Pet birds may be caged or allowed to remain on perches while the owner is home to supervise their activity. But, they should be confined to cages while their owners are away to avoid accidental injury and other misfortune.

Unsupervised pet birds allowed the run of the house often get into trouble. Not only can they be terribly destructive to the home and its furnishings, but all homes contain objects that can be harmful (directly or indirectly) to pet birds. These include mirrors, windows, walls, house plants, electrical cords, and items with harmful chemicals.

Birds resting on open perches are usually content to remain there, and usually take flight only when frightened by a sudden movement or loud noise. Unfortunately, these impromptu flights are taken without a flight plan, and birds usually wind up crashing into walls, doors, windows, or mirrors, because of their confusion and poor depth perception.

The major sources of poisoning of pet birds is lead, found in curtain (drapery) weights, curtain pulls, leaded and stained glass, fishing sinkers, and ammunition. Also dangerous are costume jewelry and the lead wrapping around the tops of wine bottles. Most caged birds seem to have an affinity for this soft metal and love to chew on it. Poisoning results from eating even a small amount of lead. Lead poisoning can be successfully treated if diagnosed early enough.

Caged birds allowed unrestricted freedom in the home may eat house plants or chew on electrical cords, resulting in illness or injury. Some unsupervised pet birds chew on macrame, carpet, and other similar fabrics and often swallow these materials, resulting in crop and intestinal problems.

Free-flying birds are also vulnerable to attack by pet dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is wise not to underestimate the aggressiveness of such pets, and you should restrict contact between them and pet birds as much as possible.

Birds allowed unrestricted freedom and flight within the home may escape through open, doors and windows. Most bird owners have the mistaken notion that their bird would never fly away. Unfortunately, birds that have escaped the owner's home easily become disoriented when outdoors. This confusion makes return or capture unlikely.

The location of the cage and perch is important. Some birds thrive in areas of heavy traffic where they receive lots of attention and are part of all the goings on. Others seem to prefer more privacy and solitude. A pet bird should never be kept in the kitchen. In addition to the obvious gas fumes and occasional smoke from cooking food, there is another, much more dangerous threat. Super-heated, non-stick pan coatings emit fumes that are deadly to all birds. Birds flying about also may end up in the toilet bowl or in an uncovered pot or pan cooking on the stove.