Bird First Week Home Checklist

Day-by-day settle-in tasks so the first week feels calm instead of chaotic. Written for bird owners, free to print or use on your phone.

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Pet's name

Date home

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Before they arrive

Set up the cage in a draft-free spot, away from the kitchen
Add perches of varying width and a few safe toys
Remove any non-stick cookware from the kitchen — fumes are dangerous to birds
Buy a few days of their current diet to avoid a sudden switch

Day 1

Let them settle into the cage without handling for the first day
Keep the room calm and avoid loud noise or sudden movement
Offer fresh food and water and note what they actually eat

Days 2–3

Start talking softly near the cage to build familiarity
Begin a consistent feeding and lights-out schedule
Watch droppings, appetite, and activity level daily

Days 4–7

Begin short, calm hand-taming sessions if they're ready
Offer supervised out-of-cage time in a bird-proofed room
Book their first vet visit with an avian-experienced vet if possible

Hope this makes the first week a little easier. Hosting and running this site costs money. If the checklist helped, a small tip, any amount, helps keep it free: buy me a coffee.

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Once the first week is behind you

Weights, vet visits, medications, and questions for the next appointment all live in Your Pet's Health Log — the free companion site, no account needed.

Open the free health log

More free bird checklists

Bird Supply Shopping List
Bird First Vet Visit Prep
Bird Home Safety Checklist

Tracking their health next? Your Pet’s Health Log is a free fill-in pet health log.

Not veterinary advice. These checklists are general starting points. For diet, medication or any health worry, ask a vet who works with your pet’s species. If something seems urgent, contact a vet right away.

Welcome Home — free checklists for the first days with a new pet.

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