Some lovebirds have nasty habits; if you want to learn how to train a lovebird not to bite, read the 3 necessary steps to stop a biting lovebird below. It will take hard work, patience and persistence on your part, but birds are very smart and a lovebird can learn to stop this troubling behavior with some extra love from you.
1. Build Trust: A lovebird may be biting for several reasons, but one of the more common reasons is that they don't trust you. So the very first thing you must do in order to get your lovebird to stop biting is you must build trust between you and your bird. When you work on your relationship with your bird in a calm and consistent manner, your bird will start to realize that they do not need to be fearful of you. Having the ability to interact with your bird with physical contact will not only make your bird happy, but it is bound to make you happy as well, after all it is not fun owning a pet that you are afraid of!
2. Have Patience: While it can get frustrating, every bird is different and you can't possibly know how long it will take to build trust and get your bird to stop biting; it is important to remain calm and to have patience. Work with your bird a little every day, each day making sure that you don't do anything that makes your bird feel threatened; this will only slow the process down. You have to stay calm and be patient and realize that your bird will come around if you stick with it and never give up.
3. Start Small: One easy way to start to teach your bird not to bite is to teach them the command, "touch". To start you can use a pencil and have your bird touch its beak to the eraser. Say the word "touch" and when your bird complies, in a manner you are satisfied with (a nice soft touch, rather than a bite of the eraser), reward them with their favorite treat. Continue on with this training until you can start to use your finger instead of a pencil.
The above article discussed how to train a lovebird not to bite; the 3 necessary steps to get them to stop biting include building trust, having a lot of patience and starting with some small training exercises.
Of course it is going to take a bit more than just one training exercise to be successful with a biting bird.
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Short Description of Wrens
Name Origin
From the Middle English word wrenne, Old English wraenna, attested very early in an 18th century gloss and Old High German wrendo, wrendilo and Old Icelandic word rindill thus points to a Common Germanic name wrandjan- but the further etymology of the name is unknown. The name has been applied to other birds in Australia and New Zealand.
Known also as a kinglet in Old High German. This name is associated with a legend of an election of the king of birds. The legend tells that whoever could fly to the highest altitude would be made king. An eagle outflew all birds burt was beaten by a small bird (wren) who had hidden in his plumage. This legend was known by the famous philosopher Aristotle. Its name is ascribed to other families of passerine birds throughout the world. Such as Europe with regulus, firecrest and goldcrest.
Species Background
About 80 species of true wrens in about 20 genera which are passerine birds in the mainly New World family troglodytidae. Its genus eponymous of the family is troglodytes. Troglodyte means cave-dweller. It got their scientific name from the tendency of some species to hunt in dark fissure.
Description
They are small birds, among the smallest in the world. Its size range is 10-22 cm and weighs 9-20 grams. Its dominating colors of their plumage are dull, composed of black and white, grey, brown and most species show some barring, from its tail or wings. They are distinguished on its barring on the retrices which is absent in all songbirds. The plumage of the wrens is soft. There is no sexual dimorphism in the plumage of wrens, and little difference between young birds and adults.
The various species occur in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dry to rainforests. Vast majority are found at low levels. A few species, particularly the Winter Wren, is often associated with humans. They remain in Central and South America all year round because most species are non-migratory but the few temperate species typically migrate to warmer climes in winter.
Behavior
Although wrens have a reputation for extreme secretiveness, they vary from highly secretive species some frequently sing from exposed perches. The whole family exhibits a great deal of variation in their behavior. Except for their loud and often complex songs they are mainly small and inconspicuous. They have short wings and they can't see at night. Quite a few sleep on the ground and often hold their tails upright. They live eating insects and spiders. They are insectivores but they also feed on fish, rodents and lizards. Temperate species generally occur in pairs, but tropical species may occur in parties of up to twenty birds. Wrens build dome-shaped nests, and may be either monogamous or polygamous, depending on species.
Additional Information
Small, mostly insectivorous birds with finely pointed and often decurved bill, tail variously long and graduated to extremely short; plumage mostly grey and brown, often with rufous tones. Forest edge, scrubland, suburban gardens, marshes, desert brushland, rock faces with 17 genera, 85 species, 407 taxa and 7 species threatened; none extinct since 1600.
Want to find out more about birdhouse, then visit Allen John site on how to choose the best sanctuary for your needs.
From the Middle English word wrenne, Old English wraenna, attested very early in an 18th century gloss and Old High German wrendo, wrendilo and Old Icelandic word rindill thus points to a Common Germanic name wrandjan- but the further etymology of the name is unknown. The name has been applied to other birds in Australia and New Zealand.
Known also as a kinglet in Old High German. This name is associated with a legend of an election of the king of birds. The legend tells that whoever could fly to the highest altitude would be made king. An eagle outflew all birds burt was beaten by a small bird (wren) who had hidden in his plumage. This legend was known by the famous philosopher Aristotle. Its name is ascribed to other families of passerine birds throughout the world. Such as Europe with regulus, firecrest and goldcrest.
Species Background
About 80 species of true wrens in about 20 genera which are passerine birds in the mainly New World family troglodytidae. Its genus eponymous of the family is troglodytes. Troglodyte means cave-dweller. It got their scientific name from the tendency of some species to hunt in dark fissure.
Description
They are small birds, among the smallest in the world. Its size range is 10-22 cm and weighs 9-20 grams. Its dominating colors of their plumage are dull, composed of black and white, grey, brown and most species show some barring, from its tail or wings. They are distinguished on its barring on the retrices which is absent in all songbirds. The plumage of the wrens is soft. There is no sexual dimorphism in the plumage of wrens, and little difference between young birds and adults.
The various species occur in a wide range of habitats, ranging from dry to rainforests. Vast majority are found at low levels. A few species, particularly the Winter Wren, is often associated with humans. They remain in Central and South America all year round because most species are non-migratory but the few temperate species typically migrate to warmer climes in winter.
Behavior
Although wrens have a reputation for extreme secretiveness, they vary from highly secretive species some frequently sing from exposed perches. The whole family exhibits a great deal of variation in their behavior. Except for their loud and often complex songs they are mainly small and inconspicuous. They have short wings and they can't see at night. Quite a few sleep on the ground and often hold their tails upright. They live eating insects and spiders. They are insectivores but they also feed on fish, rodents and lizards. Temperate species generally occur in pairs, but tropical species may occur in parties of up to twenty birds. Wrens build dome-shaped nests, and may be either monogamous or polygamous, depending on species.
Additional Information
Small, mostly insectivorous birds with finely pointed and often decurved bill, tail variously long and graduated to extremely short; plumage mostly grey and brown, often with rufous tones. Forest edge, scrubland, suburban gardens, marshes, desert brushland, rock faces with 17 genera, 85 species, 407 taxa and 7 species threatened; none extinct since 1600.
Want to find out more about birdhouse, then visit Allen John site on how to choose the best sanctuary for your needs.
Shopping For Bird Supplies at the Pet Store
No matter what kind of pet you have, you have to go to the pet store for them. Even though they are different from any other type of animal, birds need supplies as well. Knowing what you need for your bird is very important.
Learn As Much as You Can
You need to learn everything you can about what your bird is going to need, preferably before you even buy the bird itself. Going to a pet store to gather information is a great idea. You will be able to find lots of products and magazines that will help you on your way to being a successful pet owner.
What Kind of Bird Do You Have?
There are different supplies for different types of birds. Your shopping cart will look very different if you are shopping for a parrot than it would if you were shopping for finches. It is very important that you get your bird the right products.
When you go to the pet store, just be sure that they carry products for the type of bird you have. If they don't, or if they seem unsure what your bird needs, find a different store.
Buying Food
When you are buying food for your bird, try to get them something that is high-quality and has a variety of things in it. Most of the time providing different seeds, nuts, and fruits to your bird is good depending on its dietary needs. This wide variety is more important for some birds than others. For example, a small breed like a canary needs a good seed mix, but may not require the fruits and nuts that tropical parrots should be provided.
Check out the variety of bird foods that a pet store carries and see how much of it is suitable for your bird. Also, if you don't find what you're looking for, but you like the store, consider asking them if what you are looking for can be ordered.
Toys and Treats
Like any animal, birds enjoy having treats and toys. In fact, considering that birds have to spend so much time in a cage, these are crucial to their happiness.
Treats such as cuttlebone give them something to gnaw on as well as provide nutrients that they need. You can also find toys that provide birds with treats as they play.
The more intelligent your bird is, the more important toys are. A pet store with a good bird section should have everything from small simple toys for simpler varieties of birds, as well as very complex toys for parrots and other highly intelligent birds. Having a few of these toys that can be switched out of the cage occasionally is a good idea.
By finding a good pet store and getting your bird everything that it needs to be healthy and happy, you are helping to ensure that you and your bird will enjoy each other's company for a long time.
Gerrard Floyd is a pet expert who has been writing on the benefits, challenges, and methodology of pet ownership for over five years. His areas of expertise include canine, feline, and reptile care as well as animal psychology. If you are interested in more information on bird supplies please visit bird supplies, a supplier of high quality pet food, grooming supplies, and toys.
Learn As Much as You Can
You need to learn everything you can about what your bird is going to need, preferably before you even buy the bird itself. Going to a pet store to gather information is a great idea. You will be able to find lots of products and magazines that will help you on your way to being a successful pet owner.
What Kind of Bird Do You Have?
There are different supplies for different types of birds. Your shopping cart will look very different if you are shopping for a parrot than it would if you were shopping for finches. It is very important that you get your bird the right products.
When you go to the pet store, just be sure that they carry products for the type of bird you have. If they don't, or if they seem unsure what your bird needs, find a different store.
Buying Food
When you are buying food for your bird, try to get them something that is high-quality and has a variety of things in it. Most of the time providing different seeds, nuts, and fruits to your bird is good depending on its dietary needs. This wide variety is more important for some birds than others. For example, a small breed like a canary needs a good seed mix, but may not require the fruits and nuts that tropical parrots should be provided.
Check out the variety of bird foods that a pet store carries and see how much of it is suitable for your bird. Also, if you don't find what you're looking for, but you like the store, consider asking them if what you are looking for can be ordered.
Toys and Treats
Like any animal, birds enjoy having treats and toys. In fact, considering that birds have to spend so much time in a cage, these are crucial to their happiness.
Treats such as cuttlebone give them something to gnaw on as well as provide nutrients that they need. You can also find toys that provide birds with treats as they play.
The more intelligent your bird is, the more important toys are. A pet store with a good bird section should have everything from small simple toys for simpler varieties of birds, as well as very complex toys for parrots and other highly intelligent birds. Having a few of these toys that can be switched out of the cage occasionally is a good idea.
By finding a good pet store and getting your bird everything that it needs to be healthy and happy, you are helping to ensure that you and your bird will enjoy each other's company for a long time.
Gerrard Floyd is a pet expert who has been writing on the benefits, challenges, and methodology of pet ownership for over five years. His areas of expertise include canine, feline, and reptile care as well as animal psychology. If you are interested in more information on bird supplies please visit bird supplies, a supplier of high quality pet food, grooming supplies, and toys.
How to Set One Up For Your Parrot
Are you considering an aviary for your pet parrot or parrots? Many parrot owners like to have their parrots nearby and will have cages for them set up in the house or on balconies but in some circumstances the parrot parents prefer to set up an aviary.
Parrots come in small and large sizes and some parrot owners like to have several and other parrot owners like to have just one large parrot. With the different requirements in mind some owners will need an aviary.
Here are some of the reasons why a parrot owner may opt for an aviary:
· It could be that the owner wishes the bird to have more room to fly around when in its cage
· The owner may wish to breed the parrots and therefore require a larger cage
· The aim might be to have a number of parrots, either large or small and a larger cage is required so that they can have their own space within an aviary
Whatever the reason, an aviary needs to be set up correctly. Not only are we talking about valuable birds here but we are talking about the health of these lovely creatures.
Here is a list of things to consider before setting up an aviary:
· Parrots do not go well being exposed to cold winds so if the aviary is going to be a stand-alone one it would pay to make sure that the side to the prevailing wind is enclosed.
· When using wire mesh make sure it is small enough so that the parrot cannot get its head stuck in it by trying to reach through.
· Have a door through which you can access the aviary - if you are worried about birds flying out as you go in you can hang thick plastic curtain strips on the inside which will deter the birds from flying out. Care would need to be taken that the plastic is not eaten and swallowed by the birds.
· Depending on the size of the aviary it would be good to have a tray on the bottom, under a grill base, which could be pulled out for cleaning.
· Feeding bowls and water bottles which need regular cleaning so that the birds do not get bacteria from them and affect the health of the bird. Some owners prefer to use water bowls rather than water bottles.
· Bathing bowls if the birds are not going to get a misted spray from the owner.
· Some sort of base on the aviary - straw is good, so is sand and fine bark.
· Perches need to be the right thickness for the parrot that is going to be housed
· Breeding boxes if breeding is going to be carried out
There are various types of aviaries but these are suggestions for setting up an aviary that covers the basic needs of your parrot. Parrots also love to have some green leaved branches, some toys and mirrors to play with.
A large parrot does need plenty of room and an aviary might just be the answer, although if a parrot has not been used to an aviary they might need to be gradually introduce to it through using a cage to help with adjustment. A parrot being moved quickly into a large space that it is not used to can become very frightened. Gradual introduction is the key.
Parrots come in small and large sizes and some parrot owners like to have several and other parrot owners like to have just one large parrot. With the different requirements in mind some owners will need an aviary.
Here are some of the reasons why a parrot owner may opt for an aviary:
· It could be that the owner wishes the bird to have more room to fly around when in its cage
· The owner may wish to breed the parrots and therefore require a larger cage
· The aim might be to have a number of parrots, either large or small and a larger cage is required so that they can have their own space within an aviary
Whatever the reason, an aviary needs to be set up correctly. Not only are we talking about valuable birds here but we are talking about the health of these lovely creatures.
Here is a list of things to consider before setting up an aviary:
· Parrots do not go well being exposed to cold winds so if the aviary is going to be a stand-alone one it would pay to make sure that the side to the prevailing wind is enclosed.
· When using wire mesh make sure it is small enough so that the parrot cannot get its head stuck in it by trying to reach through.
· Have a door through which you can access the aviary - if you are worried about birds flying out as you go in you can hang thick plastic curtain strips on the inside which will deter the birds from flying out. Care would need to be taken that the plastic is not eaten and swallowed by the birds.
· Depending on the size of the aviary it would be good to have a tray on the bottom, under a grill base, which could be pulled out for cleaning.
· Feeding bowls and water bottles which need regular cleaning so that the birds do not get bacteria from them and affect the health of the bird. Some owners prefer to use water bowls rather than water bottles.
· Bathing bowls if the birds are not going to get a misted spray from the owner.
· Some sort of base on the aviary - straw is good, so is sand and fine bark.
· Perches need to be the right thickness for the parrot that is going to be housed
· Breeding boxes if breeding is going to be carried out
There are various types of aviaries but these are suggestions for setting up an aviary that covers the basic needs of your parrot. Parrots also love to have some green leaved branches, some toys and mirrors to play with.
A large parrot does need plenty of room and an aviary might just be the answer, although if a parrot has not been used to an aviary they might need to be gradually introduce to it through using a cage to help with adjustment. A parrot being moved quickly into a large space that it is not used to can become very frightened. Gradual introduction is the key.
Cockatiel Bird Cages
There are several things to consider when looking for a cage to purchase for your Cockatiel. Cockatiels make excellent pets so you'll want to make the best possible choice for its home to bring out the best in your feathered friend.
When considering a cage for your cockatiel think about the location you will be using. You'll want a place away from drafty areas such as outside doors and away from windows that are used and sometimes left open. Birds are social creatures, so put your cockatiel's home in an area where there is plenty of activity. An engaged bird is a happy bird. Although Cockatiels are one of the easiest breeds to have as a pet, they still will need a good deal of attention to thwart any negative behavior.
You'll want the right size of cage for your cockatiel so look for a cage that is at least 22" X 22". Some say that a smaller cage is better so that the bird will want to get out when you get home. But I believe that if your cockatiel is well socialized, it will want to join its "flock", that is, you or your family when you let it out. And remember, Cockatiels can live for more than 30 years, so give them room to stretch their wings from time to time! You want a happy friend, not a bird that is discontented and screeching all the time.
Some other features you will want to have in your Cockatiel's home include horizontal bars. The bird will climb up and down them and get some exercise. Shape of the cage is also important. Round cages are confusing to a bird and generally more difficult to clean, whereas a square or rectangular cage will be easier to clean and gentler to the birds psyche. Cockatiels also enjoy stands and perches, so a cage with a perch on top will add to your bird's enjoyment of its home.
Finally, when you have chosen your new cage and it has finally arrived at your home, carefully clean and inspect it for sharp or hazardous items that might injure your bird. Remember, craftsmanship counts, so buy the best that you can afford for years of enjoyment. And don't forget to fill your feathered friend's home with colorful toys, soft accessories and a small bird bath with a food tray to spoil your friend with their favorite foods. To see some of the best cages available, please visit our site below.
When considering a cage for your cockatiel think about the location you will be using. You'll want a place away from drafty areas such as outside doors and away from windows that are used and sometimes left open. Birds are social creatures, so put your cockatiel's home in an area where there is plenty of activity. An engaged bird is a happy bird. Although Cockatiels are one of the easiest breeds to have as a pet, they still will need a good deal of attention to thwart any negative behavior.
You'll want the right size of cage for your cockatiel so look for a cage that is at least 22" X 22". Some say that a smaller cage is better so that the bird will want to get out when you get home. But I believe that if your cockatiel is well socialized, it will want to join its "flock", that is, you or your family when you let it out. And remember, Cockatiels can live for more than 30 years, so give them room to stretch their wings from time to time! You want a happy friend, not a bird that is discontented and screeching all the time.
Some other features you will want to have in your Cockatiel's home include horizontal bars. The bird will climb up and down them and get some exercise. Shape of the cage is also important. Round cages are confusing to a bird and generally more difficult to clean, whereas a square or rectangular cage will be easier to clean and gentler to the birds psyche. Cockatiels also enjoy stands and perches, so a cage with a perch on top will add to your bird's enjoyment of its home.
Finally, when you have chosen your new cage and it has finally arrived at your home, carefully clean and inspect it for sharp or hazardous items that might injure your bird. Remember, craftsmanship counts, so buy the best that you can afford for years of enjoyment. And don't forget to fill your feathered friend's home with colorful toys, soft accessories and a small bird bath with a food tray to spoil your friend with their favorite foods. To see some of the best cages available, please visit our site below.
Many Bird Owners Wonder Whether They Should Trim Or File Their Pet Bird's Beak
Many bird owners wonder whether they should trim or file their pet bird's beak. We as pet owners like to know we are doing the right thing by them, after all we are wholly responsible for each and every animal that we have. It is important to keep an eye on any changes in your bird's beak, from over growing, under growing, discoloured, cracked, changing shape, becoming soft, becoming brittle, too shiny, improper alignment of top and bottom beaks etc, etc. Anything that is changing from what is normal for your bird is best to be checked out by an avian veterinarian. Don't wait until it is too late, as some problems are caused by diet and can be overcome quite easily, just by changing or adding different foods and introducing items that can keep the bird's beak in tip top shape.
Our Quaker Parrot, Charlie, loves to chew on branches from trees that we place around the house, both indoors and outside. Once he has chewed all of the outside layer from them we replace them with new branches. He loves to climb all over the branches and chews to his hearts content, whilst it is very messy it also keeps him amused. We have different shapes and sizes of branches so as he has to open his beak in different ways. We also give him different textures of food, both raw vegetables and fruit along with bird seed that we purchase from good pet stores. We have a cuttlebone placed here and there but he is not very keen on them, along with calcium bells. Charlie is still only young, about one year old, but we are very aware that any bird can have a beak problem, so we keep a careful eye on him. Even when he is on our shoulders on our clothes protector, a bird bib we give him things to chew on.
As I said before many pet bird owners ask themselves should they trim or file their bird's beak, well yes, sometimes it is necessary, but as always prevention is better than cure. Try to give your bird, whether it is a Quaker parrot, Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Parrot, Canary, Parakeet just to name a few, a variety of items including food that will help control their beak and keep them in a healthy state. If you are at all worried about your bird's beak don't hesitate to take it to a veterinarian, an avian veterinarian if possible. The vet is the best person to trim any bird's beak and will show you how you can file it yourself if you ask them. If you want to trim the beak yourself please check it out with the vet first as there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. You don't won't to hurt your pet bird after all.
Our Quaker Parrot, Charlie, loves to chew on branches from trees that we place around the house, both indoors and outside. Once he has chewed all of the outside layer from them we replace them with new branches. He loves to climb all over the branches and chews to his hearts content, whilst it is very messy it also keeps him amused. We have different shapes and sizes of branches so as he has to open his beak in different ways. We also give him different textures of food, both raw vegetables and fruit along with bird seed that we purchase from good pet stores. We have a cuttlebone placed here and there but he is not very keen on them, along with calcium bells. Charlie is still only young, about one year old, but we are very aware that any bird can have a beak problem, so we keep a careful eye on him. Even when he is on our shoulders on our clothes protector, a bird bib we give him things to chew on.
As I said before many pet bird owners ask themselves should they trim or file their bird's beak, well yes, sometimes it is necessary, but as always prevention is better than cure. Try to give your bird, whether it is a Quaker parrot, Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Parrot, Canary, Parakeet just to name a few, a variety of items including food that will help control their beak and keep them in a healthy state. If you are at all worried about your bird's beak don't hesitate to take it to a veterinarian, an avian veterinarian if possible. The vet is the best person to trim any bird's beak and will show you how you can file it yourself if you ask them. If you want to trim the beak yourself please check it out with the vet first as there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. You don't won't to hurt your pet bird after all.
What to Look For in Your Bird Cage
People who keep pets absolutely love and adore them, especially those who have feathered pets. You might feed your bird regularly, play with it, make it sing; make it speak but have you ever thought about how comfortable the bird is inside its cage? The cage to a bird is like a house to your average human. The fact that the bird is not going to be let out of the cage makes it all the more important for us to choose the right and comfortable cage for the birds.
It is important to provide them with adequate living space. Today, there are several bird cages that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, models and colors. There are innumerable and endless choices but the trick lies in choosing the best one for your particular type of feathered pet. Given below are the most important things to be kept in mind when you buy a cage for your bird.
The location and placement of the cage is very important. If you are scared that your bird might fly away or be restless when the cage is placed near the window, then an apt place should be chosen inside the house itself. This place should not be secluded and should be such that the bird has you and other folks around it and thereby enabling it to develop socially. Once the location is chosen, the shop keeper can give you the apt choice of cages for that location.
The next thing to be looked into is SIZE. Simple logic works here- large birds require big cages and their smaller counterparts require small ones. That does not mean that a small bird like canaries can be kept in cages that are barely bigger than the bird itself. There should be enough space in the cage for the bird to move around. When confined to small spaces, birds tend to get irritated and therefore they might screech, make lot of noise, peck, pluck their own feathers etc. It is important to choose the size of the cage with great care.
Next thing to be looked at is the bars of the cage. Small birds require bars not more than half an inch apart. Several times people have encountered incidents of birds escaping through the bars and also birds getting stuck in between bars. It is also important to decide on having horizontal or vertical bars. Large birds are to be kept in horizontal barred cages as that lets the birds climb up the bars a bit and exercise every now and then.
The shape of the cage is also extremely important. Imagine yourself living in a perfect sphere or circular house- enough to make your head spin? Birds have the same reaction too. Round cages affect them psychologically and therefore the most preferred shapes of cages are angled ones, rectangular or square. These can be styled inside with small mounds; stands etc where the birds can perch up and have some movement.
Today, craftsmanship also finds a place while choosing cages. Cages with fancy stands, perches etc are in demand. One the cage is brought be sure to clean it and check it any sharp items or anything harmful to the bird. Fill it colorful toys, soft accessories and also have a stylish small bird bath inside with a food tray where you can serve food to your lovely feathered friend.
It is important to provide them with adequate living space. Today, there are several bird cages that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, models and colors. There are innumerable and endless choices but the trick lies in choosing the best one for your particular type of feathered pet. Given below are the most important things to be kept in mind when you buy a cage for your bird.
The location and placement of the cage is very important. If you are scared that your bird might fly away or be restless when the cage is placed near the window, then an apt place should be chosen inside the house itself. This place should not be secluded and should be such that the bird has you and other folks around it and thereby enabling it to develop socially. Once the location is chosen, the shop keeper can give you the apt choice of cages for that location.
The next thing to be looked into is SIZE. Simple logic works here- large birds require big cages and their smaller counterparts require small ones. That does not mean that a small bird like canaries can be kept in cages that are barely bigger than the bird itself. There should be enough space in the cage for the bird to move around. When confined to small spaces, birds tend to get irritated and therefore they might screech, make lot of noise, peck, pluck their own feathers etc. It is important to choose the size of the cage with great care.
Next thing to be looked at is the bars of the cage. Small birds require bars not more than half an inch apart. Several times people have encountered incidents of birds escaping through the bars and also birds getting stuck in between bars. It is also important to decide on having horizontal or vertical bars. Large birds are to be kept in horizontal barred cages as that lets the birds climb up the bars a bit and exercise every now and then.
The shape of the cage is also extremely important. Imagine yourself living in a perfect sphere or circular house- enough to make your head spin? Birds have the same reaction too. Round cages affect them psychologically and therefore the most preferred shapes of cages are angled ones, rectangular or square. These can be styled inside with small mounds; stands etc where the birds can perch up and have some movement.
Today, craftsmanship also finds a place while choosing cages. Cages with fancy stands, perches etc are in demand. One the cage is brought be sure to clean it and check it any sharp items or anything harmful to the bird. Fill it colorful toys, soft accessories and also have a stylish small bird bath inside with a food tray where you can serve food to your lovely feathered friend.
Does Your Parrot Have Sore Feet?
Boots may have been made for walking but parrots don't wear them and if they could would they want to? Well that just might depend on the state of your birds cage or more to the point the state of the perches you have put in his cage.
When you first got your parrot cage it probably came with two wooden doweling perches. The sad news about that is these kinds of perches are not good for your bird's feet. What you should do is cut some natural perches from trees in your garden or local park (don't get caught!).
Birds are not like us humans. They don't always need to be standing on a horizontal surface. In fact if you look at them in the wild you will see they often "perch" on vertical branches. So make life interesting for your bird and put a variety of perches in his cage. It is not difficult to cut them to size and fit them into the cage.
Not only do perches like these give your bird some variety in his life they are also very good for his feet. The irregular texture and surface keeps your bird's feet exercised at the same time as keeping his nails in tip-top condition. These perches have the added advantage of being chewable and your bird is quite likely to strip them bare of any bark, and probably in quite a short space of time. When this happens just get back out into your garden and cut another perch.
Sadly there are cement perches being sold from pet shops, these are not good for your bird as they are cold, hard and very definitely not chewable. Pet shops will also sell you sandpaper to cover your doweling perches with on the pretext it will keep your bird's nails short and in good condition. Before you get taken in by this consider how well your feet would cope with walking on sandpaper all day - so why then would you even consider subjecting your bird to that kind of treatment.
You can make your bird cage or aviary really bird friendly with just a little imagination in preparing natural perches cut from real trees positioned horizontally and at varying degrees of verticality. Small branches can be easily cut and trimmed with little effort. Your birds life can be made so much more interesting and exciting with minimal effort on your part.
When you first got your parrot cage it probably came with two wooden doweling perches. The sad news about that is these kinds of perches are not good for your bird's feet. What you should do is cut some natural perches from trees in your garden or local park (don't get caught!).
Birds are not like us humans. They don't always need to be standing on a horizontal surface. In fact if you look at them in the wild you will see they often "perch" on vertical branches. So make life interesting for your bird and put a variety of perches in his cage. It is not difficult to cut them to size and fit them into the cage.
Not only do perches like these give your bird some variety in his life they are also very good for his feet. The irregular texture and surface keeps your bird's feet exercised at the same time as keeping his nails in tip-top condition. These perches have the added advantage of being chewable and your bird is quite likely to strip them bare of any bark, and probably in quite a short space of time. When this happens just get back out into your garden and cut another perch.
Sadly there are cement perches being sold from pet shops, these are not good for your bird as they are cold, hard and very definitely not chewable. Pet shops will also sell you sandpaper to cover your doweling perches with on the pretext it will keep your bird's nails short and in good condition. Before you get taken in by this consider how well your feet would cope with walking on sandpaper all day - so why then would you even consider subjecting your bird to that kind of treatment.
You can make your bird cage or aviary really bird friendly with just a little imagination in preparing natural perches cut from real trees positioned horizontally and at varying degrees of verticality. Small branches can be easily cut and trimmed with little effort. Your birds life can be made so much more interesting and exciting with minimal effort on your part.
Training Pet Parrots at Home
Training pet parrots has a lot of benefits, like teaching some simple commands to handle your parrot easier and strengthening the bond with your parrot. It is not only the entertainment when a parrot can talk and do tricks. Of course the success of training parrots process means lots of praise and attention together with favorite treats.
Keep it Positive
It is very important for the success. There are three principles for parrot training:
1. If your parrot does something well--> give him a reward
2. If he does something unwell--> ignore it
3. Never punish your parrot
In training parrots process your goal is simple- if your parrot behaves the proper way, give him a reward like a favorite food treat or a play session and ignore for bad things. Also even a simple praise or a treasured toy are good motivation for some birds. Do not forget to ignore the bird if the parrot is doing something undesirable. A negative reaction is also attention so if your parrot desires your attention he will accept it as a reward. He may think that negative attention is better than no attention. Ignoring is much better decision and the undesirable behavior will stop soon. This bellow is what your approach training has to be in order to keep the process positive:
• Train your bird only when you feel relaxed because the training takes patience!
• Choose a time when your bird is attentive and not distracted by preening, eating, or household activities.
• Short, frequent training sessions like a few minutes at a time divided into several times a day are more effective.
• Pick a particularly favorite reward
• When your bird does something well, don't give a treat every time otherwise your bird will do it if you have a treat handy.
• End every session on a positive way like giving a treat for a good try or a successful attempt, and move on to something else.
• Training sessions should be funny for your bird.
Very Basic Training Parrots: Step Up and Step Down
Choose one or two things to teach your parrot. They could be training your parrot to step up onto your wrist or finger or even a perch which you are holding in your hand on command, and then he has to step back off again. These are easy but important skills to teach. Stepping up on command is generally easy to train as it is a natural movement for a bird (stepping down is a bit more difficult to teach).
If you teach your bird to step up and step down on command it will make handling much easier and you will be able to set some boundaries for your bird. Then you can return the bird back to its play-gym or cage or remove him easily from areas of home that are not bird-proofed. Even if you have a baby bird to start early with the step up and step down commands is still a good idea. It allows you to give lots of positive reinforcement and it is a good foundation for training your parrots into more skills to in the future.
Keep it Positive
It is very important for the success. There are three principles for parrot training:
1. If your parrot does something well--> give him a reward
2. If he does something unwell--> ignore it
3. Never punish your parrot
In training parrots process your goal is simple- if your parrot behaves the proper way, give him a reward like a favorite food treat or a play session and ignore for bad things. Also even a simple praise or a treasured toy are good motivation for some birds. Do not forget to ignore the bird if the parrot is doing something undesirable. A negative reaction is also attention so if your parrot desires your attention he will accept it as a reward. He may think that negative attention is better than no attention. Ignoring is much better decision and the undesirable behavior will stop soon. This bellow is what your approach training has to be in order to keep the process positive:
• Train your bird only when you feel relaxed because the training takes patience!
• Choose a time when your bird is attentive and not distracted by preening, eating, or household activities.
• Short, frequent training sessions like a few minutes at a time divided into several times a day are more effective.
• Pick a particularly favorite reward
• When your bird does something well, don't give a treat every time otherwise your bird will do it if you have a treat handy.
• End every session on a positive way like giving a treat for a good try or a successful attempt, and move on to something else.
• Training sessions should be funny for your bird.
Very Basic Training Parrots: Step Up and Step Down
Choose one or two things to teach your parrot. They could be training your parrot to step up onto your wrist or finger or even a perch which you are holding in your hand on command, and then he has to step back off again. These are easy but important skills to teach. Stepping up on command is generally easy to train as it is a natural movement for a bird (stepping down is a bit more difficult to teach).
If you teach your bird to step up and step down on command it will make handling much easier and you will be able to set some boundaries for your bird. Then you can return the bird back to its play-gym or cage or remove him easily from areas of home that are not bird-proofed. Even if you have a baby bird to start early with the step up and step down commands is still a good idea. It allows you to give lots of positive reinforcement and it is a good foundation for training your parrots into more skills to in the future.
Parrots Love Learning Tricks
Parrots are very intelligent birds and if they know lots of tricks they can keep themselves occupied when the owner is not around to play games with them. This is why they are so popular as a pet. It is so much fun seeing the result of all your parrot training as the parrot shows off his new tricks.
Parrot tricks are great for your pet parrot because if the owner is not around they can become quite lonely and bored which is not good for their health. They are flock birds and if they do not have a companion in the cage with them then they need to be taught tricks so that they do not become upset and unwell. A happy parrot is an amazingly good companion.
Here is something that can be taught to a pet parrot.
One of the first tricks to teach a parrot is to "step up". This is simply getting the parrot to step onto your finger (or arm if it is a larger bird). Extend your finger in front of the parrot's feet and ask it to "step up". Repeat this command several times in a calm, soothing voice so as not to frighten the bird. If necessary, hold some food in front of the bird, out of reach so that it will move forward. When the bird does what it is supposed to do give it a small treat.
Getting the parrot to "turn around" is another trick that can be learnt quite quickly. The idea is to get the parrot to do a full turn on the perch. To start this trick, hold a piece of food to the side of the parrot so that it has to turn its head. Ask it to "turn around" and as it reaches for the food move it behind the bird so that it turns completely around on the perch. Once it has turned around, give it a treat.
Over time your parrot will gain more confidence and he will do all sorts of tricks of his own. A lot of that will also depend on the different toys that you introduce to him. They have really inquisitive minds and like small children, they will find things to do with new toys.
Teaching a parrot to talk.
One of the very important steps when teaching a parrot to talk is to talk loudly clearly. Each syllable needs clear pronunciation so that the parrot can hear and be able to mimic the sounds.
It is best to teach the parrot only a few words at a time otherwise they will get confused, and also it is best if there is only one teacher. This way the parrot gets used to the vocal sounds and is not confused by the different accents and voice tone.
Your parrot will love the interaction with tricks and talking lessons, so enjoy this time with him. You can bet that all that praise you give him will not be lost and he will just love it.
Parrot tricks are great for your pet parrot because if the owner is not around they can become quite lonely and bored which is not good for their health. They are flock birds and if they do not have a companion in the cage with them then they need to be taught tricks so that they do not become upset and unwell. A happy parrot is an amazingly good companion.
Here is something that can be taught to a pet parrot.
One of the first tricks to teach a parrot is to "step up". This is simply getting the parrot to step onto your finger (or arm if it is a larger bird). Extend your finger in front of the parrot's feet and ask it to "step up". Repeat this command several times in a calm, soothing voice so as not to frighten the bird. If necessary, hold some food in front of the bird, out of reach so that it will move forward. When the bird does what it is supposed to do give it a small treat.
Getting the parrot to "turn around" is another trick that can be learnt quite quickly. The idea is to get the parrot to do a full turn on the perch. To start this trick, hold a piece of food to the side of the parrot so that it has to turn its head. Ask it to "turn around" and as it reaches for the food move it behind the bird so that it turns completely around on the perch. Once it has turned around, give it a treat.
Over time your parrot will gain more confidence and he will do all sorts of tricks of his own. A lot of that will also depend on the different toys that you introduce to him. They have really inquisitive minds and like small children, they will find things to do with new toys.
Teaching a parrot to talk.
One of the very important steps when teaching a parrot to talk is to talk loudly clearly. Each syllable needs clear pronunciation so that the parrot can hear and be able to mimic the sounds.
It is best to teach the parrot only a few words at a time otherwise they will get confused, and also it is best if there is only one teacher. This way the parrot gets used to the vocal sounds and is not confused by the different accents and voice tone.
Your parrot will love the interaction with tricks and talking lessons, so enjoy this time with him. You can bet that all that praise you give him will not be lost and he will just love it.
How to Care For a Baby Parrot at His New Home
It is a very exciting time bringing home a new pet parrot. Often an owner has to wait for the new parrot to be old enough to be removed from the breeder so the excitement can have been building for weeks. A new, young pet parrot does need some extra care to ensure its safety in the new environment. Planning his new home should be given some consideration and there should be some knowledge of how to care for him. Let's discuss how to care for the new addition to the family.
The first few days in his new home.
Whether an older parrot or a young parrot he does not know any of his new family so it is understandable that he will be scared. A critical time for a new parrot pet, whether young or not, is in the first few days as they become accustomed to their new environment. There will be new noises which will scare him, new colors to adjust to and different activities going on that he is not used to.
The whole family, especially if there are young children, need to be aware that the parrot is likely to be very temperamental at this time. He will want to be left in his cage with a minimum of attention with just the usual feeding and watering. Before opening his cage, make sure that all the windows and doors are closed and also when he is first let out of his cage for a walk.
Avoiding problems.
If there are other parrots at the house, the bird needs to be separated for some time and only introduced to the other parrots slowly. Even then, the introduction needs to be done under supervision so that the new parrot does not get attacked.
Bring a new parrot home in the morning so that he has time to see his new surroundings for a few hours and get used to some of the new noises.
To ensure the bird eats, find out from the shop or breeder what the parrot's favorite foods are and make sure they are available.
Clipping his wings.
Make sure that his first 3 flying feathers are clipped slightly so that he cannot take flight out the door or into the kitchen where he might have an accident.
His sleeping conditions.
Put a cover over the cage at nightfall and keep it covered until sun up. Parrots are used to sleeping at night and covering a parrot cage is the best way to ensure enough sleep for his good health.
Parrots get lonely.
When introducing a parrot into the family, make sure there are some toys in his new cage so that as he starts to relax he can play with those and keep himself occupied. Any toys being given to the parrot need to be checked for safety to ensure that his beak or claw cannot get stuck or that pieces will not break off.
Although parrots are flock birds it is advisable only to talk to him through the cage for the first few days and not handle him a lot until he gets used to the family. A frequently handled parrot can become a very dependent parrot and that is not good if he is going to be left on his own at all because he will squawk and carry on to attract attention.
Parrot care by an owner does rely on the parrot also being happy when the owner is not there. Encourage the parrot to entertain himself during the day with toys when no-one else is around.
The first few days in his new home.
Whether an older parrot or a young parrot he does not know any of his new family so it is understandable that he will be scared. A critical time for a new parrot pet, whether young or not, is in the first few days as they become accustomed to their new environment. There will be new noises which will scare him, new colors to adjust to and different activities going on that he is not used to.
The whole family, especially if there are young children, need to be aware that the parrot is likely to be very temperamental at this time. He will want to be left in his cage with a minimum of attention with just the usual feeding and watering. Before opening his cage, make sure that all the windows and doors are closed and also when he is first let out of his cage for a walk.
Avoiding problems.
If there are other parrots at the house, the bird needs to be separated for some time and only introduced to the other parrots slowly. Even then, the introduction needs to be done under supervision so that the new parrot does not get attacked.
Bring a new parrot home in the morning so that he has time to see his new surroundings for a few hours and get used to some of the new noises.
To ensure the bird eats, find out from the shop or breeder what the parrot's favorite foods are and make sure they are available.
Clipping his wings.
Make sure that his first 3 flying feathers are clipped slightly so that he cannot take flight out the door or into the kitchen where he might have an accident.
His sleeping conditions.
Put a cover over the cage at nightfall and keep it covered until sun up. Parrots are used to sleeping at night and covering a parrot cage is the best way to ensure enough sleep for his good health.
Parrots get lonely.
When introducing a parrot into the family, make sure there are some toys in his new cage so that as he starts to relax he can play with those and keep himself occupied. Any toys being given to the parrot need to be checked for safety to ensure that his beak or claw cannot get stuck or that pieces will not break off.
Although parrots are flock birds it is advisable only to talk to him through the cage for the first few days and not handle him a lot until he gets used to the family. A frequently handled parrot can become a very dependent parrot and that is not good if he is going to be left on his own at all because he will squawk and carry on to attract attention.
Parrot care by an owner does rely on the parrot also being happy when the owner is not there. Encourage the parrot to entertain himself during the day with toys when no-one else is around.
Hand Feeding Baby Birds
You've got your baby parrot hatched successfully - what a great moment of excitement. Next step is getting it to grow up. If you have no idea what should be done you would be just overwhelmed with all kind of fears and uncertainties. So don't worry and lets get down to work to make sure your small baby parrots grow successfully to increase you happy family.
First of all lets understand why is it such a complicated task. Baby parrots like human babies can't take care of themselves and therefore have to be taken care of for several weeks by their parents. You are very lucky if you parrot couple takes care of their own kids because in this case everything is done the best way - nature's way. But in case if you have to take a role of a feeding parent you have to follow strict rules of nature to be successful.
Second task is to understand how digestive system works. When food gets into digestive system it has to be broken down mechanically, after that it has to be predigested by friendly bacteria, after that it gets broken down chemically by enzymes and only after that nutrients can be absorbed by a body to grow and receive energy. So what is different with babies - they don't have their enzyme mechanism fully developed and they don't have friendly bacteria in their digestive system. That explains why parent birds usually swallow food and then belch it into babies beak - what happens in parent's bodies is they predigest food for their cuties so that they can readily get nutrients from the food. You might say - "Do I have to do that myself?" Luckily there is different way but principle is still the same - food must be predigested.
So what you will need: syringes, pipette or eyedroppers, a heating pad, clean towels, aquarium or cardboard box, bedding for the bottom of aquarium or a box. Next you need to get hand-feeding formula. Study content of formula - it should be proper fat content (usually around 9% or up to 12% for Macaw), there should be beneficial bacteria in formula and it has to contain digestive enzymes. Now you are fully equipped for feeding your babies.
First days they can't warm they bodies on their own and therefore you will have to keep temperature in aquarium around 85F to 92F. Use thermometer to make sure it is not too cold or not too hot. Make sure that your bedding is not too soft - so that babies don't swallow its pieces. How much food you need - just enough to fill up babies' crops. When do you need to feed? Feed only when crop is completely empty after previous feeding. This way you will be sure that food doesn't spoil inside of babies' body.
Mix formula with warm water and use formula heater to bring it to temperature 107F. Do not overheat - it may kill friendly bacteria and break down enzymes. If you do so food will become hard to digest for nestling. Formula should be gravy like condition. Fill up syringe with formula and get one bird at a time for feeding. Hold it with two fingers and open it's beak with third finger. Feed it with small portions over their tongue close to left side (your right) - make sure they swallow before giving them more. Feed until crop is full. Now you can go to next bird.
Make sure that left over food is discarded. Keep open formula in cool place of freeze it for better freshness. If you don't have formula use ground pellets, mix them with hard-boiled eggs and add yogurt. Make sure that there are no big pieces.
One of the reasons breeder hand feed parrots is to make sure they have bond with grown up birds. Hand feeding alone doesn't guarantee that - you have to communicate with them to make sure that they are aware of you presence and love. Parrots have one of the highest IQ among birds and therefore communication is very important for them. Give them all the good you can provide and it will be paid back with many years of joy and happiness.
First of all lets understand why is it such a complicated task. Baby parrots like human babies can't take care of themselves and therefore have to be taken care of for several weeks by their parents. You are very lucky if you parrot couple takes care of their own kids because in this case everything is done the best way - nature's way. But in case if you have to take a role of a feeding parent you have to follow strict rules of nature to be successful.
Second task is to understand how digestive system works. When food gets into digestive system it has to be broken down mechanically, after that it has to be predigested by friendly bacteria, after that it gets broken down chemically by enzymes and only after that nutrients can be absorbed by a body to grow and receive energy. So what is different with babies - they don't have their enzyme mechanism fully developed and they don't have friendly bacteria in their digestive system. That explains why parent birds usually swallow food and then belch it into babies beak - what happens in parent's bodies is they predigest food for their cuties so that they can readily get nutrients from the food. You might say - "Do I have to do that myself?" Luckily there is different way but principle is still the same - food must be predigested.
So what you will need: syringes, pipette or eyedroppers, a heating pad, clean towels, aquarium or cardboard box, bedding for the bottom of aquarium or a box. Next you need to get hand-feeding formula. Study content of formula - it should be proper fat content (usually around 9% or up to 12% for Macaw), there should be beneficial bacteria in formula and it has to contain digestive enzymes. Now you are fully equipped for feeding your babies.
First days they can't warm they bodies on their own and therefore you will have to keep temperature in aquarium around 85F to 92F. Use thermometer to make sure it is not too cold or not too hot. Make sure that your bedding is not too soft - so that babies don't swallow its pieces. How much food you need - just enough to fill up babies' crops. When do you need to feed? Feed only when crop is completely empty after previous feeding. This way you will be sure that food doesn't spoil inside of babies' body.
Mix formula with warm water and use formula heater to bring it to temperature 107F. Do not overheat - it may kill friendly bacteria and break down enzymes. If you do so food will become hard to digest for nestling. Formula should be gravy like condition. Fill up syringe with formula and get one bird at a time for feeding. Hold it with two fingers and open it's beak with third finger. Feed it with small portions over their tongue close to left side (your right) - make sure they swallow before giving them more. Feed until crop is full. Now you can go to next bird.
Make sure that left over food is discarded. Keep open formula in cool place of freeze it for better freshness. If you don't have formula use ground pellets, mix them with hard-boiled eggs and add yogurt. Make sure that there are no big pieces.
One of the reasons breeder hand feed parrots is to make sure they have bond with grown up birds. Hand feeding alone doesn't guarantee that - you have to communicate with them to make sure that they are aware of you presence and love. Parrots have one of the highest IQ among birds and therefore communication is very important for them. Give them all the good you can provide and it will be paid back with many years of joy and happiness.
A Good Parrot Diet is Essential For a Healthy Parrot
Having a parrot as a pet requires setting up a very good, healthy parrot diet so that the parrot does not become sick and die in just a few years. Parrots actually have a very long lifespan and when you have a pet parrot it pays to take the time when you get the parrot to find out exactly what should be fed to it so that you are keeping the parrot in optimal health.
Size of your parrot.
Getting the diet sorted out is not difficult to do. It is just a matter of listing a diet that is suitable to the parrot. Parrots of similar size eat similar diets, so the main consideration you need to make initially is the actual size of the parrot you have or that you intend to purchase.
For example, you most certainly would not expect an African Gray Parrot to eat the same diet as a budgerigar. Their size difference is huge and this will obviously affect the size of the food they eat. The beak alone on a larger bird is so much stronger, allowing it to eat harder foods.
Parrot diet variety.
A parrot loves to have variety in their diet. In the natural environment a parrot eats flowers, seeds, vegetables, fruit and nuts, so the range of food that you can give your parrot is huge. Variety is essential not only for the health of the parrot but because if the parrot gets bored there is a good chance he will stop eating (just like we do if we are served the same food day in, day out), but also because it gives the bird a range of vitamins.
Vitamins in the parrot diet.
Once certain way to make sure that your parrot is getting a range of vitamins, is to feed it pellets. Nearly everyone who is involved in keeping parrots agrees that pellets are essential to the good health of a pet parrot, but where there is some discrepancy is the amount that it should be fed. Some say that pellets should be up to 90% of a parrot's diet, but others say that it should only be 30%-40% of the diet. This is something you will have to work out yourself and obviously as long as you are giving it the lower amount and it is eating a lot of other food then at least it is not starving. It will be a matter of adjusting the percentage of pellets according to other food that you will be feeding it.
Other foods to feed the parrot.
If you are able to feed it organic food then all the better! Your parrot will be so much healthier for being able to eat organic food. Parrots are usually happy to try, corn, sweet potato, sweet peppers, green peas and beans, cauliflower, apples, mango, pineapple, melons and other tropical fruit.
Having water available for your pet parrot.
Parrots need to have water available but it is not a good idea to have a bowl of water because once it is a few hours old it will start growing bacteria as food and droppings land in it. A water bottle is a much healthier way to give your parrot its water requirements.
Once you have decided what to feed your pet parrot, make a list so that you can try all the items out in your parrot's diet. You may find that some are not so popular, but keep trying them now and then anyway.
Size of your parrot.
Getting the diet sorted out is not difficult to do. It is just a matter of listing a diet that is suitable to the parrot. Parrots of similar size eat similar diets, so the main consideration you need to make initially is the actual size of the parrot you have or that you intend to purchase.
For example, you most certainly would not expect an African Gray Parrot to eat the same diet as a budgerigar. Their size difference is huge and this will obviously affect the size of the food they eat. The beak alone on a larger bird is so much stronger, allowing it to eat harder foods.
Parrot diet variety.
A parrot loves to have variety in their diet. In the natural environment a parrot eats flowers, seeds, vegetables, fruit and nuts, so the range of food that you can give your parrot is huge. Variety is essential not only for the health of the parrot but because if the parrot gets bored there is a good chance he will stop eating (just like we do if we are served the same food day in, day out), but also because it gives the bird a range of vitamins.
Vitamins in the parrot diet.
Once certain way to make sure that your parrot is getting a range of vitamins, is to feed it pellets. Nearly everyone who is involved in keeping parrots agrees that pellets are essential to the good health of a pet parrot, but where there is some discrepancy is the amount that it should be fed. Some say that pellets should be up to 90% of a parrot's diet, but others say that it should only be 30%-40% of the diet. This is something you will have to work out yourself and obviously as long as you are giving it the lower amount and it is eating a lot of other food then at least it is not starving. It will be a matter of adjusting the percentage of pellets according to other food that you will be feeding it.
Other foods to feed the parrot.
If you are able to feed it organic food then all the better! Your parrot will be so much healthier for being able to eat organic food. Parrots are usually happy to try, corn, sweet potato, sweet peppers, green peas and beans, cauliflower, apples, mango, pineapple, melons and other tropical fruit.
Having water available for your pet parrot.
Parrots need to have water available but it is not a good idea to have a bowl of water because once it is a few hours old it will start growing bacteria as food and droppings land in it. A water bottle is a much healthier way to give your parrot its water requirements.
Once you have decided what to feed your pet parrot, make a list so that you can try all the items out in your parrot's diet. You may find that some are not so popular, but keep trying them now and then anyway.
The Telling Features of the Quaker Parrot
Have you ever had much to do with a Quaker parrot? They are an engaging parrot and love being around lots of people. Traditionally Quaker parrots are bright green on top with a white to grey face and chest feathers. They are about mid-range in size, growing in length to about 12 inches.
A Great Talking Bird.
The Quaker parrot may be the answer for you if you are looking for a talking bird. It learns quite easily and the parrot does bond well with its owner. In fact he loves to be involved with people on a regular basis. When teaching a parrot to talk it is best if the teaching is done by just one member of the family but I am sure you will find the bird making sounds or words that other members of the family use as well.
Family Parrot.
One feature of the Quaker parrot is that it is gentle and very affectionate which makes it a wonderful pet for a younger member of the family. This is not true of some of the larger parrots like macaws and cockatoos that can be quite aggressive when upset.
Colors of the Quaker Parrot.
As mentioned they tend to be known as the green and white parrot, but over the years there has been a lot of breeding in captivity so more color combinations are appearing and with different shadings so you could be forgiven for being confused about their colorings.
Play Toys.
The Quaker parrot is an active parrot and when there are no family members around he will like to keep amused with toys. Something like a climbing gym with bells and mirrors will keep him happy for hours. There are lots of toys on the market, but just make sure they are safe before giving them to the bird.
Keeping a Quaker parrot.
You can see why these parrots would be so popular as a family pet and there is one other feature that also makes them so sought after. They can adapt very well to different climatic conditions which is a bonus as most parrots only like the warmer weather. This is a very big plus for a pet parrot, but unfortunately it does come with its drawbacks.
In some states in the US it is actually illegal to keep the Quaker parrot as a pet. Due to the fact that it can adapt so well, feral Quaker parrots have caused major problems in the agricultural industry and some states have ruled them illegal. In fact, if this parrot is found in these states, it will be euthanized. So if you are considering having one of these parrots as a pet, do check out the local laws before purchasing. The problem does tend to exist more in the southern states.
Interestingly enough the Quaker parrot is also known by other names because of its color. You may have heard him called the 'Green' parrot or the 'Monk' parrot.
A Great Talking Bird.
The Quaker parrot may be the answer for you if you are looking for a talking bird. It learns quite easily and the parrot does bond well with its owner. In fact he loves to be involved with people on a regular basis. When teaching a parrot to talk it is best if the teaching is done by just one member of the family but I am sure you will find the bird making sounds or words that other members of the family use as well.
Family Parrot.
One feature of the Quaker parrot is that it is gentle and very affectionate which makes it a wonderful pet for a younger member of the family. This is not true of some of the larger parrots like macaws and cockatoos that can be quite aggressive when upset.
Colors of the Quaker Parrot.
As mentioned they tend to be known as the green and white parrot, but over the years there has been a lot of breeding in captivity so more color combinations are appearing and with different shadings so you could be forgiven for being confused about their colorings.
Play Toys.
The Quaker parrot is an active parrot and when there are no family members around he will like to keep amused with toys. Something like a climbing gym with bells and mirrors will keep him happy for hours. There are lots of toys on the market, but just make sure they are safe before giving them to the bird.
Keeping a Quaker parrot.
You can see why these parrots would be so popular as a family pet and there is one other feature that also makes them so sought after. They can adapt very well to different climatic conditions which is a bonus as most parrots only like the warmer weather. This is a very big plus for a pet parrot, but unfortunately it does come with its drawbacks.
In some states in the US it is actually illegal to keep the Quaker parrot as a pet. Due to the fact that it can adapt so well, feral Quaker parrots have caused major problems in the agricultural industry and some states have ruled them illegal. In fact, if this parrot is found in these states, it will be euthanized. So if you are considering having one of these parrots as a pet, do check out the local laws before purchasing. The problem does tend to exist more in the southern states.
Interestingly enough the Quaker parrot is also known by other names because of its color. You may have heard him called the 'Green' parrot or the 'Monk' parrot.
Learn the Benefits of Natural Parrot Toys
You already know that your parrot is an intelligent animal. It's capable of problem solving, playing and interacting with people and toys. Providing toys for your parrot is an important part of keeping them happy and engaged. Unfortunately, not all toys are appropriate or even safe for your parrot.
Natural Parrot Toys Are Chemical Free
Many parrot toys are jam packed with chemicals. Now, that might not surprise you if you're buying rubber or rope toys. However, what might surprise you is the type of chemical in these toys. We're talking about chemicals that cause cancer.
But leather toys are safe, right? They're not actually. Many leather parrot toys, commonly made outside of the States, are treated with Formaldehyde and Formalin. These chemicals can cause nasal tumors, rashes, inflammation and respiratory problems.
Chain links and metal are also often dangerous. In addition to offering dangerous to offering choking hazards, metal can be painted with lead based paints or coated with zinc. These two chemicals can cause serious health complications and death. The risks include:
• Feather plucking
• Excessive urine in droppings
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Hyperglycemia
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Blindness
Wood based toys often contain arsenic and toxic stains or varnishes.
Natural parrot toys are 100% safe from any of these deadly chemicals. They don't contain chemical adhesives, toxic paints, arsenic or formaldehyde. They won't kill your beloved parrot.
Natural Parrot Toys Use Natural Dye
Leather toys are made using natural vegetable colorings and dyes. This is 100% safe for your parrot and won't cause health complications. Leather toys are fun and generally long lasting toys. This means they're great for your parrot. Make sure all leather toys use natural dyes.
Natural Wood toys for your parrot will also have natural vegetable dye. Vegetables are 100% safe for your parrot and the dye made from them is too. Beets, carrots, and other vegetables have strong colors and make great dye. However, make sure the wood toys aren't flavored. Flavored wood makes birds want to eat the toy rather than play with it.
Natural Metal Parrot Toys
Stainless steel or iron toys are okay for your parrot as long as they're not coated with zinc or lead based paint. And please make sure when you're buying a metal toy that there are no small parts that can come off and choke your precious bird or inadvertently strangle them. This happens often with bells, chain links, rings and other small metal objects. Your bird's beak and feet can also become caught. Also avoid galvanized metals because they're dangerous to your parrot.
What Are Natural Toys Made From?
We've mentioned that wood, leather and some metal toys are okay however, there are some really great materials natural bird toys
can be made from. These ingredients include:
• Coconut Fiber
• Coconut Shell/Husk
• Bamboo
• Palm Leaf
• Corn Cob
• Oyster Shells
• Cuttle Bone
• Handmade Sisal Cord
• Straw
If you take a good look at this list, you'll also notice that not only are these materials safe for your parrot, they're renewable and recyclable. And toys that are made from Oyster shells and Cuttle bone offer calcium, a valuable nutrient.
Natural parrot toys offer a number of benefits. They keep your parrot safe, they protect the environment, and they can improve the health of your bird. Perhaps most of all, natural bird toys give your parrot the opportunity to learn, explore and be a bird without endangering them. They're safe to explore and engage their environment. Parrots with natural toys are happy, healthy birds.
Natural Parrot Toys Are Chemical Free
Many parrot toys are jam packed with chemicals. Now, that might not surprise you if you're buying rubber or rope toys. However, what might surprise you is the type of chemical in these toys. We're talking about chemicals that cause cancer.
But leather toys are safe, right? They're not actually. Many leather parrot toys, commonly made outside of the States, are treated with Formaldehyde and Formalin. These chemicals can cause nasal tumors, rashes, inflammation and respiratory problems.
Chain links and metal are also often dangerous. In addition to offering dangerous to offering choking hazards, metal can be painted with lead based paints or coated with zinc. These two chemicals can cause serious health complications and death. The risks include:
• Feather plucking
• Excessive urine in droppings
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Hyperglycemia
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Blindness
Wood based toys often contain arsenic and toxic stains or varnishes.
Natural parrot toys are 100% safe from any of these deadly chemicals. They don't contain chemical adhesives, toxic paints, arsenic or formaldehyde. They won't kill your beloved parrot.
Natural Parrot Toys Use Natural Dye
Leather toys are made using natural vegetable colorings and dyes. This is 100% safe for your parrot and won't cause health complications. Leather toys are fun and generally long lasting toys. This means they're great for your parrot. Make sure all leather toys use natural dyes.
Natural Wood toys for your parrot will also have natural vegetable dye. Vegetables are 100% safe for your parrot and the dye made from them is too. Beets, carrots, and other vegetables have strong colors and make great dye. However, make sure the wood toys aren't flavored. Flavored wood makes birds want to eat the toy rather than play with it.
Natural Metal Parrot Toys
Stainless steel or iron toys are okay for your parrot as long as they're not coated with zinc or lead based paint. And please make sure when you're buying a metal toy that there are no small parts that can come off and choke your precious bird or inadvertently strangle them. This happens often with bells, chain links, rings and other small metal objects. Your bird's beak and feet can also become caught. Also avoid galvanized metals because they're dangerous to your parrot.
What Are Natural Toys Made From?
We've mentioned that wood, leather and some metal toys are okay however, there are some really great materials natural bird toys
can be made from. These ingredients include:
• Coconut Fiber
• Coconut Shell/Husk
• Bamboo
• Palm Leaf
• Corn Cob
• Oyster Shells
• Cuttle Bone
• Handmade Sisal Cord
• Straw
If you take a good look at this list, you'll also notice that not only are these materials safe for your parrot, they're renewable and recyclable. And toys that are made from Oyster shells and Cuttle bone offer calcium, a valuable nutrient.
Natural parrot toys offer a number of benefits. They keep your parrot safe, they protect the environment, and they can improve the health of your bird. Perhaps most of all, natural bird toys give your parrot the opportunity to learn, explore and be a bird without endangering them. They're safe to explore and engage their environment. Parrots with natural toys are happy, healthy birds.
Different Finch Nests
There are a variety of nests in the market that are made of natural hand woven materials. They are a favorite choice among finch owners. They encourage courtship which leads to breeding and more beautiful finches! Some of these hand crafted nests have roofs, and are designed to look like traditional nests you see outside your doorstep - open, natural, and concave.
A finch nest box is a good choice too. It looks like a cube with a hole on one side for access and allows enough air for breathing. Your finches will be comfortable and safe in one of these. But a finch nest box isn't only for parent finches only. You can put this in a cage or aviary for your extra protection at night since it shields them from the cold. The cold is particularly not good for these birds as they are originally from the tropics, so these boxes would come in handy.
There are hanging nests for purchase also; these types of nests are covered. Please ensure to choose one that is made of natural leaves or twigs.
If you want to save on space, there are double finch nests with a partition in the middle... they sort of look like office cubicles. These ones are designed for two pairs of small finches that aren't territorial. Forcing territorial finches into one of these may compromise their health.
If you ever find yourself unable to find materials for your nest building but still want to see your finches practice their creativity, there are nest strings sold in a box. You can purchase these and see your finches do their magic. You can even try your hand at it and build a nest for your lovely finches using these strings. Just make sure you know what you're doing...
Many birds, including finches, use feathers immensely to line their nests. These feathers can easily be purchased from pet stores or pet dealers. There are various types of feathers for example, duck, pigeon, quail, and pheasant. You may like to vary your choices as different textures and sizes are essential in nest building. Most importantly make certain all products used for nest building are all natural. Synthetic materials may be harmful for your birds and you must avoid them at all cost.
Other than a good and dry nest there are factors that, when ignored, may endanger the health of your younglings even if they have the best nests in the world - such as constant inspection. Some people inspect their finch's eggs too often that they endanger their health. The shells of the eggs have tiny pores that allow for air exchange, very vital to the life of the chick. Constant handling and inspection of the eggs might soil the pores and cover them, compromising the air exchange and your chick's health.
A finch nest box is a good choice too. It looks like a cube with a hole on one side for access and allows enough air for breathing. Your finches will be comfortable and safe in one of these. But a finch nest box isn't only for parent finches only. You can put this in a cage or aviary for your extra protection at night since it shields them from the cold. The cold is particularly not good for these birds as they are originally from the tropics, so these boxes would come in handy.
There are hanging nests for purchase also; these types of nests are covered. Please ensure to choose one that is made of natural leaves or twigs.
If you want to save on space, there are double finch nests with a partition in the middle... they sort of look like office cubicles. These ones are designed for two pairs of small finches that aren't territorial. Forcing territorial finches into one of these may compromise their health.
If you ever find yourself unable to find materials for your nest building but still want to see your finches practice their creativity, there are nest strings sold in a box. You can purchase these and see your finches do their magic. You can even try your hand at it and build a nest for your lovely finches using these strings. Just make sure you know what you're doing...
Many birds, including finches, use feathers immensely to line their nests. These feathers can easily be purchased from pet stores or pet dealers. There are various types of feathers for example, duck, pigeon, quail, and pheasant. You may like to vary your choices as different textures and sizes are essential in nest building. Most importantly make certain all products used for nest building are all natural. Synthetic materials may be harmful for your birds and you must avoid them at all cost.
Other than a good and dry nest there are factors that, when ignored, may endanger the health of your younglings even if they have the best nests in the world - such as constant inspection. Some people inspect their finch's eggs too often that they endanger their health. The shells of the eggs have tiny pores that allow for air exchange, very vital to the life of the chick. Constant handling and inspection of the eggs might soil the pores and cover them, compromising the air exchange and your chick's health.
Basic Guide to Setting Up Outdoor and Indoor Finch Aviaries
Finch aviaries are beautiful homes for birds. These aviaries provide them with a bigger space that is more alike their natural habitat than a simple cage. You can either opt for either an outdoor finch aviary or an indoor finch aviary. There are lots of aviaries for sale that would suit either an indoor or an outdoor setting. However, if you are up to the challenge, building your own aviary isn't entirely impossible and might just give you a sense of satisfaction and achievement afterwards.
An indoor aviary may be installed after being obtained, bought, or built directly into the walls of your residence. Make sure the aviary is equipped with tree limbs that are safe so that your birds have a place for perching. Do not overcrowd your aviary with plants or perches, because finches need to fly often for exercise. It is not recommended to place too many toys and perches along the length of their flight path because they would only be flying short distances. Spacing the perches appropriately ensures that they fly longer and exercise their flight muscles.
The aviary must have good ventilation, air filters to help the quality of air, and organic sunlight since direct sunlight is not necessary.
If you choose to buy or make an indoor aviary, do take note that cleanup time will involve a lot more labor compared to when you have an outdoor aviary. You will need to clean about 2 to 3 times per week to get rid of droppings and fallen feathers. Therefore, it is extremely important that your indoor aviary is made of materials that are easy to wipe off or clean to minimize time and effort spent on cleaning. Ceramic tiles and linoleum as flooring are among the top choices of pet owners.
Outdoor aviaries are equally beautiful but it can get very complicated. You have to deal with factors such as weather and predators. The aviary can be a good home for your finches if you live in a warm climate. However, there are people who only use their outdoor aviary during the summer time, though. But if you take into consideration the general disposition of these birds, it might not be a good idea to keep transferring them from one place to another. Some types of finches don't adapt well to frequent changes in location.
If you opt to have an outdoor aviary, you must ensure that your finches have access to shade, protection from wind and rain, and that the interior of the aviary cannot be accessed by predators such as rats, mice, snakes, dogs, and cats. Adding a layer of mesh around your outdoor aviary will be an added protection because it will prevent predators from having access to your aviary. A double entry may also be necessary so when you enter the aviary, no birds can escape easily.
Buying an outdoor aviary may cause you more money though. However, if you prefer it rather than building one, remember the basic safeguards you would normally look out for when building your own outdoor aviary.
Finch aviaries can boost your finches' health; mainly because aviaries are bigger and you can design it in such a way that would simulate the birds' natural environment outside, therefore increasing their quality of life.
An indoor aviary may be installed after being obtained, bought, or built directly into the walls of your residence. Make sure the aviary is equipped with tree limbs that are safe so that your birds have a place for perching. Do not overcrowd your aviary with plants or perches, because finches need to fly often for exercise. It is not recommended to place too many toys and perches along the length of their flight path because they would only be flying short distances. Spacing the perches appropriately ensures that they fly longer and exercise their flight muscles.
The aviary must have good ventilation, air filters to help the quality of air, and organic sunlight since direct sunlight is not necessary.
If you choose to buy or make an indoor aviary, do take note that cleanup time will involve a lot more labor compared to when you have an outdoor aviary. You will need to clean about 2 to 3 times per week to get rid of droppings and fallen feathers. Therefore, it is extremely important that your indoor aviary is made of materials that are easy to wipe off or clean to minimize time and effort spent on cleaning. Ceramic tiles and linoleum as flooring are among the top choices of pet owners.
Outdoor aviaries are equally beautiful but it can get very complicated. You have to deal with factors such as weather and predators. The aviary can be a good home for your finches if you live in a warm climate. However, there are people who only use their outdoor aviary during the summer time, though. But if you take into consideration the general disposition of these birds, it might not be a good idea to keep transferring them from one place to another. Some types of finches don't adapt well to frequent changes in location.
If you opt to have an outdoor aviary, you must ensure that your finches have access to shade, protection from wind and rain, and that the interior of the aviary cannot be accessed by predators such as rats, mice, snakes, dogs, and cats. Adding a layer of mesh around your outdoor aviary will be an added protection because it will prevent predators from having access to your aviary. A double entry may also be necessary so when you enter the aviary, no birds can escape easily.
Buying an outdoor aviary may cause you more money though. However, if you prefer it rather than building one, remember the basic safeguards you would normally look out for when building your own outdoor aviary.
Finch aviaries can boost your finches' health; mainly because aviaries are bigger and you can design it in such a way that would simulate the birds' natural environment outside, therefore increasing their quality of life.
What Makes a Parrot the Bird That it Is?
Parrots have a number of obvious physical traits that makes it different from other birds. Bird lovers will understand and know many of these traits but for people who wish to become a parrot owner it is a good idea to understand these body features as they form some of the characteristics of the parrot. Knowing a parrot's features will make it much easier to give the bird care that it needs
Parrots belong to a family called Psittacidae, otherwise identified as climbing birds. Within this large, extended family are different branches, including the parrot proper as one branch is referred to, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lories, Paroquets or Parakeets depending on the spelling.
One endearing feature of a parrot is the way it moves its head and twists it around to look at different things. Sometimes they almost look like their heads will screw off their neck as they reach around and twitch the feathers behind them.
Each member of the parrot family has a tongue. But not just any tongue. It is soft, thick and fleshy and it's really quite mobile. Each member of the parrot family possesses a complex larynx that has three distinct muscles. And this not only helps to distinguish them as parrots but it allows them to "parrot" humans quite well.
Even though you may think that the tongue on these birds evolved specifically for mimicking sounds, nothing could be further from the truth. In the parrot, the tongue is actually one of the sense organs, much like it is for us. The parrot tastes, touches and swallows with this organ.
And, of course, each parrot has a beak and make no mistake about it, each parrot has a distinctive beak to call its own. Their beaks are large, thick, hard and fairly solid. The beak is also a very valuable tool which he uses in climbing, walking, and it even rests its body weight comfortably on its beak.
His eyes are placed on either side of his head. Because of this he cannot clearly see small objects which are held close to him without turning his head to one side. It's that little cock of his head that makes the parrot so delightfully cute - and at the same time gives him the appearance of great intelligence, when he seriously studies an object that is close to him.
The parrot's eyes are formed in a different way than ours. The upper and lower lids of his eyes are actually a continuous single lid, forming a rounded opening for the eyeball. If you ever really take a good, long look at a parrot, you'll notice that he seldom winks like you or I do. He really doesn't need to. Even though the upper portion of the lid is mobile, the bird possesses the power to contract his pupil at will, independent of the presence of light or dark.
He uses this power, most notably, when he's angry, fearful or struck by some other strong emotion. As the bird ages the color of his iris deepens.
The ears of a parrot are small, oval openings which are located right above their eyes. You can't see them very easily because they are covered in feathers, and they're placed beyond the border of the cere - or wrinkled skin. In some species of parrots, this area also includes the eye.
Generally these colorful birds have short wings but some varieties of the Macaw are the exception to this rule. They have long wings covered with long feathers.
The body of the bird itself is really quite bulky which presents a few problems, one of them presenting a physical difficulty in raising themselves from the ground when attempting their take off for flight. But once they're off the ground they fly gracefully and easily. If you have ever watched them in the wild, you'll see that some varieties simply rise from one branch to another, seldom flying long distances.
Parrot tail feathers differ widely in length, some short and stubby and on other parrots they are long and elegant. Usually there are 12 tail feathers on a parrot.
It's amazing that a bird that presents itself as being so graceful and so beautiful really has short, clumsy legs and with two toes that point forward and two that point backward, the average parrot looks a little awkward. But these toes are one of his most prized possessions. Their toes give them the ability to climb well, quickly and with ease. When he walks he has an odd swing to his body because of these short legs.
Another feature of the toes is that they are instrumental when the parrot eats. He uses them much like fingers. He holds his food firmly with the toes of one of his feet and places the food in his mouth. The second foot obviously, is then used to support him. The legs are muscular and are covered with strong scales. This helps him to hang on to a perch without much thought and very little effort. Aided by the strong hooked claws of the toes, sitting securely on a branch comes very naturally to this creature.
Knowing all about a parrot's features it will be easier to distinguish between a parrot and other bird species. Also some of their unusual habits, like eating with their feet won't take a new owner by surprise.
Parrots belong to a family called Psittacidae, otherwise identified as climbing birds. Within this large, extended family are different branches, including the parrot proper as one branch is referred to, Macaws, Cockatoos, Lories, Paroquets or Parakeets depending on the spelling.
One endearing feature of a parrot is the way it moves its head and twists it around to look at different things. Sometimes they almost look like their heads will screw off their neck as they reach around and twitch the feathers behind them.
Each member of the parrot family has a tongue. But not just any tongue. It is soft, thick and fleshy and it's really quite mobile. Each member of the parrot family possesses a complex larynx that has three distinct muscles. And this not only helps to distinguish them as parrots but it allows them to "parrot" humans quite well.
Even though you may think that the tongue on these birds evolved specifically for mimicking sounds, nothing could be further from the truth. In the parrot, the tongue is actually one of the sense organs, much like it is for us. The parrot tastes, touches and swallows with this organ.
And, of course, each parrot has a beak and make no mistake about it, each parrot has a distinctive beak to call its own. Their beaks are large, thick, hard and fairly solid. The beak is also a very valuable tool which he uses in climbing, walking, and it even rests its body weight comfortably on its beak.
His eyes are placed on either side of his head. Because of this he cannot clearly see small objects which are held close to him without turning his head to one side. It's that little cock of his head that makes the parrot so delightfully cute - and at the same time gives him the appearance of great intelligence, when he seriously studies an object that is close to him.
The parrot's eyes are formed in a different way than ours. The upper and lower lids of his eyes are actually a continuous single lid, forming a rounded opening for the eyeball. If you ever really take a good, long look at a parrot, you'll notice that he seldom winks like you or I do. He really doesn't need to. Even though the upper portion of the lid is mobile, the bird possesses the power to contract his pupil at will, independent of the presence of light or dark.
He uses this power, most notably, when he's angry, fearful or struck by some other strong emotion. As the bird ages the color of his iris deepens.
The ears of a parrot are small, oval openings which are located right above their eyes. You can't see them very easily because they are covered in feathers, and they're placed beyond the border of the cere - or wrinkled skin. In some species of parrots, this area also includes the eye.
Generally these colorful birds have short wings but some varieties of the Macaw are the exception to this rule. They have long wings covered with long feathers.
The body of the bird itself is really quite bulky which presents a few problems, one of them presenting a physical difficulty in raising themselves from the ground when attempting their take off for flight. But once they're off the ground they fly gracefully and easily. If you have ever watched them in the wild, you'll see that some varieties simply rise from one branch to another, seldom flying long distances.
Parrot tail feathers differ widely in length, some short and stubby and on other parrots they are long and elegant. Usually there are 12 tail feathers on a parrot.
It's amazing that a bird that presents itself as being so graceful and so beautiful really has short, clumsy legs and with two toes that point forward and two that point backward, the average parrot looks a little awkward. But these toes are one of his most prized possessions. Their toes give them the ability to climb well, quickly and with ease. When he walks he has an odd swing to his body because of these short legs.
Another feature of the toes is that they are instrumental when the parrot eats. He uses them much like fingers. He holds his food firmly with the toes of one of his feet and places the food in his mouth. The second foot obviously, is then used to support him. The legs are muscular and are covered with strong scales. This helps him to hang on to a perch without much thought and very little effort. Aided by the strong hooked claws of the toes, sitting securely on a branch comes very naturally to this creature.
Knowing all about a parrot's features it will be easier to distinguish between a parrot and other bird species. Also some of their unusual habits, like eating with their feet won't take a new owner by surprise.
Tips to Help You When Looking For Birds For Sale
More and more people are looking for birds for sale each day but it's not as easy as you think to find birds for sale on the high street any more. A lot of the pet shops have closed down and the few that are still about don't stock any birds for sale. This is why a growing number of people turning to the Internet each day looking for Birds for Sale.
There are a lot of people who are selling their birds online and it's also very possible to adopt a bird. The huge variety of birds available is massive and it's so easy to change your mind. Take a look at the different birds below that are available to choose from to keep in your house:
Macaws
Blue and Gold Macaws, Blue Throated Macaws, Green Winged Macaws, Hyacinth Macaws, Military Macaws, Red-Fronted Macaws,Scarlet Macaws
Amazons
Blue Fronted, Double Yellow Head, Lillac Crown, Orange Wing, Panama, Red Lored, Specticled, Yellow Crown, Yellow Shoulder
Cockatoos
Bare Eyed, Citron Crested, Goffin's, Moluccan, Palm Cockatoo, Rose Breasted, Sulfur Crested
Other Birds
Caiques, Eclectus, Hawkhead Parrots, Lories, Pied Crows, Pionus, Quakers
Did you have any idea that you could choose from such a broad range of birds?
All these birds are of different colors. Some of them are really beautiful and would act like a decorative piece in your house.
If you love the green little creature with that red beak and want to take the plunge to buy one you will have to find a local breeder. Parrots hatched in captivity are born in the spring and summer months and usually that's it for the year. And some birds, especially the larger Macaws and Cockatoos stay with their parents and are fed in nature. This happens for almost a year or until their parents have another clutch of babies.
So in case you plan to buy a parrot, macaws or cockatoos, you must be patient. A good way to create a unhappy bird is to force its weaning process. The patience that you keep in your weaning process will give you the sweetest nature in your newly weaned parrot and a healthy bird that has been fed as closely as the bird would have been naturally if it was still with its parents.
If you want to have the best and want to own an exotic bird, you can always do that but you need to keep a few things in mind so that you don't lose your new bird. After getting the bird home, it may look pretty but you don't quite feel like he or she has everything a good birdie might need.
Below is a checklist of things that you will need to think about when looking for birds for sale as well as just plain fun things to consider for your new exotic bird's home:
An appropriate sized cage for your bird's species.
A cage that will have enough space for him or her to flap their wings as well as for hanging toys and perches.
Some type of mineral/calcium block for the cage.
A dark colored cage cover so that your bird feels safe and secure while sleeping at night.
A stand outside the cage where your bird can be placed for him or her to stand on when he or she is outside the cage spending time with you Some kind of secure carrying container.
The container could range from a simple pet crate to an acrylic case that is not only comfortable but not scary for your bird. It should be clear so that your bird can see where it is going.
An emergency kit in case your bird has a broken blood feather or suffers from an injury. You can't leave your bird injured nor will you have the time to rush to the doctor and get him or her checked.
When looking for birds for sale you really need to have a good budget because all the equipment you need can add up and cost a lot of money. Make sure you do your research and take this information into account when looking for birds for sale.
When looking for Birds For Sale make sure you do you research 1st.
There are a lot of people who are selling their birds online and it's also very possible to adopt a bird. The huge variety of birds available is massive and it's so easy to change your mind. Take a look at the different birds below that are available to choose from to keep in your house:
Macaws
Blue and Gold Macaws, Blue Throated Macaws, Green Winged Macaws, Hyacinth Macaws, Military Macaws, Red-Fronted Macaws,Scarlet Macaws
Amazons
Blue Fronted, Double Yellow Head, Lillac Crown, Orange Wing, Panama, Red Lored, Specticled, Yellow Crown, Yellow Shoulder
Cockatoos
Bare Eyed, Citron Crested, Goffin's, Moluccan, Palm Cockatoo, Rose Breasted, Sulfur Crested
Other Birds
Caiques, Eclectus, Hawkhead Parrots, Lories, Pied Crows, Pionus, Quakers
Did you have any idea that you could choose from such a broad range of birds?
All these birds are of different colors. Some of them are really beautiful and would act like a decorative piece in your house.
If you love the green little creature with that red beak and want to take the plunge to buy one you will have to find a local breeder. Parrots hatched in captivity are born in the spring and summer months and usually that's it for the year. And some birds, especially the larger Macaws and Cockatoos stay with their parents and are fed in nature. This happens for almost a year or until their parents have another clutch of babies.
So in case you plan to buy a parrot, macaws or cockatoos, you must be patient. A good way to create a unhappy bird is to force its weaning process. The patience that you keep in your weaning process will give you the sweetest nature in your newly weaned parrot and a healthy bird that has been fed as closely as the bird would have been naturally if it was still with its parents.
If you want to have the best and want to own an exotic bird, you can always do that but you need to keep a few things in mind so that you don't lose your new bird. After getting the bird home, it may look pretty but you don't quite feel like he or she has everything a good birdie might need.
Below is a checklist of things that you will need to think about when looking for birds for sale as well as just plain fun things to consider for your new exotic bird's home:
An appropriate sized cage for your bird's species.
A cage that will have enough space for him or her to flap their wings as well as for hanging toys and perches.
Some type of mineral/calcium block for the cage.
A dark colored cage cover so that your bird feels safe and secure while sleeping at night.
A stand outside the cage where your bird can be placed for him or her to stand on when he or she is outside the cage spending time with you Some kind of secure carrying container.
The container could range from a simple pet crate to an acrylic case that is not only comfortable but not scary for your bird. It should be clear so that your bird can see where it is going.
An emergency kit in case your bird has a broken blood feather or suffers from an injury. You can't leave your bird injured nor will you have the time to rush to the doctor and get him or her checked.
When looking for birds for sale you really need to have a good budget because all the equipment you need can add up and cost a lot of money. Make sure you do your research and take this information into account when looking for birds for sale.
When looking for Birds For Sale make sure you do you research 1st.
3 Steps to Taming a Lovebird
Training a lovebird takes patience and a lot of love, but it can be done. This article talks about 3 steps to taming a lovebird and the very first thing you need to do before any other tricks can be taught to your bird. Start small and work your way towards teaching your lovebird to trust your hands and eventually step-up.
1. Clip Wings: Lovebirds can be difficult to train, so the first step is to clip their wings; this will make training easier and be safer for your bird as well. It might be best to have your bird's wings clipped by your veterinarian so that you don't shoot yourself in the foot before your taming sessions have even begun; you don't want your bird to view you as the villain.
2. Train in Small Room: By moving your bird into a small room, like a bathroom, your bird will feel more at ease. Be sure to close toilet lids and cover mirrors for safety and make sure that there are no places for your bird to hide should she escape. Remove your bird from her cage with a towel, especially if there are any issues with biting. The towel will make things a lot easier for you and it is recommended to use this same method once you are in the room when and if your bird escapes from you.
3. Teach Step-Up First: You will want to get a T-Stand for these training sessions and place your bird on the stand for your birds first lessons, how to step-up. Once your bird is standing on the perch, offer her your hand and try to push up on her belly and say "step-up". Most likely she will try to fly away at first, but after a few times, once she realizes that you have to save her from the floor anyway because she can't fly, she will start to stay put on the perch. Just keep working at this one thing until she has finally mastered it; if you have a particularly stubborn or aggressive bird, you will need to slowly establish trust with your bird first to eliminate any biting issues.
This article talked about training a lovebird and 3 steps to taming a lovebird that you can start with. First you will want to clip their wings, that way that can't escape during your training sessions. Taming them in a small room eliminates feelings of being threatened and will help keep them safe should they get away from you. Step-up is the absolute first command you should teach your lovebird, accomplish this and other tricks will easily follow.
1. Clip Wings: Lovebirds can be difficult to train, so the first step is to clip their wings; this will make training easier and be safer for your bird as well. It might be best to have your bird's wings clipped by your veterinarian so that you don't shoot yourself in the foot before your taming sessions have even begun; you don't want your bird to view you as the villain.
2. Train in Small Room: By moving your bird into a small room, like a bathroom, your bird will feel more at ease. Be sure to close toilet lids and cover mirrors for safety and make sure that there are no places for your bird to hide should she escape. Remove your bird from her cage with a towel, especially if there are any issues with biting. The towel will make things a lot easier for you and it is recommended to use this same method once you are in the room when and if your bird escapes from you.
3. Teach Step-Up First: You will want to get a T-Stand for these training sessions and place your bird on the stand for your birds first lessons, how to step-up. Once your bird is standing on the perch, offer her your hand and try to push up on her belly and say "step-up". Most likely she will try to fly away at first, but after a few times, once she realizes that you have to save her from the floor anyway because she can't fly, she will start to stay put on the perch. Just keep working at this one thing until she has finally mastered it; if you have a particularly stubborn or aggressive bird, you will need to slowly establish trust with your bird first to eliminate any biting issues.
This article talked about training a lovebird and 3 steps to taming a lovebird that you can start with. First you will want to clip their wings, that way that can't escape during your training sessions. Taming them in a small room eliminates feelings of being threatened and will help keep them safe should they get away from you. Step-up is the absolute first command you should teach your lovebird, accomplish this and other tricks will easily follow.
Breeding Zebra Finches
First and foremost they must have a balanced diet. They feed very well on millet, sprouts, and fresh fruits for a varied diet. They especially do well with seedlings though. When it comes to fruits, they love melons, apples, oranges, and grapes. Providing your finches with clean water is extremely crucial. It is also very important to visit an avian veterinarian in regards to calcium-rich foods to incorporate into your zebra finches' diet; particularly the females as they are prone to having calcium deficiency. It is essential to give vitamin supplements to your finches which can simply be added to their food and water to ensure optimum health.
The next thing to consider when breeding zebra finches is their home. Just like people and other animals, a good diet and environment are vital for the well-being of the finches and their baby birds. Make sure that your breeding cage is large enough for the breeders and their younglings without overcrowding. You may even opt to separate each pair in individual cages that have sufficient space. A number of breeders do just that.
Although zebra finches can breed in small cages and sometimes even in unnatural conditions, it is not recommended. Finches generally need enough space to fly for exercise. This exercise, along with proper homes and diet, will boost their health immensely. Cage length is more important than cage height because these birds have a horizontal way of flying. It is important not to put any sort of obstructions along their flight paths. Toys, swings, and perches must not be placed in the middle of their space. It is recommended to place them at the corners or sides of the cage.
Cage placement is important when breeding zebra finches. The cage must not be placed in areas with high people/pet traffic. Otherwise your finches might not get comfortable enough to begin mating at all.
Finches mate repeatedly, each one lasting for only a few seconds. Because zebra finches grow and mature quickly, expect them to start mating at 11-12 weeks.
The next thing parent finches will need is a nest where the female finch can incubate her eggs and hatch their babies. Bamboo woven nests are a common choice by zebra finch owners. They are very inexpensive and easy to find. Another option is the wooden nest box. These nests allow you to easily count the number of eggs and check on your young finches while they grow. Not to mention, that wooden nest boxes are also easier to clean.
However, zebra finches pretty much know how to build their own nests. Anything they can lift they will use to build their younglings' home. You may need to provide them with small strands of material like burlap/hessian that are only a couple of inches long, and probably some tissue. Materials that are too fine might put them in danger if it gets entangled around their legs.
The next thing to consider when breeding zebra finches is their home. Just like people and other animals, a good diet and environment are vital for the well-being of the finches and their baby birds. Make sure that your breeding cage is large enough for the breeders and their younglings without overcrowding. You may even opt to separate each pair in individual cages that have sufficient space. A number of breeders do just that.
Although zebra finches can breed in small cages and sometimes even in unnatural conditions, it is not recommended. Finches generally need enough space to fly for exercise. This exercise, along with proper homes and diet, will boost their health immensely. Cage length is more important than cage height because these birds have a horizontal way of flying. It is important not to put any sort of obstructions along their flight paths. Toys, swings, and perches must not be placed in the middle of their space. It is recommended to place them at the corners or sides of the cage.
Cage placement is important when breeding zebra finches. The cage must not be placed in areas with high people/pet traffic. Otherwise your finches might not get comfortable enough to begin mating at all.
Finches mate repeatedly, each one lasting for only a few seconds. Because zebra finches grow and mature quickly, expect them to start mating at 11-12 weeks.
The next thing parent finches will need is a nest where the female finch can incubate her eggs and hatch their babies. Bamboo woven nests are a common choice by zebra finch owners. They are very inexpensive and easy to find. Another option is the wooden nest box. These nests allow you to easily count the number of eggs and check on your young finches while they grow. Not to mention, that wooden nest boxes are also easier to clean.
However, zebra finches pretty much know how to build their own nests. Anything they can lift they will use to build their younglings' home. You may need to provide them with small strands of material like burlap/hessian that are only a couple of inches long, and probably some tissue. Materials that are too fine might put them in danger if it gets entangled around their legs.
Gouldian Finches For Sale
Here are the types of finches you might like to consider as your future pets. However, it should be noted that the only real difference between them are their colors; particularly the color of the feathers on their head. They are very much alike except the colors and they can breed rather well. This is good news for potential breeders out there.
The three subtypes of these beautiful brightly colored birds are: the black headed, red headed, and yellow headed.
The black headed Gouldian Finch, sometimes called the black faced finch, has black feathers centered on its face. The black covers the entire face and reaches down to the area below the beak. Some of the black faced finches have purple breasts and green backs - an interesting and wonderful color combination. The females may be more expensive than males. Some stores sell them for $100 dollars each and the males for just $75. A pair costs around $150. However, pricing depends on the color combination. Black faced, white breasted with green back finches are much more expensive than the former with the females priced at $125, the males at $100, and the pair would cost you $200.
The red headed Gouldian Finch has red feathers on the area of its face. The dominant head color in all Gouldian Finches, which is the color red, extends behind their eyes. The area below the beak is black most often in this particular type. However, there are more black headed types in the wild than there are red. Some red headed finches have white colored breasts and green backs; another interesting color combination. They are priced around the same as the black faced, white breasted green back Gouldian Finches.
The yellow headed finch isn't really truly yellow. It is topped by light orange feathers and appears yellow especially when seen with other types of Gouldian Finches. The yellow headed finch appears yellow mainly because of the contrast between it and its darker headed companions. Some yellow headed finches have purple breasts and green backs while others have white breasts and green backs.
The Gouldian Finches aren't only composed of three colors. The chest, back, and face are mentioned because these are those parts of the bird that are readily seen. There are Gouldian finches that have teal green/aquamarine colored feathers in some parts of their body, coupled with other equally interesting colors that together, make up a very interesting color combo. A single Gouldian Finch can have about 7 beautiful colors. The males are more vividly colored than the females and younglings. But the females are no less beautiful.
Though seeing Gouldian Finches for sale tempt us into buying them, do take into consideration that these birds are now endangered. So if you do get a few of them as pets, make sure to take care of them very well.
The three subtypes of these beautiful brightly colored birds are: the black headed, red headed, and yellow headed.
The black headed Gouldian Finch, sometimes called the black faced finch, has black feathers centered on its face. The black covers the entire face and reaches down to the area below the beak. Some of the black faced finches have purple breasts and green backs - an interesting and wonderful color combination. The females may be more expensive than males. Some stores sell them for $100 dollars each and the males for just $75. A pair costs around $150. However, pricing depends on the color combination. Black faced, white breasted with green back finches are much more expensive than the former with the females priced at $125, the males at $100, and the pair would cost you $200.
The red headed Gouldian Finch has red feathers on the area of its face. The dominant head color in all Gouldian Finches, which is the color red, extends behind their eyes. The area below the beak is black most often in this particular type. However, there are more black headed types in the wild than there are red. Some red headed finches have white colored breasts and green backs; another interesting color combination. They are priced around the same as the black faced, white breasted green back Gouldian Finches.
The yellow headed finch isn't really truly yellow. It is topped by light orange feathers and appears yellow especially when seen with other types of Gouldian Finches. The yellow headed finch appears yellow mainly because of the contrast between it and its darker headed companions. Some yellow headed finches have purple breasts and green backs while others have white breasts and green backs.
The Gouldian Finches aren't only composed of three colors. The chest, back, and face are mentioned because these are those parts of the bird that are readily seen. There are Gouldian finches that have teal green/aquamarine colored feathers in some parts of their body, coupled with other equally interesting colors that together, make up a very interesting color combo. A single Gouldian Finch can have about 7 beautiful colors. The males are more vividly colored than the females and younglings. But the females are no less beautiful.
Though seeing Gouldian Finches for sale tempt us into buying them, do take into consideration that these birds are now endangered. So if you do get a few of them as pets, make sure to take care of them very well.
Hummingbird Bird Feeder
A hummingbird bird feeder may be the perfect addition to your property if you love birdwatching. Hummingbirds are said to be the jewels of winged wildlife, and they are very interesting to watch. Attracting them and knowing what, how, and how much to feed them can be the difficult part. I will try to walk you through the basics in this article.
What does a hummingbird eat?
Hummingbirds eat nectar for energy, and insects for protein and vitamins. Plain and simple. Since it would be weird to have a hummingbird bird feeder full of bugs, you would obviously want one that contains nectar. You can make artificial nectar buy mixing one part sugar with four parts water, boiling it to remove bacteria, then letting it cool.
How to attract and feed hummingbirds
Now that we know what hummers eat, we need to know where and how to set up a hummingbird bird feeder. Place the feeder near your garden if you have one because birds are attracted to bright, colorful flowers. Also, you should buy a hose mister to place in the garden. These are not very expensive, typically around $15, but are almost guaranteed to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Why? Because all birds LOVE water! Now you don't want to buy just one hummingbird bird feeder. I recommend buying two or more because hummingbirds tend to be aggressive when it comes to feeding, and they will fight off other hummers to protect nectar that they have found. For best results, buy a couple feeders and place them out of sight from one another.
How much nectar should you put out?
Simple answer, it depends on how many birds you want to see. A hummingbird bird feeder can have a capacity anywhere from 8 ounces to 72 ounces. The higher capacity feeders will usually have 6 perches on them, or a perch built all the way around to accommodate more birds. Again though, keep in mind that hummingbirds are territorial, so it is better to buy multiple feeders than just one high capacity feeder. For the average bird watcher, I recommend buying two 20 ounce feeders, with four perches, and placing them away from each other. This should give you the best results. It also makes cleaning easier than if you go with a larger capacity because the nectar doesn't sit in it for too long, however you will have to clean them more often.
When should you start?
Right now! Seriously the best time to start is in the summer months, before it gets too late into the year. Birdwatching is one of the most relaxing and entertaining hobbies of all time. And hummingbirds are some of the most entertaining birds to watch. A hummingbird bird feeder will only run you about $20, so why not buy one and start a new hobby!
What does a hummingbird eat?
Hummingbirds eat nectar for energy, and insects for protein and vitamins. Plain and simple. Since it would be weird to have a hummingbird bird feeder full of bugs, you would obviously want one that contains nectar. You can make artificial nectar buy mixing one part sugar with four parts water, boiling it to remove bacteria, then letting it cool.
How to attract and feed hummingbirds
Now that we know what hummers eat, we need to know where and how to set up a hummingbird bird feeder. Place the feeder near your garden if you have one because birds are attracted to bright, colorful flowers. Also, you should buy a hose mister to place in the garden. These are not very expensive, typically around $15, but are almost guaranteed to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Why? Because all birds LOVE water! Now you don't want to buy just one hummingbird bird feeder. I recommend buying two or more because hummingbirds tend to be aggressive when it comes to feeding, and they will fight off other hummers to protect nectar that they have found. For best results, buy a couple feeders and place them out of sight from one another.
How much nectar should you put out?
Simple answer, it depends on how many birds you want to see. A hummingbird bird feeder can have a capacity anywhere from 8 ounces to 72 ounces. The higher capacity feeders will usually have 6 perches on them, or a perch built all the way around to accommodate more birds. Again though, keep in mind that hummingbirds are territorial, so it is better to buy multiple feeders than just one high capacity feeder. For the average bird watcher, I recommend buying two 20 ounce feeders, with four perches, and placing them away from each other. This should give you the best results. It also makes cleaning easier than if you go with a larger capacity because the nectar doesn't sit in it for too long, however you will have to clean them more often.
When should you start?
Right now! Seriously the best time to start is in the summer months, before it gets too late into the year. Birdwatching is one of the most relaxing and entertaining hobbies of all time. And hummingbirds are some of the most entertaining birds to watch. A hummingbird bird feeder will only run you about $20, so why not buy one and start a new hobby!
Bird Feeders
Many people enjoy putting out birdseed for their feathered neighbors. However, squirrels also are attracted to the food and squirrels, like many animals, are very resourceful and determined when it comes to securing food. Their ability to jump and climb allows them to easily get into bird feeders, even those that people have tried to strategically place out of their reach. Putting out separate squirrel feeders that are conveniently located for them also does not prevent them from raiding bird feeders. Bird lovers have, in turn, over the years devised better feeders. Primary bird feeders squirrel proof strategies are to:
Put bird feeders away from trees or branches within jumping distance for squirrels. This is often done by mounting feeders on poles that are set in or on the ground. Of course, this presents a new problem: the squirrels can try to climb the bird feeder poles! A couple of things can be done to make it hard for the squirrels to climb up to the feeder. Some people have tried adding vaseline to a pole to make it too slippery to climb, but this isn't effective for long and is certainly messy. PVC piping has also been used to support pole-mounted feeders since its slick surface is hard to climb.
Add physical barriers like squirrel baffles to a bird feeder pole and/or add wire caging around the feeder housing. Squirrel baffles are commonly used to deter the critters from climbing up the pole for a pole-mounted feeder since they are cheap. These tend to be only partially effective by themselves, though. You would think that wire cages around tubular feeders would keep the squirrels from being able to reach the birdseed. These are not as attractive aesthetically, which is annoying if you would like to photograph your bird buddies. The wire cages can also be defeated by persistent squirrels. If you don't believe me, just try a quick search on YouTube for bird feeders squirrel proof.
Use feeders with weight sensors. Sophisticated bird feeders featuring weight sensitive perches have also been introduced. These can sense the weight of a squirrel and respond by closing feed ports or tipping or spinning the feeder. Closing the ports makes it hard for a squirrel to steal birdseed and tipping or spinning motions make it hard for a squirrel to stay mounted on the feeder. Closing access ports is not always as effective as it sounds, however, since squirrels can figure out how to swing these models sideways to shake the seeds out. Again, squirrels like other animals are very determined when it comes to securing food! Feeders that are designed to spin when the weight of a squirrel is detected can effectively drive the squirrel off without harming it. These are also more expensive to buy, but can be worth it in savings on birdseed and aggravation. Many people also like watching the squirrels take a spin on the feeder!
Put bird feeders away from trees or branches within jumping distance for squirrels. This is often done by mounting feeders on poles that are set in or on the ground. Of course, this presents a new problem: the squirrels can try to climb the bird feeder poles! A couple of things can be done to make it hard for the squirrels to climb up to the feeder. Some people have tried adding vaseline to a pole to make it too slippery to climb, but this isn't effective for long and is certainly messy. PVC piping has also been used to support pole-mounted feeders since its slick surface is hard to climb.
Add physical barriers like squirrel baffles to a bird feeder pole and/or add wire caging around the feeder housing. Squirrel baffles are commonly used to deter the critters from climbing up the pole for a pole-mounted feeder since they are cheap. These tend to be only partially effective by themselves, though. You would think that wire cages around tubular feeders would keep the squirrels from being able to reach the birdseed. These are not as attractive aesthetically, which is annoying if you would like to photograph your bird buddies. The wire cages can also be defeated by persistent squirrels. If you don't believe me, just try a quick search on YouTube for bird feeders squirrel proof.
Use feeders with weight sensors. Sophisticated bird feeders featuring weight sensitive perches have also been introduced. These can sense the weight of a squirrel and respond by closing feed ports or tipping or spinning the feeder. Closing the ports makes it hard for a squirrel to steal birdseed and tipping or spinning motions make it hard for a squirrel to stay mounted on the feeder. Closing access ports is not always as effective as it sounds, however, since squirrels can figure out how to swing these models sideways to shake the seeds out. Again, squirrels like other animals are very determined when it comes to securing food! Feeders that are designed to spin when the weight of a squirrel is detected can effectively drive the squirrel off without harming it. These are also more expensive to buy, but can be worth it in savings on birdseed and aggravation. Many people also like watching the squirrels take a spin on the feeder!
Foods For All Hook Bills
Diet and nutrition for your Birds and Parrots is so important to their well being, the food and seed that we feed our pets should be fresh and of good quality.
You should always start feeding your pets the diet of your choice when you first get them if you cant, gradually introduce the new food in their regular everyday diet, then the transition should go easy. Your parrot and birds will enjoy a meal of vegetables, and fruit which will help balance out their dietary needs, and there will be no need of vitamin supplements added.
You as a pet owner can feed your birds and parrots fruit which they will enjoy such as, oranges, melon, banana, pears, mango, grapes, kiwi, apples,make sure the apple has no seeds as this is toxic to your pet parrots or birds. They will enjoy the fruit and it will give them the vitamins they need added to their regular diet, if you are not sure do some research first before feeding your pets the fruit. When you are not sure always ask.
I make my daughters Parrots a mix of cooked brown rice, barley, small pasta, such as pastina, or what ever small pasta to your liking and mix it with pears, apples, and cooked beans. Always remember to cook any beans, because dry beans can be toxic. My Daughter cuts up cucumber, take the seeds out and she mixes with sweet potatoes, kale, and carrots with cooked lentils and peas, they love it in addition to their seed and pellet diet.
Remember No avocado, no dry beans no chocolate, fava beans, navy beans, rhubarb, onions, and be careful of peanuts in the shell as they could have a fungus and they should be raw and of human consumption.
I cant emphasize, how important it is to check first before you feed your pets any human food. Owners of parrots and birds do not realize how toxic these foods are, and remember no fruit pits. My Parrots and Birds always were healthy, because I fed them a balanced diet of fruit,vegetables, seed and no vitamins.
If your pets need vitamins, your vet will recommend them. I always gave my birds cuttle bone for calcium, but always check with your veterinarian. My pets lived long and healthy lives and never had serious problems. Find a reputable avian veterinarian for your birds and parrots, because regular veterinarian may not be familiar with your pets illness.
To make a transition of your pets diet, introduce new food s in the morning, that is when birds and parrots forage for their food,and it may make it easy to introduce the new seed or pellets into their regular routine. You should never add seasonings to your pets foods that you cook or feed raw,check with your veterinarian for stores to purchase the pellets or crumble diet, or he may have it available for you, if not you can check out the food on the Internet.
Gradually add any new food to the diet, and never leave cooked or raw food in your pets cages for more than a couple of hours, because it can spoil and make them sick. Try different combinations of fruits, and cooked barley, brown rice, small pasta, and no seasoning. Your pets will love it.
My Daughters parrots love raw broccoli, and green beans for snacks. Try different foods and see which ones your pets like and introduce new seeds and pellets to their diets for varied nutrition for their health, and you will have healthy parrots and birds. Do not give your pets any salt, caffeine, or liquor it can harm or lead to their demise, they can not metabolize these drinks or foods like a humans can, always tell your friends or guests that you do not want them to give your pets any thing to eat or drink.
Birds or parrots are part of your family and will live a long time with proper care, diet and social contact with you and family members, enjoy.
You should always start feeding your pets the diet of your choice when you first get them if you cant, gradually introduce the new food in their regular everyday diet, then the transition should go easy. Your parrot and birds will enjoy a meal of vegetables, and fruit which will help balance out their dietary needs, and there will be no need of vitamin supplements added.
You as a pet owner can feed your birds and parrots fruit which they will enjoy such as, oranges, melon, banana, pears, mango, grapes, kiwi, apples,make sure the apple has no seeds as this is toxic to your pet parrots or birds. They will enjoy the fruit and it will give them the vitamins they need added to their regular diet, if you are not sure do some research first before feeding your pets the fruit. When you are not sure always ask.
I make my daughters Parrots a mix of cooked brown rice, barley, small pasta, such as pastina, or what ever small pasta to your liking and mix it with pears, apples, and cooked beans. Always remember to cook any beans, because dry beans can be toxic. My Daughter cuts up cucumber, take the seeds out and she mixes with sweet potatoes, kale, and carrots with cooked lentils and peas, they love it in addition to their seed and pellet diet.
Remember No avocado, no dry beans no chocolate, fava beans, navy beans, rhubarb, onions, and be careful of peanuts in the shell as they could have a fungus and they should be raw and of human consumption.
I cant emphasize, how important it is to check first before you feed your pets any human food. Owners of parrots and birds do not realize how toxic these foods are, and remember no fruit pits. My Parrots and Birds always were healthy, because I fed them a balanced diet of fruit,vegetables, seed and no vitamins.
If your pets need vitamins, your vet will recommend them. I always gave my birds cuttle bone for calcium, but always check with your veterinarian. My pets lived long and healthy lives and never had serious problems. Find a reputable avian veterinarian for your birds and parrots, because regular veterinarian may not be familiar with your pets illness.
To make a transition of your pets diet, introduce new food s in the morning, that is when birds and parrots forage for their food,and it may make it easy to introduce the new seed or pellets into their regular routine. You should never add seasonings to your pets foods that you cook or feed raw,check with your veterinarian for stores to purchase the pellets or crumble diet, or he may have it available for you, if not you can check out the food on the Internet.
Gradually add any new food to the diet, and never leave cooked or raw food in your pets cages for more than a couple of hours, because it can spoil and make them sick. Try different combinations of fruits, and cooked barley, brown rice, small pasta, and no seasoning. Your pets will love it.
My Daughters parrots love raw broccoli, and green beans for snacks. Try different foods and see which ones your pets like and introduce new seeds and pellets to their diets for varied nutrition for their health, and you will have healthy parrots and birds. Do not give your pets any salt, caffeine, or liquor it can harm or lead to their demise, they can not metabolize these drinks or foods like a humans can, always tell your friends or guests that you do not want them to give your pets any thing to eat or drink.
Birds or parrots are part of your family and will live a long time with proper care, diet and social contact with you and family members, enjoy.
Small Birds
Small Birds are great pets for new owners. I recommend them if your just starting out becoming a new bird owner. Parakeets are a delight and are very social birds, but make sure you purchase from a reputable breeder so you can handle and form a bond with your pet.
The smaller birds are more affordable. Parakeets can be talkers and they have a fun personality, they are sometimes overlooked as being a popular choice for a pet, they make great companions, due to their gentle nature. I had several parakeets in different colors,and they entertained our family and we enjoyed watching and listening to them.
Finches, the most adorable little birds,they are so lively and fast, they are little comedians,and are social and do well in groups of two or more, they have constant chatter.
The cage you purchase for your finches should have room for them to spread their wings. My Grandmother had beautiful Finches in a indoor Aviary, which they enjoyed because finches do not climb for exercise they fly. Finches come in different colors so do your research, and these are the perfect pet for someone who works or cannot spend a lot of time with them,they prefer not to be handled,but are wonderful to watch.
Canaries are beautiful singing birds and prefer not to be handled. When you purchase a Canary and you want one that sings make sure it is a male, female canaries do not sing, and canaries are really Finches and come in different colors, some are brown, green and yellow. They have a beautiful songs to sing and fun to watch.
I had a canary and enjoyed the vocal songs he would sing, and our family and friends enjoyed his antics. They make a great pet. Lovebirds are my favorite pet, because if you purchase only one they become very close to you,only if you spend the time with them. If you have one lovebird you cant put him in the cage and forget about him, your pet will become lonely, they are very playful and entertaining, and need attention. If you enjoy the lovebird species and do not have the time to socialize with your pet, I recommend getting two of them, even when there is two, they are fun to watch.
My peach faced Lovebird and I developed a close bond, he would sit on my shoulder while I worked on the computer and enjoyed the social time. This species of lovebirds, is usually gentle and likes being handled,and can learn a few words. They are active need the attention and have easy going personality's.
The lovebird comes in different colors, but purchase from a Breeder, do your research and last, find a good Avian veterinarian, enjoy your pet for years to come.
The best thing about small birds is you can enjoy them in apartment living,the price is affordable,and they become part of your family. The cage they live in is just as important, make sure it is the right size and easy to keep clean, and made from quality material, toys are also good for exercise and entertainment, remember your pet is part of your family.
The smaller birds are more affordable. Parakeets can be talkers and they have a fun personality, they are sometimes overlooked as being a popular choice for a pet, they make great companions, due to their gentle nature. I had several parakeets in different colors,and they entertained our family and we enjoyed watching and listening to them.
Finches, the most adorable little birds,they are so lively and fast, they are little comedians,and are social and do well in groups of two or more, they have constant chatter.
The cage you purchase for your finches should have room for them to spread their wings. My Grandmother had beautiful Finches in a indoor Aviary, which they enjoyed because finches do not climb for exercise they fly. Finches come in different colors so do your research, and these are the perfect pet for someone who works or cannot spend a lot of time with them,they prefer not to be handled,but are wonderful to watch.
Canaries are beautiful singing birds and prefer not to be handled. When you purchase a Canary and you want one that sings make sure it is a male, female canaries do not sing, and canaries are really Finches and come in different colors, some are brown, green and yellow. They have a beautiful songs to sing and fun to watch.
I had a canary and enjoyed the vocal songs he would sing, and our family and friends enjoyed his antics. They make a great pet. Lovebirds are my favorite pet, because if you purchase only one they become very close to you,only if you spend the time with them. If you have one lovebird you cant put him in the cage and forget about him, your pet will become lonely, they are very playful and entertaining, and need attention. If you enjoy the lovebird species and do not have the time to socialize with your pet, I recommend getting two of them, even when there is two, they are fun to watch.
My peach faced Lovebird and I developed a close bond, he would sit on my shoulder while I worked on the computer and enjoyed the social time. This species of lovebirds, is usually gentle and likes being handled,and can learn a few words. They are active need the attention and have easy going personality's.
The lovebird comes in different colors, but purchase from a Breeder, do your research and last, find a good Avian veterinarian, enjoy your pet for years to come.
The best thing about small birds is you can enjoy them in apartment living,the price is affordable,and they become part of your family. The cage they live in is just as important, make sure it is the right size and easy to keep clean, and made from quality material, toys are also good for exercise and entertainment, remember your pet is part of your family.
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