By Edgar Dapremont
I have never been much of a bird person. I think either myself or one of my brothers or sisters probably owned a parakeet when I was younger. We definitely did not own a pet parrot. I know that one of my college buddies did own a pet parrot and and as I recall he was quite a character. I remember how intelligent that parrot was and I must say I was impressed how well my friend had trained his pet parrot. There was quite a commitment on the part of my friend, because the pet parrot required some care and my friend took his responsibility quite seriously.
If you are considering adopting a pet parrot, it is important to understand as much as possible before taking that step. You always hear people talk about responsibility when you adopt a dog or cat. If you have young children, you can't expect them to be responsible for the pet parrot.
It is probably not a good idea to try to get that information from the seller unless you know them very well. There are people who breed parrots just like dogs. There is no American kennel club for pet parrots, so it is important to get your information from a reliable source so you can make an informed decision that is best for you and the pet parrot. Parrots are not inexpensive so the decision to adopt a pet parrot should be made with full knowledge of what to expect.
There is a good eBook on Pet parrots that you can find on my website.
Grab a copy of "You and Your Parrot" BEFORE you buy and you, too, will agree to spread the word that parrots make the perfect pet!
I am a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who has been in practice for 30 years.
You are welcome to visit my website. If you have any problems finding what you are looking for, please use my Site Search.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Backyard Birders Beware - Soft Cooing!
By David R Price
One of our favorite backyard birds is the dove. We enjoy the soft cooing sounds in the early mornings. They are classy, elegant, and seemingly mild mannered. The landings can be an adventure, as doves are not the most graceful flyers, We especially enjoy seeing them nest and raise their young in our backyard and relish their company with our morning coffee. So naturally, we fell headlong into their takeover plans. We never saw it coming.
Cardinals and jays were regulars at our platform bird feeders. The occasional migrating birds would join in and all seemed well. Everyone got along and the mild mannered doves sat patiently on our fence softly cooing while the food was shared by all. Room was made at the feeders or on the ground. How nice and friendly it seemed. We were so pleased with ourselves.
The doves began to nest. They began to nest in every nook and cranny of our yard - front and back. Several could be seen in the magnolia trees. The oaks and pines were full. They nested everywhere it semmed, even over the cars! It was fun seeing these young babies learn to fly. They were so cute. We considered a dove birdhouse nesting facility to hold ten or more families. They were just drawing us in, these crafty little devils.
The next year, we began noticing fewer cardinals. The jays seemed to be staying away. The chickadees, wrens, and finches were still with us, using their tube feeders. Life was grand and we continued our errant ways. I began to wonder, do doves migrate? This is the deep south, do they raise their broods and stay year round? Our backyard birding area was now over run by these classy, elegant, and not so mild mannered birds. We watched as they chased our other birds from the platform feeders and the ground. Maybe not intentionally malicious, they drove them away by shear numbers. The doves, a hundred or more, would line our wood fence at feeding time and swoop in like a ravenous herd. These were mild mannered creatures no more. Their soft morning coos became demanding if we were late with their breakfast!
We discovered the tube feeders were no longer safe. Doves were landing on those tiny perches and platforms. Leaning around the tube, they would curve their bodies and feed from the next port. They are not supposed to be able to do that. They learn very quickly where the food is. Our poor friendly chickadees, wrens, and finches were now being run from their feeders! Something had to be done.
We slowly began taking back our backyard birding area. Strategically placing platform feeders designed for specific birds, we soon had a pair of cardinals back. The jays were visiting again. A cowbird and red wing blackbirds became regulars for a while. We did the same with the tube feeders. We hung models whose perches will only support the weight of smaller birds. A couple have surrounding cages creating a safe haven only the smaller birds can get through. The doves adjusted and now use their own area. They caught on in no time, unlike their human caretakers.
We still enjoy our doves, but now we have our favorite songbirds back and our backyard birding area is again as it should be, an enjoyable solace. Do a little research and planning and you can avoid the invasion of these seemingly mild mannered birds. It is a clever disguise they use. You will never see them coming.
Birding information and products at: www.fancyflyers.com
Join us for birding information and product updates: Join Our Family
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http:/www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
One of our favorite backyard birds is the dove. We enjoy the soft cooing sounds in the early mornings. They are classy, elegant, and seemingly mild mannered. The landings can be an adventure, as doves are not the most graceful flyers, We especially enjoy seeing them nest and raise their young in our backyard and relish their company with our morning coffee. So naturally, we fell headlong into their takeover plans. We never saw it coming.
Cardinals and jays were regulars at our platform bird feeders. The occasional migrating birds would join in and all seemed well. Everyone got along and the mild mannered doves sat patiently on our fence softly cooing while the food was shared by all. Room was made at the feeders or on the ground. How nice and friendly it seemed. We were so pleased with ourselves.
The doves began to nest. They began to nest in every nook and cranny of our yard - front and back. Several could be seen in the magnolia trees. The oaks and pines were full. They nested everywhere it semmed, even over the cars! It was fun seeing these young babies learn to fly. They were so cute. We considered a dove birdhouse nesting facility to hold ten or more families. They were just drawing us in, these crafty little devils.
The next year, we began noticing fewer cardinals. The jays seemed to be staying away. The chickadees, wrens, and finches were still with us, using their tube feeders. Life was grand and we continued our errant ways. I began to wonder, do doves migrate? This is the deep south, do they raise their broods and stay year round? Our backyard birding area was now over run by these classy, elegant, and not so mild mannered birds. We watched as they chased our other birds from the platform feeders and the ground. Maybe not intentionally malicious, they drove them away by shear numbers. The doves, a hundred or more, would line our wood fence at feeding time and swoop in like a ravenous herd. These were mild mannered creatures no more. Their soft morning coos became demanding if we were late with their breakfast!
We discovered the tube feeders were no longer safe. Doves were landing on those tiny perches and platforms. Leaning around the tube, they would curve their bodies and feed from the next port. They are not supposed to be able to do that. They learn very quickly where the food is. Our poor friendly chickadees, wrens, and finches were now being run from their feeders! Something had to be done.
We slowly began taking back our backyard birding area. Strategically placing platform feeders designed for specific birds, we soon had a pair of cardinals back. The jays were visiting again. A cowbird and red wing blackbirds became regulars for a while. We did the same with the tube feeders. We hung models whose perches will only support the weight of smaller birds. A couple have surrounding cages creating a safe haven only the smaller birds can get through. The doves adjusted and now use their own area. They caught on in no time, unlike their human caretakers.
We still enjoy our doves, but now we have our favorite songbirds back and our backyard birding area is again as it should be, an enjoyable solace. Do a little research and planning and you can avoid the invasion of these seemingly mild mannered birds. It is a clever disguise they use. You will never see them coming.
Birding information and products at: www.fancyflyers.com
Join us for birding information and product updates: Join Our Family
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http:/www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Quaker Parrots Love Baths
By Andrew Rocuant
Yes, and your quaker parrot should take baths regularly to stay clean and healthy. Without regular baths, a quaker parrot can build up oil and dust that even a quaker's vigorous preening can't remove which can lead to illness.
Ideally, you should select a location for your quaker parrot's bath that is ok to get wet, like the kitchen table. Allow up to a 6 foot area for splash, and place a towel down to catch most of the water. Fill a wide dish (I use a baking dish) ideally 1-2 inches high. It shouldn't be over that or it will be too deep for the bird, any lower and it won't be enough water.
Once the bath is set up, let your quaker parrot check it out. If he is not used to taking baths, it may take a few minutes for him to figure out what this new thing is all about. Just give him time and don't make him feel pushed. If he is looking interested in the water, dip your hand in it to show it is ok. Eventually he will realize what its all about and will start enjoying the water. Always use fresh clean water for baths, just like for the drinking water.
A number of 'bird bath' products are available to help contain splashing, but I don't recommend them since they restrict the area and may discourage bathing. Also the amount of splashing will vary depending on the bird. Some splash a little, others cover entire square feet and the weatherman comes to do a live report on location.
(Of course there is always the exception. Try it and see if your quaker likes taking baths or not.)
Quaker Parrot Blog is a new site dedicated to educating owners to proper care of their quaker parrot. http://quaker-parrot.birdaday.com/
Yes, and your quaker parrot should take baths regularly to stay clean and healthy. Without regular baths, a quaker parrot can build up oil and dust that even a quaker's vigorous preening can't remove which can lead to illness.
Ideally, you should select a location for your quaker parrot's bath that is ok to get wet, like the kitchen table. Allow up to a 6 foot area for splash, and place a towel down to catch most of the water. Fill a wide dish (I use a baking dish) ideally 1-2 inches high. It shouldn't be over that or it will be too deep for the bird, any lower and it won't be enough water.
Once the bath is set up, let your quaker parrot check it out. If he is not used to taking baths, it may take a few minutes for him to figure out what this new thing is all about. Just give him time and don't make him feel pushed. If he is looking interested in the water, dip your hand in it to show it is ok. Eventually he will realize what its all about and will start enjoying the water. Always use fresh clean water for baths, just like for the drinking water.
A number of 'bird bath' products are available to help contain splashing, but I don't recommend them since they restrict the area and may discourage bathing. Also the amount of splashing will vary depending on the bird. Some splash a little, others cover entire square feet and the weatherman comes to do a live report on location.
(Of course there is always the exception. Try it and see if your quaker likes taking baths or not.)
Quaker Parrot Blog is a new site dedicated to educating owners to proper care of their quaker parrot. http://quaker-parrot.birdaday.com/
Monday, November 19, 2007
Birdwatching Necessities for the Beginner
By Ken Lawless
Birdwatching is one of America's most popular outdoor activities. Those of us who love birds, have watched birds, in our back yards or at the local parks, raise and support their families. But every so often we have the urge to escape beyond these confinements and go out into the wild to watch birds in their native habitats.
If you haven't been on a bird watching outing before, the following tips will give you a good basic foundation of necessities you will need in order to best enjoy your time in the outdoors.
Often you will hear a bird before you see it. Learning to bird by ear is an important part of becoming a good bird watcher. The more time you spend in the field watching birds, the better you will become at learning to recognize the different mating calls and vocalizations made by your favorite birds. To hone up on your skills you can actually purchase CD recordings of the bird calls of literally thousands of birds. Use these to practice identifying different species by their songs and sounds.
Knowing the types of shelter and trees that your bird species prefer is the second key to finding their nests and setting up your stakeout. Some prefer to build their nests close to the ground, while others will find the topmost branches of a tree to build their home.
To have the best chance of spotting your bird species, it's important to know what times of the day it tends to feed. Most species prefer to start their foraging just before sunrise and will continue up to noon. Some, however, prefer later in the day and you'll find them just becoming active before sunset.
The most necessary piece of equipment you'll need is a spotting scope with a tripod. A regular telescope won't do. You need one with the proper level of magnification. As birding as become more and more popular, it's become easier to find many brands of birding binoculars made specifically for bird watchers.
Other Birding Necessities
To be prepared to spend the day outdoors with your bird friends, you'll need the following minimum supplies:
- A sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. This will provide moderate protection from the sun. For extended periods of time, go for an SPF of 30+.
- Water. You lose lots of water while hiking which can lead to dehydration. Take a canteen or bottled water. Drink lots of water before you start your hike and take periodic sips along the way.
- Insect repellant. For the best possible protection against mosquitoes and other insects, you should apply the insect repellant to both your skin and your clothing, according to the label instructions.
- Footwear. You'll be doing lots of walking and hiking and you'll want the most comfortable boots possible. In addition, if there's the possibility that you will be trekking through marsh or extremely damp conditions, you should take along a pair of knee-high rubber boots.
- Rain gear. Weather conditions can change quickly so you want to be prepared for possible rainfalls. A lightweight, waterproof, breathable piece of rainwear could be indispensable.
- Snacks. These are for you, not the birds. Take along some high energy store bought or home made granola bars, fruits, and nuts and you'll be good to go.
If you survive and enjoy your first outing and feel that you'll definitely be doing this again, then the manufactures of birding supplies will love you as you will undoubtedly be back in their stores to buy cameras, recorders, and other hight priced items in preparation for your next trip.
Ken Lawless writes articles on bird house kits, camping, and the outdoors. Visit his site at http://www.birdhousesinfo.com for more information on bird houses.
Birdwatching is one of America's most popular outdoor activities. Those of us who love birds, have watched birds, in our back yards or at the local parks, raise and support their families. But every so often we have the urge to escape beyond these confinements and go out into the wild to watch birds in their native habitats.
If you haven't been on a bird watching outing before, the following tips will give you a good basic foundation of necessities you will need in order to best enjoy your time in the outdoors.
Often you will hear a bird before you see it. Learning to bird by ear is an important part of becoming a good bird watcher. The more time you spend in the field watching birds, the better you will become at learning to recognize the different mating calls and vocalizations made by your favorite birds. To hone up on your skills you can actually purchase CD recordings of the bird calls of literally thousands of birds. Use these to practice identifying different species by their songs and sounds.
Knowing the types of shelter and trees that your bird species prefer is the second key to finding their nests and setting up your stakeout. Some prefer to build their nests close to the ground, while others will find the topmost branches of a tree to build their home.
To have the best chance of spotting your bird species, it's important to know what times of the day it tends to feed. Most species prefer to start their foraging just before sunrise and will continue up to noon. Some, however, prefer later in the day and you'll find them just becoming active before sunset.
The most necessary piece of equipment you'll need is a spotting scope with a tripod. A regular telescope won't do. You need one with the proper level of magnification. As birding as become more and more popular, it's become easier to find many brands of birding binoculars made specifically for bird watchers.
Other Birding Necessities
To be prepared to spend the day outdoors with your bird friends, you'll need the following minimum supplies:
- A sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. This will provide moderate protection from the sun. For extended periods of time, go for an SPF of 30+.
- Water. You lose lots of water while hiking which can lead to dehydration. Take a canteen or bottled water. Drink lots of water before you start your hike and take periodic sips along the way.
- Insect repellant. For the best possible protection against mosquitoes and other insects, you should apply the insect repellant to both your skin and your clothing, according to the label instructions.
- Footwear. You'll be doing lots of walking and hiking and you'll want the most comfortable boots possible. In addition, if there's the possibility that you will be trekking through marsh or extremely damp conditions, you should take along a pair of knee-high rubber boots.
- Rain gear. Weather conditions can change quickly so you want to be prepared for possible rainfalls. A lightweight, waterproof, breathable piece of rainwear could be indispensable.
- Snacks. These are for you, not the birds. Take along some high energy store bought or home made granola bars, fruits, and nuts and you'll be good to go.
If you survive and enjoy your first outing and feel that you'll definitely be doing this again, then the manufactures of birding supplies will love you as you will undoubtedly be back in their stores to buy cameras, recorders, and other hight priced items in preparation for your next trip.
Ken Lawless writes articles on bird house kits, camping, and the outdoors. Visit his site at http://www.birdhousesinfo.com for more information on bird houses.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The Yellowhammer - Our State Bird
By David R Price
One day my wife Kay and I had an interesting revelation. We have lived in Alabama our entire lives and we both enjoy watching birds of all types. We realized we had never seen our state bird. It started like this, "Kay, have you ever seen a yellowhammer?", to which she replied, "I don't think I have, Have you? What does it look like?" Well, this happens to be our state bird and even the University of Alabama has a cheer based on this elusive bird. We both agreed we had never seen this rare and special bird. An investigation had begun!
What we ran into next was, well, confusing. All we had was a state official drawing of our bird. When we found an official Yellowhammer picture, it looked nothing like this or other state drawings. Imagine our confusion when a small, very pretty yellow finch was found having this name. It was called Old World Yellowhammer, but surely the bird hadn't changed that much! Comparing this bird to our official state pictures - they could not be the same. Back to digging we went.
This time we read the history of how the yellowhammer became our state bird. It was during the Civil War that a group of soldiers from Alabama arrived with fresh uniforms that had bright yellow insignias. They were jokingly called Flicker Flicker - Yellowhammer. The name stuck for most Alabama soldiers after that. We now had a hint -Flicker. Our state bird is a type of Flicker. A woodpecker.
It turns out, Yellowhammer continues to be a nickname. There is no such bird officially. There is the Yellow Shafted Flicker also known as the Northern Flicker. It is found from Maine to Florida and yes - in all parts of Alabama. What we thought of as a rare and special bird, is really quite common. We enjoyed our searching, but came to find this bird was what we had always called a woodpecker! This woodpecker is a little different. If you sometimes see a group of three or four birds similar to robins from a distance, hopping around and eating on the ground, they could be the Yellowhammer. A favorite food for these woodpeckers are ants. And yes, it turns out, we had been seeing our state bird all our lives!
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http://www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
One day my wife Kay and I had an interesting revelation. We have lived in Alabama our entire lives and we both enjoy watching birds of all types. We realized we had never seen our state bird. It started like this, "Kay, have you ever seen a yellowhammer?", to which she replied, "I don't think I have, Have you? What does it look like?" Well, this happens to be our state bird and even the University of Alabama has a cheer based on this elusive bird. We both agreed we had never seen this rare and special bird. An investigation had begun!
What we ran into next was, well, confusing. All we had was a state official drawing of our bird. When we found an official Yellowhammer picture, it looked nothing like this or other state drawings. Imagine our confusion when a small, very pretty yellow finch was found having this name. It was called Old World Yellowhammer, but surely the bird hadn't changed that much! Comparing this bird to our official state pictures - they could not be the same. Back to digging we went.
This time we read the history of how the yellowhammer became our state bird. It was during the Civil War that a group of soldiers from Alabama arrived with fresh uniforms that had bright yellow insignias. They were jokingly called Flicker Flicker - Yellowhammer. The name stuck for most Alabama soldiers after that. We now had a hint -Flicker. Our state bird is a type of Flicker. A woodpecker.
It turns out, Yellowhammer continues to be a nickname. There is no such bird officially. There is the Yellow Shafted Flicker also known as the Northern Flicker. It is found from Maine to Florida and yes - in all parts of Alabama. What we thought of as a rare and special bird, is really quite common. We enjoyed our searching, but came to find this bird was what we had always called a woodpecker! This woodpecker is a little different. If you sometimes see a group of three or four birds similar to robins from a distance, hopping around and eating on the ground, they could be the Yellowhammer. A favorite food for these woodpeckers are ants. And yes, it turns out, we had been seeing our state bird all our lives!
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http://www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Bird Watching - Advice For Your First Time Out
By Richard Chapo
Fall is a great time for bird watching. If you are going to give it a try for the first time, there are some guidelines you should follow to make sure you get the most out of it.
Avid birders are all about sightings and keeping a life list. A life list is simply a list of the birds you have personally seen over the years. Keeping a life list can become very addictive and more than a few people use their vacations to fly to odd parts of the world to see birds they need for their life list.
You should not worry about life lists nor should you worry about flipping through guide books to identify the birds you are seeing. It is your first time out, so just focus on the birds and take in their elegance and interesting activities. You can identify what they are later when you have time to reflect or the binoculars get a bit heavy.
The name "bird watching" is somewhat misleading because it suggests that one is only out there to view birds. An equally important part of your effort will be to listen to the little flappers. Each species has unique songs and sounds, so keep an ear out to see if you can notice the differences and match them to the particular birds you are seeing.
Take snack food and water. Bird watching is hardly a high calorie activity. That being said, you usually have to walk to and from the spot you will be viewing birds. Further, standing in the sun all day can lead to dehydration problems, so water should be consumed slowly throughout the day.
When you are watching birds, you will start to notice distinct areas of difference. The best areas to focus on are the body shape, the bill shape and the tail shape. The color of the birds is an obvious difference as well. By comparing and contrasting these four characteristics, you should be able to narrow down and identify the species you are seeing.
Perhaps the most important thing on your first birding trip is simply to enjoy yourself. The point is to have a good time, and the rest is just details. Have a great time!
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of life list journals that make great bird watching gifts.
Fall is a great time for bird watching. If you are going to give it a try for the first time, there are some guidelines you should follow to make sure you get the most out of it.
Avid birders are all about sightings and keeping a life list. A life list is simply a list of the birds you have personally seen over the years. Keeping a life list can become very addictive and more than a few people use their vacations to fly to odd parts of the world to see birds they need for their life list.
You should not worry about life lists nor should you worry about flipping through guide books to identify the birds you are seeing. It is your first time out, so just focus on the birds and take in their elegance and interesting activities. You can identify what they are later when you have time to reflect or the binoculars get a bit heavy.
The name "bird watching" is somewhat misleading because it suggests that one is only out there to view birds. An equally important part of your effort will be to listen to the little flappers. Each species has unique songs and sounds, so keep an ear out to see if you can notice the differences and match them to the particular birds you are seeing.
Take snack food and water. Bird watching is hardly a high calorie activity. That being said, you usually have to walk to and from the spot you will be viewing birds. Further, standing in the sun all day can lead to dehydration problems, so water should be consumed slowly throughout the day.
When you are watching birds, you will start to notice distinct areas of difference. The best areas to focus on are the body shape, the bill shape and the tail shape. The color of the birds is an obvious difference as well. By comparing and contrasting these four characteristics, you should be able to narrow down and identify the species you are seeing.
Perhaps the most important thing on your first birding trip is simply to enjoy yourself. The point is to have a good time, and the rest is just details. Have a great time!
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of life list journals that make great bird watching gifts.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
What You Need to Know About Mute Swans
By Andrew Grey
The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck and an orange bill with black at the base of it. Flies with its neck extended and regular slow wing beats. Mute swans breed in the British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. Although strikingly elegant, mute swans (Cygnus olor) are one of the bay's most harmful species, edging out native waterfowl and destroying aquatic vegetation. This article will explore the many exciting aspects of the mute swans species from their population, behavior to their physical appearance.
The population trend for this species in the United States, as judged by the Breeding Bird Survey, has been steadily upward. Population growth and range expansion of this species has increased the number of swan-related problems for people and native wildlife. Often, people mistake a large number of swans seen together as indication of a rapid increase in population. Owing to this assertive behavior, mute swans are also able to establish populations in new areas fairly quickly.
Mute swans can be distinguished by their unique behaviors. They establish strong bonds when they pair up. Mute swans feed almost exclusively on SAV (submerged aquatic vegetarian) like widgeon grass and redhead grass. Mute swans occupy and defend relatively large territories of wetland habitat during nesting, brood rearing and foraging, and thus compete with native birds for habitat. Mute swans fly at a rate of 50 to 55 miles per hour and don't usually breed before the age of three years. Mute Swans have been known to live for over 25 years, but most only survive to 5 or 6 years old. The nesting period for mute swans begins in late March to April.
Mute swans are large birds, measuring 144 to 158 cm. The wingspan is 2 to 2.5 meters. The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that males are generally larger than females. The plumage is white. They are best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of the upper bill, and the color of the bill itself, which is orange, with the tip and base colored black. The head and neck may sometimes be stained brown from water and mud containing iron. Mute Swans are one of the world's largest flying birds, weighing twenty-five to forty pounds (10 to 18 kg).
As you can probably tell now, not only mute swans are one of the biggest birds but their unparalleled characteristics have attracted many people to breed them. Here are just some of the information related to mute swans.
Andrew Grey is the author of "The Essential Beginners Guide To Raising Swans". If you would like to learn more about how to raise swans, please visit: http://www.howtoraiseswans.com
The mute swan is a very large white waterbird. It has a long S-shaped neck and an orange bill with black at the base of it. Flies with its neck extended and regular slow wing beats. Mute swans breed in the British Isles, north central Europe and north central Asia. Although strikingly elegant, mute swans (Cygnus olor) are one of the bay's most harmful species, edging out native waterfowl and destroying aquatic vegetation. This article will explore the many exciting aspects of the mute swans species from their population, behavior to their physical appearance.
The population trend for this species in the United States, as judged by the Breeding Bird Survey, has been steadily upward. Population growth and range expansion of this species has increased the number of swan-related problems for people and native wildlife. Often, people mistake a large number of swans seen together as indication of a rapid increase in population. Owing to this assertive behavior, mute swans are also able to establish populations in new areas fairly quickly.
Mute swans can be distinguished by their unique behaviors. They establish strong bonds when they pair up. Mute swans feed almost exclusively on SAV (submerged aquatic vegetarian) like widgeon grass and redhead grass. Mute swans occupy and defend relatively large territories of wetland habitat during nesting, brood rearing and foraging, and thus compete with native birds for habitat. Mute swans fly at a rate of 50 to 55 miles per hour and don't usually breed before the age of three years. Mute Swans have been known to live for over 25 years, but most only survive to 5 or 6 years old. The nesting period for mute swans begins in late March to April.
Mute swans are large birds, measuring 144 to 158 cm. The wingspan is 2 to 2.5 meters. The two sexes are alike in appearance, except that males are generally larger than females. The plumage is white. They are best distinguished from North American swans by the knob at the base of the upper bill, and the color of the bill itself, which is orange, with the tip and base colored black. The head and neck may sometimes be stained brown from water and mud containing iron. Mute Swans are one of the world's largest flying birds, weighing twenty-five to forty pounds (10 to 18 kg).
As you can probably tell now, not only mute swans are one of the biggest birds but their unparalleled characteristics have attracted many people to breed them. Here are just some of the information related to mute swans.
Andrew Grey is the author of "The Essential Beginners Guide To Raising Swans". If you would like to learn more about how to raise swans, please visit: http://www.howtoraiseswans.com
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Attracting Nesting Birds
By David R Price
Welcome back. By now your yard is full of bird feeders, songs, and feathered friends darting about. Are you ready to watch these same birds prepare their nests and raise their young? If so, it isn't hard! You can now share all aspects of the birding family. Watch the courtship, nest building, laying eggs, feeding the babies, and finally watching the children leave the nest. We love watching the young Robins and Doves learn to fly uncertain short distances. Then one day they seem to amaze themselves and take off in full flight!
Just as certain foods attract certain birds, there are a few things to know about attracting nesting birds. Different birds have different nesting needs. There are ground nesting birds, tree branch nesting birds, tight shrubbery, and hollow cavity nesting birds. Each of these will desire a different type of nesting area or bird house. If you already have trees and shrubs in your yard, you are off to a good start. Ground nesting birds usually build their nest in the cover of grasses or low shrubbery. For others, a man made nesting platform or birdhouse will attract families of birds to your yard. In addition to the nesting platform and birdhouse, help the birds out with pieces of string, straw, hair, paper bits, and other lightweight nest building materials. Remember, we are making them feel at home here.
Different birds will also require other things. Not all birds will use the same shape, size, height, or door opening sizes. As with bird feeders, it pays to know what type of birds you wish to attract. Once a bird has noticed your birdhouse or nesting platform, things heat up. Activity increases and a nest is soon built. You may monitor the nest carefully and take pictures along the way. Just be careful and attentive to the adult birds, knocking gently on the birdhouse to allow the adult birds to leave. Then open the house for a peek or to take pictures. Carefully close the birdhouse and wait a week or so before disturbing the family again. A wonderful bird house spy camera is now available to monitor the nesting family continually without opening the birdhouse or disturbing the nest. These are available to be mounted inside birdhouses or near open nests and provide sound as well as video. You can watch the family nesting process from start to finish.
While decorative bird houses are pretty, they are not always best for the birds. Natural wood at least 3/4 of an inch thick is best and provides insulation from the heat. Always clean the bird house or platform and wash with soap and water after the nesting season ends - usually in July. This way winter birds may use the bird houses and bird platforms for roosting and they will be clean for the next year's nesting season.
These birds can be attracted to bird houses and usually have 2 to 3 broods per season. Eggs incubate for 11 to 14 days:
Chickadee, Wren, Woodpecker, Bluebirds, Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch, Flicker and many more.
These birds are attracted to platform nests and will also have 2 to 3 broods per season: Robins, Doves
Good luck and enjoy the families of birds that will return year after year.
More birding articles, festival schedules, and more - Fancy Flyers
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http://www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
Welcome back. By now your yard is full of bird feeders, songs, and feathered friends darting about. Are you ready to watch these same birds prepare their nests and raise their young? If so, it isn't hard! You can now share all aspects of the birding family. Watch the courtship, nest building, laying eggs, feeding the babies, and finally watching the children leave the nest. We love watching the young Robins and Doves learn to fly uncertain short distances. Then one day they seem to amaze themselves and take off in full flight!
Just as certain foods attract certain birds, there are a few things to know about attracting nesting birds. Different birds have different nesting needs. There are ground nesting birds, tree branch nesting birds, tight shrubbery, and hollow cavity nesting birds. Each of these will desire a different type of nesting area or bird house. If you already have trees and shrubs in your yard, you are off to a good start. Ground nesting birds usually build their nest in the cover of grasses or low shrubbery. For others, a man made nesting platform or birdhouse will attract families of birds to your yard. In addition to the nesting platform and birdhouse, help the birds out with pieces of string, straw, hair, paper bits, and other lightweight nest building materials. Remember, we are making them feel at home here.
Different birds will also require other things. Not all birds will use the same shape, size, height, or door opening sizes. As with bird feeders, it pays to know what type of birds you wish to attract. Once a bird has noticed your birdhouse or nesting platform, things heat up. Activity increases and a nest is soon built. You may monitor the nest carefully and take pictures along the way. Just be careful and attentive to the adult birds, knocking gently on the birdhouse to allow the adult birds to leave. Then open the house for a peek or to take pictures. Carefully close the birdhouse and wait a week or so before disturbing the family again. A wonderful bird house spy camera is now available to monitor the nesting family continually without opening the birdhouse or disturbing the nest. These are available to be mounted inside birdhouses or near open nests and provide sound as well as video. You can watch the family nesting process from start to finish.
While decorative bird houses are pretty, they are not always best for the birds. Natural wood at least 3/4 of an inch thick is best and provides insulation from the heat. Always clean the bird house or platform and wash with soap and water after the nesting season ends - usually in July. This way winter birds may use the bird houses and bird platforms for roosting and they will be clean for the next year's nesting season.
These birds can be attracted to bird houses and usually have 2 to 3 broods per season. Eggs incubate for 11 to 14 days:
Chickadee, Wren, Woodpecker, Bluebirds, Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch, Flicker and many more.
These birds are attracted to platform nests and will also have 2 to 3 broods per season: Robins, Doves
Good luck and enjoy the families of birds that will return year after year.
More birding articles, festival schedules, and more - Fancy Flyers
David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Related birding information, festival schedules, pictures, products, and stories can be found at http://www.fancyflyers.com under Bird Tales
Friday, November 9, 2007
The Silent Swooper
By Frankie Goh
IF YOU have ever walked in the woods at night, you may have heard the plaintive hooting of the silent swoopers-the owls. Since there are at least 145 species of owls worldwide, most people could get within earshot of an owl. You can find the common barn owl throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and many parts of Asia, as well as in Tasmania and other areas of Australia. What makes the owl distinctive?
First of all, its face and eyes. The facial design varies from species to species, but it usually has a "large, broad head with a saucer-shaped ruff of feathers around the eyes. . . . It serves to reflect sound to the owl's ear openings." (The World Book Encyclopedia) Unlike the eyes of most birds, the owl's eyes face forward; it cannot move them in their sockets. Thus, owls must move their heads to follow moving objects. And they can turn their heads through almost a complete circle!
Another distinctive feature of these nocturnal swoopers is their feather design that allows them virtually soundless flight. Locating their prey by sight or by acute hearing, they can swoop down silently for their next meal. They are said to be "among the most useful birds to farmers" because they destroy rodents that often damage crops.
The Book of North American Birds states: "Owls around the world... have been perceived in all cultures as birds of ill omen and harbingers of death." The 14th-century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer called the barn owl the "prophet of woe and mischance."
The great horned owl has an enormous appetite. One source says: "On rare occasions, the bird has even been known to swoop in and attack people wearing fur hats, apparently mistaking the pelts for living prey"!
Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher.
He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com
He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products & HerbalBiz Affiliate Program.
IF YOU have ever walked in the woods at night, you may have heard the plaintive hooting of the silent swoopers-the owls. Since there are at least 145 species of owls worldwide, most people could get within earshot of an owl. You can find the common barn owl throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and many parts of Asia, as well as in Tasmania and other areas of Australia. What makes the owl distinctive?
First of all, its face and eyes. The facial design varies from species to species, but it usually has a "large, broad head with a saucer-shaped ruff of feathers around the eyes. . . . It serves to reflect sound to the owl's ear openings." (The World Book Encyclopedia) Unlike the eyes of most birds, the owl's eyes face forward; it cannot move them in their sockets. Thus, owls must move their heads to follow moving objects. And they can turn their heads through almost a complete circle!
Another distinctive feature of these nocturnal swoopers is their feather design that allows them virtually soundless flight. Locating their prey by sight or by acute hearing, they can swoop down silently for their next meal. They are said to be "among the most useful birds to farmers" because they destroy rodents that often damage crops.
The Book of North American Birds states: "Owls around the world... have been perceived in all cultures as birds of ill omen and harbingers of death." The 14th-century English poet Geoffrey Chaucer called the barn owl the "prophet of woe and mischance."
The great horned owl has an enormous appetite. One source says: "On rare occasions, the bird has even been known to swoop in and attack people wearing fur hats, apparently mistaking the pelts for living prey"!
Frankie Goh is a full-time family counsellor and researcher.
He manage a website : Earn Money Online http://www.ezy-cash.com
He is also the Internet Marketing Co-ordinator of Ultra-Herbal Products & HerbalBiz Affiliate Program.
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