cage. That was almost 2 years ago. I'm still regretting not being more prepared. I will never know if it was an illness that I saw and didn't recognize that he was sick or...an injury or... I still wish I had done things differently. Not sure what the different would be but this video sure would have been a much better place to start.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Tamara how are you?

[@terriw3581]

Last year I had fallen & had to spend a month in the hospital then rehab for 4 weeks. A good friend of mine agreed to take care of my Yellow Napped Mini Macaw while I was gone. When I got back home I noticed a marked difference in the attitude in my bird. A once very friendly bird was now very nippy & unhappy. I asked my friend how often he had come over to take care of my bird. He told me he only came over every other day & then only spent an hour or so with her. I will make sure this time if the same thing happens to me, that the person who tends my bird will spend more time with the bird & that they come to take care of my bird every day. Sadly my bird's attitude had changed to where she wasn't happy. I ended up rehoming her to a gentleman who got along great with her. How I miss my bird.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hu Terri how are you?

[@muurrarium9460]

Just had 3 more parrots delivered on my doorstep last night. Now: what, there is a manual??!! Will let the owners know when they get back next week or so.... :D (I love birdsitting, and my own parrots have a blast as well. So much enrichment// and safe since everyone has been tested)

[@amandabennett1776]

Being an animal caregiver for others, just do it on the side because im the "animal person" for friends and family. And its hard to find help for my zarm(zoo/farm) and finding people that are on the same wave length and vibe as you is hard. Expecially with exotic experience. Ive had and made my own hand books for all houses i sit for and my own zarm. Keeping the balancd in the house is key for when owners are away.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Amanda how are you?

[@kirstenjones5331]

Thank you for putting out such wonderful and useful content and making it available to everyone!!!

[@angelicaamora11]

Thank you so much for this. I know the hard wrok process you guys do for us. ❤❤❤

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi hope you are fine

[@samgomberg3536]

I'm like Dave. Unless it's actively happening, I would rather not know about a passing until I got home from the trip.

[@BirdNerdSophie]

Great video! I'm still searching for someone who can bird sit for our flock of seven 😅

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Sophie how are you?

[@BirdNerdSophie]

@@morrisdonte7064 I’m good thanks, how are you?

[@morrisdonte7064]

@@BirdNerdSophie I’m fine thanks. So where do you live and how is the weather condition over there today?

[@conniemuttart1019]

This is awesome information! We have struggled with this since the beginning of owning a bird (four years). Thank you so very much. What if you don’t have very many neighbors and none of them have offered to bird sit. We can’t seem to find anyone to Birds sit? and the only one we have we asked them if they would sit for us.They come in see the birds twice a day and her husband goes on one side of the cage while she plops the food in the other side of the cage. Also the birds are used to sleeping in a night cage upstairs. When the sitter is here we just keep them in their day cage all the time and put a cover over it. It breaks my heart to do it but that’s all we had. Suggestions on finding that person? Is it OK to adjust their sleeping habits? And anything else you wanna comment on. I doubt

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Connie how are you?

[@MsSSnow]

Thank you. I did have someone watch my bird one time when I traveled to Africa. I came home to find a parrot bite on his hand. LOL he didnt have to tell what happen.

[@sandraraituma]

Amazing video :D Thanks for the outtakes! XD

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Sandra how are you?

[@alwaysgrace2215]

Thank you so much for this video it answers a lot of my questions!

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hope you are fine

[@Mudpuppy9722]

I keep horses. I haven't had a vacation that didn't include bringing them in 30 years. I just don't trust anyone to catch a problem, before it's a problem. I can't imagine leaving behind a bird. Seems like such a fragile critter, to trust with a stranger, friend, or even a relative. (Except your Mom!) This was a thought provoking video. Well done!

[@KathgoKat]

I've had my 2 horses since they were born..29 and 25 yrs ago....Ive got 4 dogs and 2 Amazons and a cat too...Ive not been on vacation for over 45 yrs....no caretakers for my guys either!!

[@katmurray2180]

This is how my birds ended up three states away in Georgia for a wedding and in New York for a work trip.

[@mehere8038]

I still think the stuff in this video's really important to think about & plan in case you end up sick or in some other unavoidable separation state

[@TheTortYard]

I seriously love you both!!!!

[@alsswim]

In November my bird is going to spend a week at my parents house because I’m going on vacation. She is sick I have thought about teaching my parents how to medicate and all that. However I never thought about what to do if she dies while I’m away, which very well could happen. Thanks for the video

[@haleybushey4289]

I dont require pet experience for any of my exotics. Mostly because I know how hard it is to get experience with them in my area. Rescues near me require years of experience with birds before being considered for adoption, yet dont do fostering or have volunteer options. So I like to offer job opportunities to those who want to own birds someday, so they can use me as a reference when they do.

[@alicat9363]

My aunt just passed away and her conure bites everyone. It really was mostly fond of her, with time will the bird grow to like another person?

[@angelscinta7971]

I'm used to taking care of birds my cousin has a dove and my girlfriend and friend have macaws.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Angel how are you?

[@zunairbirds3984]

Best sharing 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@mariemcgrath8681]

We never takes holidays together, someone always home. Crazy, but that's us ! We heard a horry story, an aquaintance, left birds with a young couple, big fight, take off, week later Owner comes home to half his birds dead ....

[@mehere8038]

what if you're in a car accident together or some other sort of medical situation that's not avoidable? Admirable to put your birds before your holidays, but I'd still be looking at available options in case something unavoidable happens that means you need it, much better to plan in advance so you don't end up with sick or dead birds at the same time you're sick. That's horrible re that couple leaving the birds to die!

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Marie how are you?

[@abnerarias3188]

Good stuff!!!😊🎉

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Abner how are you?

[@marisellamarie4501]

I hope you see this because I really need your help. I got a baby cockatiel today and everyone says he looks a little young to be away from mom… how old should they be separated from mom.? Also, the breeder had him on a water bottle for water. How do I slowly switch to a actual bowl .?! Please help

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Marie how are you?

[@mehere8038]

I've been wondering/thinking that re the "knows too much". I'm figuring out who I'm going to get to look after mine for something in the near future & one neighbour has offered & he has cockatiels that he's VERY attached to & is a major "bird person" but the more I think about it, the more it's not been sitting right with me, cause I've been feeling like he's not really letting me explain their needs in the detail I think I need to. Rescue lorikeets from an abusive home (mine), are NOT the same as hand raised cockatiels! (his) & I don't feel he "gets that" Watching this video, I think my mind's made up & I need to investigate further the alternate option I was thinking about, thanks :) In particular, watching this, I'm thinking back to when I had them outside in their cage & they were climbing out to eat some bottlebrush, which was really adventurous for them at the time & he came over to chat, which is fine, but then he put his hand out to pat one of them, it didn't freak out, cause it had become comfortable with me, BUT only because I respected his limits & this neighbour wasn't & I said that to him, that being so close was more than the bird was ready for, but he continued, saying how "birds like me". Bird coped, but went backwards in progress later. I was still getting my head around it all back then, now in hindsight I'm wondering if the 2 events were directly linked & I missed them, let alone what would happen if he was alone with them unsupervised for days & thinking he's going to get this wonderful taming experience into them to show off to me. I really hadn't thought properly about that incident & birdsitting until this video, you may have just saved my birds from HUGE trauma & emotional distress!

[@mehere8038]

While my mind was made up from the first point, I've had time to watch the entire video now & this person really is red flag after red flag with almost every point you raise & for good reason I think with the way you put it & my gut feeling already, that for some reason I was trying to rationalise away. Thanks so much for this video! I think you've probably saved my birds a LOT of trauma! I think I've got a good option in mind for my choice now, based on what you're saying here, as long as I have a back up in addition. I'm going to download & go through it all before deciding for sure, but this really has been great! I've got a medical thing coming up that hopefully won't knock me around too much, but it's possible I could be really sick from it with a week or 2 with no potential to be looking after them myself, so this is what I'm needing a carer for, not something I can cancel. I've been putting it off cause of my birds, but I can't keep doing that

[@ReeferNoob23]

Bird tricks is awesome I get my pineapple cinnamon green cheek conure Ellie bird toys from them an there awesome! I don't trust anyone to bird sit for me maybe my 16 year old daughter but I'm pretty picky with my feather baby!

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hu Nate how are you?

[@wessew6185]

I'm 70 years old. I'm trying to prepare care for my four budgies when I die. There are no human caregivers available within the family. I will be leaving some money for the flock.

[@charlesperkins3669]

Curious....If I were your caretaker, with an exotics/avian vet as "MY bird caretaker", would you approve my putting your bird down (on vets recommendation) without contacting you for approval while you were on tour?

[@Featheryfaith7]

Thats why you take your bird to the aviant vet or a bird store if you have no one who will take care of your bird(s).

[@zunairbirds3984]

Magic show I like too much

[@shellwalker3902]

Hi my son got me a budgie for my birthday I've never had a budgie before so I don't know how to train her .Flu is sixs month old . I don't have a computer only my phone ..sorry to ask thanku shell

[@lindasplace2727]

Aren’t you terrified to go home after a trip not knowing if anyone died while you were gone 😳

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi hope you are fine

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Great information! ~Gina Hetlage

[@galeem713]

If I ever have to go away, which is highly unlikely, a have a vet tech friend who would stay at my house.

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Gale how are you

[@idaaho]

Is there away to download this without shipping information? I don't have an address that site would accept and I would love to check this out.

[@Nik-ei9st]

It’s a free download once everything gone thru. If you’re not having anything physically shipped to you, you can probably just make up a legit address lol

[@dreamercraftcorner]

i got my oreeder in today. my tiels have refused all pellets but they went crazy for u pellets. i got the bird breed too hoping to sneak the veg past them sense they reuse all veg

[@dreamercraftcorner]

i did not see a email. just got my order in. my birds a tiels loves the pellets where they refused others. i have not tried the birdie breed yet . my tiels refuse all veg. i hopping i can sneak it in by putting in the birdie breed. ty worth evey dime yes bird experience must. made mistake let my brother care for my african gray. he caused my gray death.

[@sabrinaahmed1018]

How many birds do u have

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Sabrina how are you?

[@sabrinaahmed1018]

Fine and u

[@morrisdonte7064]

I'm.fine thanks. Where do you live and how is the weather condition over there?

[@Clover_knows_pets]

I orderd it and it said "order complete" How do I access it

[@BirdTricks]

You should have received an email to access digital content. This email sometimes can end up in spam so I would look there if you don't see it. This email is a temporary access, for permanent access you can set up an account on our website with the same email address you used when "purchasing" the freebie.

[@Clover_knows_pets]

@@BirdTricks hmm. I dont see it. I guess I'll just re order

[@amandacovington2548]

🤣 spooning

[@dellieb6337]

Well I don’t trust anyone to care for my birds. So I don’t leave them more than 10 hours .

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Dellie how are you?

[@GuyG.KTalesOfAnimals]

Who wants an E-Collie cluster in their home? Not I clean them cages every day

[@MCrvngraddip2013]

My parents are great with my cats...my dogs (although they give too many treats). My birds. Big no! They're too hard to read and they're not precise enough with them. Which is funny because I've had rabbits and they were super hard and I trusted them with them. But I don't think my parents love the birds as much as I do. Thank you for the resource. 🤪 🦜 ❤️

[@mehere8038]

I'm curious why you find your rabbits are "super hard". I used to have a house rabbit, when I went away for 2 weeks, I had a neighbour look after him, which was basically just say hello so he didn't feel deserted. I set up multiple large food dishes, multiple large bowls of water (including a 9 litre washing up bowl), multiple kitty litter trays, multiple smart toys & a mix of whatever options I thought were going to work for the freshest food treats possible & I felt glad that I had a rabbit & therefore a super easy pet to care for when going away. My rabbit btw loved that neighbour, always ran outside & to his door to greet him when he got home from work, but when he entered my apartment while I was away, apparently he first greeted him at the door, then realised I wasn't with him & ran into the bathroom & hid behind the toilet & refused to come out & repeated everytime the neighbour tried to enter to check on him for the next 2 weeks lol. Neighbour even got another neighbour who my rabbit also liked & knew well to come in with him to see if he could get a better reaction & to get a second opinion on if he was fine health wise, given his behaviour. He was fine, just didn't like strangers in HIS home

[@MCrvngraddip2013]

@@mehere8038 Hey, I'm a veterinary nurse and I see a lot of husbandry and nutritional issues with rabbits due to a lack of knowledge. Rabbits as prey species like birds, hide they're illnesses much better than cats and dogs. So for someone not as familiar, they can think they're OK when actually they're not. Plus we kept ours outside, they had a whole garage as they're main bed and then access to a garden in the day. Therefore, we would need someone to be there to let them out, check on them through the day and bring them in at night. But that's great that you have everything so organised and a lovely neighbour. 😍

[@morrisdonte7064]

Hi Meg how are you?