Bird Sitting

In-Home Bird Sitting in Hicksville and Central Nassau County

 

Most pet sitters are comfortable with dogs and cats. They may be willing to care for a bird, but willing and experienced are two different things.

 

Your parrot has a specific diet, a light schedule that affects their hormones and behavior, a feeding and activities schedule that needs to stay consistent, and a respiratory system so sensitive that the wrong cleaning product can cause a medical emergency. 

 

That is not a job for someone learning avian pet care on the fly.

 

I'm Kaitlin, owner and sole care provider at Bird Girl Pet Services. Birds are where my professional career began, and they remain at the center of my work. 

 

How Bird Sitting is Different from Other Pet Care

 

Birds are not low-maintenance pets, and caring for them in their owners' homes requires more than just showing up and refilling a food dish. 

 

A sitter who works with dogs or cats may not recognize what they're looking at when a bird is fluffed, quiet, or sitting low on the perch. They may not know that a subtle change in droppings can signal a health concern, or that a bird who suddenly stops vocalizing may be stressed or unwell.

 

Bird care calls for a strong awareness of the environment. Birds have sensitive respiratory systems, and substances that seem harmless in most homes can be dangerous for them. Nonstick cookware, aerosol sprays, air fresheners, scented products, and many common cleaners all have deadly risks. 

 

An experienced bird sitter understands these hazards and knows how to avoid them, helping keep your bird safe throughout every visit. 

 

The right bird sitter starts by asking a lot of questions. Birds thrive on routine, and the smallest changes can affect their comfort and behavior.

 

Light schedules, handling preferences, fresh food preparation, cage setup, favorite perches, enrichment, and even household noise can all play a part in their daily life. No two birds follow the same routine, even within the same species. 

 

A sitter who takes time to learn those details before the first visit is better prepared to provide safe, thoughtful care.

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What to Expect During a Bird Sitting Visit

 

Every visit is planned around your bird's care instructions, not a generic checklist.

 

Depending on your bird's routine, visits can include:

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• Fresh food and water prepared to your specifications

• Dish cleaning

• Cage cleaning, liner changes, and perch maintenance

• Light schedule management (turning full-spectrum or UVB lights on and off at the correct times)

• Safe enrichment based on your instructions (foraging toys, approved out-of-cage time, music, or other stimulation your bird is accustomed to)

• Approved interaction or hands-off observation, depending on your bird's comfort level and your direction

• Medication support when arranged in advance

• Household tasks including mail and package pickup, plant watering, light rotation, and window and water leak checks

 

After every visit, I send a photo and text update so you know how your bird is doing and what I observed.

 

I also pay close attention to the details that matter in daily bird care. That includes appetite, droppings (color, consistency, volume), posture, feather condition, vocalization patterns, energy level, and any changes from your bird's normal behavior. 

 

If something looks off, you will hear from me right away.

 

Birds I Care For

 

I provide in-home sitting for a wide range of companion bird species, including:

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• Parrots (Amazon parrots, African greys, eclectus, macaws, cockatoos)

• Conures (green cheek, sun, jenday, pineapple, and others)

• Cockatiels

• Caiques

• Lovebirds

• Parakeets and budgies

• Finches and canaries

• Ring-necked parakeets

• Quaker parrots

• Pionus parrots

• Poicephalus species (Senegal parrots, Meyer's parrots, red-bellied parrots)

• Parrotlets

• Lineolated parakeets

• Lorikeets and lories

• Other companion bird species by arrangement

 

If your bird's species is not listed here, reach out and we can discuss your care needs.

 

A Bird Sitter with Real Experience

 

My background in avian care shapes every visit. Before founding Bird Girl Pet Services, I worked with exotic veterinarians, which gave me a strong clinical foundation and an eye for subtle changes that can signal a bird needs medical attention.

 

I also serve as a board member and volunteer with the Long Island Parrot Society, keeping me connected to the local bird community, rescue efforts, and ongoing education in avian welfare. 

 

My continuing education includes advanced behavior training with Dr. Susan Friedman and Steve Martin, along with emergency first aid certification for birds, reptiles, and small mammals, CPR and First Aid certification, and Certified Professional Pet Sitter credentials through Pet Sitters International.

 

Birds are part of my life at home, too. I share my home with Tiki, a White-Bellied Caique, Buddy the Cockatiel, Marley the Green-Cheeked Conure, and Reuben the Eclectus. 

How to Get Started

 

Before your first visit, I schedule a consultation to go over your bird's routine, your home setup, and any health or behavioral concerns I should know about. 

 

This is where we review feeding instructions, light schedules, handling preferences, enrichment, medications, and your bird's normal behavior so I know what to watch for.

 

From there, I build a care plan based on your instructions, and we set your visit schedule. During your trip, I follow that plan at every visit and send updates after each one.

 

If anything changes with your bird's behavior or health during your time away, I contact you immediately and, if needed, coordinate with your avian veterinarian.​​

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If you're looking for a bird sitter on Long Island with real experience, I would love to hear about your bird and their care needs.

 

Contact Bird Girl Pet Services today to schedule a consultation before your next trip.

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