By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Iziah_Shumkel]Iziah Shumkel
Parrots tend to hold a special place in animals lovers hearts, they are much admired throughout the world. A parrots intelligence is an attractive quality that attracts a lot of animal lovers but this can be a two edged sword. Because of their intelligence they require a lot of stimulation and attention for them to remain both mentally and physically healthy. Most of the common Parrot breeds are noisy and sometimes destructive.
One thing you should always consider is whether you want to purchase just one large parrot or perhaps you may want to opt for a smaller breed of parrot where you can purchase a small group to keep indoors.Not only will they make a beautiful collection but you may be able to go into the breeding side of parrot ownership.
Cost can be another major factor when you are considering purchasing your parrot. You must plan ahead and decide roughly how much money you would like to part ways with. Don't forget you are not talking about just the bird but there are also alot of other things that you must consider like its food, cage, vet bills and care. These things can add up and cost you a pretty penny so it is wise to make sure you take the time to thoroughly cost it out. Keep in mind that generally parrots are not cheap pets.
A major factor that you must take into account is where you are going to house the animal, not only the cage but where inside or outside that you are going to place that cage. You must choose a parrot that will be comfortable in the cage and area that you plan to keep it in. A good cage should be large enough that the parrot can extend its wings and still have at least another half wingspan space free. This will ensure the bird is kept happy.
If you are considering purchasing an Amazon or or a Cockatoo then you should make sure there is large enough area between your bird and your neighbours as these birds can be very noisy and while you may enjoy the early morning vocalizations, your neighbours may not be so understanding.
As parrots are quite intelligent you must make sure you have enough time to spend with your parrot as they are very social animals and do not like to be left on there own and unstimulated. If you cannot see yourself having enough time for a parrot then don't purchase one. It will only mean heartache for both you and the parrot.
If after reading this and you are still keen to purchase a parrot then I suggest you go to your local pet supply store and see if they have any available or search online for a dealer in your area.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bird Houses Buying Guide
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Keith_Londrie]Keith Londrie
You love birds or you want to make your garden a cheerful place by inviting many birds to nest in it? No matter what is the reason if you are reading these lines you are serious about buying a bird house.
There is a great choice of bird houses both at the online shops and the conventional stores. Although many of the bird houses advertised there will look nice, there are several things to consider before you buy one.
Which are the typical nesting birds for your garden or for the area where you plan to hang the bird house? This is the first question you should ask yourself. If you are new to the whole bird houses idea you probably do not know that certain styles of bird houses appeal to certain bird species. Study the inhabitants of your garden and make a list of the most common birds you have there.
Once you have the list decide if you will try to attract only some of the species or you will try to create cozy homes for all. This will give you an idea what type of bird houses you are after.
The next step is to examine carefully each bird house you consider to buy. Some may look amazing but may not have all the features of a good bird house. The first thing to look after is the material of which the bird house is build. It should be made of wood or metal and be chemicals free. If the bird house is painted make sure it is painted with a water based paint.
Than look into the details of the bird house. The entrance hole size should be enough for the bird to enter but not too large. Usually holes with diameter 1, 1� inches are best. The perch is another thing to consider. The natural holes in wood do not have perches so the birds will not need them actually. It is up to your taste if you are buying a bird house with or without a perch. However, bear in mind that the perch is sometimes harmful as it helps predator birds to take over the nest.
The inner dimensions of the house are important too. You need to take a house that will provide enough space for the young birds to develop. The floor size should be at least four inches and the height should be at least five.
Finally look for a bird house that can open so that the old nests can be removed. It should also have good ventilation and drainage holes to allow water to drain out.
Once you have chosen the best bird house go back to your yard and hang it. Have in mind that each bird specie requires different hanging height for their bird house so keep this in mind when choosing the spot.
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!
You love birds or you want to make your garden a cheerful place by inviting many birds to nest in it? No matter what is the reason if you are reading these lines you are serious about buying a bird house.
There is a great choice of bird houses both at the online shops and the conventional stores. Although many of the bird houses advertised there will look nice, there are several things to consider before you buy one.
Which are the typical nesting birds for your garden or for the area where you plan to hang the bird house? This is the first question you should ask yourself. If you are new to the whole bird houses idea you probably do not know that certain styles of bird houses appeal to certain bird species. Study the inhabitants of your garden and make a list of the most common birds you have there.
Once you have the list decide if you will try to attract only some of the species or you will try to create cozy homes for all. This will give you an idea what type of bird houses you are after.
The next step is to examine carefully each bird house you consider to buy. Some may look amazing but may not have all the features of a good bird house. The first thing to look after is the material of which the bird house is build. It should be made of wood or metal and be chemicals free. If the bird house is painted make sure it is painted with a water based paint.
Than look into the details of the bird house. The entrance hole size should be enough for the bird to enter but not too large. Usually holes with diameter 1, 1� inches are best. The perch is another thing to consider. The natural holes in wood do not have perches so the birds will not need them actually. It is up to your taste if you are buying a bird house with or without a perch. However, bear in mind that the perch is sometimes harmful as it helps predator birds to take over the nest.
The inner dimensions of the house are important too. You need to take a house that will provide enough space for the young birds to develop. The floor size should be at least four inches and the height should be at least five.
Finally look for a bird house that can open so that the old nests can be removed. It should also have good ventilation and drainage holes to allow water to drain out.
Once you have chosen the best bird house go back to your yard and hang it. Have in mind that each bird specie requires different hanging height for their bird house so keep this in mind when choosing the spot.
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!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
How To Pick Out The Perfect Macaw
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Womach]Dave Womach
Choosing a Macaw that�s right for your family can be hard. Pet stores these days can tend to focus more on profits than on raising a healthy well adjusted Macaw. So I thought I�d give you three tips to look for when purchasing a macaw.
Tip #1 � Stay Educated
Before purchasing a Macaw you really need to make sure you know what you�re getting yourself into. A Macaw can be an excellent choice of pet parrot, as it�s not as temperamental or likely to scream excessively like a cockatoo, but also can tend to have a higher need to destroy things than say a Quaker or Conure parrot.
So one tip I like to give people is to research websites that provide accurate information about parrots. One good place is my blog which I'll link to below. I�ve recently started hiring parrot behavior specialists to write weekly articles about what it really takes to raise parrots on my blog, and I think you�ll find it informative.
Tip #2 � Check Out The Diet
Many pet store owners knowingly feed their parrots 100% seed based diets. This is a BIG warning sign as an all seed base diet causes a parrot to develop into an extremely picky eater and has been known to cut the lifespan of domestic parrots in half.
Instead look for a store that feeds their birds a pellet mix, (non colored) along with fruits, veggies and preferably freshly cooked bean mixes.
This way you�ll know if the store owner is really willing to put the extra time and energy it takes into raising a healthy macaw, because let�s face it, it takes more time to keep a Macaw healthy, than it does to just dump some seed in his bowl and call it good.
Tip #3 � Ask For a Medical Check Up
Make sure you negotiate with the pet store owner for a medical check up before he sells you a macaw. Many stores are not clean and Macaws can get nasty viruses that can often result in death. And you don�t want to be on the wrong end of a virus, with a dead macaw you just paid $1,500 for, and not be able to get a refund.
To make sure you don�t get in this jam make sure the store owners signs off on some sort of agreement where before he gets a full medical checkup before purchasing him, or within a few days of purchase, whereas if the bird ends up being sick the store is liable to give you a refund, or pay the medical expenses.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to make sure you purchase a Macaw that doesn�t cause you all sorts of trouble in the future. Be sure to check out my blog at http://www.birdtricks.com/updates
Dave Womach publishes a parrot training newsletter to help people overcome their parrots issues at http://www.birdtricks.com/macaws.html
Choosing a Macaw that�s right for your family can be hard. Pet stores these days can tend to focus more on profits than on raising a healthy well adjusted Macaw. So I thought I�d give you three tips to look for when purchasing a macaw.
Tip #1 � Stay Educated
Before purchasing a Macaw you really need to make sure you know what you�re getting yourself into. A Macaw can be an excellent choice of pet parrot, as it�s not as temperamental or likely to scream excessively like a cockatoo, but also can tend to have a higher need to destroy things than say a Quaker or Conure parrot.
So one tip I like to give people is to research websites that provide accurate information about parrots. One good place is my blog which I'll link to below. I�ve recently started hiring parrot behavior specialists to write weekly articles about what it really takes to raise parrots on my blog, and I think you�ll find it informative.
Tip #2 � Check Out The Diet
Many pet store owners knowingly feed their parrots 100% seed based diets. This is a BIG warning sign as an all seed base diet causes a parrot to develop into an extremely picky eater and has been known to cut the lifespan of domestic parrots in half.
Instead look for a store that feeds their birds a pellet mix, (non colored) along with fruits, veggies and preferably freshly cooked bean mixes.
This way you�ll know if the store owner is really willing to put the extra time and energy it takes into raising a healthy macaw, because let�s face it, it takes more time to keep a Macaw healthy, than it does to just dump some seed in his bowl and call it good.
Tip #3 � Ask For a Medical Check Up
Make sure you negotiate with the pet store owner for a medical check up before he sells you a macaw. Many stores are not clean and Macaws can get nasty viruses that can often result in death. And you don�t want to be on the wrong end of a virus, with a dead macaw you just paid $1,500 for, and not be able to get a refund.
To make sure you don�t get in this jam make sure the store owners signs off on some sort of agreement where before he gets a full medical checkup before purchasing him, or within a few days of purchase, whereas if the bird ends up being sick the store is liable to give you a refund, or pay the medical expenses.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to make sure you purchase a Macaw that doesn�t cause you all sorts of trouble in the future. Be sure to check out my blog at http://www.birdtricks.com/updates
Dave Womach publishes a parrot training newsletter to help people overcome their parrots issues at http://www.birdtricks.com/macaws.html
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Talking Parrot - Do You Really Want One?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Iziah_Shumkel]Iziah Shumkel
If you want a talking bird here are some things you should consider. Most of the birds who talk are some type of parrot. Not all parrot's species are talkers, though. Some birds are well renowned for the talking, such as the African Grey parrots and budgies (often known as Parakeets), while others, such as ravens, really don't have much to say.
The really good choice for a talking bird that isn't a parrot is the European Starling. They are not expensive (free if you can catch one), legal to keep in most areas, talk well and have a great history on the stage. Starlings are an introduced species in North America, where they were imported for roles in Shakespearean plays. North America has about 200 million starlings. So there is more than enough to go around.
Another thing to consider is your home and your family. Parrots demand a lot of attention and demanded it loudly. They are neither for the timid or for the traveling salesman who can't offer them much attention. Make sure you know enough about the temperament of your potential bird before we you decide to purchase it as in the long-run this could save a lot of grief and enhance your enjoyment of your new feathered (and talking) friend.
It really is up to you, but as long as you are aware that there are plenty of things to consider about the bird you want. It's always easier to get a bird after you have prepared for it. Purchasing a bird and in trying to find the appropriate housing, food and care will usually result in mayhem as you to scratch to find temporary solutions, which end up becoming permanent fixtures to the detriment of the parrot.
You must always consider bird care when purchasing a parrot. If you find you don't have the resources, time from and money to care for the bird just don't get one. Birds are flock animals by nature, and any bird who is social craves to find his place in the flock and needs a lot of social interaction. If you take a bird from his place in a wild or captive flock and put them in your home, it's your responsibility to provide for their social needs. This is one of the greatest single failures for first-time bird owners. They don't have enough time to interact with their birds which often lead to the birds turning against themselves (feather plucking).
However a family full of kids who are interested in and taught how to interact with the bird can provide a great surrogate flock. They can even teach the bird how to talk and leave you with just providing the food and cleaning up the mess.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
If you want a talking bird here are some things you should consider. Most of the birds who talk are some type of parrot. Not all parrot's species are talkers, though. Some birds are well renowned for the talking, such as the African Grey parrots and budgies (often known as Parakeets), while others, such as ravens, really don't have much to say.
The really good choice for a talking bird that isn't a parrot is the European Starling. They are not expensive (free if you can catch one), legal to keep in most areas, talk well and have a great history on the stage. Starlings are an introduced species in North America, where they were imported for roles in Shakespearean plays. North America has about 200 million starlings. So there is more than enough to go around.
Another thing to consider is your home and your family. Parrots demand a lot of attention and demanded it loudly. They are neither for the timid or for the traveling salesman who can't offer them much attention. Make sure you know enough about the temperament of your potential bird before we you decide to purchase it as in the long-run this could save a lot of grief and enhance your enjoyment of your new feathered (and talking) friend.
It really is up to you, but as long as you are aware that there are plenty of things to consider about the bird you want. It's always easier to get a bird after you have prepared for it. Purchasing a bird and in trying to find the appropriate housing, food and care will usually result in mayhem as you to scratch to find temporary solutions, which end up becoming permanent fixtures to the detriment of the parrot.
You must always consider bird care when purchasing a parrot. If you find you don't have the resources, time from and money to care for the bird just don't get one. Birds are flock animals by nature, and any bird who is social craves to find his place in the flock and needs a lot of social interaction. If you take a bird from his place in a wild or captive flock and put them in your home, it's your responsibility to provide for their social needs. This is one of the greatest single failures for first-time bird owners. They don't have enough time to interact with their birds which often lead to the birds turning against themselves (feather plucking).
However a family full of kids who are interested in and taught how to interact with the bird can provide a great surrogate flock. They can even teach the bird how to talk and leave you with just providing the food and cleaning up the mess.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Parrot Cages - Where To Place Them?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Iziah_Shumkel]Iziah Shumkel
Although this seems like a trivial matter, where you place your Parrot Cage is very important. There are a lot of things to consider about the placement of your Parrot cage. You should not place a parrot cage anywhere near source of radiant heat or draft. This at first may seem obvious but some heat sources are anything but. Heating and cooling ducts can be a problem. In the summer that constant warm air flow may be too much for your bird to handle. While in the wintertime, you will get the exact opposite, and it may be too cold for your parrot.
Even everyday appliances can generate a significant amount of heat. The likes of your stoves and refrigerators, clothes dryers and freezers can generate vast amounts of heat that over a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to the health of your parrot.
One of the least obvious, but more common sources of heat that many bird owners tend to provide is the natural sun. Many bird owners place their parrot and direct line of the sun, which provides a lot of heat. But in a lot of cases, this can be too much for the bird to endure. One should never leave the parrot in a position where they cannot get some shade from the sun if they need to. You should only place you approved by the window if there is an overhang or awning above deck and provide some form of shelter from the intense rays of the sun.
A lot of bird owners had also suffered due to the fact they placed their parrot cage near a source of noise. One of the worst place is that you could put your parrot cage is close to a television. All groups are vocal creatures in addition to being social animals that love to be heard. Your parrot's first instinct will be to be more obnoxious or louder than anything in the near vicinity , so it can get your attention. This means that it will gladly compete against your TV, stereo, radio, and even your vacuum cleaner. Now, while in the short term, this can be quite entertaining, try sitting down to watch or favourite movie. When you have your parrot squawking about trying to get your attention. This will be not only irritating for you, but could affect the health of your parrot, as they crave social tension, and if they do not receive it will often turn against themselves.
So when you are considering where to put your Parrot cage just take a little more time to think it out so you can make sure that it's going to be beneficial not only to your bird, but to you also.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
Although this seems like a trivial matter, where you place your Parrot Cage is very important. There are a lot of things to consider about the placement of your Parrot cage. You should not place a parrot cage anywhere near source of radiant heat or draft. This at first may seem obvious but some heat sources are anything but. Heating and cooling ducts can be a problem. In the summer that constant warm air flow may be too much for your bird to handle. While in the wintertime, you will get the exact opposite, and it may be too cold for your parrot.
Even everyday appliances can generate a significant amount of heat. The likes of your stoves and refrigerators, clothes dryers and freezers can generate vast amounts of heat that over a prolonged period of time can be detrimental to the health of your parrot.
One of the least obvious, but more common sources of heat that many bird owners tend to provide is the natural sun. Many bird owners place their parrot and direct line of the sun, which provides a lot of heat. But in a lot of cases, this can be too much for the bird to endure. One should never leave the parrot in a position where they cannot get some shade from the sun if they need to. You should only place you approved by the window if there is an overhang or awning above deck and provide some form of shelter from the intense rays of the sun.
A lot of bird owners had also suffered due to the fact they placed their parrot cage near a source of noise. One of the worst place is that you could put your parrot cage is close to a television. All groups are vocal creatures in addition to being social animals that love to be heard. Your parrot's first instinct will be to be more obnoxious or louder than anything in the near vicinity , so it can get your attention. This means that it will gladly compete against your TV, stereo, radio, and even your vacuum cleaner. Now, while in the short term, this can be quite entertaining, try sitting down to watch or favourite movie. When you have your parrot squawking about trying to get your attention. This will be not only irritating for you, but could affect the health of your parrot, as they crave social tension, and if they do not receive it will often turn against themselves.
So when you are considering where to put your Parrot cage just take a little more time to think it out so you can make sure that it's going to be beneficial not only to your bird, but to you also.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Parrot Food - Just The Basics!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Iziah_Shumkel]Iziah Shumkel
There are lots of different ways that you can feed your parrot. Now some of these may require more work than others where as some of them are as easy and grabbing a bag of bird seed and pouring it into their feeder. All of them can be good for your bird, although feeding a variety of parrot foods as opposed to a singular food source (such as seeds) can make achieving a more balanced diet a little easier to achieve.
The simplest way to feed your parrot a balanced diet is to buy some quality parrot food from your local pet supplies store. These come in many different forms that will include additional vitamins and minerals, this means that you will not have to it any additional vitamins to their diet. In fact, you may not know this but adding additional vitamins and minerals can in fact harm your parrot, as it could lead to bad toxic level of the vitamins and minerals in their system .
You should try and choose a seed mix for your parrot that doesn't allow it to choose one seed or food item, in preference to another as this will provide him with a more balanced diet. Be aware that some food products will claim to be fortified seed mixes, which in theory should be just right for your parrot but this claim is not necessarily true. This assumes that the bird will consume all the seed that is offered instead of choosing just a few of its favourite food items.
One should always try to get parrot food which uses a formulated diet without any addition, fragrances or colours. A lot of parrot owners may worry that this does not provide enough variety for their parrot when in fact, this is not the case. One can easily counter this by providing enough fresh vegetables or fruit, equivalent to the amount that you would normally use with a formulated diet. While fruit and vegetables may not be as energy intensive as the prepared diet (because they are mostly water) they will still be a good addition to your parrot's diet, and you may notice that your parrot will still eat the same amount of fortified food. This will lead to a more rounded and balanced diet.
Try not to need any high fat foods such as peanuts, or even sunflower seeds. Only use them as an occasional treat as this will reduce the amount of prepared diet food that your parrot would normally eat, which means that it may not receive its balanced diet.
There are many choices that you can make, but If you choose to feed your bird a mixture of fruits and vegetables or even seed mix, you may encounter problems in making sure that that your bird receives it adequate complete diet. Some seeds are deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals and also calcium. While in the short run, you may not encounter any problems in the long run, this could be a different case after a prolonged period of time.
Take the time to consider what parrot food is best the the health and longevity of your parrot.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
There are lots of different ways that you can feed your parrot. Now some of these may require more work than others where as some of them are as easy and grabbing a bag of bird seed and pouring it into their feeder. All of them can be good for your bird, although feeding a variety of parrot foods as opposed to a singular food source (such as seeds) can make achieving a more balanced diet a little easier to achieve.
The simplest way to feed your parrot a balanced diet is to buy some quality parrot food from your local pet supplies store. These come in many different forms that will include additional vitamins and minerals, this means that you will not have to it any additional vitamins to their diet. In fact, you may not know this but adding additional vitamins and minerals can in fact harm your parrot, as it could lead to bad toxic level of the vitamins and minerals in their system .
You should try and choose a seed mix for your parrot that doesn't allow it to choose one seed or food item, in preference to another as this will provide him with a more balanced diet. Be aware that some food products will claim to be fortified seed mixes, which in theory should be just right for your parrot but this claim is not necessarily true. This assumes that the bird will consume all the seed that is offered instead of choosing just a few of its favourite food items.
One should always try to get parrot food which uses a formulated diet without any addition, fragrances or colours. A lot of parrot owners may worry that this does not provide enough variety for their parrot when in fact, this is not the case. One can easily counter this by providing enough fresh vegetables or fruit, equivalent to the amount that you would normally use with a formulated diet. While fruit and vegetables may not be as energy intensive as the prepared diet (because they are mostly water) they will still be a good addition to your parrot's diet, and you may notice that your parrot will still eat the same amount of fortified food. This will lead to a more rounded and balanced diet.
Try not to need any high fat foods such as peanuts, or even sunflower seeds. Only use them as an occasional treat as this will reduce the amount of prepared diet food that your parrot would normally eat, which means that it may not receive its balanced diet.
There are many choices that you can make, but If you choose to feed your bird a mixture of fruits and vegetables or even seed mix, you may encounter problems in making sure that that your bird receives it adequate complete diet. Some seeds are deficient in a number of vitamins and minerals and also calcium. While in the short run, you may not encounter any problems in the long run, this could be a different case after a prolonged period of time.
Take the time to consider what parrot food is best the the health and longevity of your parrot.
Iziah Shumkel is webmaster of [http://www.Bird-Training.com]www.Bird-Training.com an information packed site where you can learn how to train your bird, get free video tutorials and more. Visit us for free [http://www.Bird-Training.com]Parrot Training tips today.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Commonly Known Swan Species
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Grey]Andrew Grey
Swans are the larges and generally considered the most beautiful of the waterfowl. A male is known as a cob, a female is a pen, and the young are called cygnets. Swans are large water birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are creatures of habit, often mating for life and breeding in the same place year after year. The swans species are known to divide into the northern hemisphere swans which are Mute swan, Trumpeter swan, Whooper swan, Whistling or Tundra swan, Bewick swan while the southern hemisphere which are Black swan, Black-necked swan and Coscoroba swan.
The Mute Swan is common swan of parks and estates. It is native across Europe and Asia and has been introduced in many other areas, including parts of North America. In England, all Mute Swans were considered the property of the Crown until the 18th century. Mute swans, with their dazzling white plumage, orange bills and gracefully curved necks are among the most beautiful and instantly recognizable of all the wild birds.
On the other hand, the Trumpeter Swan is North America�s largest waterfowl and one of its rarest native birds. In many areas these swans face new problems such as lead poisoning, habitat loss, and the loss of their traditional migration patterns to southern wintering areas. Restoration efforts during the past fifty years have met with both successes and failures. Today, in a new century and with a new restoration technique, transportation of birds to other areas has resulted in a spectacular comeback.
The Whooper Swan is the Old World cousin of the Trumpeter Swan, breeding across the entire northern Palerctic. It is distinguished from Bewick�s Swan by its larger size and the yellow bill with a black tip. It is the noisiest of all the swans, constantly calling �hoo, hoo, hoo� while in flight. Unlike the Mute Swan, it tends to carry its neck stiffly erect.
The Tundra Swan consists of two distinct subspecies, namely, the Whistling Swan of North America and the Bewick Swan of Eurasia. The Whistling Swan differs in appearance from the Bewick Swan in the amount of yellow it has on its bill. The Whistling Swan has a yellow teardrop in front of its eye whereas the Bewick Swan has almost half of its bill covered on yellow.
Another type is the Black Swan which is native to most of Australia, including Tasmania. The populations are thriving in New Zealand and there are some free-living birds in Sweden. The Black Swan is the most social of the swans and during the breeding season will often nest in loose colonies. Most other swans will not tolerate other pairs anywhere near their nests.
As for Black-necked Swan, these beautiful birds are native to southern South America. The sexes are similar in plumage. They flock most of the year but are quite territorial when breeding. The males will chase other waterfowl, and almost anything else, from the vicinity to the nest. Incubation will last 36 days until the clutch of 4-5 hatches. The cygnets spend much of their time on the parents� back when not feeding.
The Coscoroba Swan was given its name because of the call that it makes, and on a warm summer night here in the Northeast part of the US captive-bred Coscoroba Swans will seemingly spend the entire night calling. One bird will start a procession and the others will follow. The cob makes a high-pitched "coscoroba" call whereas the pens are much deeper in tone.
Swans are devoted parents, keeping a watchful eye on their brood, allowing them to �hitch a lift� on their backs and diligently teaching them how to feed on the underwater plants which will form the main part of their diet. The family group remains together until the winter or following spring when the juveniles are evicted from the breeding territory. Young birds may then join flocks of non-breeding swans, and often remain in these colonies for two or three years until they are old enough to breed. They will eventually form a pair bond and begin the search for a vacant nesting territory.
Andrew Grey is the author of "The Essential Beginners Guide To Raising Swans". If you would like to learn more about this topic, please visit: http://www.howtoraiseswans.com
Swans are the larges and generally considered the most beautiful of the waterfowl. A male is known as a cob, a female is a pen, and the young are called cygnets. Swans are large water birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are creatures of habit, often mating for life and breeding in the same place year after year. The swans species are known to divide into the northern hemisphere swans which are Mute swan, Trumpeter swan, Whooper swan, Whistling or Tundra swan, Bewick swan while the southern hemisphere which are Black swan, Black-necked swan and Coscoroba swan.
The Mute Swan is common swan of parks and estates. It is native across Europe and Asia and has been introduced in many other areas, including parts of North America. In England, all Mute Swans were considered the property of the Crown until the 18th century. Mute swans, with their dazzling white plumage, orange bills and gracefully curved necks are among the most beautiful and instantly recognizable of all the wild birds.
On the other hand, the Trumpeter Swan is North America�s largest waterfowl and one of its rarest native birds. In many areas these swans face new problems such as lead poisoning, habitat loss, and the loss of their traditional migration patterns to southern wintering areas. Restoration efforts during the past fifty years have met with both successes and failures. Today, in a new century and with a new restoration technique, transportation of birds to other areas has resulted in a spectacular comeback.
The Whooper Swan is the Old World cousin of the Trumpeter Swan, breeding across the entire northern Palerctic. It is distinguished from Bewick�s Swan by its larger size and the yellow bill with a black tip. It is the noisiest of all the swans, constantly calling �hoo, hoo, hoo� while in flight. Unlike the Mute Swan, it tends to carry its neck stiffly erect.
The Tundra Swan consists of two distinct subspecies, namely, the Whistling Swan of North America and the Bewick Swan of Eurasia. The Whistling Swan differs in appearance from the Bewick Swan in the amount of yellow it has on its bill. The Whistling Swan has a yellow teardrop in front of its eye whereas the Bewick Swan has almost half of its bill covered on yellow.
Another type is the Black Swan which is native to most of Australia, including Tasmania. The populations are thriving in New Zealand and there are some free-living birds in Sweden. The Black Swan is the most social of the swans and during the breeding season will often nest in loose colonies. Most other swans will not tolerate other pairs anywhere near their nests.
As for Black-necked Swan, these beautiful birds are native to southern South America. The sexes are similar in plumage. They flock most of the year but are quite territorial when breeding. The males will chase other waterfowl, and almost anything else, from the vicinity to the nest. Incubation will last 36 days until the clutch of 4-5 hatches. The cygnets spend much of their time on the parents� back when not feeding.
The Coscoroba Swan was given its name because of the call that it makes, and on a warm summer night here in the Northeast part of the US captive-bred Coscoroba Swans will seemingly spend the entire night calling. One bird will start a procession and the others will follow. The cob makes a high-pitched "coscoroba" call whereas the pens are much deeper in tone.
Swans are devoted parents, keeping a watchful eye on their brood, allowing them to �hitch a lift� on their backs and diligently teaching them how to feed on the underwater plants which will form the main part of their diet. The family group remains together until the winter or following spring when the juveniles are evicted from the breeding territory. Young birds may then join flocks of non-breeding swans, and often remain in these colonies for two or three years until they are old enough to breed. They will eventually form a pair bond and begin the search for a vacant nesting territory.
Andrew Grey is the author of "The Essential Beginners Guide To Raising Swans". If you would like to learn more about this topic, please visit: http://www.howtoraiseswans.com
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Food Rewards for Training your Performing Parrot
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_F.]Rachel F.
If you have given it a lot of thought and you're not sure what treat your pet bird likes, then you need to create a desire in your parrot to have a certain treat. Start by offering a small amount of the treat food with the parrots regular food each day. When you see the bird beginning to eat the treat before he goes to his regular food you have done it! Now you can stop offering the treat with the bird's regular meals, and only use it as a reward during training sessions. The following is not a complete list of foods that you can use for rewards, but it is a great place to start.
Walnuts (halves or pieces) unsweetened cereal toast cubes pepper flakes pumpkin seeds sunflower seeds popcorn (without butter & salt) pasta (cooked or raw) papaya oatmeal millet hard boiled egg peanut halves grapes (or half grapes) granola crackers cornflakes chopped apple cantaloupe cabbage coleslaw carrot (grated or chopped) celery broccoli banana
While all of the foods listed above are generally health snacks, always remember that sometimes too much of a good thing really isn't good at all. This especially applies to things like sunflower seeds and peanuts which can be very fattening if they constitute the bulk of your birds diet. I try to make sure all of my birds always have free access to a good brand of pellets all day long and I also offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with whole grain breads, sprouted or cooked beans, whole grain pasta (without sauce) etc. And I try to limit their intake of seeds as they tend to pick out just one or two of their favorite types and refuse to eat the rest. Which can lead to malnutrition. Good luck and have fun picking out new foods to use as rewards for your favorie feathered friend.
Rachel is a professional bird breeder and parrot behaviour consultant with over 20 years experience working with these amazingly complex animals. She shares her home with 12 different species of parrots (whose numbers vary with the breeding seasons) several salt and freshwater aquariums, snakes, dogs, and cats. And a very understanding and supportive family! You can find more articles by Rachel and meet a few of her birds here: http://talkingboutbirds.blogspot.com/
If you have given it a lot of thought and you're not sure what treat your pet bird likes, then you need to create a desire in your parrot to have a certain treat. Start by offering a small amount of the treat food with the parrots regular food each day. When you see the bird beginning to eat the treat before he goes to his regular food you have done it! Now you can stop offering the treat with the bird's regular meals, and only use it as a reward during training sessions. The following is not a complete list of foods that you can use for rewards, but it is a great place to start.
Walnuts (halves or pieces) unsweetened cereal toast cubes pepper flakes pumpkin seeds sunflower seeds popcorn (without butter & salt) pasta (cooked or raw) papaya oatmeal millet hard boiled egg peanut halves grapes (or half grapes) granola crackers cornflakes chopped apple cantaloupe cabbage coleslaw carrot (grated or chopped) celery broccoli banana
While all of the foods listed above are generally health snacks, always remember that sometimes too much of a good thing really isn't good at all. This especially applies to things like sunflower seeds and peanuts which can be very fattening if they constitute the bulk of your birds diet. I try to make sure all of my birds always have free access to a good brand of pellets all day long and I also offer a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with whole grain breads, sprouted or cooked beans, whole grain pasta (without sauce) etc. And I try to limit their intake of seeds as they tend to pick out just one or two of their favorite types and refuse to eat the rest. Which can lead to malnutrition. Good luck and have fun picking out new foods to use as rewards for your favorie feathered friend.
Rachel is a professional bird breeder and parrot behaviour consultant with over 20 years experience working with these amazingly complex animals. She shares her home with 12 different species of parrots (whose numbers vary with the breeding seasons) several salt and freshwater aquariums, snakes, dogs, and cats. And a very understanding and supportive family! You can find more articles by Rachel and meet a few of her birds here: http://talkingboutbirds.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Training Your Pet Bird
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_F.]Rachel F.
If the only animal training you have done in the past has been with a dog then you need to stop right now and rethink everything you know about animal training! Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Most birds have never been "domesticated" Dogs are always looking to the leader of the pack, following his or her lead and trying to please them. Parrots on the other hand see themselves as your equal. Their greatest pleasure is not to do exactly what you say when you say it in hopes of pleasing their "pack leader". They are constantly trying to figure out ways to control YOU, through their behaviours and actions. Unlike dogs they don't work to please you, they work to please themselves. SO in order to teach your bird a few desirable behaviours you need to work at being smarted than he is and convincing him that it was his idea in the first place!
Bird trainers use food as a reward, which is one of the things birds care about most. Because of this you should probably schedule training sessions before feeding your feathered friend. That way he will be extra motivated to receive the treat or reward that you give him.
Assuming you are starting out with a handfed bird that is already reasonably tame, how can you teach your bird a few tricks? Positive reinforcement is the trick. So long as you are careful never to teach the bird something that could jeopardize his health, tricks can only increase your enjoyment of your bird and the amount of time you spend together.
The first step in teaching any kind of trick is to notice a natural behaviour that can be modified easily into a trick. You may notice that your bird loves to push his food around in his dish before he eats it. If so then your bird has already started doing a fun little trick, it is just up to you to teach him to modify it a bit, and make it more elaborate. You can buy a little wooden parrot wagon (often available at larger pet stores that carry a good selection of bird toys) or you can use a little die-cast hot wheels type car, and teach him to transfer the pushing habit onto the toy by loading it down with a little bit of food. You can offer him a reward or treat, when he gets the behaviour you want right. And don't forget to name the trick . For example say "Push the wagon (car)" every time he does it. Soon he will learn to do this on command. Remember that treats such as sunflower seeds work great as training rewards but can be very fattening so they should not constitute the basis of your birds diet! After a time your bird will begin to push without the benefit of the wagon or car having any food on it.
In the beginning it might take a while for you and your bird to really learn to communicate. But once your bird learns that acting a certain way both makes brings a reward and gives him extra attention from you, his flock mate, he will get much faster at learning new tricks. Learning to preform tricks can also help chronic pluckers. Sometimes birds that pluck are just plain bored! They often become the best performers, and the plucking is alleviated as a by-product of having something new to do.
Teaching "Stick 'em up" is also quite easy. When you first take your bird out of its cage they will often stretch their wings straight up over their heads. When he does this point your finger at him (like a gun) and say "Stick 'em up" or "Put 'em up". After a week or two of doing this every time you see the bird stretch he will start to do it on command. If you find it helps you can offer a reward, but for a trick this easy to learn it is often not necessary.
Some other tricks that are easy modifications of normal parrot behaviour include:
Offering a foot to shake hands Hopping (dancing or pretending to be wind-up toy) Bobbing its head(Answering yes) Raising its crest Flapping its wings (soaring like eagle, escaping the police, etc.) Swinging head side to side (saying no) Stomping feet (dancing) Hanging from feet or beak from its perch or your hands. (acrobatics, or swinging upside down) Lying on its back (play dead, or roll over)
This is not a comprehensive list of tricks that your pet parrot could learn, the sky (and your patience) is the limit. Playing with his natural tendencies and coordinating them with your verbal commands, you can find a virtually limitless repertoire within your bird's natural behaviour. We have all seen macaws dunking basketballs, and cockatoos roller-skating. Be sure to be on the look out, the next time you go shopping for parrot toys, for things to use as props in making your parrot's performance "Star Quality" And don't forget to make it fun! Keep your lessons short 10 to 30 minutes. You can have more than one training session per day, if you would like to reinforce the day's lesson and progress faster. Most importantly always end each session on a positive note. End with a behaviour that your parrot can do well and will earn your praise and a reward.
Rachel is a professional bird breeder and parrot behaviour consultant with over 20 years experience working with these amazingly complex animals. She shares her home with 12 different species of parrots (whose numbers vary with the breeding seasons) several salt and freshwater aquariums, snakes, dogs, and cats. And a very understanding and supportive family! You can find more articles by Rachel and meet a few of her birds here: http://talkingboutbirds.blogspot.com/
If the only animal training you have done in the past has been with a dog then you need to stop right now and rethink everything you know about animal training! Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Most birds have never been "domesticated" Dogs are always looking to the leader of the pack, following his or her lead and trying to please them. Parrots on the other hand see themselves as your equal. Their greatest pleasure is not to do exactly what you say when you say it in hopes of pleasing their "pack leader". They are constantly trying to figure out ways to control YOU, through their behaviours and actions. Unlike dogs they don't work to please you, they work to please themselves. SO in order to teach your bird a few desirable behaviours you need to work at being smarted than he is and convincing him that it was his idea in the first place!
Bird trainers use food as a reward, which is one of the things birds care about most. Because of this you should probably schedule training sessions before feeding your feathered friend. That way he will be extra motivated to receive the treat or reward that you give him.
Assuming you are starting out with a handfed bird that is already reasonably tame, how can you teach your bird a few tricks? Positive reinforcement is the trick. So long as you are careful never to teach the bird something that could jeopardize his health, tricks can only increase your enjoyment of your bird and the amount of time you spend together.
The first step in teaching any kind of trick is to notice a natural behaviour that can be modified easily into a trick. You may notice that your bird loves to push his food around in his dish before he eats it. If so then your bird has already started doing a fun little trick, it is just up to you to teach him to modify it a bit, and make it more elaborate. You can buy a little wooden parrot wagon (often available at larger pet stores that carry a good selection of bird toys) or you can use a little die-cast hot wheels type car, and teach him to transfer the pushing habit onto the toy by loading it down with a little bit of food. You can offer him a reward or treat, when he gets the behaviour you want right. And don't forget to name the trick . For example say "Push the wagon (car)" every time he does it. Soon he will learn to do this on command. Remember that treats such as sunflower seeds work great as training rewards but can be very fattening so they should not constitute the basis of your birds diet! After a time your bird will begin to push without the benefit of the wagon or car having any food on it.
In the beginning it might take a while for you and your bird to really learn to communicate. But once your bird learns that acting a certain way both makes brings a reward and gives him extra attention from you, his flock mate, he will get much faster at learning new tricks. Learning to preform tricks can also help chronic pluckers. Sometimes birds that pluck are just plain bored! They often become the best performers, and the plucking is alleviated as a by-product of having something new to do.
Teaching "Stick 'em up" is also quite easy. When you first take your bird out of its cage they will often stretch their wings straight up over their heads. When he does this point your finger at him (like a gun) and say "Stick 'em up" or "Put 'em up". After a week or two of doing this every time you see the bird stretch he will start to do it on command. If you find it helps you can offer a reward, but for a trick this easy to learn it is often not necessary.
Some other tricks that are easy modifications of normal parrot behaviour include:
Offering a foot to shake hands Hopping (dancing or pretending to be wind-up toy) Bobbing its head(Answering yes) Raising its crest Flapping its wings (soaring like eagle, escaping the police, etc.) Swinging head side to side (saying no) Stomping feet (dancing) Hanging from feet or beak from its perch or your hands. (acrobatics, or swinging upside down) Lying on its back (play dead, or roll over)
This is not a comprehensive list of tricks that your pet parrot could learn, the sky (and your patience) is the limit. Playing with his natural tendencies and coordinating them with your verbal commands, you can find a virtually limitless repertoire within your bird's natural behaviour. We have all seen macaws dunking basketballs, and cockatoos roller-skating. Be sure to be on the look out, the next time you go shopping for parrot toys, for things to use as props in making your parrot's performance "Star Quality" And don't forget to make it fun! Keep your lessons short 10 to 30 minutes. You can have more than one training session per day, if you would like to reinforce the day's lesson and progress faster. Most importantly always end each session on a positive note. End with a behaviour that your parrot can do well and will earn your praise and a reward.
Rachel is a professional bird breeder and parrot behaviour consultant with over 20 years experience working with these amazingly complex animals. She shares her home with 12 different species of parrots (whose numbers vary with the breeding seasons) several salt and freshwater aquariums, snakes, dogs, and cats. And a very understanding and supportive family! You can find more articles by Rachel and meet a few of her birds here: http://talkingboutbirds.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Decorative Bird Houses - How It All Began
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner]David Faulkner
Humans have a natural tendency to decorate and make things better. We like adorning our houses with all sorts of frills and ornaments. During the holiday seasons, we put up whatever decorations are necessary for the current festivities. Neighbors sometimes even compete as to the lavishness of their trimmings.
It's hard to explain why people love decorating so much. Some even go out of their way to look for special ornaments for their homes � decorative plants, decorative mugs, decorative candles, even decorative bird houses.
But what we humans do not realize is that while we are busy scouring antique stores for decorative bird houses to put up in our yards, the birds themselves are also very busy adorning their own homes.
In the beginning, there were no decorative bird houses. All avian domiciles looked alike and were rather boring-looking. The creation of decorative bird houses all started with a couple of wrens who got bored with their simple house. They woke up one day and realized that they wanted to paint their dull wooden house a bright pink. They also painted the inside with a fresh coat of yellow.
At first the neighbors just laughed at them but soon, they came to see that redoing their own houses wasn�t such a bad idea. The birds all got out their paintbrushes and this marked the beginning of decorative bird houses.
It did not take long for the birds to figure out that they can do so much more with their houses than just paint them. Soon, the whole neighborhood was engrossed in embellishing their decorative bird houses with anything unique they can find. The finches added fancy feed troughs. The sparrows added some colorful perches beneath their entryways. And not to be outdone, even the ravens put up shiny new aluminum siding to their dwelling. In no time at all, decorative bird houses can be seen all throughout the area.
As the holidays arrive, we humans start putting up lights and fancy ornaments in our house and yard. Likewise, the birds also strung blinking lights along the sides and roofs of their decorative bird houses. Some of the more adventurous critters would even tie some holly or mistletoe to their front perches to celebrate the spirit of the season.
The decorative bird houses became more and more elaborate as the days passed. Soon, the whole neighborhood resembled a miniature human village. The birds found human dwellings quite attractive so they tried to imitate their design the best way that they can. And that is how decorative bird houses came to be.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Unique_Bird_Houses.php]Unique Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Wren_House_Plans.php]Wren House Plans. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Humans have a natural tendency to decorate and make things better. We like adorning our houses with all sorts of frills and ornaments. During the holiday seasons, we put up whatever decorations are necessary for the current festivities. Neighbors sometimes even compete as to the lavishness of their trimmings.
It's hard to explain why people love decorating so much. Some even go out of their way to look for special ornaments for their homes � decorative plants, decorative mugs, decorative candles, even decorative bird houses.
But what we humans do not realize is that while we are busy scouring antique stores for decorative bird houses to put up in our yards, the birds themselves are also very busy adorning their own homes.
In the beginning, there were no decorative bird houses. All avian domiciles looked alike and were rather boring-looking. The creation of decorative bird houses all started with a couple of wrens who got bored with their simple house. They woke up one day and realized that they wanted to paint their dull wooden house a bright pink. They also painted the inside with a fresh coat of yellow.
At first the neighbors just laughed at them but soon, they came to see that redoing their own houses wasn�t such a bad idea. The birds all got out their paintbrushes and this marked the beginning of decorative bird houses.
It did not take long for the birds to figure out that they can do so much more with their houses than just paint them. Soon, the whole neighborhood was engrossed in embellishing their decorative bird houses with anything unique they can find. The finches added fancy feed troughs. The sparrows added some colorful perches beneath their entryways. And not to be outdone, even the ravens put up shiny new aluminum siding to their dwelling. In no time at all, decorative bird houses can be seen all throughout the area.
As the holidays arrive, we humans start putting up lights and fancy ornaments in our house and yard. Likewise, the birds also strung blinking lights along the sides and roofs of their decorative bird houses. Some of the more adventurous critters would even tie some holly or mistletoe to their front perches to celebrate the spirit of the season.
The decorative bird houses became more and more elaborate as the days passed. Soon, the whole neighborhood resembled a miniature human village. The birds found human dwellings quite attractive so they tried to imitate their design the best way that they can. And that is how decorative bird houses came to be.
You can also find more info on [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Unique_Bird_Houses.php]Unique Bird Houses and [http://www.thisbirdhouse.com/Articles/Wren_House_Plans.php]Wren House Plans. Thisbirdhouse.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Bird House Crafts, Kits and Plans.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Senegal Parrots - Feed and Nutrition
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Erin_Kurwicki]Erin Kurwicki
I have a 6 yr old Senegal parrot that I hand fed. My Senegal is named Sunni and he has a vocabulary of about 6 words. He can imitate many noises such as, the microwave, smoke alarm, running water and telephone. He has a sweet little personality and has bonded very well with me. I am able to handle him anytime, day or night, and he has only bitten me once when he was a few months old. He will let others handle him, but has bitten on quite a few occasions. Most Senegal parrots are as friendly as Sunni. I have learned alot about parrot feed and nutrition while caring for my Senegal parrot.
The most important thing in raising a parrot is their nutrition. Most people are led to believe that a diet of just seeds is adequate for these birds, but it is not. In the wild Senegal's will eat different foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. I feed a variety of foods to keep my senegal parrot healthy. His main diet consists of commercially made parrot pellets. There are a few different brands of pellets out there is different shapes, colors and flavors. Some parrots will take to one kind and not another. Check out this website Caring for a Senegal Parrot for a list of companies that sell parrot pellets to get free samples. Care must be taken when switching over from a regular diet to pellets. You should only change their diet about 10% each week.
I supplement my senegal parrot's pelleted diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Avacodos and chocolate are POISONOUS to parrots and should never be fed. Sunni's favorites foods are grapes and apples. It is very interesting watching a parrot eat a grape. Sunni "unzips" it with his beak, sucks out the inside, and drops the skin. This also keeps him pretty busy. Parrots like to "forage" for their food so it is recommended that you put bowls in various positions in the cage.
Senegal parrots are drawn to colorful foods and also like things in different shapes and sizes, so experiment!! You can cut up carrots into sticks or squares. Some birds will only eat cooked or steamed veggies and some like them fresh. I like to stick some broccoli in his cage bars and make it look like a tree. Sunni has a blast picking through it!
Noodles and grains are also good for parrots. I do give him meat every once in a while and he eats that heartily! I feed corn bread, wheat bread, whole wheat or white noodles, and white or brown rice. An easy way to get a parrot to eat some veggies is to puree them in a blender and use the liquid with a little water to make a batch of cornbread according to the box directions. I cut these in little "bars" and freeze half for easy thawing.
Seeds and nuts are an important part of a parrots diet, but should be given in moderation as treats since they are high in fat. They love sunflower seeds! I also give some spray millet as a treat. I have also purchased some treat dispensers for birds where they have to work a treat through a maze before they can eat it. It is very important for parrots to stay busy and not get bored as they tend to develop bad habits such as feather picking.
Erin Kurwicki is a wahm making money online to pay off her debts and achieve financial freedom. Her and her husband live in Southern Illinois and raise Whitetail Deer. Check our her blog http://moneymatters2007.blogspot.com for more financial tips and ways to earn money online. A well rounded, diverse diet is the best thing for a Senegal parrot. Making new and fun foods for them is something that should be done and is actually enjoyable. For more information on Senegal parrots, visit here
I have a 6 yr old Senegal parrot that I hand fed. My Senegal is named Sunni and he has a vocabulary of about 6 words. He can imitate many noises such as, the microwave, smoke alarm, running water and telephone. He has a sweet little personality and has bonded very well with me. I am able to handle him anytime, day or night, and he has only bitten me once when he was a few months old. He will let others handle him, but has bitten on quite a few occasions. Most Senegal parrots are as friendly as Sunni. I have learned alot about parrot feed and nutrition while caring for my Senegal parrot.
The most important thing in raising a parrot is their nutrition. Most people are led to believe that a diet of just seeds is adequate for these birds, but it is not. In the wild Senegal's will eat different foods such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. I feed a variety of foods to keep my senegal parrot healthy. His main diet consists of commercially made parrot pellets. There are a few different brands of pellets out there is different shapes, colors and flavors. Some parrots will take to one kind and not another. Check out this website Caring for a Senegal Parrot for a list of companies that sell parrot pellets to get free samples. Care must be taken when switching over from a regular diet to pellets. You should only change their diet about 10% each week.
I supplement my senegal parrot's pelleted diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Avacodos and chocolate are POISONOUS to parrots and should never be fed. Sunni's favorites foods are grapes and apples. It is very interesting watching a parrot eat a grape. Sunni "unzips" it with his beak, sucks out the inside, and drops the skin. This also keeps him pretty busy. Parrots like to "forage" for their food so it is recommended that you put bowls in various positions in the cage.
Senegal parrots are drawn to colorful foods and also like things in different shapes and sizes, so experiment!! You can cut up carrots into sticks or squares. Some birds will only eat cooked or steamed veggies and some like them fresh. I like to stick some broccoli in his cage bars and make it look like a tree. Sunni has a blast picking through it!
Noodles and grains are also good for parrots. I do give him meat every once in a while and he eats that heartily! I feed corn bread, wheat bread, whole wheat or white noodles, and white or brown rice. An easy way to get a parrot to eat some veggies is to puree them in a blender and use the liquid with a little water to make a batch of cornbread according to the box directions. I cut these in little "bars" and freeze half for easy thawing.
Seeds and nuts are an important part of a parrots diet, but should be given in moderation as treats since they are high in fat. They love sunflower seeds! I also give some spray millet as a treat. I have also purchased some treat dispensers for birds where they have to work a treat through a maze before they can eat it. It is very important for parrots to stay busy and not get bored as they tend to develop bad habits such as feather picking.
Erin Kurwicki is a wahm making money online to pay off her debts and achieve financial freedom. Her and her husband live in Southern Illinois and raise Whitetail Deer. Check our her blog http://moneymatters2007.blogspot.com for more financial tips and ways to earn money online. A well rounded, diverse diet is the best thing for a Senegal parrot. Making new and fun foods for them is something that should be done and is actually enjoyable. For more information on Senegal parrots, visit here
Friday, September 7, 2007
Swallo-tailed Kites, Gallinules, and Frigates
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Roy_Smallwood]Roy Smallwood
I don�t usually trek far to go birding. My trips are generally local. However, I teamed up with a birding partner from the past to do just that. My partner on this trip was someone with whom I birded in the last century (mid-eighties). So, when I got the email inviting me and others to join him on an all day birding trip, I couldn�t refuse. Thus began the rearranging of schedules and ordinary demands to accommodate this adventure which would begin 100 miles from home before dawn.
We were up before our alarms, anticipation driving us. The early routine of coffee and making sandwiches for later in the day went like clockwork. Gear packed the night before was rechecked one more time. We noted that each had different, and better, binoculars since last we birded. We had both opted for the newer roof prism technology. Even my partner�s new scope was carefully stowed in the van; we knew we would use it on the coast.
The objectives for the day were to find Swallow-tailed Kites near Liberty, Texas; Purple Gallinules at Anahuac; Magnificent Frigatebirds near Galveston. In the burgeoning light of dawn we left College Station headed for Dayton and Liberty. My partner had checked with fellow birders on Texbirds to see if anyone had recently sighted the kites. An email confirmed we had a good chance.
We arrived at Liberty shortly after 8:00 and parked on the frontage road near the bridge over the Trinity River to begin our watch for the kites. Local Law Enforcement checked us out to see what we were about. Having determined we had legitimate purpose, they left us to our search. Two and a half hours later we did get to sight three very agile and graceful kites as they hunted insects and lizards from the top of the trees. During those in between hours we also were treated to numerous Anhingas, Common and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Double Crested Cormorants, Eurasian Collard Dove and a Belted Kingfisher. For thirty minutes we enjoyed the kites and their acrobatics.
Turning south we traced our way to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. We did not meet any of our other objectives this day. However, we delighted in the viewing of many Common Moorhens and their fluffy little chicks, Green Herons, and Marsh Wrens. We noted the �floating log� had eyes.
We made it to High Island and stopped to take a look at the rookery of herons and Roseated Spoonbills. We noted another floating log with eyes. From High Island it was on to Boliver Flats where we sighted Royal, Caspian and Sandwich Terns, Marbled Godwits, a Long-billed Curlew, Brown Pelicans, and Reddish Egrets. One of the Reddish Egrets engaged in a spirited dance for which they are known.
Our next objective of Galveston and the frigates was thwarted by a flat tire and a very long line waiting for the ferries. Tired, hot and thirsty we headed toward our base. Returning to College Station that evening, thirteen hours later, we had traveled over 400 miles and seen 52 species of birds. I marvel at the mileage because I remember my history lessons in which I learned those brave pioneers who crossed our continent headed for Oregon or California in their wagons would often travel only eight to fourteen miles a day. But I, like Mr. Frost, still had miles to go before I slept. I was still far from home.
There may be some who might count the day unsuccessful, for we had only accomplished one of our objectives. Yet, birding and fishing have in common that we do not always meet the objectives. Casting our lures into the water does not always net us a fish. Casting our binoculars over the field does not always result in a sighting. However, when we do hook the fish or sight the bird, what a rush it is. �Tis a lesson for life, even those of us who believe in goals and objectives should take to heart in living our days not just for the mechanics of met objectives, but for the unexpected in between. We had a grand day, filled with stories new and old. We caught up with each others lives and families. We had joked and done our share of �do you remember when?� We had shared in the hunt for some special birds and been impressed by their majesty. We had shared in a pastime which has sustained us, and many others, these many years.
Roy Smallwood is the owner of Kingbirdfeeders.com. Roy began this enterprise after a 26 year career as a teacher of science. His love and enjoyment of the outdoors and birding in particular is the impetus for the company. He is an active member of the Central Texas Audubon Society. He encourages everyone to participate and enjoy birding whether in the backyard or in the field. Visit http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com for , [http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com/00ProdBinoculars.htm]binoculars and [http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com/00SpotScope.htm]spotting scopes and happy birding!
I don�t usually trek far to go birding. My trips are generally local. However, I teamed up with a birding partner from the past to do just that. My partner on this trip was someone with whom I birded in the last century (mid-eighties). So, when I got the email inviting me and others to join him on an all day birding trip, I couldn�t refuse. Thus began the rearranging of schedules and ordinary demands to accommodate this adventure which would begin 100 miles from home before dawn.
We were up before our alarms, anticipation driving us. The early routine of coffee and making sandwiches for later in the day went like clockwork. Gear packed the night before was rechecked one more time. We noted that each had different, and better, binoculars since last we birded. We had both opted for the newer roof prism technology. Even my partner�s new scope was carefully stowed in the van; we knew we would use it on the coast.
The objectives for the day were to find Swallow-tailed Kites near Liberty, Texas; Purple Gallinules at Anahuac; Magnificent Frigatebirds near Galveston. In the burgeoning light of dawn we left College Station headed for Dayton and Liberty. My partner had checked with fellow birders on Texbirds to see if anyone had recently sighted the kites. An email confirmed we had a good chance.
We arrived at Liberty shortly after 8:00 and parked on the frontage road near the bridge over the Trinity River to begin our watch for the kites. Local Law Enforcement checked us out to see what we were about. Having determined we had legitimate purpose, they left us to our search. Two and a half hours later we did get to sight three very agile and graceful kites as they hunted insects and lizards from the top of the trees. During those in between hours we also were treated to numerous Anhingas, Common and Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Double Crested Cormorants, Eurasian Collard Dove and a Belted Kingfisher. For thirty minutes we enjoyed the kites and their acrobatics.
Turning south we traced our way to Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. We did not meet any of our other objectives this day. However, we delighted in the viewing of many Common Moorhens and their fluffy little chicks, Green Herons, and Marsh Wrens. We noted the �floating log� had eyes.
We made it to High Island and stopped to take a look at the rookery of herons and Roseated Spoonbills. We noted another floating log with eyes. From High Island it was on to Boliver Flats where we sighted Royal, Caspian and Sandwich Terns, Marbled Godwits, a Long-billed Curlew, Brown Pelicans, and Reddish Egrets. One of the Reddish Egrets engaged in a spirited dance for which they are known.
Our next objective of Galveston and the frigates was thwarted by a flat tire and a very long line waiting for the ferries. Tired, hot and thirsty we headed toward our base. Returning to College Station that evening, thirteen hours later, we had traveled over 400 miles and seen 52 species of birds. I marvel at the mileage because I remember my history lessons in which I learned those brave pioneers who crossed our continent headed for Oregon or California in their wagons would often travel only eight to fourteen miles a day. But I, like Mr. Frost, still had miles to go before I slept. I was still far from home.
There may be some who might count the day unsuccessful, for we had only accomplished one of our objectives. Yet, birding and fishing have in common that we do not always meet the objectives. Casting our lures into the water does not always net us a fish. Casting our binoculars over the field does not always result in a sighting. However, when we do hook the fish or sight the bird, what a rush it is. �Tis a lesson for life, even those of us who believe in goals and objectives should take to heart in living our days not just for the mechanics of met objectives, but for the unexpected in between. We had a grand day, filled with stories new and old. We caught up with each others lives and families. We had joked and done our share of �do you remember when?� We had shared in the hunt for some special birds and been impressed by their majesty. We had shared in a pastime which has sustained us, and many others, these many years.
Roy Smallwood is the owner of Kingbirdfeeders.com. Roy began this enterprise after a 26 year career as a teacher of science. His love and enjoyment of the outdoors and birding in particular is the impetus for the company. He is an active member of the Central Texas Audubon Society. He encourages everyone to participate and enjoy birding whether in the backyard or in the field. Visit http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com for , [http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com/00ProdBinoculars.htm]binoculars and [http://www.kingbirdfeeders.com/00SpotScope.htm]spotting scopes and happy birding!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Birdcages - How To Know What You Need?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards]Terry Edwards
Have you been thinking of getting a pet bird, but have no idea what type of birdcage you need? Well, here is some help in discovering what kind of birdcage you need, as well as some other helpful items to put in it.
Keeping your pet parrot, canary, parakeet or other exotic bird happy is a priority for every pet owner. Without the right type and size of birdcage, this will be tough to accomplish.
When you begin looking for a birdcage you will find a wide variety of choices to pick from. But, most can be classed as either large birdcages or small birdcages.
So, which size do you need? Well, without knowing what kind of bird you have, it's impossible to say. But you can easily find out by looking online or talking with the pet store.
One tip to always keep in mind is that when it comes to pet birds, whether it's a parrot or a parakeet, size matters. Get a large birdcage. They will love the extra space!
What kind of material should your cage be made out of? Wood is the best choice, but acrylic birdcages are a nice all-around cage for any bird you may have.
Other things to look for include a bird cage cover to use at night. Get some toys to put in the cage also. Birds enjoy play time just like we do.
Have a food and water dish of course and put in a ladder as well.
Take your time when looking for a birdcage and shop around. Have a budget in mind and most importantly, have some fun with it. Birds make for great gets and having a nice large birdcage will make them very happy for years to come.
By the way, you can find out much more about [http://www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com/Birdcages.html]Birdcages as well as more information on everything to do with bird cages on our website at http://www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com
Have you been thinking of getting a pet bird, but have no idea what type of birdcage you need? Well, here is some help in discovering what kind of birdcage you need, as well as some other helpful items to put in it.
Keeping your pet parrot, canary, parakeet or other exotic bird happy is a priority for every pet owner. Without the right type and size of birdcage, this will be tough to accomplish.
When you begin looking for a birdcage you will find a wide variety of choices to pick from. But, most can be classed as either large birdcages or small birdcages.
So, which size do you need? Well, without knowing what kind of bird you have, it's impossible to say. But you can easily find out by looking online or talking with the pet store.
One tip to always keep in mind is that when it comes to pet birds, whether it's a parrot or a parakeet, size matters. Get a large birdcage. They will love the extra space!
What kind of material should your cage be made out of? Wood is the best choice, but acrylic birdcages are a nice all-around cage for any bird you may have.
Other things to look for include a bird cage cover to use at night. Get some toys to put in the cage also. Birds enjoy play time just like we do.
Have a food and water dish of course and put in a ladder as well.
Take your time when looking for a birdcage and shop around. Have a budget in mind and most importantly, have some fun with it. Birds make for great gets and having a nice large birdcage will make them very happy for years to come.
By the way, you can find out much more about [http://www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com/Birdcages.html]Birdcages as well as more information on everything to do with bird cages on our website at http://www.BirdCages.InfoFromA-z.com
Monday, September 3, 2007
Choosing Your Pet Bird
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sunil_Tanna]Sunil Tanna
A bird is an ideal pet for people who prefer more sedate activities, and who do not have the time or inclination to play fetch with their dogs or pay attention to their cats. In other words, birds are ideal for people who have not much time to devote to pets but would like to own a pet nonetheless. However, even if you are suited to owning a pet bird, it is worth taking some time to think about to what bird you will be ideally suited rather than just picking any bird. You will want to choose the type of bird which will be best for you and your lifestyle.
If you are short of time, it is probably wisest to choose a small or medium sized bird as they do not require as much attention. While it is true that larger birds usually make for a better companion, the downside is that they tend to be more of a handful to look after, and can be quite loud and messy.
Another consideration is whether you want to choose a bird that you can get out of its cage and pet, or if you would prefer a bird that you just look at and stays within its cage.
Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds but these are also one of the loudest ones. A compromise is to get a parrotlet instead. Parrotlet are a smaller version of parrots but they do not lack intelligence or energy.
Another parrot version is the parakeet. Parakeets are smaller than standard-sized parrots but they are still very intelligent and highly trainable, if reared properly. They are fun to have around, very colorful, and beautiful to look at.
A good choice if you want a medium-sized bird is a cockatiel. These are very clever and precocious birds, and you expect them to learn mimic just about any sound in your house.
First published at http://www.guide2pets.com/p1_articles_bird_choosing.php
More pet articles and information at http://www.guide2pets.com/
A bird is an ideal pet for people who prefer more sedate activities, and who do not have the time or inclination to play fetch with their dogs or pay attention to their cats. In other words, birds are ideal for people who have not much time to devote to pets but would like to own a pet nonetheless. However, even if you are suited to owning a pet bird, it is worth taking some time to think about to what bird you will be ideally suited rather than just picking any bird. You will want to choose the type of bird which will be best for you and your lifestyle.
If you are short of time, it is probably wisest to choose a small or medium sized bird as they do not require as much attention. While it is true that larger birds usually make for a better companion, the downside is that they tend to be more of a handful to look after, and can be quite loud and messy.
Another consideration is whether you want to choose a bird that you can get out of its cage and pet, or if you would prefer a bird that you just look at and stays within its cage.
Parrots are one of the most popular pet birds but these are also one of the loudest ones. A compromise is to get a parrotlet instead. Parrotlet are a smaller version of parrots but they do not lack intelligence or energy.
Another parrot version is the parakeet. Parakeets are smaller than standard-sized parrots but they are still very intelligent and highly trainable, if reared properly. They are fun to have around, very colorful, and beautiful to look at.
A good choice if you want a medium-sized bird is a cockatiel. These are very clever and precocious birds, and you expect them to learn mimic just about any sound in your house.
First published at http://www.guide2pets.com/p1_articles_bird_choosing.php
More pet articles and information at http://www.guide2pets.com/
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Bird Watching for Beginners
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Louis_Dale]Louis Dale
Bird watching has become a sport that has been around for many years. Also known as �birding� people of many ages enjoy one of the fastest growing hobbies in America. People of all ages enjoy searching for birds in their region, watching them in their natural habitat and enjoying listening to the different songs. As fascinating as they are birds can reveal many things about nature and the beauty surrounding them.
The sights and sounds of nature are very familiar to the keen eyes and ears of a bird watcher. By catching a one-second glimpse of a bird darting through the woods along with a musical note sounding like only a �chirp� a bird watcher can tell you the general species of the bird and even narrow it down to the exact bird.
With over 900 + species of birds found in the United States, birders must quickly be able to distinguish birds by analyzing a lot of information such as call notes, color patterns, and the shape of their wings and bills. It takes an observant person to see a strange bird and analyze how the bird moves, flies and reacts in its environment. Many months of hard work is what it takes for a beginner bird watcher to grasp the techniques and be able to distinguish one bird from the next. Like learning an instrument, patience is the key and most important of all being able to enjoy the scenery and beauty of bird watching.
Why are so many people fascinated with birds even to the point of spending long hours watching them? Birds have long delighted people all over the world because of their beauty and power of flight. There are thousands of species all unique, mysterious and beautiful to the human eye. Historically, the Romans believed the flight and calls of birds could foretell the future. Today modern science uses birds and changes in their health and population as warnings of problems in their environment.
Watching birds helps people understand the fascination of how they relate to nature. We watch birds with interest party because of how accessible they are. Wherever we go they are there, and we share the environment with birds more than any other creature except insects. One reason people are compelled to watch birds is because of how amazingly different they are from one area to the next. You may find the same species of birds from one country to the next but notice they are entirely different in looks and the way they interact with the environment.
As mentioned before birds are amazing creatures. Be sure to give bird watching a try and give yourself a chance to enjoy the beauty of birds in the wild and the peace that comes with exploring nature.
Louis Dale a informational product writer enjoys providing quality information on a wide variety of topics. His latest [http://www.mywildbird.com/Teacup_Bird_Feeder.html target=_new]quality bird feeder website provides in depth quality information about birds and how to chose the right feeders for bird watching.
Bird watching has become a sport that has been around for many years. Also known as �birding� people of many ages enjoy one of the fastest growing hobbies in America. People of all ages enjoy searching for birds in their region, watching them in their natural habitat and enjoying listening to the different songs. As fascinating as they are birds can reveal many things about nature and the beauty surrounding them.
The sights and sounds of nature are very familiar to the keen eyes and ears of a bird watcher. By catching a one-second glimpse of a bird darting through the woods along with a musical note sounding like only a �chirp� a bird watcher can tell you the general species of the bird and even narrow it down to the exact bird.
With over 900 + species of birds found in the United States, birders must quickly be able to distinguish birds by analyzing a lot of information such as call notes, color patterns, and the shape of their wings and bills. It takes an observant person to see a strange bird and analyze how the bird moves, flies and reacts in its environment. Many months of hard work is what it takes for a beginner bird watcher to grasp the techniques and be able to distinguish one bird from the next. Like learning an instrument, patience is the key and most important of all being able to enjoy the scenery and beauty of bird watching.
Why are so many people fascinated with birds even to the point of spending long hours watching them? Birds have long delighted people all over the world because of their beauty and power of flight. There are thousands of species all unique, mysterious and beautiful to the human eye. Historically, the Romans believed the flight and calls of birds could foretell the future. Today modern science uses birds and changes in their health and population as warnings of problems in their environment.
Watching birds helps people understand the fascination of how they relate to nature. We watch birds with interest party because of how accessible they are. Wherever we go they are there, and we share the environment with birds more than any other creature except insects. One reason people are compelled to watch birds is because of how amazingly different they are from one area to the next. You may find the same species of birds from one country to the next but notice they are entirely different in looks and the way they interact with the environment.
As mentioned before birds are amazing creatures. Be sure to give bird watching a try and give yourself a chance to enjoy the beauty of birds in the wild and the peace that comes with exploring nature.
Louis Dale a informational product writer enjoys providing quality information on a wide variety of topics. His latest [http://www.mywildbird.com/Teacup_Bird_Feeder.html target=_new]quality bird feeder website provides in depth quality information about birds and how to chose the right feeders for bird watching.
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