Caring for a handicapped bird may require patience, knowledge, and special accommodations. Depending on the needs of the bird, you may need to change and update these accommodations as the needs of your bird change. Most owners of handicapped birds report that the animals are quite adept at becoming accustomed to and overcoming their own disabilities in order to lead full and happy lives. Caring for a handicapped bird who has lost his sight requires keeping your household environment consistent. Blind birds may memorize where things are located, including the heights of pieces of furniture, and rely on this information to move throughout the house. Some blind birds walk almost as much as they fly, perhaps feeling safer when they are down on the ground. Rearranging furniture or placing additional items on the floor can cause confusion for a blind bird. Keeping food and water dishes in consistent locations in the cage is especially important to blind birds. Avoid carrying a blind bird from one room to another, as this can cause them confusion about their whereabouts. If you do need to carry your bird, set him down in a safe and familiar area so that he can more easily get his bearings on his surroundings. While some blind birds may resist being held, many adjust to human touch when treated appropriately. Talk to your blind bird before attempting to touch him, so that he knows to expect to be touched. Some birds may be missing a leg or wing, either as a result of a genetic condition or an accidental injury. Balance becomes a difficult issue for birds missing either a wing or a leg. It is often necessary to keep birds who are missing limbs separated from other birds to prevent them from being picked on, since these birds may have a hard time defending themselves. It is important when caring for a handicapped bird that is missing a leg or wing to maintain a good diet and encourage the bird to exercise. Obesity can cause more severe problems in birds missing a limb, because the additional weight makes already difficult balance issues even more challenging. Caring for disabled birds may involve some new accommodations in your home, such as maintaining a more consistent environment when dealing with a blind bird. Many bird owners caring for a handicapped bird are surprise by the adaptability of their pets.