By Anna-Marie Stewart
Whether you are looking to buy a budgie, already have a budgie or even own multiple budgies, health is of utmost importance. A budgie can go downhill really quickly if it gets ill, so it is really important to know what a healthy budgie looks like and to watch for any signs that may be pointing to the bird being slightly unwell or even very ill.
A healthy budgerigar is easily seen by it being active and chirpy, with bright, clear eyes and well preened feathers. He (or she) will also have a healthy appetite, so always check to see that the bird is eating and drinking well. The bird should also have a clean vent, with no fecal matter (poop) sticking to it and his breathing should be quick and quiet.
Now that we've determined what a healthy budgerigar should be like, let's see what signs there are that your budgie might be feeling under the weather or unwell.
Your bird may become unusually quiet, sit fluffed up at the bottom of the cage, stop eating and drinking. Its eyes could become sore, his feet can get swollen. The breathing could become noisy and seem like it's a lot of hard work for the budgie. It could develop a visible lump (possible tumour), or it's legs and beak could get crusty and sore (possible scaly face).
Other things to watch for are scruffy looking feathers, major loss of feathers or a dirty vent. Do note that budgies are very good at hiding illness so they really need to be watched closely.
If you should at any time find that your bird is exhibiting symptoms like this, please
always try to get advice from an avian vet if possible, or even a breeder if you can find one as they will usually be able to help you decide which steps to take to help get the bird better again.
Anna-Marie Stewart keeps and breeds pet budgerigars.
Visit Adorable Budgies for information, pictures and forum http://adorablebudgies.co.uk
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine,
web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes
to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) Anna-Marie Stewart All Rights Reserved
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Are 304-Grade Stainless Steel Bird Cages Safe For Birds?
By David Hermansen
If you're wondering whether or not 304-grade stainless steel bird cages are bird-safe, the answer is definite "yes!" In fact, it's the only material used in bird cages these days that I feel 100% secure about putting my bird in.
With the growing amount of powder-coated brand names being found to have toxic levels of harmful components in them, the safest bet is to get a 304-grade stainless steel cage. Aside from powder-coated and stainless steel, the only other choice that I know of is bamboo or wood, and that makes me nervous to even think about putting my bird in a cage made of wood. Whenever I even think about cages made of wood I get concerned about my bird getting slivers, or even worse finding some sort of bacteria within the wood that could get him sick.
The only word of warning I would give about the safety of a 304-grade stainless bird cage, is to make sure you are buying a stainless steel cage that is constructed of genuine, authentic 304-grade stainless steel. If you buy a low price, generic stainless steel cage, that's supposedly made of 304-grade stainless steel, you never know whether or not it is genuine or not.
It's impossible to say whether a non-authentic 304-grade stainless steel cage is non-toxic to your bird without having it analyzed by a professional lab. In order to do so, you would have to send a lab a chunk of your cage, and this damaging the cage to have it analyzed. There's always the possibility that in order to save money the factory put filler components into the steelmixture to replace the expensive components of the genuine 304-grade mixture, and there's a good chance those replacement components are toxic to birds. Your best bet is to make sure you're buying from a reputable cage manufacturer that you can trust.
So that brings up the question; "is buying a stainless steel cage even worth it?" The answer to that question is; "without a doubt." If you look at the benefits of ownership between a stainless steel cage and a powder-coated cage, the better choice is obvious. Stainless steel cages are much easier to keep clean and sanitary. You can pressure-wash them without making the powder-coating fall off, and you can also scrub them down with a vinegar/water mixture to quickly and easily get them totally clean. The process is as simple as coating the surface of the cage with the mixture, waiting 5 minutes, and then scrubbing it down or hosing it off. Then just dry the cage with a dry towel if you don't want any water spots.
Even though the ease of ownership is a great benefit, the greatest benefit is the lifespan of stainless steel cages. If you get a truly authentic 304-grade stainless steel cage that is well constructed, that cage could very well last a millennium if properly cared for. On the other hand, you could buy a top brand name powder-coated cage, and take good care of it, and you'll be lucky if it makes it beyond a decade before it's completely rusted out and becoming unsuitable for your feathered friend. I highly recommend stainless steel for all of these reasons, and if you can afford to get one you wont be sorry that you did.
David Hermansen is one of the owners of Legacy Cages, a manufacturer of top quality 304-grade stainless steel bird cages that are hand-crafted right here in the USA.
If you're wondering whether or not 304-grade stainless steel bird cages are bird-safe, the answer is definite "yes!" In fact, it's the only material used in bird cages these days that I feel 100% secure about putting my bird in.
With the growing amount of powder-coated brand names being found to have toxic levels of harmful components in them, the safest bet is to get a 304-grade stainless steel cage. Aside from powder-coated and stainless steel, the only other choice that I know of is bamboo or wood, and that makes me nervous to even think about putting my bird in a cage made of wood. Whenever I even think about cages made of wood I get concerned about my bird getting slivers, or even worse finding some sort of bacteria within the wood that could get him sick.
The only word of warning I would give about the safety of a 304-grade stainless bird cage, is to make sure you are buying a stainless steel cage that is constructed of genuine, authentic 304-grade stainless steel. If you buy a low price, generic stainless steel cage, that's supposedly made of 304-grade stainless steel, you never know whether or not it is genuine or not.
It's impossible to say whether a non-authentic 304-grade stainless steel cage is non-toxic to your bird without having it analyzed by a professional lab. In order to do so, you would have to send a lab a chunk of your cage, and this damaging the cage to have it analyzed. There's always the possibility that in order to save money the factory put filler components into the steelmixture to replace the expensive components of the genuine 304-grade mixture, and there's a good chance those replacement components are toxic to birds. Your best bet is to make sure you're buying from a reputable cage manufacturer that you can trust.
So that brings up the question; "is buying a stainless steel cage even worth it?" The answer to that question is; "without a doubt." If you look at the benefits of ownership between a stainless steel cage and a powder-coated cage, the better choice is obvious. Stainless steel cages are much easier to keep clean and sanitary. You can pressure-wash them without making the powder-coating fall off, and you can also scrub them down with a vinegar/water mixture to quickly and easily get them totally clean. The process is as simple as coating the surface of the cage with the mixture, waiting 5 minutes, and then scrubbing it down or hosing it off. Then just dry the cage with a dry towel if you don't want any water spots.
Even though the ease of ownership is a great benefit, the greatest benefit is the lifespan of stainless steel cages. If you get a truly authentic 304-grade stainless steel cage that is well constructed, that cage could very well last a millennium if properly cared for. On the other hand, you could buy a top brand name powder-coated cage, and take good care of it, and you'll be lucky if it makes it beyond a decade before it's completely rusted out and becoming unsuitable for your feathered friend. I highly recommend stainless steel for all of these reasons, and if you can afford to get one you wont be sorry that you did.
David Hermansen is one of the owners of Legacy Cages, a manufacturer of top quality 304-grade stainless steel bird cages that are hand-crafted right here in the USA.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Bird Basics "Do You Have What It Takes To Be A A Bird Owner?"
By Nancy Mcdaniel
There are many things to consider when owning a pet bird. Do you have enough room?l Do you have enough patience? Is our house set up to have a bird? If not , are you willing to invest in what it takes to have a home that's "bird safe"?. Do you have the time it takes to care for a bird? Do you know what kind of bird you want? Are you ready for a long-term commitment?
These are the most important questions you should ask yourself BEFORE considering owning a bird as a pet. Birds live a long time, depending on the type some live over 20yrs. Birds require a lot of interaction and stimulation. If you don't have the life style that would be conducive to having a bird as a pet then stop right here! YOU must adapt yourself to the bird, and not expect the bird to adapt itself to you!
Not only having a home that is bird suitable, but having a home that has an appropriate place for a cage is very important. I can't stress enough the importance of having a suitable cage. Depending on the type of bird will be the factor in the size and placement of the bird cage. Cages can be very costly, the bigger the bird the bigger the cage. Certain bird types need different types of feeders,waters, and toys. yes toys, boredom is one of the birds biggest stresses. Boredom can causes many problems in birds, feather plucking, depression and behavior problems.
Being a bird owner is not to be taken lightly. I would rather you find out now then to realize this after investing in everything to have a bird as pet. There isn't much of a market for getting rid of previously owned birds. Having a bird as a pet can be very rewarding,but only if you are willing to educate yourself on being the best bird owner possible.
Birds are very entertaining and very smart animals, some types can be taught to speak, they can be house broken, and taught to do tricks. Once again it takes a very committed person to own a bird. They are not just play things that can be put away when your tired of playing with them. Owning other pets, having them in the same environment as the birds not a good idea, nothing against cats but cats can cause pet birds a lot of strife. A scratch from a cat can cause a type of bacteria to enter into the birds blood stream and kill just as quick as if the cat had just attacked it.
Birds can very easily get their beaks caught in things,that is why not only having a bird safe home important, but having a cage that is safe too. Birds are allergic to many different types of plants, cleaning solutions, cooking utensils and smoke. As you see it's quite extensive the amount of knowledge needed BEFORE getting a bird as a pet.
Nancy McDaniel is a lover and bird owner, she writes on this subject and other related issues. You can learn more by visiting my blog http://new2birds.blogspot.com
There are many things to consider when owning a pet bird. Do you have enough room?l Do you have enough patience? Is our house set up to have a bird? If not , are you willing to invest in what it takes to have a home that's "bird safe"?. Do you have the time it takes to care for a bird? Do you know what kind of bird you want? Are you ready for a long-term commitment?
These are the most important questions you should ask yourself BEFORE considering owning a bird as a pet. Birds live a long time, depending on the type some live over 20yrs. Birds require a lot of interaction and stimulation. If you don't have the life style that would be conducive to having a bird as a pet then stop right here! YOU must adapt yourself to the bird, and not expect the bird to adapt itself to you!
Not only having a home that is bird suitable, but having a home that has an appropriate place for a cage is very important. I can't stress enough the importance of having a suitable cage. Depending on the type of bird will be the factor in the size and placement of the bird cage. Cages can be very costly, the bigger the bird the bigger the cage. Certain bird types need different types of feeders,waters, and toys. yes toys, boredom is one of the birds biggest stresses. Boredom can causes many problems in birds, feather plucking, depression and behavior problems.
Being a bird owner is not to be taken lightly. I would rather you find out now then to realize this after investing in everything to have a bird as pet. There isn't much of a market for getting rid of previously owned birds. Having a bird as a pet can be very rewarding,but only if you are willing to educate yourself on being the best bird owner possible.
Birds are very entertaining and very smart animals, some types can be taught to speak, they can be house broken, and taught to do tricks. Once again it takes a very committed person to own a bird. They are not just play things that can be put away when your tired of playing with them. Owning other pets, having them in the same environment as the birds not a good idea, nothing against cats but cats can cause pet birds a lot of strife. A scratch from a cat can cause a type of bacteria to enter into the birds blood stream and kill just as quick as if the cat had just attacked it.
Birds can very easily get their beaks caught in things,that is why not only having a bird safe home important, but having a cage that is safe too. Birds are allergic to many different types of plants, cleaning solutions, cooking utensils and smoke. As you see it's quite extensive the amount of knowledge needed BEFORE getting a bird as a pet.
Nancy McDaniel is a lover and bird owner, she writes on this subject and other related issues. You can learn more by visiting my blog http://new2birds.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 17, 2008
How To Breed African Grey Parrots
By Azmi Adnan
For breeding African grey parrots, first of all you will need to acquire a true pair. Identify the sex of your birds before you set them up for breeding. This can be done with DNA sexing if you do not want any fuss. However, surgical sexing is recommended since it enables the physical examination of the birds' sexual organs and the detection of any potential diseases. As in other surgical procedure, this involves the acceptance of risk.
Most domestically raised African Greys will be matured enough for breeding at about five years of age. Those in the wild will take longer, between seven to eight years of age. This is due to the intake of less nutritional foods found in the wild. You should pair up your birds at six months of age to get them getting used to being with other birds and to socialize.
After identifying the ideal pair for breeding, you will need to have a suitable breeding cage. You can build your own or purchase one from the pet shop. The ideal breeding cage has the following dimensions: 4'(w) x 2'(d) x 5'(h). African Greys breed quicker in this type of dimension than in larger flights and many breeders agree to this phenomenon. The birds also get adequate exercise in this space.
The breeding cage would also need a good and sturdy perch. The male African Grey mates with its hen by physic and nesting box, ally climbing up on her back unlike other types of parrots. The ideal perch measures 2' x 4'. During the breeding cycle, the birds will do a lot of wood chewing from the perch. Use a non-pressure treated wood if you are purchasing from the hardware store and one that is hard and that last longer.
It is recommended that you use stainless steel feeding bowls and glass water bowls and have them cleaned in the dishwasher and sanitized. Swing out feeder doors on the cages is also a good option . The cages need to be cleaned daily to prevent the spread of diseases that may affect the breeding process. You will also need a nesting box for your pair. You can make your own or purchase from a vendor. There are plenty of designs available so choose one that fits your requirements.
You are now ready to start breeding your Congo African Grey. This parrot is a relatively easy bird to breed and can be quite productive if the above tips are observed.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
For breeding African grey parrots, first of all you will need to acquire a true pair. Identify the sex of your birds before you set them up for breeding. This can be done with DNA sexing if you do not want any fuss. However, surgical sexing is recommended since it enables the physical examination of the birds' sexual organs and the detection of any potential diseases. As in other surgical procedure, this involves the acceptance of risk.
Most domestically raised African Greys will be matured enough for breeding at about five years of age. Those in the wild will take longer, between seven to eight years of age. This is due to the intake of less nutritional foods found in the wild. You should pair up your birds at six months of age to get them getting used to being with other birds and to socialize.
After identifying the ideal pair for breeding, you will need to have a suitable breeding cage. You can build your own or purchase one from the pet shop. The ideal breeding cage has the following dimensions: 4'(w) x 2'(d) x 5'(h). African Greys breed quicker in this type of dimension than in larger flights and many breeders agree to this phenomenon. The birds also get adequate exercise in this space.
The breeding cage would also need a good and sturdy perch. The male African Grey mates with its hen by physic and nesting box, ally climbing up on her back unlike other types of parrots. The ideal perch measures 2' x 4'. During the breeding cycle, the birds will do a lot of wood chewing from the perch. Use a non-pressure treated wood if you are purchasing from the hardware store and one that is hard and that last longer.
It is recommended that you use stainless steel feeding bowls and glass water bowls and have them cleaned in the dishwasher and sanitized. Swing out feeder doors on the cages is also a good option . The cages need to be cleaned daily to prevent the spread of diseases that may affect the breeding process. You will also need a nesting box for your pair. You can make your own or purchase from a vendor. There are plenty of designs available so choose one that fits your requirements.
You are now ready to start breeding your Congo African Grey. This parrot is a relatively easy bird to breed and can be quite productive if the above tips are observed.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Friday, February 15, 2008
How To Keep Your Budgerigar Happy
By Anna-Marie Stewart
A budgie is one of the cutest pets one could wish to own, but how do we keep them happy?
Budgies are instinctively used to living in a flock and love constant chatter and
company. I would never suggest getting a budgie if it's going to spend most of the day all on it's own. The least a single indoor budgie needs of company would be either radio or tv.
If you are going to be able to spend a lot of time with your bird, then by all means just get one, but if you think he might end up feeling lonely due to not having a lot of company around him, then get at least 2.
Keeping one budgerigar is totally ok so long as you understand he will need a lot of attention from you, especially if you feel that you would like to get him at least finger-tame. Spend as much time as you can with your budgie, and talk to him whenever you're around him. He'll love you for it.
If you're keeping more than one budgie, make sure the cage you buy is big enough for however many will be housed in it. Remember the rule of thumb: No wing or tail feathers are to touch the bars.
If you're going to keep a lot of budgies, it might be better to have an indoor or outdoor aviary. Budgies make a LOT of mess, so consider that before you make any decisions.
No matter where, or how, you decide to house your budgies, toys are a must-have.
Home-made wooden ones are fabulous, but you can also buy pretty cheap ones
(usually plastic) from most pet shops. Either way, always check your birds toys on a regular basis as small parts can loosen and choke the bird, strings can fray and a bird can strangle itself on them.
Birds get bored very easily, so have plenty of toys available so you can change them at regular intervals.
Make sure your birds cage is always clean and that there's always food and fresh water available. Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way to having a very happy budgie indeed.
Anna-Marie Stewart keeps and breeds pet budgerigars.
Visit Adorable Budgies for information, pictures and forum http://adorablebudgies.co.uk
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) Anna-Marie Stewart All Rights Reserved
A budgie is one of the cutest pets one could wish to own, but how do we keep them happy?
Budgies are instinctively used to living in a flock and love constant chatter and
company. I would never suggest getting a budgie if it's going to spend most of the day all on it's own. The least a single indoor budgie needs of company would be either radio or tv.
If you are going to be able to spend a lot of time with your bird, then by all means just get one, but if you think he might end up feeling lonely due to not having a lot of company around him, then get at least 2.
Keeping one budgerigar is totally ok so long as you understand he will need a lot of attention from you, especially if you feel that you would like to get him at least finger-tame. Spend as much time as you can with your budgie, and talk to him whenever you're around him. He'll love you for it.
If you're keeping more than one budgie, make sure the cage you buy is big enough for however many will be housed in it. Remember the rule of thumb: No wing or tail feathers are to touch the bars.
If you're going to keep a lot of budgies, it might be better to have an indoor or outdoor aviary. Budgies make a LOT of mess, so consider that before you make any decisions.
No matter where, or how, you decide to house your budgies, toys are a must-have.
Home-made wooden ones are fabulous, but you can also buy pretty cheap ones
(usually plastic) from most pet shops. Either way, always check your birds toys on a regular basis as small parts can loosen and choke the bird, strings can fray and a bird can strangle itself on them.
Birds get bored very easily, so have plenty of toys available so you can change them at regular intervals.
Make sure your birds cage is always clean and that there's always food and fresh water available. Follow these tips and you'll be well on your way to having a very happy budgie indeed.
Anna-Marie Stewart keeps and breeds pet budgerigars.
Visit Adorable Budgies for information, pictures and forum http://adorablebudgies.co.uk
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) Anna-Marie Stewart All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Birding Binoculars Will Get You Closer to Nature
By Jack Hunter
While birds are beautiful and fascinating, it's hard to get close to most of them. Many species are timid and afraid of humans. However, using birding binoculars gives you the best of both worlds. You can see beautiful specimens up close and personal, without having to frighten or disturb them. Users of these binoculars will be able to feel as though they're within arms reach of many birds. They are one of the best tools you can use to see birds in flight, nesting birds, and even watch them care for their hatch-lings. There are no other tools that could allow you to see these great images. Remember to look for binoculars intended for birding, as they'll give you the best performance.
Birding binoculars are a must on any bird watching trip. While you could go to an aviary, zoo, or museum, these environments don't give you the kinds of experiences that you can have observing animals in the wild. You'll learn plenty, and quickly - more than you would just reading a book or a plaque in a zoo. Remember to take a birding book along to help you with species and call identification, and enjoy learning about the different ways each individual type of bird lives its life.
While exotic birds are some of the most attractive, you don't have to rush to Costa Rica, Caribbean islands, or other touristy locations although you can if you wish. There are plenty of beautiful birds right around you - sometimes literally in your back yard. You just need to take the time to look at the world around you. A trip to the local park will show you familiar species, like pigeons and sparrows. However, if you look closely, you may also see cedar waxwings, cardinals, and many other beautiful creatures you would never noticed before. If you have children, consider taking them with you to watch the birds. Birding can be a great hobby for the whole family.
Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities, both in the US and the world. Your birding optics can help you enjoy it more easily. A recent survey by the Fish and Wildlife Service suggests that more than fifty-two million Americans who enjoy bird watching as a pastime. It's a great activity that helps you learn, puts you in touch with nature, and can help relieve stress. That's why more and more people are taking up birding, and bringing their binoculars.
It doesn't matter if you're a bird fanatic or just a casual watcher. Birding binoculars can help you bring distant creatures closer. If you give it a change, you're sure to get hooked on this activity. Birding, whether alone or with family and friends, in the country or in the city, at home or abroad, is an inexpensive, rewarding hobby that helps reduce stress, and improves your over all well being. If you've been thinking about taking up birding, now is the time to start. Just be sure to bring your binoculars!
Jack Hunter writes articles for http://www.extremebinoculars.com Looking for a new pair of optics? check out extremebinoculars.com they have a complete line of binoculars including birding binoculars to meet everyone's needs. They have binoculars, monoculars, digital binoculars and laser range finders from dozens of manufacturers all in one place for you to compare prices and options.
While birds are beautiful and fascinating, it's hard to get close to most of them. Many species are timid and afraid of humans. However, using birding binoculars gives you the best of both worlds. You can see beautiful specimens up close and personal, without having to frighten or disturb them. Users of these binoculars will be able to feel as though they're within arms reach of many birds. They are one of the best tools you can use to see birds in flight, nesting birds, and even watch them care for their hatch-lings. There are no other tools that could allow you to see these great images. Remember to look for binoculars intended for birding, as they'll give you the best performance.
Birding binoculars are a must on any bird watching trip. While you could go to an aviary, zoo, or museum, these environments don't give you the kinds of experiences that you can have observing animals in the wild. You'll learn plenty, and quickly - more than you would just reading a book or a plaque in a zoo. Remember to take a birding book along to help you with species and call identification, and enjoy learning about the different ways each individual type of bird lives its life.
While exotic birds are some of the most attractive, you don't have to rush to Costa Rica, Caribbean islands, or other touristy locations although you can if you wish. There are plenty of beautiful birds right around you - sometimes literally in your back yard. You just need to take the time to look at the world around you. A trip to the local park will show you familiar species, like pigeons and sparrows. However, if you look closely, you may also see cedar waxwings, cardinals, and many other beautiful creatures you would never noticed before. If you have children, consider taking them with you to watch the birds. Birding can be a great hobby for the whole family.
Birding is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities, both in the US and the world. Your birding optics can help you enjoy it more easily. A recent survey by the Fish and Wildlife Service suggests that more than fifty-two million Americans who enjoy bird watching as a pastime. It's a great activity that helps you learn, puts you in touch with nature, and can help relieve stress. That's why more and more people are taking up birding, and bringing their binoculars.
It doesn't matter if you're a bird fanatic or just a casual watcher. Birding binoculars can help you bring distant creatures closer. If you give it a change, you're sure to get hooked on this activity. Birding, whether alone or with family and friends, in the country or in the city, at home or abroad, is an inexpensive, rewarding hobby that helps reduce stress, and improves your over all well being. If you've been thinking about taking up birding, now is the time to start. Just be sure to bring your binoculars!
Jack Hunter writes articles for http://www.extremebinoculars.com Looking for a new pair of optics? check out extremebinoculars.com they have a complete line of binoculars including birding binoculars to meet everyone's needs. They have binoculars, monoculars, digital binoculars and laser range finders from dozens of manufacturers all in one place for you to compare prices and options.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Wing Clipping Pet Parrots - African Grey Parrots, Amazon Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos and Conures
By Louise Prowse
To wing clip or not to wing clip that is the question.
This is a question most pet bird owners will ask themselves at some time. There has been so much written on this subject you probably feel that it has been done to death however I have not read any articles written by breeders on this subject and I felt that an article from a breeders view point may help to give another perspective on wing clipping in relation to African grey parrots, Amazon parrots, macaws, cockatoos and conures.
It seems to me that there are several types of potential purchaser. There is the person who has already had some experience in keeping a parrot as a pet and wishes to purchase another one and there is the complete novice who has never had a bird before and certainly has no experience of what it means to have a bird living in a home environment. It is usually the latter who does some research and reads amongst other things the various articles that have been written stating that it is detrimental to a baby birds health and welfare to clip it. They are led to believe that the bird will not develop properly if it has been clipped, that it will suffer mentally and possibly start plucking or develop some other phobic behaviour. A few are also under the misapprehension that wing clipping is a permanent state and that the feathers will never grow again. This of course is not the case if the bird has been correctly clipped. However, I have seen some cases where the birds have been so badly clipped that the feather follicles have been permanently damaged and it is my recommendation that should wing clipping be required you should always contact a reputable breeder or avian veterinarian to perform this for you. Perhaps we should follow up this article by showing people the different safe methods of wing clipping.
People are also led to believe that they will be able to train the baby bird to obey you on command and behave in a similar manner to a dog. This is quite misleading. Birds are not dogs. For the benefit of this article let us suppose that your bird can be trained to obey your commands How long does it take to train the bird and what do you do in the interim period when he flies on top of the door and the children run in and startle him and he flies into the window and breaks his neck or suffers permanent brain damage, or they slam the door and he traps and breaks his legs or worse. I am sure that all breeders will have their own examples of these situations as I have.
Then of course there is the household with children! Train the children, yes, I agree, but will they remember that he is on their shoulder when they answer the door and what do you do when their friends come round and they do not realize that they should close the doors. I feel that these problems need to be addressed and not simply by saying well they should not have a bird as a pet then. But by giving them the choice of a temporary solution until everyone is trained to think bird and the bird is familiar with his surroundings and the members of his new flock. If a new bird is fully flighted and he flies outside, make no mistake, he is gone. He does not know where he is, he does not know who these people are and nothing is familiar to him he will just keep flying.
When a baby bird first goes to a new home it is quite obviously very different from the secure environment he has left with the breeder, who always has their birds welfare at the top of their list of priorities and would not subject them to any dangers. The new home is wonderful everyone is giving the bird plenty of attention but have they remembered to close all the windows and pull the curtains so that he does not fly into the windows. Are all the doors shut. What happens to this fully flighted bird in the summer when everyone is outdoors, he has to stay in his cage. As he does when the children are playing in case they leave the doors or windows open A bird who is clipped in these circumstances becomes a part of the family and can go where you go. If he is on your shoulder you do not have to remember to put him back in the cage to answer the door he can go with you. In short surely it is better to have a clipped bird than a missing, lost or maimed bird.
Clipping is not permanent and if done correctly it only restricts the birds ability to fly and when the bird moults the new owner is more able to make an informed judgement on whether to have him clipped again or whether he can cope with a fully flighted bird. As with everything nothing is black and white and to say one should never wing clip or alternatively one should always wing clip is far too dogmatic an attitude to have. Unfortunately we have a situation at present where there has been so much publicity about not wing clipping birds that many veterinarians are refusing to clip birds' wings. This is leading to people either finding someone who may or may not be experienced to clip the bird for them and in one case in particular where this unfortunate attitude led to the loss of one African grey parrot who flew from his cage through the open door as his owner entered. This owner had taken him to the local vet to have his wing clipped but he refused to do it and said it was detrimental to his health and well being. Where is this poor bird now. Possibly with someone who cares, if he is lucky, if not he may have possibly fallen prey to crows, rooks or hawks. Either way he is no longer in the familiar loving home he knows with his family who love him. Last summer there were hundreds of reports of lost birds I wonder if they would all be lost if their flight had been slightly restricted.
I think that as long as we have birds as part of our lives then we have a duty to protect them from dangers and if this means that we restrict their ability to fly then this is something we may have to do. Remember this is not a permanent state and as the clipped feathers moult out and the new ones grow you can start to train your bird and when he fully regains his flight, clipping will quite possibly no longer be necessary. I hope that this has gone some way to showing that there is another view point and a different approach to the subject of wing clipping. I would however like to point out that this article is not advocating the clipping of any babies wings before they are fully conversant with flight. Nor is it advocating clipping for clippings sake.
Louise Prowse is a UK parrot breeder. She has an informative website at http://www.parrotlink.com which gives detailed information on all species of parrots including African Grey parrots, amazon parrots, cockatoos, macaws and conures. The details include their status in the wild, their pet potential, minimum cage requirements, dietary needs and of course plenty of pictures. A forum for exchanging parrot information and also a FREE classified adverts section. There is also a link to http://www.xoticbirds.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing a baby parrot or want to see baby parrot videos and pictures or just get more advice and help.
To wing clip or not to wing clip that is the question.
This is a question most pet bird owners will ask themselves at some time. There has been so much written on this subject you probably feel that it has been done to death however I have not read any articles written by breeders on this subject and I felt that an article from a breeders view point may help to give another perspective on wing clipping in relation to African grey parrots, Amazon parrots, macaws, cockatoos and conures.
It seems to me that there are several types of potential purchaser. There is the person who has already had some experience in keeping a parrot as a pet and wishes to purchase another one and there is the complete novice who has never had a bird before and certainly has no experience of what it means to have a bird living in a home environment. It is usually the latter who does some research and reads amongst other things the various articles that have been written stating that it is detrimental to a baby birds health and welfare to clip it. They are led to believe that the bird will not develop properly if it has been clipped, that it will suffer mentally and possibly start plucking or develop some other phobic behaviour. A few are also under the misapprehension that wing clipping is a permanent state and that the feathers will never grow again. This of course is not the case if the bird has been correctly clipped. However, I have seen some cases where the birds have been so badly clipped that the feather follicles have been permanently damaged and it is my recommendation that should wing clipping be required you should always contact a reputable breeder or avian veterinarian to perform this for you. Perhaps we should follow up this article by showing people the different safe methods of wing clipping.
People are also led to believe that they will be able to train the baby bird to obey you on command and behave in a similar manner to a dog. This is quite misleading. Birds are not dogs. For the benefit of this article let us suppose that your bird can be trained to obey your commands How long does it take to train the bird and what do you do in the interim period when he flies on top of the door and the children run in and startle him and he flies into the window and breaks his neck or suffers permanent brain damage, or they slam the door and he traps and breaks his legs or worse. I am sure that all breeders will have their own examples of these situations as I have.
Then of course there is the household with children! Train the children, yes, I agree, but will they remember that he is on their shoulder when they answer the door and what do you do when their friends come round and they do not realize that they should close the doors. I feel that these problems need to be addressed and not simply by saying well they should not have a bird as a pet then. But by giving them the choice of a temporary solution until everyone is trained to think bird and the bird is familiar with his surroundings and the members of his new flock. If a new bird is fully flighted and he flies outside, make no mistake, he is gone. He does not know where he is, he does not know who these people are and nothing is familiar to him he will just keep flying.
When a baby bird first goes to a new home it is quite obviously very different from the secure environment he has left with the breeder, who always has their birds welfare at the top of their list of priorities and would not subject them to any dangers. The new home is wonderful everyone is giving the bird plenty of attention but have they remembered to close all the windows and pull the curtains so that he does not fly into the windows. Are all the doors shut. What happens to this fully flighted bird in the summer when everyone is outdoors, he has to stay in his cage. As he does when the children are playing in case they leave the doors or windows open A bird who is clipped in these circumstances becomes a part of the family and can go where you go. If he is on your shoulder you do not have to remember to put him back in the cage to answer the door he can go with you. In short surely it is better to have a clipped bird than a missing, lost or maimed bird.
Clipping is not permanent and if done correctly it only restricts the birds ability to fly and when the bird moults the new owner is more able to make an informed judgement on whether to have him clipped again or whether he can cope with a fully flighted bird. As with everything nothing is black and white and to say one should never wing clip or alternatively one should always wing clip is far too dogmatic an attitude to have. Unfortunately we have a situation at present where there has been so much publicity about not wing clipping birds that many veterinarians are refusing to clip birds' wings. This is leading to people either finding someone who may or may not be experienced to clip the bird for them and in one case in particular where this unfortunate attitude led to the loss of one African grey parrot who flew from his cage through the open door as his owner entered. This owner had taken him to the local vet to have his wing clipped but he refused to do it and said it was detrimental to his health and well being. Where is this poor bird now. Possibly with someone who cares, if he is lucky, if not he may have possibly fallen prey to crows, rooks or hawks. Either way he is no longer in the familiar loving home he knows with his family who love him. Last summer there were hundreds of reports of lost birds I wonder if they would all be lost if their flight had been slightly restricted.
I think that as long as we have birds as part of our lives then we have a duty to protect them from dangers and if this means that we restrict their ability to fly then this is something we may have to do. Remember this is not a permanent state and as the clipped feathers moult out and the new ones grow you can start to train your bird and when he fully regains his flight, clipping will quite possibly no longer be necessary. I hope that this has gone some way to showing that there is another view point and a different approach to the subject of wing clipping. I would however like to point out that this article is not advocating the clipping of any babies wings before they are fully conversant with flight. Nor is it advocating clipping for clippings sake.
Louise Prowse is a UK parrot breeder. She has an informative website at http://www.parrotlink.com which gives detailed information on all species of parrots including African Grey parrots, amazon parrots, cockatoos, macaws and conures. The details include their status in the wild, their pet potential, minimum cage requirements, dietary needs and of course plenty of pictures. A forum for exchanging parrot information and also a FREE classified adverts section. There is also a link to http://www.xoticbirds.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing a baby parrot or want to see baby parrot videos and pictures or just get more advice and help.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Keeping Budgerigars - One Of Each Sex
By Anna-Marie Stewart
Keeping 2 budgies is always beneficial to the birds themselves, although it may make it harder for you to tame them. If you want to tame them and you have 2, then it's best to have 2 males. If you really want to keep 2 birds then 2 males are the best option, as they will rarely bicker and fight, whereas 2 females will spend most of their time doing just that.
It's also totally possible to keep a male and a female in a cage together. There's one thing you need to be aware of when keeping a male and female though, and that is if they're given the right opportunities they WILL mate and breed. I suggest you think very hard about what your plans are for your birds before deciding on one of each sex.
Do you want her to have chicks? If you do, then provide her with a nestbox (you can buy them pretty cheap at pet stores) and put a handful of wood shavings inside it (also available at pet stores)
If they've mated successfully, then she'll start showing an interest in the nestbox, possibly within the next few days, possibly later. It usually takes about 10 days from a successful mating to when the first egg is laid. The hen should then lay an egg every other day, and the clutch of eggs can be anywhere between 1-8 eggs (sometimes even more).
Ask the petstore for eggfood and millet, as the birds will need extra strength to help them rear any chicks they might have. If the eggs are fertile they will start hatching between 18-23 days of being laid.
You don't need to feed the chicks at all, the father will feed the mother, and she will regurgitate the food for the chicks when they get a bit bigger. At first they will be fed by her with something called 'crop-milk' basically the same as mothers milk, but in bird form ;)
The chicks will start getting ready to leave the nestbox somewhere around the age of 28-35 days old, the father will feed them for a little while longer and they'll eventually start feeding themselves. Provide the extras (eggfood and millet) all through the period of mating, laying and rearing, and also while the chicks are learning to become independent.
If you don't want the hen to lay another round after the first chicks have hatched, then remove the nestbox as soon as the chicks leave the nest.
If you just want to keep one of each sex and not have them mate and breed, the solution is pretty simple. Don't give them a nestbox. Budgies will very rarely, if ever, mate without a nest to lay eggs in.
Anna-Marie Stewart keeps and breeds pet budgerigars.
Visit Adorable Budgies for information, pictures and forum http://adorablebudgies.co.uk
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) Anna-Marie Stewart All Rights Reserved
Keeping 2 budgies is always beneficial to the birds themselves, although it may make it harder for you to tame them. If you want to tame them and you have 2, then it's best to have 2 males. If you really want to keep 2 birds then 2 males are the best option, as they will rarely bicker and fight, whereas 2 females will spend most of their time doing just that.
It's also totally possible to keep a male and a female in a cage together. There's one thing you need to be aware of when keeping a male and female though, and that is if they're given the right opportunities they WILL mate and breed. I suggest you think very hard about what your plans are for your birds before deciding on one of each sex.
Do you want her to have chicks? If you do, then provide her with a nestbox (you can buy them pretty cheap at pet stores) and put a handful of wood shavings inside it (also available at pet stores)
If they've mated successfully, then she'll start showing an interest in the nestbox, possibly within the next few days, possibly later. It usually takes about 10 days from a successful mating to when the first egg is laid. The hen should then lay an egg every other day, and the clutch of eggs can be anywhere between 1-8 eggs (sometimes even more).
Ask the petstore for eggfood and millet, as the birds will need extra strength to help them rear any chicks they might have. If the eggs are fertile they will start hatching between 18-23 days of being laid.
You don't need to feed the chicks at all, the father will feed the mother, and she will regurgitate the food for the chicks when they get a bit bigger. At first they will be fed by her with something called 'crop-milk' basically the same as mothers milk, but in bird form ;)
The chicks will start getting ready to leave the nestbox somewhere around the age of 28-35 days old, the father will feed them for a little while longer and they'll eventually start feeding themselves. Provide the extras (eggfood and millet) all through the period of mating, laying and rearing, and also while the chicks are learning to become independent.
If you don't want the hen to lay another round after the first chicks have hatched, then remove the nestbox as soon as the chicks leave the nest.
If you just want to keep one of each sex and not have them mate and breed, the solution is pretty simple. Don't give them a nestbox. Budgies will very rarely, if ever, mate without a nest to lay eggs in.
Anna-Marie Stewart keeps and breeds pet budgerigars.
Visit Adorable Budgies for information, pictures and forum http://adorablebudgies.co.uk
This article is available for reprint in your opt-in ezine, web site or ebook. You MUST agree not to make any changes to the article and the RESOURCE BOX MUST be included.
(c) Anna-Marie Stewart All Rights Reserved
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Buying A Parrot As A Pet - How To Find A Parrot Breeder And What To Ask Them
By Louise Prowse
We have been successfully breeding and rearing parrots for over 20 years. During this time we have seen and experienced many changes and improvements. Not only in technology and welfare but also in the understanding of keeping parrots as pets. This includes all species of parrot including macaws, cockatoos, african and timneh grey parrots, amazon parrots, pionus parrots and conures.
These wonderful creatures can, not only be the joy of your life but in some cases, if the wrong decision is made, the bane of your life.
If we were to purchase a parrot today these are some of the things that we would want to know, and some of the questions we would be asking, before we committed ourselves to a purchase.
Initially we would look for a parrot breeder. These can be found through recommendations from friends or your local avian vet. You can also find advertisements in parrot and bird publications, and a lot of breeders now have their own websites.
As with all things there are good and bad parrot breeders around. So how do you try and make sure you have found a good one.
Here are a few of the questions that we would ask the parrot breeder if we were thinking of purchasing a parrot from them.
Do you own the parents
This will tell you if they buy the chicks in, or hand rear birds for someone else. Either way, this can be a very dangerous thing to do. Birds reared together from multiple sources can run the risk of infection, from disease, bacteria or virus.
How long have you been breeding
Preferable choose someone who has experience.
How do you raise your babies
Individually or together
It is best to have a baby that has been reared with others as it will think of itself as a bird and have less potential for behavioural problems than a bird that has been reared alone.
How do you feed them
Tube, gavage, syringe, spoon. It is a matter of choice, which you consider most suitable, but to put a tube or gavage directly into the babies crop is in our opinion not one of choice.
What do you wean them on
Fruit, vegetables, soaked seeds and pulses is the answer we would be looking for. However many people nowadays use a complete food, we prefer a more natural diet.
Do you let them go before they are weaned
The answer to this should always be no. Especially to someone with no experience of parrots. I often hear people say it will bond better if you hand feed it. This is simply not the case and to wean one baby on it's own is no easy task.
What backup service do you offer
They should always be there to help you should you have a query or a problem. Avoid anyone who just wants to wash their hands of the baby when it leaves them.
Are the baby parrots rung or micro chipped
All baby parrots should have some form of identification. We have had problems with ringing in the past so we no longer use this method. We use micro chipping as a means to identification for all our babies. We feel that this method is much safer and more accurate. If you do purchase a bird that has been rung pay very close attention to the ring. If it is too tight it can become embedded in the skin and if it is too loose it can get caught on toys. Sometimes if you have two or more parrots together they can play with each others rungs and squash them onto their legs cutting of blood supply.
Can I contact any previous customers
Again this should be offered by any breeder to any potential customer.
Do you have an avian vet
This is a must for all parrot breeders, they are invaluable.
Do you give a written health guarantee
If the answer to this one is no walk away
Do you have a waiting list for your babies
Again the sign of a good, reputable breeder.
Can we visit the baby
If the answer is no again walk away.
Can we see the parents
This is sometimes difficult as they may be in a breeding situation, or the breeder may be concerned about theft. The real reason you are asking this question is to try and find out if they have bred the babies themselves. Many people buy in eggs or babies from other sources and rear them to sell. These are not breeders. This practice can be fraught with problems, like disease, infection, viruses and bacteria, which can occur when birds are purchase from various sources and put together. it only takes one to be infected and this will infect all of the other birds in the nursery.
What information do they supply you with when you purchase the baby parrot
The least you should have is a certificate of hatch. Ideally you should have a sample of the food the parrot is used to eating, some notes on how to care for your new baby parrot. A recommendation about the size of cage the birds needs and something suitable for the bird to be transported in. A list of possible questions and answers for you to look at, especially if this is your first parrot and most importantly of all a written health guarantee and a full after sales service.
This may seem a lot of questions but remember this bird is for life, and life for a parrot should be a very long time. You really need to try and make sure that you get it right and make the correct decision the first time.
Obviously the answer to these questions will vary from breeder to breeder, but any breeder should be able to confidently answer all of them without hesitation.
The reputable breeder should also be asking you questions, things like...
How much research you have done into the species you are interested in buying.
What is your criteria for selecting the species of parrot you are interested in buying.
What your circumstances are, for example do you live in a flat or a house.
Do you have near neighbours where the noise may be a potential problem.
Do you have an area large enough to house a case of a suitable size.
How much time you are able to spend with your bird.
Do you intend your bird to live with you as part of the family.
How much time will he spend in the cage on his own.
What are you expecting from the parrot.
Have you considered all the potential problems you may have with the species of parrot you have enquired about.
Have you located you nearest avian vet.
A good breeder should always give you help and advice on your selection of species, and not just sell you what they have available. They should advise you on what species is best for your individual situation. If they do not breed that species they may be able to recommend a breeder that does.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to do plenty of research before you actually purchase a parrot.
Get the correct species for your situation.
Know, not only, how wonderful they are as pets, but also, the potential behavioural problems that can occur.
Know where you can get good advice from people who already have experience of that species as a pet.
We feel that it is very important, not only for you to find someone reputable and reliable to purchase your baby parrot from, but also that you should feel confident and comfortable with them when you do so.
Louise Prowse is a UK parrot breeder. She has an informative website at http://www.parrotlink.com which gives detailed information on all species of parrots including African Grey parrots, amazon parrots, cockatoos, macaws and conures. The details include their status in the wild, their pet potential, minimum cage requirements, dietary needs and of course plenty of pictures. A forum for exchanging parrot information and also a FREE classified adverts section. There is also a link to http://www.xoticbirds.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing a baby parrot or want to see baby parrot videos and pictures or just get more advice and help.
We have been successfully breeding and rearing parrots for over 20 years. During this time we have seen and experienced many changes and improvements. Not only in technology and welfare but also in the understanding of keeping parrots as pets. This includes all species of parrot including macaws, cockatoos, african and timneh grey parrots, amazon parrots, pionus parrots and conures.
These wonderful creatures can, not only be the joy of your life but in some cases, if the wrong decision is made, the bane of your life.
If we were to purchase a parrot today these are some of the things that we would want to know, and some of the questions we would be asking, before we committed ourselves to a purchase.
Initially we would look for a parrot breeder. These can be found through recommendations from friends or your local avian vet. You can also find advertisements in parrot and bird publications, and a lot of breeders now have their own websites.
As with all things there are good and bad parrot breeders around. So how do you try and make sure you have found a good one.
Here are a few of the questions that we would ask the parrot breeder if we were thinking of purchasing a parrot from them.
Do you own the parents
This will tell you if they buy the chicks in, or hand rear birds for someone else. Either way, this can be a very dangerous thing to do. Birds reared together from multiple sources can run the risk of infection, from disease, bacteria or virus.
How long have you been breeding
Preferable choose someone who has experience.
How do you raise your babies
Individually or together
It is best to have a baby that has been reared with others as it will think of itself as a bird and have less potential for behavioural problems than a bird that has been reared alone.
How do you feed them
Tube, gavage, syringe, spoon. It is a matter of choice, which you consider most suitable, but to put a tube or gavage directly into the babies crop is in our opinion not one of choice.
What do you wean them on
Fruit, vegetables, soaked seeds and pulses is the answer we would be looking for. However many people nowadays use a complete food, we prefer a more natural diet.
Do you let them go before they are weaned
The answer to this should always be no. Especially to someone with no experience of parrots. I often hear people say it will bond better if you hand feed it. This is simply not the case and to wean one baby on it's own is no easy task.
What backup service do you offer
They should always be there to help you should you have a query or a problem. Avoid anyone who just wants to wash their hands of the baby when it leaves them.
Are the baby parrots rung or micro chipped
All baby parrots should have some form of identification. We have had problems with ringing in the past so we no longer use this method. We use micro chipping as a means to identification for all our babies. We feel that this method is much safer and more accurate. If you do purchase a bird that has been rung pay very close attention to the ring. If it is too tight it can become embedded in the skin and if it is too loose it can get caught on toys. Sometimes if you have two or more parrots together they can play with each others rungs and squash them onto their legs cutting of blood supply.
Can I contact any previous customers
Again this should be offered by any breeder to any potential customer.
Do you have an avian vet
This is a must for all parrot breeders, they are invaluable.
Do you give a written health guarantee
If the answer to this one is no walk away
Do you have a waiting list for your babies
Again the sign of a good, reputable breeder.
Can we visit the baby
If the answer is no again walk away.
Can we see the parents
This is sometimes difficult as they may be in a breeding situation, or the breeder may be concerned about theft. The real reason you are asking this question is to try and find out if they have bred the babies themselves. Many people buy in eggs or babies from other sources and rear them to sell. These are not breeders. This practice can be fraught with problems, like disease, infection, viruses and bacteria, which can occur when birds are purchase from various sources and put together. it only takes one to be infected and this will infect all of the other birds in the nursery.
What information do they supply you with when you purchase the baby parrot
The least you should have is a certificate of hatch. Ideally you should have a sample of the food the parrot is used to eating, some notes on how to care for your new baby parrot. A recommendation about the size of cage the birds needs and something suitable for the bird to be transported in. A list of possible questions and answers for you to look at, especially if this is your first parrot and most importantly of all a written health guarantee and a full after sales service.
This may seem a lot of questions but remember this bird is for life, and life for a parrot should be a very long time. You really need to try and make sure that you get it right and make the correct decision the first time.
Obviously the answer to these questions will vary from breeder to breeder, but any breeder should be able to confidently answer all of them without hesitation.
The reputable breeder should also be asking you questions, things like...
How much research you have done into the species you are interested in buying.
What is your criteria for selecting the species of parrot you are interested in buying.
What your circumstances are, for example do you live in a flat or a house.
Do you have near neighbours where the noise may be a potential problem.
Do you have an area large enough to house a case of a suitable size.
How much time you are able to spend with your bird.
Do you intend your bird to live with you as part of the family.
How much time will he spend in the cage on his own.
What are you expecting from the parrot.
Have you considered all the potential problems you may have with the species of parrot you have enquired about.
Have you located you nearest avian vet.
A good breeder should always give you help and advice on your selection of species, and not just sell you what they have available. They should advise you on what species is best for your individual situation. If they do not breed that species they may be able to recommend a breeder that does.
We cannot stress enough how important it is to do plenty of research before you actually purchase a parrot.
Get the correct species for your situation.
Know, not only, how wonderful they are as pets, but also, the potential behavioural problems that can occur.
Know where you can get good advice from people who already have experience of that species as a pet.
We feel that it is very important, not only for you to find someone reputable and reliable to purchase your baby parrot from, but also that you should feel confident and comfortable with them when you do so.
Louise Prowse is a UK parrot breeder. She has an informative website at http://www.parrotlink.com which gives detailed information on all species of parrots including African Grey parrots, amazon parrots, cockatoos, macaws and conures. The details include their status in the wild, their pet potential, minimum cage requirements, dietary needs and of course plenty of pictures. A forum for exchanging parrot information and also a FREE classified adverts section. There is also a link to http://www.xoticbirds.co.uk if you are interested in purchasing a baby parrot or want to see baby parrot videos and pictures or just get more advice and help.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
How To Teach Your Parrot Not To Bite
By Azmi Adnan
Learning how to teach your parrot not to bite is one of the most important skills for a pet parrot owner. However it takes a lot of time and commitment. Given the right circumstances, parrots can learn a lot of things because they are intelligent birds. Repetition will teach your bird to stop biting and your friends and family will enjoy its presence.
One of the main reasons why parrots behave this way may be that they are being left alone by themselves for far too long. This causes them to become withdrawn and would retaliate when approached. Socialize your parrot by introducing it to your family members, friends and even to your other pets to build confidence of being in the company of others. It is natural instincts for a parrot to cause hurt when it feels that its territory is being threatened by strangers. With adequate time, your bird will settle down and feel at home.
As an alternative, give your parrot a toy to nibble at. If it refuses to let go of your fingers, give it a blow on its face as a sign that you disapproves of the bird biting you. Do this over and over again each time this happens and your pet bird will get the message.
Verbally tell your parrot 'no' and place the bird back in its cage as a form of punishment. Cover the cage and leave it alone for some time. The parrot, being an intelligent bird, will sense that it is being disciplined.
Observe your bird's behaviour. African Grey parrots, especially, are temperamental and if you find that your parrot is moody, leave it alone. Just like humans, there are times when it needs to be by itself and not be forced to learn new tricks. Be sensitive to your bird and the biting can be stopped.
Take your parrot to new surroundings for a change, such as different rooms in the house, the balcony or outside on the lawn. Imagine being at the same location all the time, your parrot will lose it sense of balance. Let it enjoy new company and breathe new air. In adapting to different environments, your parrot will become less defensive and unlikely to protect itself by hurting others.
Lookout for mood changes, frustrations and irritations in your bird and avoid coming close to it when this happens. Let the bird overcome this behaviour with time. When your parrot hurts you on the finger, try not to show any reaction because it may do that again just to see the same reaction from you. Gently remove yourself from the situation. Do not retaliate by shaking the bird.
Repeat your training and be patient. Keeping a pet parrot is a lifelong commitment but it will benefit both you and you bird. Your pet bird will learn to stop biting and you will learn to be patient and build character.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Learning how to teach your parrot not to bite is one of the most important skills for a pet parrot owner. However it takes a lot of time and commitment. Given the right circumstances, parrots can learn a lot of things because they are intelligent birds. Repetition will teach your bird to stop biting and your friends and family will enjoy its presence.
One of the main reasons why parrots behave this way may be that they are being left alone by themselves for far too long. This causes them to become withdrawn and would retaliate when approached. Socialize your parrot by introducing it to your family members, friends and even to your other pets to build confidence of being in the company of others. It is natural instincts for a parrot to cause hurt when it feels that its territory is being threatened by strangers. With adequate time, your bird will settle down and feel at home.
As an alternative, give your parrot a toy to nibble at. If it refuses to let go of your fingers, give it a blow on its face as a sign that you disapproves of the bird biting you. Do this over and over again each time this happens and your pet bird will get the message.
Verbally tell your parrot 'no' and place the bird back in its cage as a form of punishment. Cover the cage and leave it alone for some time. The parrot, being an intelligent bird, will sense that it is being disciplined.
Observe your bird's behaviour. African Grey parrots, especially, are temperamental and if you find that your parrot is moody, leave it alone. Just like humans, there are times when it needs to be by itself and not be forced to learn new tricks. Be sensitive to your bird and the biting can be stopped.
Take your parrot to new surroundings for a change, such as different rooms in the house, the balcony or outside on the lawn. Imagine being at the same location all the time, your parrot will lose it sense of balance. Let it enjoy new company and breathe new air. In adapting to different environments, your parrot will become less defensive and unlikely to protect itself by hurting others.
Lookout for mood changes, frustrations and irritations in your bird and avoid coming close to it when this happens. Let the bird overcome this behaviour with time. When your parrot hurts you on the finger, try not to show any reaction because it may do that again just to see the same reaction from you. Gently remove yourself from the situation. Do not retaliate by shaking the bird.
Repeat your training and be patient. Keeping a pet parrot is a lifelong commitment but it will benefit both you and you bird. Your pet bird will learn to stop biting and you will learn to be patient and build character.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Spread Your Wings to California's Bird Fests
By Eshwarya Patel
Birds, small animals, butterflies, flowers and trees; does this sound like a good time to you? Well, California has a great variety of Nature Festivals to attend; all you need to do is pick your area. Every month of the year offers some kind of birding event for those who like to bird watch. In January, you can watch the ducks, geese and other water foul migrate annually. February brings you the San Diego Bird Festival including trips, classes and social events to attend. These are sponsored by the San Diego Audubon Society. Late March and early April, you can attend the Aleutian Goose Festival in Crescent City.
There are guided bird tours, lagoon, river and ocean trips, and the viewing of more than one hundred and seventy bird species. In Weldon, fly over to attend the Kern Valley Bioregions Festival which boasts to be one of the West's premier Spring Migration regions. You can visit the Giant Sequoia National Monument, South Fork Kern River Globally Important Bird Area, Butterbredt Spring Nationally Important Bird Area, and Sequoia National Forest Globally Important Bird Area. Take a Walk on the Wild Side in Freeport during the month of May at the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Beach Lake Preserve. And finally, in December, attend the Christmas Bird Count all over the state. Santa Barbara had the most species, counting in at two hundred and twenty four different species of birds. Bird watching can be fun for everyone, no matter the season!
Directories DogTrainingLocations.com - Dog Training. Cemeteries - Bury your beloved pet. Dating - Find a loved one that loves pets like you.
Birds, small animals, butterflies, flowers and trees; does this sound like a good time to you? Well, California has a great variety of Nature Festivals to attend; all you need to do is pick your area. Every month of the year offers some kind of birding event for those who like to bird watch. In January, you can watch the ducks, geese and other water foul migrate annually. February brings you the San Diego Bird Festival including trips, classes and social events to attend. These are sponsored by the San Diego Audubon Society. Late March and early April, you can attend the Aleutian Goose Festival in Crescent City.
There are guided bird tours, lagoon, river and ocean trips, and the viewing of more than one hundred and seventy bird species. In Weldon, fly over to attend the Kern Valley Bioregions Festival which boasts to be one of the West's premier Spring Migration regions. You can visit the Giant Sequoia National Monument, South Fork Kern River Globally Important Bird Area, Butterbredt Spring Nationally Important Bird Area, and Sequoia National Forest Globally Important Bird Area. Take a Walk on the Wild Side in Freeport during the month of May at the Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Beach Lake Preserve. And finally, in December, attend the Christmas Bird Count all over the state. Santa Barbara had the most species, counting in at two hundred and twenty four different species of birds. Bird watching can be fun for everyone, no matter the season!
Directories DogTrainingLocations.com - Dog Training. Cemeteries - Bury your beloved pet. Dating - Find a loved one that loves pets like you.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Congo African Grey - Before You Make A Purchase
By Azmi Adnan
Before you visit the pet shop to look at Congo African Grey parrots for sale, decide if this parrot specie is exactly what you are looking for as a pet. Keeping this parrot is a lifelong commitment and dedication because they can live for up to 65 years old. Teaching your parrot to talk takes lots of patience and some African Greys never talk at all. Some of them make loud unpleasant noises and you have to be prepared to tolerate that.
If there are no Congo African Grey parrots for sale in your local area, you might want to check out on the internet for breeders. This parrot can mimic human tonality at its best. The famous Alex and also Einstein the talking parrots are two examples of parrots that can entertainment you and become your best buddies. But if you think that your parrot can speak with you in a normal conversation, than you better think again. The parrot just registers the sound humans make and stores it in its brain. You can make the parrot do the sounds with your command through words or actions. As of today no parrot, or animal for that matter, can speak to humans in a normal conversation. To hear actual words come out of the parrot's mouth is entertaining. And to hear the bird speak words that you trained it to speak is satisfying.
If you do decide to purchase a Congo African Grey, it would be advisable to choose a young bird. Socialize the bird with other people to build its confidence so that it won't just hang out with you. It would hurt you emotionally should you later in life decide to let the bird go for whatever reason and the bird starts to cling on to you. People say that the Congos are one person birds but that is not true. They become that way because their owners don't socialize them from young or was living alone. If you can't socialize the bird because there is no one at home, you might want to take it to a friend's house or join a bird owners' club.
Treat your Congo African Grey like a member of your family because it will be there with you for a very long time. They are a joy to live with and a great companion. If you do decide to purchase one, be prepared to pay between $700 to a $1,000 for a bird.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Before you visit the pet shop to look at Congo African Grey parrots for sale, decide if this parrot specie is exactly what you are looking for as a pet. Keeping this parrot is a lifelong commitment and dedication because they can live for up to 65 years old. Teaching your parrot to talk takes lots of patience and some African Greys never talk at all. Some of them make loud unpleasant noises and you have to be prepared to tolerate that.
If there are no Congo African Grey parrots for sale in your local area, you might want to check out on the internet for breeders. This parrot can mimic human tonality at its best. The famous Alex and also Einstein the talking parrots are two examples of parrots that can entertainment you and become your best buddies. But if you think that your parrot can speak with you in a normal conversation, than you better think again. The parrot just registers the sound humans make and stores it in its brain. You can make the parrot do the sounds with your command through words or actions. As of today no parrot, or animal for that matter, can speak to humans in a normal conversation. To hear actual words come out of the parrot's mouth is entertaining. And to hear the bird speak words that you trained it to speak is satisfying.
If you do decide to purchase a Congo African Grey, it would be advisable to choose a young bird. Socialize the bird with other people to build its confidence so that it won't just hang out with you. It would hurt you emotionally should you later in life decide to let the bird go for whatever reason and the bird starts to cling on to you. People say that the Congos are one person birds but that is not true. They become that way because their owners don't socialize them from young or was living alone. If you can't socialize the bird because there is no one at home, you might want to take it to a friend's house or join a bird owners' club.
Treat your Congo African Grey like a member of your family because it will be there with you for a very long time. They are a joy to live with and a great companion. If you do decide to purchase one, be prepared to pay between $700 to a $1,000 for a bird.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Thursday, January 31, 2008
African Grey Parrot, Choosing A Cage
By Azmi Adnan
When choosing a bird cage for your African Grey parrot, the bigger the size, the better. Your parrot will love the extra space to move about and build its confidence. It is also a good idea to purchase a bird cage that opens from the top as this allows your bird to scale out onto a higher perch. And parrots love to scale.
Bird cages for the African Grey, Congo African Grey or Timneh African Grey parrots come in all shapes and sizes. However nice it may looked to be, do not purchase a round bird cage for your parrot as this will cause your bird to have psychological problems. This will affect its personality and ability to respond to your command in training. These parrots are known to be temperamental in nature and round shaped bird cages just don't make it any better.
One important point to note when purchasing a bird cage for your beloved parrot is the width between the bars. If the width is too wide, your African Grey may injure its neck when it steps its head out between the bars in trying to escape. Ask the pet shop owner for bird cages specially made for African Greys. Ensure that the perch is made of soft smooth wood as this will make your parrot learn to climb about in the cage and be active. You can also make your own perch as nothing is more satisfying than seeing your own work of art in your bird cage.
Ensure that the feeders in the bird cage are accessible and place them in different places to make your parrot explore around the cage and build its natural bird instincts to search for food. Check that water is constantly available and not contaminated with parrot droppings which can affect the health and well being of your bird.
Also, make sure you keep the bird cage clean and wash it with warm water often to prevent the likelihood of your parrot contracting diseases. Your African Grey can live up to 65 years old and the least you could do is to make its home, the cage, clean and comfortable.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
When choosing a bird cage for your African Grey parrot, the bigger the size, the better. Your parrot will love the extra space to move about and build its confidence. It is also a good idea to purchase a bird cage that opens from the top as this allows your bird to scale out onto a higher perch. And parrots love to scale.
Bird cages for the African Grey, Congo African Grey or Timneh African Grey parrots come in all shapes and sizes. However nice it may looked to be, do not purchase a round bird cage for your parrot as this will cause your bird to have psychological problems. This will affect its personality and ability to respond to your command in training. These parrots are known to be temperamental in nature and round shaped bird cages just don't make it any better.
One important point to note when purchasing a bird cage for your beloved parrot is the width between the bars. If the width is too wide, your African Grey may injure its neck when it steps its head out between the bars in trying to escape. Ask the pet shop owner for bird cages specially made for African Greys. Ensure that the perch is made of soft smooth wood as this will make your parrot learn to climb about in the cage and be active. You can also make your own perch as nothing is more satisfying than seeing your own work of art in your bird cage.
Ensure that the feeders in the bird cage are accessible and place them in different places to make your parrot explore around the cage and build its natural bird instincts to search for food. Check that water is constantly available and not contaminated with parrot droppings which can affect the health and well being of your bird.
Also, make sure you keep the bird cage clean and wash it with warm water often to prevent the likelihood of your parrot contracting diseases. Your African Grey can live up to 65 years old and the least you could do is to make its home, the cage, clean and comfortable.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
African Grey Parrot, What You Need To Know First
By Azmi Adnan
There are two sub-species of the African Grey parrot - they are the known as the Congo African Grey - with light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks, and the Timneh African Grey, which are smaller in size with a darker charcoal grey color, a darker maroon tail, and a colored horn beak. There is also the lesser known species known as the Ghana African Grey which is similar to the Congo but smaller in size and darker in color and then there is the rare Cameroon African Grey.
These parrots are relatively quiet birds with an average lifespan of 50 to 65 years living on a diet of fruits, nuts and vegetables. It is a good idea to socialize the birds with humans on a regular basis as they tend to be quiet if left alone and thus would only bond with their owners only. When bored, African Greys have the tendency to pluck their own feathers to amuse themselves. In cold climates, this can really affect the bird in keeping themselves warm.
The African Grey parrot is considered the most talented in the parrot family with their ability to mimic human tonality. This is the reason why they are much sought after parrots by bird enthusiasts to keep as pets and also the reason why their prices are much higher than other species of parrots. They are very challenging pets to keep as they don't like to be petted upon, are also temperamental and may bite hard if stroked. They are lifelong buddies to their owners because of their longevity and it is not uncommon to see these parrots changing hands when their owners give up on them.
African Greys are commonly being bred by breeders for sale due to their high demand. More and more pet owners are finding the joy of keeping these parrots after watching the famous Einstein the talking African Grey parrot and of course, the late Alex as well.
Unlike cats and dogs, it is not a good idea to have African Greys around families with children as these birds bite. Their beaks and claws are sharp and can injure a child, or even older adults. Whatever species of parrot you intend to buy, remember that they require commitment and dedication to upkeep and you need lots and lots of patience nurturing them.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
There are two sub-species of the African Grey parrot - they are the known as the Congo African Grey - with light grey feathers, deep red tails and black beaks, and the Timneh African Grey, which are smaller in size with a darker charcoal grey color, a darker maroon tail, and a colored horn beak. There is also the lesser known species known as the Ghana African Grey which is similar to the Congo but smaller in size and darker in color and then there is the rare Cameroon African Grey.
These parrots are relatively quiet birds with an average lifespan of 50 to 65 years living on a diet of fruits, nuts and vegetables. It is a good idea to socialize the birds with humans on a regular basis as they tend to be quiet if left alone and thus would only bond with their owners only. When bored, African Greys have the tendency to pluck their own feathers to amuse themselves. In cold climates, this can really affect the bird in keeping themselves warm.
The African Grey parrot is considered the most talented in the parrot family with their ability to mimic human tonality. This is the reason why they are much sought after parrots by bird enthusiasts to keep as pets and also the reason why their prices are much higher than other species of parrots. They are very challenging pets to keep as they don't like to be petted upon, are also temperamental and may bite hard if stroked. They are lifelong buddies to their owners because of their longevity and it is not uncommon to see these parrots changing hands when their owners give up on them.
African Greys are commonly being bred by breeders for sale due to their high demand. More and more pet owners are finding the joy of keeping these parrots after watching the famous Einstein the talking African Grey parrot and of course, the late Alex as well.
Unlike cats and dogs, it is not a good idea to have African Greys around families with children as these birds bite. Their beaks and claws are sharp and can injure a child, or even older adults. Whatever species of parrot you intend to buy, remember that they require commitment and dedication to upkeep and you need lots and lots of patience nurturing them.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Attracting More Birds During the Winter - 3 Easy Ways
By Vicki Larsen
Winter and cold weather has come to much of the country. You may not think of winter as a good time to watch birds, but I find it excellent bird watching weather. There things you can do to make their lives easier and your watching more enjoyable. It consists of three simple things: provide food, water and shelter.
Food Supply
With very cold temperatures and snow covering the ground the food supply is the most essential for our feathered friends' ability to survive the winter. Bird feeders bring large numbers and varieties of birds right to your yard and into your viewing area. Many flocks of birds move through the area including, woodpeckers, chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, doves, cardinals and others. There are different types of feeders to suit the needs and species of different birds. One of the bird feeders I like to use has a roof to protect the seed and the birds from the snow and ice. I also like the use of a ground feeder in the winter as the pole type feeders get to busy to accommodate the crowds and many birds are actual ground feeders. Suet feeders are also important in the winter especially for attracting woodpeckers. Suet feeders provide the fat for the birds so they can generate energy and heat. There was a shortage of berries in nature this year due to an ice storm early in the spring so be sure to get a good quality suet that contains real berries.
At the end of this article I have included my own homemade recipe for suet.
Another great bird feeder especially for winter use is the window feeder. It attaches right to your window and brings the birds up close. Some models can even be filled from inside your home.
Shelter
Shelter for the birds can be in many forms. Natural thickets, evergreens, or shelters you can provide. After the Christmas tree has given us great joy we then place it outside near our bird feeders for shelter. Clean out your roosting and nesting boxes and winterize them by adding wood shavings and plugging vent and drain holes. Create a brush pile- use logs, branches, limbs, corn stalks and others yard cuttings to make a tepee. Attach extensions to the roofs of your feeders.
Water
Water is an important element in the bird habitat that many of us do not think about. Many birds can use a natural source-rivers, ponds, lakes etc. However these sources can freeze over. Cardinals especially use water on a daily basis for not only drinking but also bathing. You may want to invest in a heater for your birdbath for winter.
If you implement these three things-food, shelter and water to your yard, you and your birds will not only survive the long cold winter, but will get some enjoyment out of it too!
Berry-Raisin Suet Recipe
1 Cup Grease from bacon, sausage, other fatty meat or Lard
� Jar of Peanut Butter (chunky)
1 � Cup Oatmeal (not instant)
1 � Cup Cracked Corn
1 Cup Raisins
1 � Cup Cranberries (any colorful berry)
Melt peanut butter with the grease. Add other ingredients. Cool slightly and pack into plastic containers or milk or orange juice cartons. Refrigerate or freeze. Cut into shapes for suet feeders.
We at http://birdhousesofbeauty.com/ can help you take care of your feathered friends this winter as we offer a large selection of quality bird houses and bird feeders, both functional and decorative for all varieties of birds. Our website has products for Blue birds, Purple Martins, Hummingbirds, Wren, Chickadees, Orioles, Cardinals and Woodpeckers. We also have a good selection of squirrel proof feeders. We use only top quality name brand suppliers including: Audubon, Droll Yankees, Duncraft, Home Bazaar and more. Please check out our website http://birdhousesofbeauty.com/ for your next bird feeder or birdhouse- we also welcome any comments or inquiries.
Winter and cold weather has come to much of the country. You may not think of winter as a good time to watch birds, but I find it excellent bird watching weather. There things you can do to make their lives easier and your watching more enjoyable. It consists of three simple things: provide food, water and shelter.
Food Supply
With very cold temperatures and snow covering the ground the food supply is the most essential for our feathered friends' ability to survive the winter. Bird feeders bring large numbers and varieties of birds right to your yard and into your viewing area. Many flocks of birds move through the area including, woodpeckers, chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, doves, cardinals and others. There are different types of feeders to suit the needs and species of different birds. One of the bird feeders I like to use has a roof to protect the seed and the birds from the snow and ice. I also like the use of a ground feeder in the winter as the pole type feeders get to busy to accommodate the crowds and many birds are actual ground feeders. Suet feeders are also important in the winter especially for attracting woodpeckers. Suet feeders provide the fat for the birds so they can generate energy and heat. There was a shortage of berries in nature this year due to an ice storm early in the spring so be sure to get a good quality suet that contains real berries.
At the end of this article I have included my own homemade recipe for suet.
Another great bird feeder especially for winter use is the window feeder. It attaches right to your window and brings the birds up close. Some models can even be filled from inside your home.
Shelter
Shelter for the birds can be in many forms. Natural thickets, evergreens, or shelters you can provide. After the Christmas tree has given us great joy we then place it outside near our bird feeders for shelter. Clean out your roosting and nesting boxes and winterize them by adding wood shavings and plugging vent and drain holes. Create a brush pile- use logs, branches, limbs, corn stalks and others yard cuttings to make a tepee. Attach extensions to the roofs of your feeders.
Water
Water is an important element in the bird habitat that many of us do not think about. Many birds can use a natural source-rivers, ponds, lakes etc. However these sources can freeze over. Cardinals especially use water on a daily basis for not only drinking but also bathing. You may want to invest in a heater for your birdbath for winter.
If you implement these three things-food, shelter and water to your yard, you and your birds will not only survive the long cold winter, but will get some enjoyment out of it too!
Berry-Raisin Suet Recipe
1 Cup Grease from bacon, sausage, other fatty meat or Lard
� Jar of Peanut Butter (chunky)
1 � Cup Oatmeal (not instant)
1 � Cup Cracked Corn
1 Cup Raisins
1 � Cup Cranberries (any colorful berry)
Melt peanut butter with the grease. Add other ingredients. Cool slightly and pack into plastic containers or milk or orange juice cartons. Refrigerate or freeze. Cut into shapes for suet feeders.
We at http://birdhousesofbeauty.com/ can help you take care of your feathered friends this winter as we offer a large selection of quality bird houses and bird feeders, both functional and decorative for all varieties of birds. Our website has products for Blue birds, Purple Martins, Hummingbirds, Wren, Chickadees, Orioles, Cardinals and Woodpeckers. We also have a good selection of squirrel proof feeders. We use only top quality name brand suppliers including: Audubon, Droll Yankees, Duncraft, Home Bazaar and more. Please check out our website http://birdhousesofbeauty.com/ for your next bird feeder or birdhouse- we also welcome any comments or inquiries.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Selecting Food For Your Bird
By Kimberly Webber
When selecting the appropriate food for your bird, it is important to think about certain things and ask yourself several questions. You should keep in mind the type of bird or birds you own and their size. Do they need a seed and pelleted diet? Do they like to eat food from their talon, or out of their dish? Does your bird make a large mess when eating. Does your bird have any known health problems?
Some foods can help certain problems like feather picking and vitamin deficiencies. With so many different types of food on the market, it can be difficult and confusing. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you keep them on a well-balanced diet.
One common misconception is that birds need seeds in their diet, and the truth is they do not. Peanuts are very high in fat content and I recommend giving your bird no more than one per day. Sunflower seeds, which can be prevalent in some seed mixtures are also high in sodium and fat. It is ok to give your bird a few seeds, but if your bird is eating them anymore than 10% of their diet, that is too much. Most birds need to be on 90% pelleted diet. Seeds, nuts and other treats can make up the other 10%. Also included in most parrots diet can be fresh fruit and vegetables. These can seem like a treat to your bird, but are actually very healthy.
There are some brands of food which are 100% organic. These are best for your bird as no chemicals are used when growing the ingredients. Organic foods also contain no preservatives and no artificial coloring. Birds can be sensitive to those things.
Human food in very small quantities can be ok for your bird, but should not be practiced regularly. One human food that is great for birds is the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are filled with Vitamin A, which the Eclectus parrot needs in their diet because it aids in digestion. They also contain Vitamin C and Iron and are relatively easy to cook and store as well.
Two foods that can kill your birds are chocolate and avocado. You should never feed your bird those foods in any amount.
Still have questions regarding which food is appropriate for your bird or parrot? You may contact our bird food experts and find the best food for your bird by visiting us at The Pink Bird - Bird Food Page or www.thepinkbird.com.
When selecting the appropriate food for your bird, it is important to think about certain things and ask yourself several questions. You should keep in mind the type of bird or birds you own and their size. Do they need a seed and pelleted diet? Do they like to eat food from their talon, or out of their dish? Does your bird make a large mess when eating. Does your bird have any known health problems?
Some foods can help certain problems like feather picking and vitamin deficiencies. With so many different types of food on the market, it can be difficult and confusing. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you keep them on a well-balanced diet.
One common misconception is that birds need seeds in their diet, and the truth is they do not. Peanuts are very high in fat content and I recommend giving your bird no more than one per day. Sunflower seeds, which can be prevalent in some seed mixtures are also high in sodium and fat. It is ok to give your bird a few seeds, but if your bird is eating them anymore than 10% of their diet, that is too much. Most birds need to be on 90% pelleted diet. Seeds, nuts and other treats can make up the other 10%. Also included in most parrots diet can be fresh fruit and vegetables. These can seem like a treat to your bird, but are actually very healthy.
There are some brands of food which are 100% organic. These are best for your bird as no chemicals are used when growing the ingredients. Organic foods also contain no preservatives and no artificial coloring. Birds can be sensitive to those things.
Human food in very small quantities can be ok for your bird, but should not be practiced regularly. One human food that is great for birds is the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are filled with Vitamin A, which the Eclectus parrot needs in their diet because it aids in digestion. They also contain Vitamin C and Iron and are relatively easy to cook and store as well.
Two foods that can kill your birds are chocolate and avocado. You should never feed your bird those foods in any amount.
Still have questions regarding which food is appropriate for your bird or parrot? You may contact our bird food experts and find the best food for your bird by visiting us at The Pink Bird - Bird Food Page or www.thepinkbird.com.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Get Your Quaker Parrot Talking
By Blake Allen
Looking to get your Quaker Parrot talking?
One of the most appealing features of a Quaker parrot is talking. These friendly birds can hold conversations and imitate sounds quite effectively how.
However, they don't always do it the way we want. Many people attempt to teach their parrots to talk through the use of tapes or discs. Often, they're disappointed. While small birds, such as parakeets and cockatiels, can learn to mimic these recordings, larger birds, such as Quaker parrots, don't start talking, even though they've heard hours and hours of what sounds like human speech.
The reason that using recordings to get a Quaker talking isn't very effective is because parrots aren't just mimics. They repeat sounds we make in an attempt to communicate with us. In the wild, this kind of mimicry allows them to feel like they're part of a flock.
At home, we're the only flock they have, so they try to talk to us. Since a tape doesn't impart any meaning to the parrot, he or she recognizes it only as unusual background noise. A more effective way of teaching your parrot to talk is by helping him or her attach meaning to specific sounds.
Talk to your young Quaker as though it were a baby or young child, and you'll find that you get better results. The best talkers are the ones that are spoken to as though they are expected to learn language themselves.
Of course, the meanings that your parrot attaches to words aren't always the ones you'd like it to. Parrots react to the words and sounds that get a reaction out of you (creating entertainment for them), or that have meaning to them (getting out of the cage, receiving a treat, making a request). This is why so many parrots pick up swear words and other undesirable phrases when they talk. If the word makes you excited, they reason, it must be a good one.
One method that can work for getting Quaker parrots talking is modeling. A human or another bird performs the action that's desired in front of your parrot, and gets a reward. This can teach your parrot that it wants to do that (and get the treat), too.
This works best for tricks based on natural behaviors, such as wing-spreading and foot-lifting, but can be used to model desired phrases or sounds. Remember that, like small children, Quaker parrots have short attention spans. This means that you should keep all training sessions short (less than fifteen minutes) and have them occur more often, rather than trying for a few long sessions.
Get your Quaker parrot talking, learn more tricks, and find out everything you've ever wanted to know about parrots by visiting: http://www.train-parrot.com
Looking to get your Quaker Parrot talking?
One of the most appealing features of a Quaker parrot is talking. These friendly birds can hold conversations and imitate sounds quite effectively how.
However, they don't always do it the way we want. Many people attempt to teach their parrots to talk through the use of tapes or discs. Often, they're disappointed. While small birds, such as parakeets and cockatiels, can learn to mimic these recordings, larger birds, such as Quaker parrots, don't start talking, even though they've heard hours and hours of what sounds like human speech.
The reason that using recordings to get a Quaker talking isn't very effective is because parrots aren't just mimics. They repeat sounds we make in an attempt to communicate with us. In the wild, this kind of mimicry allows them to feel like they're part of a flock.
At home, we're the only flock they have, so they try to talk to us. Since a tape doesn't impart any meaning to the parrot, he or she recognizes it only as unusual background noise. A more effective way of teaching your parrot to talk is by helping him or her attach meaning to specific sounds.
Talk to your young Quaker as though it were a baby or young child, and you'll find that you get better results. The best talkers are the ones that are spoken to as though they are expected to learn language themselves.
Of course, the meanings that your parrot attaches to words aren't always the ones you'd like it to. Parrots react to the words and sounds that get a reaction out of you (creating entertainment for them), or that have meaning to them (getting out of the cage, receiving a treat, making a request). This is why so many parrots pick up swear words and other undesirable phrases when they talk. If the word makes you excited, they reason, it must be a good one.
One method that can work for getting Quaker parrots talking is modeling. A human or another bird performs the action that's desired in front of your parrot, and gets a reward. This can teach your parrot that it wants to do that (and get the treat), too.
This works best for tricks based on natural behaviors, such as wing-spreading and foot-lifting, but can be used to model desired phrases or sounds. Remember that, like small children, Quaker parrots have short attention spans. This means that you should keep all training sessions short (less than fifteen minutes) and have them occur more often, rather than trying for a few long sessions.
Get your Quaker parrot talking, learn more tricks, and find out everything you've ever wanted to know about parrots by visiting: http://www.train-parrot.com
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Pet Canary Care
By Barry Mcgee
If you're considering sharing your home with a pet canary, it's probably because you've heard so much about their nearly constant, bubbly singing. Join the club! Since the seventeenth century, pet owners the world over have kept canaries for nothing more than the sheer pleasure of birdsong filling their homes. A canary is not merely a feathered music box, though, and pet canary care is so much more than the gilded cage of old. A canary is a living thing, dependent on you for food, shelter, and love, and canary care, while not rocket science, involves a certain level of avian expertise. Ready to become an expert? Study hard!
Thanks to selective breeding, there's quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire. Some canaries are bred for their coloration, some are bred for their shape, and some, of course, are bred to produce a very specific song pattern. What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you. If you can find a reputable canary breeder, that will be your best option. Many pet stores now, however, commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders, but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in less-than-desirable conditions. If the pet store manager can not account for where your potential canary came from, don't buy a canary from that store! Oh, and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male, if it's a strong singer you're after. The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous.
Canaries can be quite delicate, so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key. If there's a number one rule of pet canary care, it's that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times. A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever, and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling. If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canary's cage, then you've picked a spot that's too drafty for your new feathered friend! As far as cages go, your canary doesn't require anything too spectacular-just enough room to hop about and stretch his wings. Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall. Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning, and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants. You should clean your canary's cage thoroughly at least once a week, washing perches, food and water containers, and toys in a mild bleach solution, and washing down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water.
While they can't stand drafts, canaries do love indirect sunlight. A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing, and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present. If a draft will kill a canary the fastest, a second runner up is dehydration. Because of their speedy metabolisms, canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it. Change your canary's water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you. As for food, seed is the mainstay of a canary's diet, and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries. You should supplement your canary's seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day. An apple slice and a fourth of a hard boiled egg is enough. You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone, as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium.
With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand, you're ready to seek out the perfect canary for you. Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary, an exotic Persian Singer, or something in between? Whatever your decision, your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows how-by singing his heart out.
About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion's care.
For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline
If you're considering sharing your home with a pet canary, it's probably because you've heard so much about their nearly constant, bubbly singing. Join the club! Since the seventeenth century, pet owners the world over have kept canaries for nothing more than the sheer pleasure of birdsong filling their homes. A canary is not merely a feathered music box, though, and pet canary care is so much more than the gilded cage of old. A canary is a living thing, dependent on you for food, shelter, and love, and canary care, while not rocket science, involves a certain level of avian expertise. Ready to become an expert? Study hard!
Thanks to selective breeding, there's quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire. Some canaries are bred for their coloration, some are bred for their shape, and some, of course, are bred to produce a very specific song pattern. What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you. If you can find a reputable canary breeder, that will be your best option. Many pet stores now, however, commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders, but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in less-than-desirable conditions. If the pet store manager can not account for where your potential canary came from, don't buy a canary from that store! Oh, and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male, if it's a strong singer you're after. The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous.
Canaries can be quite delicate, so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key. If there's a number one rule of pet canary care, it's that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times. A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever, and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling. If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canary's cage, then you've picked a spot that's too drafty for your new feathered friend! As far as cages go, your canary doesn't require anything too spectacular-just enough room to hop about and stretch his wings. Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall. Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning, and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants. You should clean your canary's cage thoroughly at least once a week, washing perches, food and water containers, and toys in a mild bleach solution, and washing down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water.
While they can't stand drafts, canaries do love indirect sunlight. A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing, and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present. If a draft will kill a canary the fastest, a second runner up is dehydration. Because of their speedy metabolisms, canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it. Change your canary's water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you. As for food, seed is the mainstay of a canary's diet, and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries. You should supplement your canary's seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day. An apple slice and a fourth of a hard boiled egg is enough. You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone, as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium.
With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand, you're ready to seek out the perfect canary for you. Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary, an exotic Persian Singer, or something in between? Whatever your decision, your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows how-by singing his heart out.
About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion's care.
For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline
Friday, January 11, 2008
3 Simple Steps to Change Your Parrot's Bad Behavior
By Mikael Rieck
To be the lucky owner of pet parrot can be a stressful experience. Whether you have parrots, macaws, conures, parakeets or any other type of pet parrots, you will need to train them to some extent. So far you may have experienced a lot of problems with your pet and you might even have been bitten or attacked by it. Maybe it hasn't been you but someone in your family or guests that came by that upset the bird when they got to close to the cage. This is a normal reaction but it doesn't have to be.
Parrot birds are originally wilds animals living the the great forests of the world. Their instincts have are making them behave in a certain way. But it is no more than that... A behavioral pattern that can be changed through the right form of training. Unfortunately there are many parrot owners that never go as far as to start that training. They believe that because the parrots are originally wild animals, then it is okay for them to scream all day and even bite if you come to close. Let me tell you this: It is not okay!
Most pet parrots are born in cages and have never had to use their natural instincts to survive. They have been around humans all of their lives and have never had to be aggressive in any way. The reason that a parrot starts behaving this way is due to a lack of training. That means that the cure to behavioral problems like biting and screaming is no more that intensive training that will learn the parrot to be disciplined. Parrots are clever animals and they are easy to learn new ways of behaving.
You will find that once your parrot have calmed down and are no longer aggressive towards humans, it will become a much happier and balanced bird. You can actually see the mood change and the correlation between you as a pet owner and the parrot as a pet will improve greatly.
So How Do You Train It?
They were first thing you will need to work on is your own attitude and mood. Just as you can influence other humans in a negative way by being stressed or angry, so will you also experience difficulties training your pet if you are not in a good mood. You'll find that your parrot will often tend to copy the mood you're in so be sure to stay happy, open and willing to give it your all. When you are well rested and in a positive mood you can begin the training of your parrot.
There are three basic training steps that you should always start out with. There is no right or wrong step to begin with so just start with one of the three. The key here is not that things are perfect but rather that you act and that you do it continually over a longer period of time. Repeating the training process every day until you get the results you want is the secret to success.
If your parrot doesn't trust you when you first start out you will need to build on that trust first. You can't teach a parrot that doesn't trust you anything. Start out with the three exercises in a slow and gentle way so that trust can be built or restored.
The 3 Secret Steps to Success
Giving Treats by Hand:
When offering your pet parrot a treat you have to make sure that you more your hand very slowly towards it. Make it feel that you are a person that it can trust and that you won't do it any harm. Remain positive, certain and strong. At first your parrot might scream at you or even try to bite you. If it bites, go get a thick pair of gloves so that you won't be affected by its biting. Train this exercise several times a day for as many days as it takes to have your parrot accept and even enjoy that you're giving it treats.
To Step Up:
You will want to learn your parrot to feel comfortable with you and the easiest way is to learn it to step up into your hand. When practicing this step you have to say the words "step up" in a repetitive stream so that the parrot will learn that the words "step up" means that it should automatically step into your hand. Starting out (wearing gloves if it tends to bite), press your hand against its belly in a clear and slow movement. Press towards the birds belly until it is forced to step into your hand. Do it gently and as many times as possible. Repeat the process daily for as long as it takes and don't stop until you have your parrot stepping voluntarily into your hand on command.
Talk to Your Bird:
Parrots are talking birds and many of them can get quite good at it. Start out with the word "hello" and keep repeating it until your birds has learned to say it in a clear tone of voice. DO not move on to other words until it has learned the first one. Take one word at a time and only move on to the next when it gets it right. Remember to reward it with treats and positive words and gestures. It is actually no different that when teaching children how to talk. Be patients and it WILL come.
Use about 20 minutes per lesson and only one or two times a day for two weeks will produce incredible results. It doesn't take that much effort as the key is in the repetitive process. I wish you the best of luck.
The author runs the PetInsurancePro.com website and has a special section about pet insurance for birds. Come visit the website for more information.
To be the lucky owner of pet parrot can be a stressful experience. Whether you have parrots, macaws, conures, parakeets or any other type of pet parrots, you will need to train them to some extent. So far you may have experienced a lot of problems with your pet and you might even have been bitten or attacked by it. Maybe it hasn't been you but someone in your family or guests that came by that upset the bird when they got to close to the cage. This is a normal reaction but it doesn't have to be.
Parrot birds are originally wilds animals living the the great forests of the world. Their instincts have are making them behave in a certain way. But it is no more than that... A behavioral pattern that can be changed through the right form of training. Unfortunately there are many parrot owners that never go as far as to start that training. They believe that because the parrots are originally wild animals, then it is okay for them to scream all day and even bite if you come to close. Let me tell you this: It is not okay!
Most pet parrots are born in cages and have never had to use their natural instincts to survive. They have been around humans all of their lives and have never had to be aggressive in any way. The reason that a parrot starts behaving this way is due to a lack of training. That means that the cure to behavioral problems like biting and screaming is no more that intensive training that will learn the parrot to be disciplined. Parrots are clever animals and they are easy to learn new ways of behaving.
You will find that once your parrot have calmed down and are no longer aggressive towards humans, it will become a much happier and balanced bird. You can actually see the mood change and the correlation between you as a pet owner and the parrot as a pet will improve greatly.
So How Do You Train It?
They were first thing you will need to work on is your own attitude and mood. Just as you can influence other humans in a negative way by being stressed or angry, so will you also experience difficulties training your pet if you are not in a good mood. You'll find that your parrot will often tend to copy the mood you're in so be sure to stay happy, open and willing to give it your all. When you are well rested and in a positive mood you can begin the training of your parrot.
There are three basic training steps that you should always start out with. There is no right or wrong step to begin with so just start with one of the three. The key here is not that things are perfect but rather that you act and that you do it continually over a longer period of time. Repeating the training process every day until you get the results you want is the secret to success.
If your parrot doesn't trust you when you first start out you will need to build on that trust first. You can't teach a parrot that doesn't trust you anything. Start out with the three exercises in a slow and gentle way so that trust can be built or restored.
The 3 Secret Steps to Success
Giving Treats by Hand:
When offering your pet parrot a treat you have to make sure that you more your hand very slowly towards it. Make it feel that you are a person that it can trust and that you won't do it any harm. Remain positive, certain and strong. At first your parrot might scream at you or even try to bite you. If it bites, go get a thick pair of gloves so that you won't be affected by its biting. Train this exercise several times a day for as many days as it takes to have your parrot accept and even enjoy that you're giving it treats.
To Step Up:
You will want to learn your parrot to feel comfortable with you and the easiest way is to learn it to step up into your hand. When practicing this step you have to say the words "step up" in a repetitive stream so that the parrot will learn that the words "step up" means that it should automatically step into your hand. Starting out (wearing gloves if it tends to bite), press your hand against its belly in a clear and slow movement. Press towards the birds belly until it is forced to step into your hand. Do it gently and as many times as possible. Repeat the process daily for as long as it takes and don't stop until you have your parrot stepping voluntarily into your hand on command.
Talk to Your Bird:
Parrots are talking birds and many of them can get quite good at it. Start out with the word "hello" and keep repeating it until your birds has learned to say it in a clear tone of voice. DO not move on to other words until it has learned the first one. Take one word at a time and only move on to the next when it gets it right. Remember to reward it with treats and positive words and gestures. It is actually no different that when teaching children how to talk. Be patients and it WILL come.
Use about 20 minutes per lesson and only one or two times a day for two weeks will produce incredible results. It doesn't take that much effort as the key is in the repetitive process. I wish you the best of luck.
The author runs the PetInsurancePro.com website and has a special section about pet insurance for birds. Come visit the website for more information.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Teaching Your Parrot Bird To Talk
By Azmi Adnan
To have a talking bird, it is preferable that you purchase a young, hand raised bird between the ages of two and six months. Older birds will not learn as fast and wild or untrained birds will be more difficult to train as they have already got used to the sounds ingrained in their heads. If you can only purchase an adult bird, you will need a lot of patience to train it to talk as it will take a much longer time, but it is not impossible.
The ability for your bird to mimic the human spoken words depend largely on the species, the character of your bird, your technique and how tame your bird is. You will need to work on taming your bird first and build its confidence in you as its master before you can succeed at training it to talk, so you have to work on that part. You will know that the bird is ready to be trained to talk if it is calm and looks at you confidently when you approach it.
The African Grey parrot, Greater Indian Hill Mynah and the Javan Hill Mynah are perfect talking birds to have because they are easier to train and very proficient. The tonal qualities and pronunciation may differ between these species but overall they are the more popular birds among bird lovers.
These birds can live for many years and bring much joy and companionship to you as you build their vocabulary and work on their tonal quality. Parrots may take in more words and be able to retain them as they have a stronger memory than the others.
Train your bird to talk every morning before you take off the cage cover. Repeat a word or phrase over and over again and make it a ritual. Your bird will be able to concentrate on the sounds in the dark and will try to respond to you with the same sound it hears. Do this also at different times of the day and especially during feeding time or when giving it its favorite tidbit. When the bird gets used to this, it will use the same sounds to get your attention while you are out sight when it is hungry or needs attention. When you hear this, reply back with the same words as affirmations, but do not approach the cage. When the bird tries to make a different expression, add in other words and phrases. This indicates that your bird is ready to learn new words to add into its vocabulary.
You can also use a recording to train your bird to talk or mimic sounds. Most bird parks use these method as a form of training as different bird trainer has different tonality or pronunciation. Make a recording on tape or CD and use words and phrases with clarity. If you do not have a good voice, ask someone you know to do it for you, or purchase a CD from a bird shop. Play the recording at different times of the day as this will surely have a great impact on your bird.
If you are making your own recording, do not put too many words and phrases in it as the bird has a small brain capacity. Ever heard of the phrase "bird brain" that is used so often on people? Expose your bird to a few words and phrases at a time and be patient about this. Your bird, if a parrot, can live beyond forty years, so what do you have to lose? If you intend to introduce new words and phrases, do this on another recording on tape or CD, and incorporate the older words in this new recording as well as a form of revision. This works very well in keeping the previous words permanently in your bird's vocabulary.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Visit his website at http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html and learn more about developing a life-long relationship with your birds.
To have a talking bird, it is preferable that you purchase a young, hand raised bird between the ages of two and six months. Older birds will not learn as fast and wild or untrained birds will be more difficult to train as they have already got used to the sounds ingrained in their heads. If you can only purchase an adult bird, you will need a lot of patience to train it to talk as it will take a much longer time, but it is not impossible.
The ability for your bird to mimic the human spoken words depend largely on the species, the character of your bird, your technique and how tame your bird is. You will need to work on taming your bird first and build its confidence in you as its master before you can succeed at training it to talk, so you have to work on that part. You will know that the bird is ready to be trained to talk if it is calm and looks at you confidently when you approach it.
The African Grey parrot, Greater Indian Hill Mynah and the Javan Hill Mynah are perfect talking birds to have because they are easier to train and very proficient. The tonal qualities and pronunciation may differ between these species but overall they are the more popular birds among bird lovers.
These birds can live for many years and bring much joy and companionship to you as you build their vocabulary and work on their tonal quality. Parrots may take in more words and be able to retain them as they have a stronger memory than the others.
Train your bird to talk every morning before you take off the cage cover. Repeat a word or phrase over and over again and make it a ritual. Your bird will be able to concentrate on the sounds in the dark and will try to respond to you with the same sound it hears. Do this also at different times of the day and especially during feeding time or when giving it its favorite tidbit. When the bird gets used to this, it will use the same sounds to get your attention while you are out sight when it is hungry or needs attention. When you hear this, reply back with the same words as affirmations, but do not approach the cage. When the bird tries to make a different expression, add in other words and phrases. This indicates that your bird is ready to learn new words to add into its vocabulary.
You can also use a recording to train your bird to talk or mimic sounds. Most bird parks use these method as a form of training as different bird trainer has different tonality or pronunciation. Make a recording on tape or CD and use words and phrases with clarity. If you do not have a good voice, ask someone you know to do it for you, or purchase a CD from a bird shop. Play the recording at different times of the day as this will surely have a great impact on your bird.
If you are making your own recording, do not put too many words and phrases in it as the bird has a small brain capacity. Ever heard of the phrase "bird brain" that is used so often on people? Expose your bird to a few words and phrases at a time and be patient about this. Your bird, if a parrot, can live beyond forty years, so what do you have to lose? If you intend to introduce new words and phrases, do this on another recording on tape or CD, and incorporate the older words in this new recording as well as a form of revision. This works very well in keeping the previous words permanently in your bird's vocabulary.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Visit his website at http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html and learn more about developing a life-long relationship with your birds.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
How To Tame Your Pet Bird
By Azmi Adnan
Keeping a bird as a pet can be interesting and rewarding, especially if your bird is from the parrot family that can live for many years. These birds can be easily tamed and trained to perform tricks or to talk and sing with amazing clarity. A tamed pet parrot can be your life-long companion and keep you company. Many pet parrot owners find joy training their birds to talk, and unlike your dog or cat, it can be very satisfying when your bird wishes you 'good morning'.
But before you try to train your bird to talk, it is necessary to win its confidence first. This would be having your bird to get used to your presence and the presence of the all the people living with you in the house. It would be easier to tame a bird if it is two to six months old. Anything older than that would require a lot of patience on your part. Full-grown parrots can bite hard and injure you if you are not careful. Try not to make sudden moves that surprises your bird or it will defend itself through natural instincts.
Pet your bird by gently scratching its head for it to get used to you. Offer food from the other hand, such as nuts, celery, corn, raisin, and grapes. You should also offer your bird milk or fruit juice from a small cup. Don't give your bird leftovers from your lunch or dinner, or junk food like burger meat, hotdog or high calorie cakes.
Use hunger as leverage when taming your bird. This method is widely used in bird parks around the world. When your bird has not been fed for a couple of hours, place the food on a dish near you and led the bird come to you for feeding. The bird would feel nervous at first, but once it gets used to this, it would be natural for the bird to come to you with confidence
If your bird is quite wild when you first purchased it, you could place the cage next to you when you go about doing your personal things such as reading, watching tv or writing. It would just be a matter of time before your bird get used to having your presence around. If your bird is big, you might want to rough around with it such as scratching its head and back. Protect yourself with gloves or a towel at first until it eventually recognises you as its master. Soon your bird will expect this kind of attention from people it is familiar with.
You would need to do a complete examination of your bird at least once a month and look out for abnormalities such as ingrown feather or toenails or a beak that needs trimming. Look out also for possible liver trouble in the form of swollen or dark abdomen. Wash the legs with warm water to get rid of encrusted droppings and apply Vaseline to soften the scales and kill scale lice.
With patience, you will have a great companion that keeps you company for years to come.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Visit his website at http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html and learn more about developing a life-long relationship with your birds.
Keeping a bird as a pet can be interesting and rewarding, especially if your bird is from the parrot family that can live for many years. These birds can be easily tamed and trained to perform tricks or to talk and sing with amazing clarity. A tamed pet parrot can be your life-long companion and keep you company. Many pet parrot owners find joy training their birds to talk, and unlike your dog or cat, it can be very satisfying when your bird wishes you 'good morning'.
But before you try to train your bird to talk, it is necessary to win its confidence first. This would be having your bird to get used to your presence and the presence of the all the people living with you in the house. It would be easier to tame a bird if it is two to six months old. Anything older than that would require a lot of patience on your part. Full-grown parrots can bite hard and injure you if you are not careful. Try not to make sudden moves that surprises your bird or it will defend itself through natural instincts.
Pet your bird by gently scratching its head for it to get used to you. Offer food from the other hand, such as nuts, celery, corn, raisin, and grapes. You should also offer your bird milk or fruit juice from a small cup. Don't give your bird leftovers from your lunch or dinner, or junk food like burger meat, hotdog or high calorie cakes.
Use hunger as leverage when taming your bird. This method is widely used in bird parks around the world. When your bird has not been fed for a couple of hours, place the food on a dish near you and led the bird come to you for feeding. The bird would feel nervous at first, but once it gets used to this, it would be natural for the bird to come to you with confidence
If your bird is quite wild when you first purchased it, you could place the cage next to you when you go about doing your personal things such as reading, watching tv or writing. It would just be a matter of time before your bird get used to having your presence around. If your bird is big, you might want to rough around with it such as scratching its head and back. Protect yourself with gloves or a towel at first until it eventually recognises you as its master. Soon your bird will expect this kind of attention from people it is familiar with.
You would need to do a complete examination of your bird at least once a month and look out for abnormalities such as ingrown feather or toenails or a beak that needs trimming. Look out also for possible liver trouble in the form of swollen or dark abdomen. Wash the legs with warm water to get rid of encrusted droppings and apply Vaseline to soften the scales and kill scale lice.
With patience, you will have a great companion that keeps you company for years to come.
Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Visit his website at http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html and learn more about developing a life-long relationship with your birds.
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