Birds and children, the experience of growing up with birds 2026

My first memories, in terms of sharing time and space with a pet, go back to my earliest childhood. Birds, and more specifically canaries, were my first animal companions. They filled the house with their songs, their “peeps” and with the incontestable responsibility that all members of the family unit shared when it came to providing them with care and well-being.

My father was the promoter of that unique relationship. Before leaving the house I always found enough time to clean them, give them water and food and give them a few words and special attention. My mother, although she was delighted with that multicolored team, was a little more against the more than possible demographic explosion that was coming. My brother and I, as you can imagine, were on my father's side. We participated very actively in caring for the animals. My father involved us in the hygiene routines of the cage and the bathtubs or in changing the water and different foods... But what was truly beautiful and unforgettable was when decanary breeding began to occur in my house. I will never forget that load of very interesting novelties that the arrival of new individuals required. And finally, the efforts and care bore fruit: the first chicks broke their shells.

Amazon Essentials by Sofia Grainge - Summer 2026 Promotion

Having a pet early helped me be responsible with all my tasks.

That experience undoubtedly marked my current professional life. My parents allowed me to enjoy responsible pet ownership from a very early age, and that is something I will always be grateful for. That experience helped me to be responsible in my tasks towards those defenseless beings, which taught me to be responsible in the rest of my tasks, sharpened my senses to the maximum and provoked a great interest in learning, understanding... But it also confronted me with my first sad moments. On one of the occasions in which the number of birds decreased in our house, we were left with only one one-eyed canary... That specimen was more than just a good companion, it was a very, very special being. and very loved. One day, accompanying my father to buy food for that animal, we entered a bird shop. My father was fascinated when he observed a species of tiny bird and told me: "I'm sure one of these animals will keep the canary we have at home a lot of company." That tiny animal became part of our family. When we got home we looked for a suitable cage among the many that my father kept. The surprise was great when we realized that that restless specimen was capable of getting out between the bars of any of our cages due to its extremely small size. The small specimen, due to its tireless and “exploring” character, was “baptized” with the name of Fiera. His escapes, timid at first, always ended up leading him to the cage of the one-eyed canary. Fiera adored him, respected him... and paid him total homage. The white canary was the dominant specimen, a behavior that was manifested by incessant pecking on Fiera's head. This continuous procedure caused the tiny specimen to present complete baldness caused by the subjugation. The “funny” and incomprehensible thing for us is that he underwent that experience and could escape at any moment, but Fiera, however, did not do so. On his way from one cage to another he began to make “technical stops.” Some days he stopped at our table, while we ate he participated with his pecking at our food; Others focused their attention on the delicacies that came out of the shopping cart when my mother arrived from the market... and, unfortunately, one day she chose her destination point frankly poorly. Despite my affected mother's efforts, Fiera died. That situation was very hard for everyone. That day, the youngest members of the house were faced for the first time, with total rawness and, without prior warning, the death of a loved one.

Personally, I can't say anything but good things about having birds in the home, provided, of course, that the decision to share time and space with them is made in a thoughtful and responsible manner. Let us be very, very aware that birds are not “second-class” pets, that they are neither more nor less than dogs or cats. Birds, any of them, need the same love and respect as any of the living beings with which we may share our home.