One way you can include your bird in the holiday festivities early on is by letting your bird be apart of the preparation!

Some birds might need some extreme desensitization with the holiday decor; lights, trees, ornaments, noise, music, etc... there's a lot of things that go into the holiday that we don't think about but your bird might react badly to. So mine as well make them a part of it so they can enjoy everything too.  

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Orlando, FL Helping: Military Macaw "Cash"

One thing we do is set up the Christmas tree (palm tree) with our birds out and around it. This year we did it with the macaws around. This is their second Christmas, but their first one with the palm Christmas tree. Last year we were at my parents' house with a pine tree. Most of them hung out on the railing but some of them came down to check it out and some stayed on perches nearby watching. Cash, our military macaw, especially made his presence known for being there for the tree preparation!

Photo by Jamieleigh Location: Orlando, FL Helper: Military Macaw "Cash"

It's always a fun time with our birds around the holiday. It helps if your bird is flighted so it can watch from a distance it's comfortable at. It won't hurt to have some rewards around to reward your bird if it's more phobic and might be too scared to get very close. You can also cuddle within view of the Christmas tree if being in the same room as it is too much for your bird. Whatever you can make work is great for your bird.

Article by Jamieleigh Womach. She has been working with parrots and toucans since the age of 17. She isn’t homeless but is home less than she prefers to be. She travels the world with her husband, daughter, and a flockful of parrots whom she shares the stage with.