Living happily ever after with birds

Most wild Birds are by nature highly territorial, a trait that has naturally evolved over many thousands of generations of competing for limited food supplies and limited nesting opportunities. While it may certainly be possible to overcome those well-ingrained instincts if the birds are raised together from infancy under conditions where food is plentiful and housing assured, I would be very surprised if these innate traits could be entirely suppressed and certainly not within a single generation, in any event.

Take the example of The American Goldfinch, which is a welcome visitor to many North American homes. Common throughout the United States, the American Goldfinch prefers to make its home in fields where small shrubs are in abundance. It can also be found in sparse forests. The Goldfinch is a social bird; it forms a flock with other small birds like it, such as other breeds of Finch, the occasional Siskin and others. They will form a large foraging flock, which may ravage the landscape looking for food and are notably Georgia, a commonly good environment for weather-sensitive birds like the Goldfinch. It can also be found year round in a few scattered spots in the Northern United States.

Now these kind of wild birds that are friendly should be cared, cherished and bird watchers should make their feeding preparations before their migratory period. Birds are eager to be our friends, but resist friendship until they can trust us. This is quite different from puppies that immediately seek our attention and affection. Figuratively speaking, the shoe is on the other foot when it comes to birds. We must prove our consistent friendliness, caring attitude, and overall goodness before birds accept and trust us. When we have built trust, love and cherish them, birds want to:

To be near us
To be a companion that shares activities
To sit on our hand, arm or shoulder
To eat out of our hand
To perform for us by doing tricks
To talk or sing or "show off" in some manner

Birds have the ability to live in harmony with people, and, in fact, can learn to love their owners. They want our attention and companionship. In homes they would like to become part of the family. The love and trust displayed by pet birds may be their greatest contribution to people. Birds adapt well to people of all ages and to most circumstances placed upon them by their owners.