Buzz
Swiftlets enjoy solitary living and are relatively low-maintenance. They will thrive when provided with fresh food and a space to fly freely. Even if you're raising just one swiftlet, it still requires a large cage and the basic essentials. You need to feed and water the bird daily, encouraging regular physical activity to keep it strong and happy!
Steps
Creating a home for the bird
Buy a large rectangular birdcage. A good quality cage for a swiftlet will allow it to fly back and forth freely. You should opt for a cage that is at least 40 cm high and 75 cm wide, with bars spaced 1.3 cm apart. The cage should be wider and longer than it is tall, to give the bird ample space to fly.
- Avoid round cages or decorative cages. These types don't provide enough room for the bird to fly.
- Choose a metal cage or a powder-coated wire cage.
Find a safe but frequented spot to place the birdcage. Choose a room where people typically gather to prevent your swiftlet from feeling lonely. Place the cage close to a wall or in a corner, away from windows, doors, vents, direct sunlight, or drafty areas.
- A family room, home office, or dining room may be ideal places for the birdcage. Avoid placing it in the kitchen.
- Do not use air fresheners, room sprays, wood polish, scented candles, smoking, or any scented products in the room where the birdcage is placed.
- Keep the cage off the floor. The birdcage should be placed at eye level or higher.
Use newspaper or liner sheets to line the birdcage. Lining the cage with newspaper makes it easy to clean bird droppings, and liners are also a good option. Change the newspaper or liner every day to prevent the cage from becoming too dirty.
- Avoid using cat litter or wood shavings as bedding material.
Install perches for the bird. Perches provide a place for the swiftlet to fly and rest. Two perches inside the cage will keep them active and happy. Aim for perches with a diameter of around 1-2 cm.
- Branches can also serve as excellent perches for the bird.
- Place the perches about 40 cm apart, positioning two opposite each other at the ends of the cage to maximize the space for flying.
Place trays for food, water, and bathing in the cage. Typically, a swiftlet needs three dishes – one for food, one for water, and one for bathing. Avoid placing the trays beneath the perches, as bird droppings could fall into them.
Taking care of a singing swiftlet
Provide a varied diet for the bird. Swiftlets need a diverse diet consisting of seeds, pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. You can find mixed seed and pellet food specifically for swiftlets at pet stores. Feed them a teaspoon of mixed food each day.
- Some good vegetables and fruits for swiftlets include kale, apples, broccoli, grapes, dandelion, oranges, bananas, beans, and watermelon.
- Attach a cuttlefish bone and mineral block to the cage bars. The bird will nibble on these to get calcium and minerals.
- Never feed swiftlets avocado, as it is toxic to birds.
Change the water daily. Swiftlets always need access to clean water. Every day, take the water dish out of the cage, discard the old water, clean the dish with warm water and soap, rinse thoroughly, and dry it with a towel before filling it with fresh water.
Clean the cage weekly. The birdcage needs a thorough cleaning once a week. Place the bird in a travel cage, then remove the cage lining before scrubbing the entire cage with hot water and soap. Wash all dishes and perches. Let everything dry before returning it to the cage.
- The lining and dishes in the birdcage should be cleaned daily.
Cover the birdcage at night. Swiftlets are sensitive to sunlight and can remain awake if light enters the cage. To prevent this, cover the birdcage with a blanket or cloth after sunset.
Watch for signs of illness in the bird. Swiftlets have sensitive lungs and are prone to mite infestations or other parasites. Take the bird to an avian vet if you notice any signs of illness.
- Common signs of illness include fluffed or thinning feathers, reduced activity, discolored droppings, discharge around the eyes or beak, and squinting.
- In the U.S., you can use the following website to find an avian vet: Association of Avian Vets.
Maintain the activity level of the bird
Hang a few toys in the birdcage. Provide your bird with 2 or 3 toys to play with. Songbirds particularly enjoy swings, and they can also play with balls, bells, or sticks attached to branches.
Let the bird fly freely around the room. Open the cage door to allow the songbird to fly around for about 30 minutes. Afterward, lure the bird back into the cage with fresh food or its favorite treats. Close the cage door once the bird is inside to prevent it from flying out again.
- Make sure to close all windows and doors before releasing the bird. Any window glass and mirrors should be covered to avoid the bird flying into them.
- Don't forget to turn off the ceiling fan before letting the bird out of the cage.
Teach the male bird to sing. Typically, young male birds learn to sing from older males, but if you only have one bird, you'll need to teach it to sing. You can use a CD or video recordings of songbirds to help with this.
- Occasionally, female birds may learn to sing as well, though this is rare. Generally, female birds only chirp.
Avoid handling the bird. Songbirds typically don't enjoy being touched. Only handle the bird when necessary, such as during cage cleaning or to check for illness. Songbirds are perfectly happy observing you from within their cage and singing for you.
Advice
- Building a proper home for your bird and feeding it the right way are the two most crucial factors in ensuring your songbird stays healthy and happy. With proper care, your bird could live up to 14 years.
- You might be considering getting a companion for your bird, but songbirds usually prefer to live alone when kept in a cage.
