By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Keith_Londrie]Keith Londrie
Every bird specie has other species that are harmful for it. The natural predators are an inevitable problem and you will have to deal with it. Of course this doesn't mean to kill the predators but to place secure bird houses and take measures for keeping predators out.
The most common predators are other birds, squirrels, snakes, raccoons, cats, yellow jackets, wasps, ants and other insects. They are very harmful especially for the young birds that are growing in the bird house. There are several things to consider if you want to have a secure bird house.
As you probably know perches can help some predators to get into the bird house and damage the eggs or harm the youngsters. Although they add beauty to any bird house, the birds do not actually need them. Remember that the natural nests or wood holes do not have perches, so get a bird house without a perch. If you already have a bird house with a perch you can remove it.
The entrance hole size is also important. It should be big enough only for the nesting bird. If it is too big then predators can get in and kill the baby birds. Moreover you can nail and additional piece of wood that has the same size entrance hole. This will make it harder for any predators to get in. For additional security you can place metal baffles on the pole below the bird house. They will keep away some animals.
Another trick you can use to keep the predators away is to mount the bird houses on metal or plastic poles. It will be much harder for a non flying predator to climb it.
If there are many crows and ravens in your area you will have to think how to keep them away of your nests. An easy way is to provide them with the food they love. Place a feeder in your area and regularly fill it with eggs or meat. This is the food ravens love and it is likely that they will stay away from your bird houses.
Ants and other insects can be very harmful for your birds. You should check your bird houses regularly to see if ant nests have developed under them or near the houses. If you stop an ant nest treat it with products that are not harmful for the birds. Read the labels carefully.
Keith Londrie II is the Webmaster of http://www.about-bird-houses.info/ A website that specializes in providing information on bird houses that you can research on the internet. Visit http://www.about-bird-houses.info/ now!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wren House Plans - 5 Important Points To Consider
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
Wrens are small songbirds, usually with brown feathers and a slender, down-turned beak. They are native to North and South America, Asia, and Europe. The wren is one of the most beloved songbirds of all time, and it is truly a pleasure to hear them singing in the morning.
If you are like most people who enjoy listening to the song of the wren, then it is a good idea to get a hold of a few wren house plans so you can build your own wren house in your backyard.
But what exactly are wren house plans? These are blueprints that will guide you in creating a dwelling that is specifically suited to the wren. Although the wren house plans are especially laid out for wrens, it is inevitable that other species of birds will also be attracted to the bird refuge.
Wren house plans may be obtained through the Internet. There are many different designs to choose from, so you have to be careful in selecting which one is the best for your particular purpose. To aid in your selection, here are a few helpful points to consider:
1. Make sure that the wren house plans include hinged doors that can provide easy access to the inside of the home. This can be useful when checking the house for eggs.
2. Choose wren house plans that use lightweight material for building the structure. If you reduce the weight of the bird house, you will also reduce its risk of falling down.
3. Wren house plans indicate the size of the finished bird house. Check that the bird house will provide enough space for the wren to move around inside, but will not be too big as to attract larger birds. An ideal compartment will measure 6x6x12 inches.
4. For each compartment, there should be a perch outside the entry hole so the birds can all rest outside their rooms at the same time.
5. It is also important to have an insulated attic in your bird house. This will keep the wrens warm and cozy especially during the cold months.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Decorative_Bird_Houses.php]Decorative Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Gourd_Bird_Houses.php]Gourd Bird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Wrens are small songbirds, usually with brown feathers and a slender, down-turned beak. They are native to North and South America, Asia, and Europe. The wren is one of the most beloved songbirds of all time, and it is truly a pleasure to hear them singing in the morning.
If you are like most people who enjoy listening to the song of the wren, then it is a good idea to get a hold of a few wren house plans so you can build your own wren house in your backyard.
But what exactly are wren house plans? These are blueprints that will guide you in creating a dwelling that is specifically suited to the wren. Although the wren house plans are especially laid out for wrens, it is inevitable that other species of birds will also be attracted to the bird refuge.
Wren house plans may be obtained through the Internet. There are many different designs to choose from, so you have to be careful in selecting which one is the best for your particular purpose. To aid in your selection, here are a few helpful points to consider:
1. Make sure that the wren house plans include hinged doors that can provide easy access to the inside of the home. This can be useful when checking the house for eggs.
2. Choose wren house plans that use lightweight material for building the structure. If you reduce the weight of the bird house, you will also reduce its risk of falling down.
3. Wren house plans indicate the size of the finished bird house. Check that the bird house will provide enough space for the wren to move around inside, but will not be too big as to attract larger birds. An ideal compartment will measure 6x6x12 inches.
4. For each compartment, there should be a perch outside the entry hole so the birds can all rest outside their rooms at the same time.
5. It is also important to have an insulated attic in your bird house. This will keep the wrens warm and cozy especially during the cold months.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Decorative_Bird_Houses.php]Decorative Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Gourd_Bird_Houses.php]Gourd Bird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Martin Bird Houses - The Avian Condominium
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
All over the country, particularly in the West Coast, interest in bird houses has been steadily increasing. People are putting up bird houses in their own backyards. In stores, a myriad of new kinds of bird houses have emerged. You now have an endless array of bird houses to choose from, depending on your preference of design, size, or color. One of the most popular specialized bird houses right now are the martin bird houses.
Just as there are several different types of human homes, there are also several kinds of homes for birds. There are bird houses designed for single occupancy, called cottages or shanties, and there are also larger bird houses called churches, cathedrals, or condominiums, which are built to provide shelter for as many as a hundred birds.
Martin bird houses are of the condominium type. The most common martin bird house can accommodate about 15 birds. Each bird in the avian condominium has its own room. There are usually several levels of this bird condominium. Some of the larger martin bird houses have as much as 12 levels, with at least 10 compartments in each level.
An extensive martin bird house does not only offer shelter to a larger population of birds. It also provides them with greater protection and security from weather, temperature and other natural elements, such as other animals. Many small birds like the purple martins commonly fall victim to larger animals, particularly birds of prey like owls and hawks. Big martin bird houses can provide them with relatively more protection against these predators than smaller homes ever could.
Martin bird houses contain several birds at a time, so droppings and other dirt can accumulate faster and constant maintenance is required. Moreover, because of the large number of residents, parasites can transfer from bird to bird quickly if you do not keep the condominium clean at all times.
With the large number of rooms in the [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Wren_House_Plans.php]martin bird house, regular cleaning could prove to be a wearisome task. If you are looking to buy a new martin bird house, try to choose one whose back wall can easily be dismantled. This will make it easier for you to clean the compartments thoroughly. If you want a martin bird house that is placed on a pole, you need to have a way to raise and lower it easily to make cleaning less difficult. If you keep your martin bird house sanitary, your bird tenants will be very grateful and they will keep coming back to your place.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/]Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
All over the country, particularly in the West Coast, interest in bird houses has been steadily increasing. People are putting up bird houses in their own backyards. In stores, a myriad of new kinds of bird houses have emerged. You now have an endless array of bird houses to choose from, depending on your preference of design, size, or color. One of the most popular specialized bird houses right now are the martin bird houses.
Just as there are several different types of human homes, there are also several kinds of homes for birds. There are bird houses designed for single occupancy, called cottages or shanties, and there are also larger bird houses called churches, cathedrals, or condominiums, which are built to provide shelter for as many as a hundred birds.
Martin bird houses are of the condominium type. The most common martin bird house can accommodate about 15 birds. Each bird in the avian condominium has its own room. There are usually several levels of this bird condominium. Some of the larger martin bird houses have as much as 12 levels, with at least 10 compartments in each level.
An extensive martin bird house does not only offer shelter to a larger population of birds. It also provides them with greater protection and security from weather, temperature and other natural elements, such as other animals. Many small birds like the purple martins commonly fall victim to larger animals, particularly birds of prey like owls and hawks. Big martin bird houses can provide them with relatively more protection against these predators than smaller homes ever could.
Martin bird houses contain several birds at a time, so droppings and other dirt can accumulate faster and constant maintenance is required. Moreover, because of the large number of residents, parasites can transfer from bird to bird quickly if you do not keep the condominium clean at all times.
With the large number of rooms in the [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Wren_House_Plans.php]martin bird house, regular cleaning could prove to be a wearisome task. If you are looking to buy a new martin bird house, try to choose one whose back wall can easily be dismantled. This will make it easier for you to clean the compartments thoroughly. If you want a martin bird house that is placed on a pole, you need to have a way to raise and lower it easily to make cleaning less difficult. If you keep your martin bird house sanitary, your bird tenants will be very grateful and they will keep coming back to your place.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/]Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Bird House Crafts - 3 Reasons Why Bird Houses Are Becoming Popular
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
These days, more and more bird houses are turning up in gardens all over the world. This is because a lot of people now are into bird house crafts, although not all of them are bird enthusiasts. The recent popularity of bird house crafts can be attributed to three main reasons.
1. Many individuals are undergoing stress from work or from the daily rigors of modern life. With the advancement of technology, and the rapid growth of population, it is harder than ever to land a good job. A lot of manual labor has been replaced by technological innovations.
This causes a lot of stress, and many people find that a good way of relieving this stress is by communing with nature. This can be something as grand as living a few months in an isolated island in the Pacific, or something as simple as going to your backyard and putting up a bird house.
Many people do, in fact, turn to bird house crafts for stress relief. Bird house crafts not only relax your mind from the hassles in the office. It also exercises your creativity and resourcefulness. Bird house crafts also give you a sense of peace and fulfillment, especially when you see your finished creation up in the trees, inhabited by nature's delicate animals.
2. Another reason why people turn to bird house crafts is their concern for the environment. As birds migrate from far away places, they travel through several miles before reaching their destination. Along the way, they need to have shelter from the weather and other elements. Usually, trees will provide ample refuge for them, but due to excessive logging, the forests have dwindled tremendously. The waterways have also fallen victim to different sorts of pollutants.
In order to provide even a little assistance to our feathered friends, environmentalists have taken an interest in bird house crafts, and they provide homes and food for the migratory birds.
3. People are by nature creative individuals. Ever since the beginning of time, we have been creating different kinds of houses and buildings. Bird house crafts are just another form of building, and people just enjoy creating things, especially those that others can use, such as bird houses.
Bird house crafts are for everybody. You don�t have to be stressed to start building, nor do you have to be an avian enthusiast. Anybody can get involved in bird house crafts, no matter what your line or work, or interest, or age�once you start doing bird house crafts, rest assured that hundreds of birds will be grateful to you.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/]Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
These days, more and more bird houses are turning up in gardens all over the world. This is because a lot of people now are into bird house crafts, although not all of them are bird enthusiasts. The recent popularity of bird house crafts can be attributed to three main reasons.
1. Many individuals are undergoing stress from work or from the daily rigors of modern life. With the advancement of technology, and the rapid growth of population, it is harder than ever to land a good job. A lot of manual labor has been replaced by technological innovations.
This causes a lot of stress, and many people find that a good way of relieving this stress is by communing with nature. This can be something as grand as living a few months in an isolated island in the Pacific, or something as simple as going to your backyard and putting up a bird house.
Many people do, in fact, turn to bird house crafts for stress relief. Bird house crafts not only relax your mind from the hassles in the office. It also exercises your creativity and resourcefulness. Bird house crafts also give you a sense of peace and fulfillment, especially when you see your finished creation up in the trees, inhabited by nature's delicate animals.
2. Another reason why people turn to bird house crafts is their concern for the environment. As birds migrate from far away places, they travel through several miles before reaching their destination. Along the way, they need to have shelter from the weather and other elements. Usually, trees will provide ample refuge for them, but due to excessive logging, the forests have dwindled tremendously. The waterways have also fallen victim to different sorts of pollutants.
In order to provide even a little assistance to our feathered friends, environmentalists have taken an interest in bird house crafts, and they provide homes and food for the migratory birds.
3. People are by nature creative individuals. Ever since the beginning of time, we have been creating different kinds of houses and buildings. Bird house crafts are just another form of building, and people just enjoy creating things, especially those that others can use, such as bird houses.
Bird house crafts are for everybody. You don�t have to be stressed to start building, nor do you have to be an avian enthusiast. Anybody can get involved in bird house crafts, no matter what your line or work, or interest, or age�once you start doing bird house crafts, rest assured that hundreds of birds will be grateful to you.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/]Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Don't Help Baby Birds
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Moore]Anne Moore
A few years back, well maybe more than a few, I volunteered as a wildlife rehabilitator. There are many kind-hearted, well-meaning people in the gardening world. One of the hardest things was to get people to do nothing, not to rescue the common wildlife in their backyard.
After working hard to provide the necessary food, water, cover, and nest-sites to create a backyard wildlife habitat, making their garden wildlife friendly, they spot a baby blue jay hopping around the garden. It's unable to fly. What should they do? What would you do?
Do Nothing! Baby blue jays almost never need rescuing, even though they have stubby, short tails and down showing where feathers should be. They come out of the nest early and learn to fly from the ground, up.
This is the way most birds learn to fly. If a baby bird is on the ground, its eyes are open, it has feathers, and it appears plump and healthy, its parents are most likely nearby and taking care of it. A rule of thumb: If you have to chase it to rescue it, it does not need rescuing.
Birds do not abandon their babies if you touch them. You can move them a short distance and put them in a shrub for safety - but they will probably just hop back out. If you are worried about cats, keep the cats inside until the fledglings can fly, which is usually only a matter of a few days.
When should you rescue one of your backyard wildlife? If the baby's eyes are closed and you can't get it back to its nest; if it's weak or cold; if there are insects near or on the animal; if it is in obvious danger; if it has been hit by a car; or if you know a parent has been killed, then it is time to intervene.
If you have taken a wild animal away from a dog or cat, take it to a veterinarian, even if it looks OK. Wounds from a cat's claws, especially, are hard to see but they are deadly. Do not kid yourself. That innocent looking cat, playing with the bird, has already sunk its claws into the bird.
If a bird hits your window and is stunned, put it in a cardboard box or a paper bag, with air holes punched. Keep it out of the sun in a safe place for 10 minutes to a half hour. Give it time to recover. If there are no obvious injuries, let it go. Don't be alarmed if it doesn't fly off right away. It is most likely afraid it will run into something again. You might have to give it a nudge.
Stress can be a killer, so keep any wildling warm and quiet. Do not handle it any more than necessary. Do not talk to it. Do not try to force water or food into its mouth. Dropping water into a bird's mouth is dangerous. It is often aspirated (breathed) into the lungs, causing pneumonia.
Always call veterinarians before you take a wild creature to them. If the veterinarian does not treat wildlife, he or she can tell you who will.
Do not try to care for a wild bird yourself. Federal laws (and most states) protect all migratory birds. All wildlings take specialized diets and care. Experts should treat them so that they can fly wild and free.
Anne K Moore
Anne K Moore is a freelance writer and photographer. She has been awarded a 2007 Garden Writer's Assoc. Silver Award of Merit. She is a Web writer for Park Seed Co., http://www.successwithseed.org Snips & Sprouts and NASA Seeds in Space Basil Basics and http://www.theplantcoach.org a gardening consultant for the Garden Smart television show on ETV, http://www.gardensmart.tv a frequent contributor to Lake Murray-Columbia Magazine; a past Garden Editor of South Carolina Homes & Gardens magazine; and a Master Gardener.
A few years back, well maybe more than a few, I volunteered as a wildlife rehabilitator. There are many kind-hearted, well-meaning people in the gardening world. One of the hardest things was to get people to do nothing, not to rescue the common wildlife in their backyard.
After working hard to provide the necessary food, water, cover, and nest-sites to create a backyard wildlife habitat, making their garden wildlife friendly, they spot a baby blue jay hopping around the garden. It's unable to fly. What should they do? What would you do?
Do Nothing! Baby blue jays almost never need rescuing, even though they have stubby, short tails and down showing where feathers should be. They come out of the nest early and learn to fly from the ground, up.
This is the way most birds learn to fly. If a baby bird is on the ground, its eyes are open, it has feathers, and it appears plump and healthy, its parents are most likely nearby and taking care of it. A rule of thumb: If you have to chase it to rescue it, it does not need rescuing.
Birds do not abandon their babies if you touch them. You can move them a short distance and put them in a shrub for safety - but they will probably just hop back out. If you are worried about cats, keep the cats inside until the fledglings can fly, which is usually only a matter of a few days.
When should you rescue one of your backyard wildlife? If the baby's eyes are closed and you can't get it back to its nest; if it's weak or cold; if there are insects near or on the animal; if it is in obvious danger; if it has been hit by a car; or if you know a parent has been killed, then it is time to intervene.
If you have taken a wild animal away from a dog or cat, take it to a veterinarian, even if it looks OK. Wounds from a cat's claws, especially, are hard to see but they are deadly. Do not kid yourself. That innocent looking cat, playing with the bird, has already sunk its claws into the bird.
If a bird hits your window and is stunned, put it in a cardboard box or a paper bag, with air holes punched. Keep it out of the sun in a safe place for 10 minutes to a half hour. Give it time to recover. If there are no obvious injuries, let it go. Don't be alarmed if it doesn't fly off right away. It is most likely afraid it will run into something again. You might have to give it a nudge.
Stress can be a killer, so keep any wildling warm and quiet. Do not handle it any more than necessary. Do not talk to it. Do not try to force water or food into its mouth. Dropping water into a bird's mouth is dangerous. It is often aspirated (breathed) into the lungs, causing pneumonia.
Always call veterinarians before you take a wild creature to them. If the veterinarian does not treat wildlife, he or she can tell you who will.
Do not try to care for a wild bird yourself. Federal laws (and most states) protect all migratory birds. All wildlings take specialized diets and care. Experts should treat them so that they can fly wild and free.
Anne K Moore
Anne K Moore is a freelance writer and photographer. She has been awarded a 2007 Garden Writer's Assoc. Silver Award of Merit. She is a Web writer for Park Seed Co., http://www.successwithseed.org Snips & Sprouts and NASA Seeds in Space Basil Basics and http://www.theplantcoach.org a gardening consultant for the Garden Smart television show on ETV, http://www.gardensmart.tv a frequent contributor to Lake Murray-Columbia Magazine; a past Garden Editor of South Carolina Homes & Gardens magazine; and a Master Gardener.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Hummingbird Houses - A Shelter For The Birds And A Delight For You
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
Through the centuries, bird enthusiasts and other people have been putting up bird houses all over the country and all over the world. These bird houses are designed to attract different kinds of birds, and they are very helpful in enhancing your bird-watching experience.
One of the most intriguing and captivating birds to watch is the hummingbird. Hummingbirds are generally found in South America, and they are the smallest birds in the world. They are the only birds in the world that are able to fly backwards. Because of these characteristics, hummingbirds are among the most sought-after creatures of bird watchers everywhere.
In order to spend hours watching this delightful little bird, you would have to be able to make it stay in the same place for a long time. You can do this by creating a hummingbird house in your own backyard. This is a bird house specifically designed for the unusual hummingbird species.
You do not need to spend a lot to put up hummingbird houses. You can even make them yourself. Hummingbird houses are small, so you can use small boxes or even tin cans for this. When building hummingbird houses, just remember that if your open hand can fit in the box, then it is big enough for the hummingbird.
In order to prevent other birds from crashing your hummingbird house, make sure that the opening is only big enough for a hummingbird.
Hummingbird houses are quite tiny, and it is rather hard to see them once they are in position. Typically, hummingbird houses are placed on the trees themselves, very near the tree trunk. However, they can also be put up practically anywhere else in your backyard, such as under the roof of your house, or on other tall plants in the garden. Just make sure that the [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Unique_Bird_Houses.php]hummingbird houses are out of reach of cats and other house pets on the ground.
The best way to attract hummingbirds, though, is to place your hummingbird houses near flowering plants. Hummingbirds like hovering near flowers because they feed on the nectar of the flower. These birds are most attracted to colorful flowers like the trumpet vine and honeysuckle.
Your hummingbird house will also be more attractive to the tiny critters if you put hummingbird nectar inside. Make sure you do not offer them sugar water because this might cause fungus on their beaks, and could even be potentially lethal to the little birds.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Hummingbird_Houses.php]Hummingbird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Martin_Bird_Houses.php]Martin Bird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Through the centuries, bird enthusiasts and other people have been putting up bird houses all over the country and all over the world. These bird houses are designed to attract different kinds of birds, and they are very helpful in enhancing your bird-watching experience.
One of the most intriguing and captivating birds to watch is the hummingbird. Hummingbirds are generally found in South America, and they are the smallest birds in the world. They are the only birds in the world that are able to fly backwards. Because of these characteristics, hummingbirds are among the most sought-after creatures of bird watchers everywhere.
In order to spend hours watching this delightful little bird, you would have to be able to make it stay in the same place for a long time. You can do this by creating a hummingbird house in your own backyard. This is a bird house specifically designed for the unusual hummingbird species.
You do not need to spend a lot to put up hummingbird houses. You can even make them yourself. Hummingbird houses are small, so you can use small boxes or even tin cans for this. When building hummingbird houses, just remember that if your open hand can fit in the box, then it is big enough for the hummingbird.
In order to prevent other birds from crashing your hummingbird house, make sure that the opening is only big enough for a hummingbird.
Hummingbird houses are quite tiny, and it is rather hard to see them once they are in position. Typically, hummingbird houses are placed on the trees themselves, very near the tree trunk. However, they can also be put up practically anywhere else in your backyard, such as under the roof of your house, or on other tall plants in the garden. Just make sure that the [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Unique_Bird_Houses.php]hummingbird houses are out of reach of cats and other house pets on the ground.
The best way to attract hummingbirds, though, is to place your hummingbird houses near flowering plants. Hummingbirds like hovering near flowers because they feed on the nectar of the flower. These birds are most attracted to colorful flowers like the trumpet vine and honeysuckle.
Your hummingbird house will also be more attractive to the tiny critters if you put hummingbird nectar inside. Make sure you do not offer them sugar water because this might cause fungus on their beaks, and could even be potentially lethal to the little birds.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Hummingbird_Houses.php]Hummingbird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Martin_Bird_Houses.php]Martin Bird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sun Conure Tricks - Teach your Sun Conure to Talk
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Laura_Belle]Laura Belle
For those of you who own a sun conure or have recently purchased a baby parrot, I'm sure you will agree that they are lovely birds to have as pets. Although a sun conure can become quite feisty and loud at times, they are still beautiful parrots to keep in the house and uplift your day. A sun conure always looks like it is smiling at you. There is magic in their eyes and expressions and they give you a sense of warmth and love. They are cute, cuddly and lovable plus they will be open to your touch and warm embrace most of the time. And with some hard work and dedication you can actually teach a sun conure to talk and perform tricks. Below I will cover some of the basic strategies for teaching your bird to perform sun conure tricks and how to train conures to talk.
Praise your Conure:
The first thing you have to learn about teaching sun conure tricks is that parrots will only associate progress with praise. Your bird may perform a really cool trick or do something cute and funny that you will want it to repeat on cue, but it will never know that it was appreciated unless you show it praise. A common form of praise is to smile and speak the words; 'good bird' or 'good boy /girl' with an uptone sound in your voice. Follow the praise with a treat. Sun conures love treats especially if they are only fed to them sparingly. Your parrot will associate the act they just did followed by the praise and reward they got and they will remember this for next time.
Do Not Over Train:
The second thing you have to understand about teaching sun conure tricks is that you cannot over work your bird. Forcing your parrot to repeat words or perform tricks can make him or her frustrated and exhausted. A solid 10 to 15 minutes of training a day is all that is required for your parrot to slowly learn how to perform sun conure tricks. Some days they may not respond well to the training and you have to be aware of this. In that case, limit the training to 5 minutes and do not harass them again until the next day. Do not forget to show praise and give them treats.
Never Scream at your Parrot:
Finally, when teaching sun conures to talk, you want to make sure to never scream at the bird. Never raise your voice to the point where you sound angry. This will only cause your conure to associate anger with your command and it will be afraid of performing for you for fear that you will become upset. Be patient and kind with your conure and gently repeat simple words that they could learn to speak such as; 'hello', 'goodbye', 'i love you', etc. Keep the words or phrases to a minimum and use an uptone or singing tone to them. Birds associate tones with phrases and will remember them better than if you were to repeat them sounding flat, monotone or dull.
Training sun conures to talk is a well sought out skill and can be quite challenging at first. Many parrot owners give up trying to teach them tricks because they lack the patience or experience to deal with this type of parrot. However, it is not impossible to teach a sun conure to talk and you too can learn the skills necessary to turn your pet into a show bird. Click here to [http://www.mysunconure.com/trainingsunconures.html]discover the secret coveted skills of teaching sun conure tricks!
Laura Belle has been training exotic birds and parrots for over 22 years. Click here to visit her sun conure parrot website: http://www.mysunconure.com
For those of you who own a sun conure or have recently purchased a baby parrot, I'm sure you will agree that they are lovely birds to have as pets. Although a sun conure can become quite feisty and loud at times, they are still beautiful parrots to keep in the house and uplift your day. A sun conure always looks like it is smiling at you. There is magic in their eyes and expressions and they give you a sense of warmth and love. They are cute, cuddly and lovable plus they will be open to your touch and warm embrace most of the time. And with some hard work and dedication you can actually teach a sun conure to talk and perform tricks. Below I will cover some of the basic strategies for teaching your bird to perform sun conure tricks and how to train conures to talk.
Praise your Conure:
The first thing you have to learn about teaching sun conure tricks is that parrots will only associate progress with praise. Your bird may perform a really cool trick or do something cute and funny that you will want it to repeat on cue, but it will never know that it was appreciated unless you show it praise. A common form of praise is to smile and speak the words; 'good bird' or 'good boy /girl' with an uptone sound in your voice. Follow the praise with a treat. Sun conures love treats especially if they are only fed to them sparingly. Your parrot will associate the act they just did followed by the praise and reward they got and they will remember this for next time.
Do Not Over Train:
The second thing you have to understand about teaching sun conure tricks is that you cannot over work your bird. Forcing your parrot to repeat words or perform tricks can make him or her frustrated and exhausted. A solid 10 to 15 minutes of training a day is all that is required for your parrot to slowly learn how to perform sun conure tricks. Some days they may not respond well to the training and you have to be aware of this. In that case, limit the training to 5 minutes and do not harass them again until the next day. Do not forget to show praise and give them treats.
Never Scream at your Parrot:
Finally, when teaching sun conures to talk, you want to make sure to never scream at the bird. Never raise your voice to the point where you sound angry. This will only cause your conure to associate anger with your command and it will be afraid of performing for you for fear that you will become upset. Be patient and kind with your conure and gently repeat simple words that they could learn to speak such as; 'hello', 'goodbye', 'i love you', etc. Keep the words or phrases to a minimum and use an uptone or singing tone to them. Birds associate tones with phrases and will remember them better than if you were to repeat them sounding flat, monotone or dull.
Training sun conures to talk is a well sought out skill and can be quite challenging at first. Many parrot owners give up trying to teach them tricks because they lack the patience or experience to deal with this type of parrot. However, it is not impossible to teach a sun conure to talk and you too can learn the skills necessary to turn your pet into a show bird. Click here to [http://www.mysunconure.com/trainingsunconures.html]discover the secret coveted skills of teaching sun conure tricks!
Laura Belle has been training exotic birds and parrots for over 22 years. Click here to visit her sun conure parrot website: http://www.mysunconure.com
Friday, August 17, 2007
Talking Birds
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sean_M._Clarke]Sean M. Clarke
Sometime ago, an African grey parrot was in the news because of his amazing ability to hold intelligent conversation in English. He is reported to have an impressive vocabulary of a little less than 1000 words. Intrigued by this amazing incident, the Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) conducted Spiritual research into various details of the parrot and his talking ability. This research was conducted through the highly advanced extrasensory perception (ESP) ability or sixth sense of SSRF seekers. The following are some of the finds of the spiritual research conducted into this phenomenon.
How are birds able to speak?
As a rule, since the basic intelligence of birds is extremely limited (restricted to fulfilling its basic needs of hunger, sleep, sex, etc.), it is impossible for birds to achieve the feat of talking and acquiring an extensive vocabulary. The ability to speak in birds is because they are either affected or possessed by a ghost (demon, devil, negative energy, etc.) or because the bird is a devolved human being, that is, it was a human being in its past life.
A human being can be devolved to be born into a lower species either because of his own wish or if he has excess of demerits or is cursed by a spiritually evolved person. In fact, Spiritual research has revealed that nowadays 30% of animals are devolved humans.
Why would a spiritually evolved human being wish to take birth in animals or birds? A spiritually evolved being can opt to take birth in the animal or bird species out of his own free will to pursue his spiritual practice undisturbed by the distractions faced in a human birth. It is possible for spiritually evolved beings to carry on spiritual practice even when in the animal or bird species because 98% of spiritual practice is subtle and internal to the person, i.e. not in terms of any tangible actions. When a spiritually evolved being takes birth in a lower species, ie. as an animal or a bird, it is up to him to also decide when to end that existence.
Why is this parrot able to speak?
In this particular case, the parrot�s ability to speak and to acquire an extensive vocabulary is because he is a devolved human being.
He has not come down of his own free will. Hence, he does not remember his past human birth. He has come down as punishment for his demerits. He was a person at a spiritual level of 30% with intense desire to be the centre of attention. A strong attention seeking habit also results in a demerit as it enhances the ego, which is detrimental for spiritual growth.
If you would like to read more about this topic or any other topic on Spirituality, please visit: http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritualresearch/spiritualscience/talkingparrot
Sometime ago, an African grey parrot was in the news because of his amazing ability to hold intelligent conversation in English. He is reported to have an impressive vocabulary of a little less than 1000 words. Intrigued by this amazing incident, the Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) conducted Spiritual research into various details of the parrot and his talking ability. This research was conducted through the highly advanced extrasensory perception (ESP) ability or sixth sense of SSRF seekers. The following are some of the finds of the spiritual research conducted into this phenomenon.
How are birds able to speak?
As a rule, since the basic intelligence of birds is extremely limited (restricted to fulfilling its basic needs of hunger, sleep, sex, etc.), it is impossible for birds to achieve the feat of talking and acquiring an extensive vocabulary. The ability to speak in birds is because they are either affected or possessed by a ghost (demon, devil, negative energy, etc.) or because the bird is a devolved human being, that is, it was a human being in its past life.
A human being can be devolved to be born into a lower species either because of his own wish or if he has excess of demerits or is cursed by a spiritually evolved person. In fact, Spiritual research has revealed that nowadays 30% of animals are devolved humans.
Why would a spiritually evolved human being wish to take birth in animals or birds? A spiritually evolved being can opt to take birth in the animal or bird species out of his own free will to pursue his spiritual practice undisturbed by the distractions faced in a human birth. It is possible for spiritually evolved beings to carry on spiritual practice even when in the animal or bird species because 98% of spiritual practice is subtle and internal to the person, i.e. not in terms of any tangible actions. When a spiritually evolved being takes birth in a lower species, ie. as an animal or a bird, it is up to him to also decide when to end that existence.
Why is this parrot able to speak?
In this particular case, the parrot�s ability to speak and to acquire an extensive vocabulary is because he is a devolved human being.
He has not come down of his own free will. Hence, he does not remember his past human birth. He has come down as punishment for his demerits. He was a person at a spiritual level of 30% with intense desire to be the centre of attention. A strong attention seeking habit also results in a demerit as it enhances the ego, which is detrimental for spiritual growth.
If you would like to read more about this topic or any other topic on Spirituality, please visit: http://www.spiritualresearchfoundation.org/spiritualresearch/spiritualscience/talkingparrot
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Gourd Bird Houses- A Step-By-Step Guide To Making The Best Gourd Bird House
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
Many bird houses are available on the market today. In fact, no matter what design you think of, there probably is one already on sale right now. However, the best bird houses are still those that are made at home.
There are several materials you can use to construct your own homemade bird house. Some people use wood or metal, but the easiest to construct is made of gourd. Gourds are hard-skinned fleshy fruits that are related to cucumbers and squash, but they are not edible.
Like the squash, gourds are abundant during Halloween season, which is from mid-October to early November. These fruits are commonly used as hollowed-out bowls or cups or other dried home decors such as organic bird houses.
Gourd bird houses are very simple to create. Even small children are capable of making these homes for birds. If you are new to making gourd bird houses, just follow these simple steps and you will soon have your own gourd bird house.
1. Select a gourd. Gourds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose the right size for the species of bird that you want to house. Typically, the larger the gourd, the better bird house it will make.
2. Upon choosing your gourd, cut out a hole from the side. It is important to do this when the gourd has not dried up yet. This hole will serve as the entryway of your [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_Houses.php]gourd bird house.
3. Carefully take out the fleshy part of the gourd. This process requires a lot of concentration. Make sure you do not puncture the walls of the gourd. You may find it helpful to use some tools for carving out your gourd. The best equipment to use for this would be your regular scissors, tweezers, or even small spoons.
4. If you want to add a roost, gently carve out a smaller hole under the entryway, and insert a stick or branch through this hole. If you have a hard time creating a hole, you can slit short perpendicular lines instead, resembling a cross, and you can also push your stick or branch through this opening. Either method will work just as well.
5. Let your gourd bird house dry up. Once dry, you can put it up anywhere in your garden and soon, you will be rewarded by the sight of birds landing and resting on your new gourd bird house.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Kits.php]Bird House Kits. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Many bird houses are available on the market today. In fact, no matter what design you think of, there probably is one already on sale right now. However, the best bird houses are still those that are made at home.
There are several materials you can use to construct your own homemade bird house. Some people use wood or metal, but the easiest to construct is made of gourd. Gourds are hard-skinned fleshy fruits that are related to cucumbers and squash, but they are not edible.
Like the squash, gourds are abundant during Halloween season, which is from mid-October to early November. These fruits are commonly used as hollowed-out bowls or cups or other dried home decors such as organic bird houses.
Gourd bird houses are very simple to create. Even small children are capable of making these homes for birds. If you are new to making gourd bird houses, just follow these simple steps and you will soon have your own gourd bird house.
1. Select a gourd. Gourds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose the right size for the species of bird that you want to house. Typically, the larger the gourd, the better bird house it will make.
2. Upon choosing your gourd, cut out a hole from the side. It is important to do this when the gourd has not dried up yet. This hole will serve as the entryway of your [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_Houses.php]gourd bird house.
3. Carefully take out the fleshy part of the gourd. This process requires a lot of concentration. Make sure you do not puncture the walls of the gourd. You may find it helpful to use some tools for carving out your gourd. The best equipment to use for this would be your regular scissors, tweezers, or even small spoons.
4. If you want to add a roost, gently carve out a smaller hole under the entryway, and insert a stick or branch through this hole. If you have a hard time creating a hole, you can slit short perpendicular lines instead, resembling a cross, and you can also push your stick or branch through this opening. Either method will work just as well.
5. Let your gourd bird house dry up. Once dry, you can put it up anywhere in your garden and soon, you will be rewarded by the sight of birds landing and resting on your new gourd bird house.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Crafts.php]Bird House Crafts and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Bird_House_Kits.php]Bird House Kits. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Outdoor Bird Cages
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Doug_Nelson]Doug Nelson
Outdoor bird cages are nice to have as it will allow the bird to get fresh air as well as be in the company of the family during outdoor gatherings. When looking to purchase an outdoor bird cage, there are some things you should know.
First of all, you do not need to buy the largest cage in the world. The most important aspect of the cage for the type of bird you have is the bar spacing. The spacing should be narrow. It should prevent injury to the bird if it should try to escape. Therefore, the bird�s head should not fit between the bars.
Small birds should have a cage spacing of 5/8��, medium birds have a spacing of ��� ���, and large birds should have a bar spacing of 3/4�� to 1 ���.
Small birds like cages that are of relatively small size. Larger birds or medium size birds would enjoy a larger cage. Parrots especially enjoy toys near the top of their cages. This is the place where they feel the safest, so this part should have lots of toys and cover. After playing for some time, they look for food and toys that have dropped near the bottom of their cages.
Be sure to monitor your bird�s water supply if the cage is outdoors. Often times when the heat is high, your bird can die from exhaustion if it is not kept with a continual water supply. The heat levels tend to peak during the middle of the day. You also have to watch whether the bird gets too cold during the night because being too cold can be another killer. Your weather should not be too extreme, but it should be suitable for the species of bird you own.
The cage door should be large enough for you to comfortably fit your hand in the cage and catch/remove the bird. Outdoor bird cages can last for many years if you take care of them by cleaning them regularly, watching for oxidation if the cage is made of steel, and replace bedding often.
The cage can be powder coated, painted, or just stainless steel. Cages that are made of low quality stainless steel will likely rust quickly. Paint coatings are also known to last longer than powder coatings. There is no simple answer as to which type of coating you should choose, however you should speak to the salesperson at the store to try to get as much information about the options you are considering.
Doug Nelson is a pet lover and owner of http://www.bird-cage-advisor.com Visit his site for more bird cage tips and ideas for your pet bird.
Outdoor bird cages are nice to have as it will allow the bird to get fresh air as well as be in the company of the family during outdoor gatherings. When looking to purchase an outdoor bird cage, there are some things you should know.
First of all, you do not need to buy the largest cage in the world. The most important aspect of the cage for the type of bird you have is the bar spacing. The spacing should be narrow. It should prevent injury to the bird if it should try to escape. Therefore, the bird�s head should not fit between the bars.
Small birds should have a cage spacing of 5/8��, medium birds have a spacing of ��� ���, and large birds should have a bar spacing of 3/4�� to 1 ���.
Small birds like cages that are of relatively small size. Larger birds or medium size birds would enjoy a larger cage. Parrots especially enjoy toys near the top of their cages. This is the place where they feel the safest, so this part should have lots of toys and cover. After playing for some time, they look for food and toys that have dropped near the bottom of their cages.
Be sure to monitor your bird�s water supply if the cage is outdoors. Often times when the heat is high, your bird can die from exhaustion if it is not kept with a continual water supply. The heat levels tend to peak during the middle of the day. You also have to watch whether the bird gets too cold during the night because being too cold can be another killer. Your weather should not be too extreme, but it should be suitable for the species of bird you own.
The cage door should be large enough for you to comfortably fit your hand in the cage and catch/remove the bird. Outdoor bird cages can last for many years if you take care of them by cleaning them regularly, watching for oxidation if the cage is made of steel, and replace bedding often.
The cage can be powder coated, painted, or just stainless steel. Cages that are made of low quality stainless steel will likely rust quickly. Paint coatings are also known to last longer than powder coatings. There is no simple answer as to which type of coating you should choose, however you should speak to the salesperson at the store to try to get as much information about the options you are considering.
Doug Nelson is a pet lover and owner of http://www.bird-cage-advisor.com Visit his site for more bird cage tips and ideas for your pet bird.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
How To Give Your Cockatoo A Balanced Diet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jessica_G_Harrison]Jessica G Harrison
In the wild, Cockatoos eat whatever they find. For this reason, you should include a variety of things in their diet to stay as close to their natural diet as possible. On the other hand, your cockatoo can eat most of the things that you eat.
They mainly feed on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts and flowers. Sometimes, they can thrive on the basic diet of seeds and pellets alone. They don't require any particular food but need "particular nutrients". You should add more vegetables and fruits to your cockatoo's diet. These are sources of additional nutrition.
The growth of your cockatoo depends on nutrition. Apart from that, reproduction, temperament and longevity also depend on nutrition. So, a good balanced diet becomes very essential to mould a lovable, healthy and a life-long companion.
To put it briefly, a cockatoo's "balanced diet" should have equal shares of pellets, seeds and vegetables with a small quantity of fruits, nuts, proteins, cooked rice, bean mixture, and table food like cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, meat etc. It should have it all (that's why I said they can eat most of the things that you eat!).
Pellets
Pellets can make as much as 60% of your cockatoo's food. In fact, some cockatoos thrive on a pellet diet. You should keep pellets in their food dish all day and night. Pellets are a must as they provide your bird a balanced diet.
Seeds
Most cockatoos favor seeds of Eucalyptus tree, Casuarinas, Native trees and Marri seeds. Apart from these they also eat bull banksias seeds and occasionally feed on Angophoras, Hakeas, Acacias and fruit seeds (fruit seeds are toxic to some cockatoos, so make sure your new pet is not in that list before you feed it with fruit seeds). If the bird is fed only a seed diet on a daily basis, it will lead to deficiency in vitamins. So, a supplement of vitamins may be necessary in that case.
A Healthy Mixed Diet
A healthy mixed diet has it all...25% vitamin enriched seed mix, 25% pellets, 25% vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruits, 15% cooked rice, corn, and bean mixture, 10% table food, cereal, bread, pasta, cheese, meat etc.
Vegetables
Vegetables to be fed can be green, dark green, orange, yellow or meaty. Fresh vegetables provide the additional nutrition your cockatoo needs. So, encourage your cockatoo to eat vegetables. Some of those that fall under this category are: carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, greens, green peppers, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, spinach etc.
Fruits
Some of the cockatoo owners-to-be have this general query. 'Do cockatoos eat fruits and how to make the bird eat fruits?' Fruits provide the natural supplements to your cockatoo. So, it would be a good idea to introduce fruits to your new pet. Initially, it may reject it, but later it will start eating fruits. Some of the favored fruits are apples, pears, peaches, pomegranate, bananas, berries, plums, oranges, kiwi, citrus, pomegranate, grapes, raisins etc.
Nuts
Cockatoos prefer nuts to fruits. Because of this, some nuts make ideal treats. They can crack hard nuts and should be encouraged to do so. If given whole nuts, they love to crack open the shell to extract the seed. Their beaks are specially adapted for this function and it could also be a form of entertainment.
Water
Water is equally important as food. The bird should drink water on a daily basis. Fresh water should be in the cage at all times.
Proteins
As I said earlier, it's important that the bird gets all the necessary nutrients. And proteins are an important supplement that aid growth. The bird can be provided with food high in proteins such as legumes, cooked eggs and grated cheese. Sprouts, ripe tomatoes, cooked beans, spinach are some of the other sources. They can also be fed with freshly cooked lean beef, chicken or fish in small quantities. Occasionally, they can be given cooked meat bones.
Vitamins and Minerals
If the bird's diet has a variety of all the nutrients, then supplement of vitamins and minerals is not required. As a matter of fact it is better to consult an avian vet before giving the bird vitamin supplements because an overdose of vitamins and minerals will do more harm than good.
Now having known all that you can give your cockatoo, let's also keep ourselves informed as to what should be avoided.
AVOID:
Don't feed your cockatoo alcohol, parsley and avocados (as they are toxic to cockatoos). Seeds high in sunflower and safflower should be avoided as these are very fatty. Keep your bird away from chocolates and caffeine. Iceberg lettuce and cabbage can cause diarrhea in your pet. Other foods to be avoided are seasoned meat or fatty processed meats. All these can cause your pet serious health problems.
Other important tips
Keep in mind that just providing them food isn't sufficient but you have to make sure that they're eating what is given to them.
Too much milk shouldn't be included in the diet as some cockatoos are lactose intolerant and could get diarrhea. You can give them tofu, low-fat cottage and hard cheeses and non-fat yogurt in small quantities.
If you aren't including pellets/vitamin/mineral supplements in their diet, you should sprinkle a powdered bird vitamin/mineral supplement to their food once a week. This would avoid deficiencies. Although a calcium block and a mineral block should normally serve this purpose, these birds are famous for destroying the blocks.
Don't let fruits and vegetables stay in the cage for more than two hours.
Do not give them nuts and peanuts often, as these are very high in fat and can make your pet obese if overfed. Dry food can be left for no more than a day.
Always store nuts in a secure bin that will keep the contents dry and safe from rodents. Rodent excreta can transmit diseases like Salmonellosis.
Clean the food and water bowls kept inside the cage thoroughly every day. Disinfect them with bleach (and wash off thoroughly) every week.
Some cockatoos have the tendency to become overweight so you need to monitor their food and diet properly. Stick to a low fat diet and include a variety of greens. Don't increase the volume as overfeeding will make them picky and they will also waste the food.
Cockatoos are famous for tipping over their bowls. Usage of heavy bottomed feed and water bowls serve the purpose just fine.
With all these tips, I believe you have all the important information on how to provide your pet with the best diet.
The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter on "All About Cockatoos" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
Here's to a happier pet-owing experience!
Jessica Harrison
Geostar Publishing & Services LLC
6423, Woodbine Court,
St. Louis, Missouri,
63109, USA http://www.all-about-cockatoos.com http://www.all-about-cockatoos.com/gallery
Jessica Harrison is the author of the best selling eBook "All About Cockatoos" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
In the wild, Cockatoos eat whatever they find. For this reason, you should include a variety of things in their diet to stay as close to their natural diet as possible. On the other hand, your cockatoo can eat most of the things that you eat.
They mainly feed on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts and flowers. Sometimes, they can thrive on the basic diet of seeds and pellets alone. They don't require any particular food but need "particular nutrients". You should add more vegetables and fruits to your cockatoo's diet. These are sources of additional nutrition.
The growth of your cockatoo depends on nutrition. Apart from that, reproduction, temperament and longevity also depend on nutrition. So, a good balanced diet becomes very essential to mould a lovable, healthy and a life-long companion.
To put it briefly, a cockatoo's "balanced diet" should have equal shares of pellets, seeds and vegetables with a small quantity of fruits, nuts, proteins, cooked rice, bean mixture, and table food like cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, meat etc. It should have it all (that's why I said they can eat most of the things that you eat!).
Pellets
Pellets can make as much as 60% of your cockatoo's food. In fact, some cockatoos thrive on a pellet diet. You should keep pellets in their food dish all day and night. Pellets are a must as they provide your bird a balanced diet.
Seeds
Most cockatoos favor seeds of Eucalyptus tree, Casuarinas, Native trees and Marri seeds. Apart from these they also eat bull banksias seeds and occasionally feed on Angophoras, Hakeas, Acacias and fruit seeds (fruit seeds are toxic to some cockatoos, so make sure your new pet is not in that list before you feed it with fruit seeds). If the bird is fed only a seed diet on a daily basis, it will lead to deficiency in vitamins. So, a supplement of vitamins may be necessary in that case.
A Healthy Mixed Diet
A healthy mixed diet has it all...25% vitamin enriched seed mix, 25% pellets, 25% vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruits, 15% cooked rice, corn, and bean mixture, 10% table food, cereal, bread, pasta, cheese, meat etc.
Vegetables
Vegetables to be fed can be green, dark green, orange, yellow or meaty. Fresh vegetables provide the additional nutrition your cockatoo needs. So, encourage your cockatoo to eat vegetables. Some of those that fall under this category are: carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, greens, green peppers, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, spinach etc.
Fruits
Some of the cockatoo owners-to-be have this general query. 'Do cockatoos eat fruits and how to make the bird eat fruits?' Fruits provide the natural supplements to your cockatoo. So, it would be a good idea to introduce fruits to your new pet. Initially, it may reject it, but later it will start eating fruits. Some of the favored fruits are apples, pears, peaches, pomegranate, bananas, berries, plums, oranges, kiwi, citrus, pomegranate, grapes, raisins etc.
Nuts
Cockatoos prefer nuts to fruits. Because of this, some nuts make ideal treats. They can crack hard nuts and should be encouraged to do so. If given whole nuts, they love to crack open the shell to extract the seed. Their beaks are specially adapted for this function and it could also be a form of entertainment.
Water
Water is equally important as food. The bird should drink water on a daily basis. Fresh water should be in the cage at all times.
Proteins
As I said earlier, it's important that the bird gets all the necessary nutrients. And proteins are an important supplement that aid growth. The bird can be provided with food high in proteins such as legumes, cooked eggs and grated cheese. Sprouts, ripe tomatoes, cooked beans, spinach are some of the other sources. They can also be fed with freshly cooked lean beef, chicken or fish in small quantities. Occasionally, they can be given cooked meat bones.
Vitamins and Minerals
If the bird's diet has a variety of all the nutrients, then supplement of vitamins and minerals is not required. As a matter of fact it is better to consult an avian vet before giving the bird vitamin supplements because an overdose of vitamins and minerals will do more harm than good.
Now having known all that you can give your cockatoo, let's also keep ourselves informed as to what should be avoided.
AVOID:
Don't feed your cockatoo alcohol, parsley and avocados (as they are toxic to cockatoos). Seeds high in sunflower and safflower should be avoided as these are very fatty. Keep your bird away from chocolates and caffeine. Iceberg lettuce and cabbage can cause diarrhea in your pet. Other foods to be avoided are seasoned meat or fatty processed meats. All these can cause your pet serious health problems.
Other important tips
Keep in mind that just providing them food isn't sufficient but you have to make sure that they're eating what is given to them.
Too much milk shouldn't be included in the diet as some cockatoos are lactose intolerant and could get diarrhea. You can give them tofu, low-fat cottage and hard cheeses and non-fat yogurt in small quantities.
If you aren't including pellets/vitamin/mineral supplements in their diet, you should sprinkle a powdered bird vitamin/mineral supplement to their food once a week. This would avoid deficiencies. Although a calcium block and a mineral block should normally serve this purpose, these birds are famous for destroying the blocks.
Don't let fruits and vegetables stay in the cage for more than two hours.
Do not give them nuts and peanuts often, as these are very high in fat and can make your pet obese if overfed. Dry food can be left for no more than a day.
Always store nuts in a secure bin that will keep the contents dry and safe from rodents. Rodent excreta can transmit diseases like Salmonellosis.
Clean the food and water bowls kept inside the cage thoroughly every day. Disinfect them with bleach (and wash off thoroughly) every week.
Some cockatoos have the tendency to become overweight so you need to monitor their food and diet properly. Stick to a low fat diet and include a variety of greens. Don't increase the volume as overfeeding will make them picky and they will also waste the food.
Cockatoos are famous for tipping over their bowls. Usage of heavy bottomed feed and water bowls serve the purpose just fine.
With all these tips, I believe you have all the important information on how to provide your pet with the best diet.
The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter on "All About Cockatoos" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
Here's to a happier pet-owing experience!
Jessica Harrison
Geostar Publishing & Services LLC
6423, Woodbine Court,
St. Louis, Missouri,
63109, USA http://www.all-about-cockatoos.com http://www.all-about-cockatoos.com/gallery
Jessica Harrison is the author of the best selling eBook "All About Cockatoos" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Bird Watching Equipment
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Louis_Merz]Louis Merz
One of the best things about bird watching is you don�t need a lot of tools to do it effectively. Most importantly you will need a quality pair of binoculars, a camera, a notebook, and a field guide. Here we will take a look at the details of binoculars, one of the most important pieces of equipment needed for bird watching.
Binoculars will be needed to effectively see birds from far distances. The best birders will often have the best binoculars. Beginners oftentimes use cheap binoculars that won�t allow you to capture the detail needed to determine what type of bird it is compared to the more expensive binoculars.
There are a few important things to consider when purchasing a pair of binoculars for bird watching.
Make sure the magnification is at least 7-power. The power is the first number given in the numerical notation that describes binoculars. For example, a �7 x 35� pair of �glasses� will make objects appear as if they are seven times as close as they actually are. Seven-power binoculars are the minimum amount needed to see birds well enough. Any binoculars of a higher power may be too difficult for birders to hold steady.
Make sure the second number (�35� for a �7 x 35� pair of glasses) is at least five times as large as the power (e.g., �7 x 35,� �8 x 40,� etc.). The second number describes the diameter of the lens in millimeters. The larger the lens, the more light the binoculars will be able to gather thus allowing you to see better in dim light conditions or on a dark-colored bird.
When the lens is held a foot away the large lens should reflect a bluish or purplish tinge. This means the lens is color-coated. This coating decreases the amount of internal glare and increases the amount of light that actually comes to your eyes.
When looking through your binoculars make sure the image is singular or clear. When you bring the barrels of the binoculars close enough together the image you see should merge into a single clear image within a single perfect circle. If not the binoculars may be out of alignment, which can lead to sever headaches and eyestrain.
The binoculars should not only be able to produce a clear image from far distances, but also close only 20 feet away. You don�t want to miss any birds hiding in the nearby brush.
If you look at a sign with large lettering through your binoculars the letters close to the edge of the field of view should be as precise and well formed as the letters in the center of the field of view. Be aware cheap binoculars are known to have a problem with image distortion.
Louis Dale a informational product writer enjoys providing quality information on a wide variety of topics. His latest [http://www.mywildbird.com target=_new]bird feeder website provides in depth quality information about birds and how to chose the right feeders for bird watching.
One of the best things about bird watching is you don�t need a lot of tools to do it effectively. Most importantly you will need a quality pair of binoculars, a camera, a notebook, and a field guide. Here we will take a look at the details of binoculars, one of the most important pieces of equipment needed for bird watching.
Binoculars will be needed to effectively see birds from far distances. The best birders will often have the best binoculars. Beginners oftentimes use cheap binoculars that won�t allow you to capture the detail needed to determine what type of bird it is compared to the more expensive binoculars.
There are a few important things to consider when purchasing a pair of binoculars for bird watching.
Make sure the magnification is at least 7-power. The power is the first number given in the numerical notation that describes binoculars. For example, a �7 x 35� pair of �glasses� will make objects appear as if they are seven times as close as they actually are. Seven-power binoculars are the minimum amount needed to see birds well enough. Any binoculars of a higher power may be too difficult for birders to hold steady.
Make sure the second number (�35� for a �7 x 35� pair of glasses) is at least five times as large as the power (e.g., �7 x 35,� �8 x 40,� etc.). The second number describes the diameter of the lens in millimeters. The larger the lens, the more light the binoculars will be able to gather thus allowing you to see better in dim light conditions or on a dark-colored bird.
When the lens is held a foot away the large lens should reflect a bluish or purplish tinge. This means the lens is color-coated. This coating decreases the amount of internal glare and increases the amount of light that actually comes to your eyes.
When looking through your binoculars make sure the image is singular or clear. When you bring the barrels of the binoculars close enough together the image you see should merge into a single clear image within a single perfect circle. If not the binoculars may be out of alignment, which can lead to sever headaches and eyestrain.
The binoculars should not only be able to produce a clear image from far distances, but also close only 20 feet away. You don�t want to miss any birds hiding in the nearby brush.
If you look at a sign with large lettering through your binoculars the letters close to the edge of the field of view should be as precise and well formed as the letters in the center of the field of view. Be aware cheap binoculars are known to have a problem with image distortion.
Louis Dale a informational product writer enjoys providing quality information on a wide variety of topics. His latest [http://www.mywildbird.com target=_new]bird feeder website provides in depth quality information about birds and how to chose the right feeders for bird watching.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Bluebird Houses - Six Things To Consider Before Making Your Purchase
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
Environmental awareness has been growing continuously over the years, not only in our country but all over the world. It is partly because of this awareness that more and more people are now getting interested in natural activities such as bird-watching.
While venturing out to forests or hills to bird-watch is certainly a great experience, not many of us have the luxury of time to do this. But if you have your own backyard, you can sometimes watch birds perching on your tree branches. You can further enhance your bird-watching experience in your backyard by putting up structures to attract them, such as bluebird houses.
Bluebirds were once very common but with the increase of pollution and the decrease of trees, especially in the cities, bluebirds have become a rarity. There are not too many safe places for them to nest, but you can help provide refuge for these birds right in your garden by putting up bluebird houses. Many bluebird houses are available on the market, but before you go ahead and buy one, here are a few things to learn about the small birds:
1. Bluebirds are quite tiny creatures, so bluebird houses are also small. In order to be more attractive, it help if you will place a series of bluebird houses side by side, perhaps along a branch of a tree.
2. Bluebirds are not that selective about where they live, but bluebird houses do provide the best protection for them than other kinds of shelter.
3. There are certain bluebird houses that are more conducive for bird-watching, and these are approved by the North American Bluebird Society. If you intend to spend a lot of time bird-watching, look for this seal of approval.
4. There are also manufacturers of [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Martin_Bird_Houses.php]bluebird houses that donate a percentage of their proceeds to bluebird societies, and these funds will be helpful in spreading awareness about the creatures.
5. When buying bluebird houses, consider the size of the area where you want to install them. You do not want to get carried away and end up with a backyard overcrowded with birdhouses.
6. There are bluebird houses that are ready to use, and there are those that require some assembly. You can choose either kind, depending on your building skills.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Gourd_Bird_Houses.php]Gourd Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Hummingbird_Houses.php]Hummingbird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Environmental awareness has been growing continuously over the years, not only in our country but all over the world. It is partly because of this awareness that more and more people are now getting interested in natural activities such as bird-watching.
While venturing out to forests or hills to bird-watch is certainly a great experience, not many of us have the luxury of time to do this. But if you have your own backyard, you can sometimes watch birds perching on your tree branches. You can further enhance your bird-watching experience in your backyard by putting up structures to attract them, such as bluebird houses.
Bluebirds were once very common but with the increase of pollution and the decrease of trees, especially in the cities, bluebirds have become a rarity. There are not too many safe places for them to nest, but you can help provide refuge for these birds right in your garden by putting up bluebird houses. Many bluebird houses are available on the market, but before you go ahead and buy one, here are a few things to learn about the small birds:
1. Bluebirds are quite tiny creatures, so bluebird houses are also small. In order to be more attractive, it help if you will place a series of bluebird houses side by side, perhaps along a branch of a tree.
2. Bluebirds are not that selective about where they live, but bluebird houses do provide the best protection for them than other kinds of shelter.
3. There are certain bluebird houses that are more conducive for bird-watching, and these are approved by the North American Bluebird Society. If you intend to spend a lot of time bird-watching, look for this seal of approval.
4. There are also manufacturers of [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Martin_Bird_Houses.php]bluebird houses that donate a percentage of their proceeds to bluebird societies, and these funds will be helpful in spreading awareness about the creatures.
5. When buying bluebird houses, consider the size of the area where you want to install them. You do not want to get carried away and end up with a backyard overcrowded with birdhouses.
6. There are bluebird houses that are ready to use, and there are those that require some assembly. You can choose either kind, depending on your building skills.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Gourd_Bird_Houses.php]Gourd Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Hummingbird_Houses.php]Hummingbird Houses. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Reading Your Bird's Body Language
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sunil_Tanna]Sunil Tanna
Birds have been found to be quite intelligent, and are able to communicate their needs and wants through their body language. If you study your bird's body language, you will better be able to respond to your bird's needs.
- If you remember you childhood, you may recall that when you were afraid that you have done something wrong that would be punished, you would try to hide or be invisible. Birds also behave like that. When a bird is afraid, it will try its best to remain unnoticed. Its eyes would be unblinking, and it would be staring straight ahead. Its wings would be kept as close as possible to the body, and the bird will stand unmoving.
- When your bird is excited, you are sure to notice. The bird will be moving as many parts of itself that it can, its head will be bobbing up and down, and it will be screeching at the top of its lungs.
-If only superficially observed, anger may easily be mistaken for excitement; however you can tell the difference by carefully observing your bird. An angry bird will be standing in an attack position, it will be puffed up and leaning forward. An angry bird will typically be weaving from left to right, and be just as noisy as an excited bird.
It is important to know what your pet bird is feeling at a particular time so that you will be able to react appropriately, and avoid getting bitten.
First published at http://www.guide2pets.com/p1_articles_bird_body_language.php
More pet articles and information at http://www.guide2pets.com/
Birds have been found to be quite intelligent, and are able to communicate their needs and wants through their body language. If you study your bird's body language, you will better be able to respond to your bird's needs.
- If you remember you childhood, you may recall that when you were afraid that you have done something wrong that would be punished, you would try to hide or be invisible. Birds also behave like that. When a bird is afraid, it will try its best to remain unnoticed. Its eyes would be unblinking, and it would be staring straight ahead. Its wings would be kept as close as possible to the body, and the bird will stand unmoving.
- When your bird is excited, you are sure to notice. The bird will be moving as many parts of itself that it can, its head will be bobbing up and down, and it will be screeching at the top of its lungs.
-If only superficially observed, anger may easily be mistaken for excitement; however you can tell the difference by carefully observing your bird. An angry bird will be standing in an attack position, it will be puffed up and leaning forward. An angry bird will typically be weaving from left to right, and be just as noisy as an excited bird.
It is important to know what your pet bird is feeling at a particular time so that you will be able to react appropriately, and avoid getting bitten.
First published at http://www.guide2pets.com/p1_articles_bird_body_language.php
More pet articles and information at http://www.guide2pets.com/
Friday, August 3, 2007
Get A Handle On Bird Pest Control
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Wade_Robins]Wade Robins
Everywhere you look, there are birds. They are roosting on your house, in your garage, in and around your gutters, around your apartment windows, they are just everywhere. What kind of bird pest control can you use for your situation? Whether you live in an apartment, house or in the country, there are products you can use. What kind of product are you looking for? Do you worry about other animals? Do you worry about other people in and around your home?
What Products Are Out There
The first thing you need to do is to identify what type of bird problems you are having. Then you need to figure out what type of bird pest control you want to use. Here are some of the different types of control for you to think about,
� Agricultural Bird Control
� Aviation Bird Control
� Structural Bird Control Products
� Bird Control for Boats
� Bird Scare Products
Along with knowing what type of bird pest problem you are having you will want to research the purchasing the right bird pest control product for your situation.
Big Problems
Some cities have such problems with birds such as pigeons that they employ people for cleanup of the bird droppings around the city. Some birds such as pigeons are not native to the United States but they continue to become a hazard to buildings, structures and even health. Some droppings are not only a health hazard and can carry diseases but also they are also corrosive to structures. The bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in pigeon droppings are responsible for a host of serious diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis and more.
Basic Pest Control Products
One of the most popular products that come to mind first is bird netting. Netting comes in different sizes to fit the area you are looking to keep the birds out of. It comes in different strengths and is inexpensive to buy. You can also use bird netting keeping other little animals out of your gardens and plants. Another very popular bird pest control product is electric wire track and bird spike products. Some people will also use traps to catch and rid of birds but you may want to check to be sure that this is acceptable in your area where you live. There are also bird scare products that can be used such as owl decoys, bird blasters that are components that are audio and visual stimulants to deter them.
Do your research and check into the different bird pest control products available to you. A little research can go a long way.
You can also find more info on [http://www.homepestcontrolhelp.com/Ant_Pest_Control/]Ant Pest Control and [http://www.homepestcontrolhelp.com/Home_Pest_Control/]Home Pest Control. Homepestcontrolhelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Homepest Control.
Everywhere you look, there are birds. They are roosting on your house, in your garage, in and around your gutters, around your apartment windows, they are just everywhere. What kind of bird pest control can you use for your situation? Whether you live in an apartment, house or in the country, there are products you can use. What kind of product are you looking for? Do you worry about other animals? Do you worry about other people in and around your home?
What Products Are Out There
The first thing you need to do is to identify what type of bird problems you are having. Then you need to figure out what type of bird pest control you want to use. Here are some of the different types of control for you to think about,
� Agricultural Bird Control
� Aviation Bird Control
� Structural Bird Control Products
� Bird Control for Boats
� Bird Scare Products
Along with knowing what type of bird pest problem you are having you will want to research the purchasing the right bird pest control product for your situation.
Big Problems
Some cities have such problems with birds such as pigeons that they employ people for cleanup of the bird droppings around the city. Some birds such as pigeons are not native to the United States but they continue to become a hazard to buildings, structures and even health. Some droppings are not only a health hazard and can carry diseases but also they are also corrosive to structures. The bacteria, fungal agents and ectoparasites found in pigeon droppings are responsible for a host of serious diseases, including histoplasmosis, encephalitis, salmonella, meningitis, toxoplasmosis and more.
Basic Pest Control Products
One of the most popular products that come to mind first is bird netting. Netting comes in different sizes to fit the area you are looking to keep the birds out of. It comes in different strengths and is inexpensive to buy. You can also use bird netting keeping other little animals out of your gardens and plants. Another very popular bird pest control product is electric wire track and bird spike products. Some people will also use traps to catch and rid of birds but you may want to check to be sure that this is acceptable in your area where you live. There are also bird scare products that can be used such as owl decoys, bird blasters that are components that are audio and visual stimulants to deter them.
Do your research and check into the different bird pest control products available to you. A little research can go a long way.
You can also find more info on [http://www.homepestcontrolhelp.com/Ant_Pest_Control/]Ant Pest Control and [http://www.homepestcontrolhelp.com/Home_Pest_Control/]Home Pest Control. Homepestcontrolhelp.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Homepest Control.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
How To Give Your Cockatiel A Balanced Diet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jessica_G_Harrison]Jessica G Harrison
Cockatiels are meant to be cared for. As an owner of a pet you know you should give the health of your Cockatiel top priority. Your pet's health depends on its diet. In the wild, birds make do with whatever they find. For this reason, you should include a variety of things in their diet, to stay as close to their natural diet as possible
On the other hand, your Cockatiel can eat most of the things that you eat. Cockatiels mainly feed on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts and flowers. Sometimes, they can thrive on the basic diet of seeds and pellets alone. They don't require any particular food but need "particular nutrients". You should add more vegetables and fruits to your Cockatiel's diet. These are sources of additional nutrition.
The growth of your Cockatiel depends on nutrition. Apart from growth, reproduction, temperament and longevity also depend on nutrition. So, a good balanced diet becomes very essential to mould a lovable, healthy and life-long companion.
To put it briefly, a "Cockatiel balanced diet" should have equal shares of pellets, seeds and vegetables, with a small quantity of fruits, nuts, proteins, cooked rice, bean mixture, and table food like cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, meat, etc. The diet should have it all (that's why I said they can eat most of the things that you eat!).
Pellets
Pellets can make as much as 60% of your Cockatiel's food. In fact, some Cockatiels thrive on a pellet diet. You should keep pellets in their food-dish, all day and night. Pellets are a must as they provide your bird a balanced diet.
Seeds
Most Cockatiels favor seeds like bulk canary seed, oats, mixed Sunflower seeds, Hemp and Panicum Millets. If you provide your bird with only a seed diet on a daily basis, it will lead to deficiency in vitamins. So, a supplement of vitamins may be necessary in that case.
A Healthy mixed diet
A healthy mixed diet has it all...25% vitamin enriched seed mix, 25% pellets, 25% vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruits, 15% cooked rice, corn, and bean mixture, 10% table food, cereal, bread, pasta, cheese, meat etc.
Vegetables
Vegetables to be fed can be green, dark green, orange, yellow or meaty. Fresh vegetables provide the additional nutrition for your Cockatiel. So, encourage your Cockatiel to eat vegetables. Some of those that fall under this category are: carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, greens, green peppers, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, spinach etc.
Fruits
Some of the Cockatiel owners have this general query. 'How to make my bird eat fruits?' Fruits provide the natural supplements to your Cockatiel. So, it would be a good idea to introduce fruits to your pet. Initially, it may reject it, but later it will start eating fruits. Some of the favored fruits are apples, pears, peaches, pomegranate, bananas, berries, plums, oranges, kiwi, citrus, grapes, raisins etc.
Nuts
A Cockatiel prefers nuts to fruits. Because of this, some nuts make ideal treats. They can crack hard nuts and you should encourage them to do so. You can give them whole nuts as they love to crack open the shell to extract the seed. Their beaks are specially adapted for this function which could also be a form of entertainment.
Water
Water is equally important, as food. Make sure your bird drinks water on a daily basis. Don't forget to leave fresh water in the cage at all times.
Proteins
As I said earlier, it's important that your bird gets all the necessary nutrients. And proteins are an important supplement that aid growth. You can also give your bird, food high in proteins, such as legumes, cooked eggs and grated cheese. Sprouts, ripe tomatoes, cooked beans, spinach are some of the other sources. You can also feed them freshly cooked lean beef, chicken or fish in small quantities. Occasionally, you can give your Cockatiel cooked meat bones.
Vitamins and Minerals
If your bird's diet has a variety of all the nutrients, then supplement of vitamins and minerals is not required. As a matter of fact, it is better to consult an avian vet before giving your bird vitamin supplements because an overdose of vitamins and minerals will do more harm than good.
Now, having known all that you can give your Cockatiel; let's also know as to what should be avoided.
AVOID
Don't feed your Cockatiel alcohol, parsley and avocados (as they are toxic to Cockatiels). Seeds high in sunflower and safflower, should be avoided as these are very fatty. Keep your bird away from chocolates and caffeine. Iceberg lettuce and cabbage can cause diarrhea in your pet. Other foods to be avoided are seasoned meat or fatty processed meats. All these can cause your pet serious health problems.
Other important tips
Keep in mind that just providing them the food isn't sufficient but you have to make sure that they're eating what is given to them.
Do not include too much milk in their diet as some birds are lactose-intolerant and could get diarrhea. You can give them tofu, low-fat cottage and hard cheeses and non-fat yogurt in small quantities.
If you aren't including pellets/ vitamins/ mineral supplements in their diet, you should sprinkle a powdered bird vitamin/ mineral supplement to their food once a week. This would avoid deficiencies. Although a calcium block and a mineral block should normally serve this purpose, these birds are known to destroy the blocks.
Don't let fruits and vegetables stay in the cage, for more than two hours.
Do not give them nuts and peanuts often, as these are very high in fat and can make your pet obese, if overfed. Dry food can be left for no more than a day.
Always store nuts in a secure bin that will keep the contents dry and safe from rodents. Rodent excreta can transmit diseases like Salmonellosis.
Clean the food and water bowls kept inside the cage, thoroughly every day. Disinfect them with bleach (and wash off thoroughly) every week.
Some Cockatiels have the tendency to become overweight; so you need to monitor their food and diet properly. Stick to a low fat diet and include a variety of greens. Don't increase the volume, as overfeeding will make them picky and they will also waste the food.
Cockatiels are prone to tipping over their bowls. Usage of heavy bottomed feed and water bowls serve the purpose just fine.
With all these tips, I believe you would be able to provide your Cockatiel with the best diet.
The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter on "Definitive Guide To Cockatiels" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
To subscribe to the newsletter, click on the link below: http://www.definitive-guide-to-cockatiels.com
Here's to a happier pet-owing experience!
Jessica Harrison Geostar Publishing & Services LLC 6423, Woodbine Court, St. Louis, Missouri, 63109, USA http://www.definitiveguidetocockatiels.com http://definitive-guide-to-cockatiels.opt-in-newsletter.info/cockatiel.php
Jessica Harrison is the author of the best selling eBook "Definitive Guide To Cockatiels" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
Cockatiels are meant to be cared for. As an owner of a pet you know you should give the health of your Cockatiel top priority. Your pet's health depends on its diet. In the wild, birds make do with whatever they find. For this reason, you should include a variety of things in their diet, to stay as close to their natural diet as possible
On the other hand, your Cockatiel can eat most of the things that you eat. Cockatiels mainly feed on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts and flowers. Sometimes, they can thrive on the basic diet of seeds and pellets alone. They don't require any particular food but need "particular nutrients". You should add more vegetables and fruits to your Cockatiel's diet. These are sources of additional nutrition.
The growth of your Cockatiel depends on nutrition. Apart from growth, reproduction, temperament and longevity also depend on nutrition. So, a good balanced diet becomes very essential to mould a lovable, healthy and life-long companion.
To put it briefly, a "Cockatiel balanced diet" should have equal shares of pellets, seeds and vegetables, with a small quantity of fruits, nuts, proteins, cooked rice, bean mixture, and table food like cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, meat, etc. The diet should have it all (that's why I said they can eat most of the things that you eat!).
Pellets
Pellets can make as much as 60% of your Cockatiel's food. In fact, some Cockatiels thrive on a pellet diet. You should keep pellets in their food-dish, all day and night. Pellets are a must as they provide your bird a balanced diet.
Seeds
Most Cockatiels favor seeds like bulk canary seed, oats, mixed Sunflower seeds, Hemp and Panicum Millets. If you provide your bird with only a seed diet on a daily basis, it will lead to deficiency in vitamins. So, a supplement of vitamins may be necessary in that case.
A Healthy mixed diet
A healthy mixed diet has it all...25% vitamin enriched seed mix, 25% pellets, 25% vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruits, 15% cooked rice, corn, and bean mixture, 10% table food, cereal, bread, pasta, cheese, meat etc.
Vegetables
Vegetables to be fed can be green, dark green, orange, yellow or meaty. Fresh vegetables provide the additional nutrition for your Cockatiel. So, encourage your Cockatiel to eat vegetables. Some of those that fall under this category are: carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, greens, green peppers, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, spinach etc.
Fruits
Some of the Cockatiel owners have this general query. 'How to make my bird eat fruits?' Fruits provide the natural supplements to your Cockatiel. So, it would be a good idea to introduce fruits to your pet. Initially, it may reject it, but later it will start eating fruits. Some of the favored fruits are apples, pears, peaches, pomegranate, bananas, berries, plums, oranges, kiwi, citrus, grapes, raisins etc.
Nuts
A Cockatiel prefers nuts to fruits. Because of this, some nuts make ideal treats. They can crack hard nuts and you should encourage them to do so. You can give them whole nuts as they love to crack open the shell to extract the seed. Their beaks are specially adapted for this function which could also be a form of entertainment.
Water
Water is equally important, as food. Make sure your bird drinks water on a daily basis. Don't forget to leave fresh water in the cage at all times.
Proteins
As I said earlier, it's important that your bird gets all the necessary nutrients. And proteins are an important supplement that aid growth. You can also give your bird, food high in proteins, such as legumes, cooked eggs and grated cheese. Sprouts, ripe tomatoes, cooked beans, spinach are some of the other sources. You can also feed them freshly cooked lean beef, chicken or fish in small quantities. Occasionally, you can give your Cockatiel cooked meat bones.
Vitamins and Minerals
If your bird's diet has a variety of all the nutrients, then supplement of vitamins and minerals is not required. As a matter of fact, it is better to consult an avian vet before giving your bird vitamin supplements because an overdose of vitamins and minerals will do more harm than good.
Now, having known all that you can give your Cockatiel; let's also know as to what should be avoided.
AVOID
Don't feed your Cockatiel alcohol, parsley and avocados (as they are toxic to Cockatiels). Seeds high in sunflower and safflower, should be avoided as these are very fatty. Keep your bird away from chocolates and caffeine. Iceberg lettuce and cabbage can cause diarrhea in your pet. Other foods to be avoided are seasoned meat or fatty processed meats. All these can cause your pet serious health problems.
Other important tips
Keep in mind that just providing them the food isn't sufficient but you have to make sure that they're eating what is given to them.
Do not include too much milk in their diet as some birds are lactose-intolerant and could get diarrhea. You can give them tofu, low-fat cottage and hard cheeses and non-fat yogurt in small quantities.
If you aren't including pellets/ vitamins/ mineral supplements in their diet, you should sprinkle a powdered bird vitamin/ mineral supplement to their food once a week. This would avoid deficiencies. Although a calcium block and a mineral block should normally serve this purpose, these birds are known to destroy the blocks.
Don't let fruits and vegetables stay in the cage, for more than two hours.
Do not give them nuts and peanuts often, as these are very high in fat and can make your pet obese, if overfed. Dry food can be left for no more than a day.
Always store nuts in a secure bin that will keep the contents dry and safe from rodents. Rodent excreta can transmit diseases like Salmonellosis.
Clean the food and water bowls kept inside the cage, thoroughly every day. Disinfect them with bleach (and wash off thoroughly) every week.
Some Cockatiels have the tendency to become overweight; so you need to monitor their food and diet properly. Stick to a low fat diet and include a variety of greens. Don't increase the volume, as overfeeding will make them picky and they will also waste the food.
Cockatiels are prone to tipping over their bowls. Usage of heavy bottomed feed and water bowls serve the purpose just fine.
With all these tips, I believe you would be able to provide your Cockatiel with the best diet.
The above is an excerpt from the free newsletter on "Definitive Guide To Cockatiels" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
To subscribe to the newsletter, click on the link below: http://www.definitive-guide-to-cockatiels.com
Here's to a happier pet-owing experience!
Jessica Harrison Geostar Publishing & Services LLC 6423, Woodbine Court, St. Louis, Missouri, 63109, USA http://www.definitiveguidetocockatiels.com http://definitive-guide-to-cockatiels.opt-in-newsletter.info/cockatiel.php
Jessica Harrison is the author of the best selling eBook "Definitive Guide To Cockatiels" published by Geostar Publishing & Services LLC.
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