In loneliness, a bird can be your closest companion, so why not befriend a small one? Chirping and melodious song can easily lift the will to live. Tanvir Islam has kept birds for a long time. He has been interested in animals, birds and plants since childhood and enjoys learning about wildlife. "The search for peace of mind begins with a hobby," he said. "The beauty of birds, their calls and watching the young grow up fill me with peace and joy."

Social media shows that many people keep birds as a hobby and for peace of mind. One user, Rashid Shahriar Rafi, wrote, "There is much more peace of mind; it always feels like Eid at home." Facebook user Md Sajib wrote, "I keep birds for peace of mind, as a hobby and out of love."

"I started as a hobby! But when I come home from outside, they start chirping when they see me, and go quiet when I come close. Then I feel like a happy person!" said Sanjida Sultana Putul. Ibrahim Khalil said, "I can't say why I keep them. Since childhood it's been like an addiction."

Not every bird can be kept, however; the country has laws. Under Bangladesh's law, keeping wild birds such as the native myna, parakeet, shama, shalik, dove, doyel or fingey is completely banned. There is little obstacle to keeping foreign birds if the rules are followed. Foreign species such as budgerigars, cockatiels, Java sparrows, lovebirds, finches, ring-necked conures, lorikeets and macaws can be kept freely.

Birds need a comfortable cage, chosen to suit their size. Small birds can be kept well in cages of 24x24x24 or 24x24x12 inches. Alternatively, an area can be enclosed with netting and fitted with branches for the birds to fly free inside. This is called the colony method. A natural setting like this helps the birds adapt and can make your home feel like a kingdom of birds.

A cage alone is not enough. It needs a water container, a food bowl, perches and, in the breeding season, a suitable box or pot. Different birds are used to different food. Some live on grain, seeds and vegetables; others prefer fruit and fruit juice. Consider a bird's diet when buying it, and ask the shopkeeper about its food, minerals and drink. Pet shops sell packaged bird food as well as grain and seed.

Cleanliness is the main condition for a bird's health. Birds should be bathed at least once a week to keep their feathers bright and their colours vivid. Food and water containers should be cleaned every day, and the cage washed thoroughly at least once a week. Birds usually fall ill from dirty food or an unclean environment. A sick bird should be moved quickly to a separate cage, kept warm and taken to a vet. Regular check-ups with a vet are also advisable.

"The most important thing bird parents should keep in mind for their birds' health is biosecurity. If strict biosecurity and isolation are maintained, infections can largely be prevented. Regular vaccination, deworming and formulating feed according to the weather and body condition are also important," said Dr Abu Irbat Ahmad Rafi, consultant and surgeon at Care and Cure Veterinary Clinic.

"If a bird still falls ill, my advice for reducing deaths is close observation: how much food and water the bird takes each day, what its droppings look like, whether its feathers are normal, whether it has parasites, whether its breathing and movement are normal. That gives an early idea of illness, and at any change you should consult a doctor. Depending on the species, healthy birds should also see a veterinarian for a routine check-up once or twice a year," he said.

Where the cage is kept matters too. It should be protected from direct sun, storms and driving rain, and kept away from predators such as cats, dogs, rats, kites and crows. Covering the cage with a thin cloth at night lets birds rest in peace.

Dhaka's Katabon market is popular for buying birds. Foreign species can also be found at pet shops and weekly markets in Old Dhaka, Mirpur, Tongi and elsewhere, with prices varying by breed and colour. Birds are not only for beauty or entertainment; they matter for people's peace of mind too. To wake you at dawn, ease fatigue or lift low spirits, bring a bird home today, and raise your favourite companion with love and care.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.