BIRD WATCHING for Children

Illustration of a tit from Edmund Selous's Bird Watching (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bird watching for children is one of the activities that can help instill the value and love for animals on their young minds. Aside from teaching them the importance of taking good care of animals, bird watching for children can also be great for spending quality time with them. This activity is also great for children because it can teach them to become nature-wise and can teach them to teach them good manners such as respect for animals.

What you need

Before you go bird watching with children, make sure that you yourself have had a first-hand experience of the activity. What you can do is search on the Internet what are the best places to bird watching with children. Once you found the best one or the nearest one in your area, take a time off to visit it before bring your children there.

Check if the entire area is safe for children. If you are having doubts about children safety, it is best to talk to the administrator of the park or the preserve to make sure that they have enough facilities to take care of kids. Also, ask what are the things that you need to bring when going there.

Also check how much are the fees, how many kids are allowed to bird watch, and what are the ideal ages for bird watching. When everything is done and you are confident that your child will be safe while bird watching, book a tour date while you're there.

On the date of the bird watching activity, make sure that you bring the following:

1. A good pair of binoculars for kids. This is very important because the center might not have enough binoculars for the visitors. To ensure that the kids can use something, grab a good yet cheap pair of binoculars when you are in the department store.

2. A bird book or field guide. Although most of the bird parks offer booklet that contains information on the birds that can be seen there, it is best to bring a book guide on your own just in case they don’t have one. The book guide can help your kids identify the common birds in the area and can help them in describing the birds based on their appearance, color, size, and shape.

3. Bottled water and snacks. Since kids tend to get hungry often, it is best if you bring lots of bottled water and handy snack packs just in case no convenient store is near the area.

4. First aid kit. This should always be a must whenever you go out with your kids because they can be so accident-prone. Make sure that you include a first aid kit in your child's backpack to make sure that you can tend to the wound or scratch immediately.

5. A camera. This is also a "must" when going out with kids because it can preserve the memories with your kids. Having a handy camera can enable you to take as many pictures of your kids during the tour. You can also ask your kids to take as many photos as they can of the birds that they see.

6. A notebook or sketchpad with pens or pencils. One of the benefits of bird watching for children is that it encourages them to jot down their observations. These can also be helpful to artistically-inclined children because it can encourage them to draw the birds that they see.

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KAKAPO - Strigops habroptilus

Kakapo - Strigops habroptilus 

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How Many Toes Does a PARROT Have?

Kaka parrot foot closeup. Wrights hill, Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parrots come in many colors: gray, brown, red, green, yellow, blue, white, black, and various shades of all of those. Parrots can be very small, 4 inches (10 centimeters) - or very large, 40" (100 centimeters). Some parrots learn to talk well, while others never talk at all.

There are certain things, though, that all parrots have in common. They all like to live in warm places, for one thing. In addition, consider the following four similarities.

1. Beak: Every parrot has a curved, hooked beak. The beak is very strong and able to inflict a deep wound. Its primary purpose, though, is to crack open strong nut shells or tear apart other food. A parrot uses its bill for "transportation" at times, too, pulling itself to a higher branch or perch with the strong bill.
2. Body: Every parrot has an upright body. Most birds, by comparison, have a horizontal body. Parrots' bodies are upright like humans.
3. Legs: Parrots have 2 short legs.
4. Toes: How many toes does a parrot have? All parrots have 4 toes on each foot. Parrot toes are zygodactyl. That means the first and fourth toes are turned backward. The second and third toes turn forward. Songbirds also have 4 toes, but they have 3 toes forward and 1 toe backward.

Useful Parrot Toes

Parrot toes make for awkward walking, but they are very useful tools. Parrots can use the 2-forward, 2-backward combination as humans use a thumb and finger, grasping objects tightly between the back and front toes.

The 4 parrot toes produce a foot pattern that lets them grasp branches and move along a branch. Progress is always sideways in slow, deliberate steps.

The 4 parrot toes also enable a parrot to grasp food in its foot. Using its 2 front toes and 1 of the back toes, it holds the food tightly as it bites off pieces with its beak. A parrot usually holds the perch with its right foot and lifts food to its mouth with the left foot.

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Parrot toes are useful for tricks, too. Many parrots delight in showing off for your praise by dangling upside down from a perch or the ceiling of their cage, often by only 1 toe! In the wild, this trick helps them reach food.

Parrot Toes in Training

The first step in training a parrot is to acquaint the parrot with your touch. Its 8 parrot toes can be your bridge to success in this. Gently touch those parrot toes for a moment, and then withdraw your hand. Wait for a few seconds, and then reach into the cage to touch the toes again. Let your parrot see that nothing bad happens when you touch its toes. When it accepts this touch, move on to touch its legs, and work your way up the parrot. Be sure other family members also touch the bird frequently so it does not become a one-person parrot.

When you are ready to finger train your bird, those parrot toes will again be important. Choose the evening, when your parrot has eaten and is less lively. In a quiet room, open the cage door slowly, and put your index finger into the cage. Slowly touch the parrots' abdomen and it will hop onto your finger, clinging with its toes to maintain balance. Do not remove it from the cage the first few days. Simply repeat your finger training. When it is at ease with the action, slowly pull your finger with the parrot on it toward the cage door where you have placed a treat. With patience, your parrot will soon respond to a "Step Up" command and get on your finger when asked.

Always remember that a parrot will never step down - only up. Always hold your finger or a perch above the parrot's toes.

A clever trick that is quickly learned by a parrot is a cute wave of those 4 parrot toes. You can also teach it to put its foot to its beak on command.

Parrot Toes and Toys

It is important to keep parrot toes busy and exercised. Parrot foot toys are an answer that provides entertainment as well as exercise. Parrot foot toys are small enough for a parrot to hold with its foot. The parrot will then chew the toy, getting great enjoyment out of its destruction!

How Many Toes Does a Parrot Have? Exactly the right number to walk, climb trees, move along branches, eat food, learn tricks, and play.

(C) 2007, By Anna Hart.  An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species and offers other interesting parrot information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won't want to miss Anna's advice. Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Story of the KAKAPO (Heaviest PARROT in the World)

By J. G. Keulemans, in W.L. Buller's A History of the Birds of New Zealand, 2nd edition. Published 1888. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Kakapo (Maori for Night Parrot) is considered to be one of the largest parrots in the world measuring up to two feet long and tipping the scales at nine pounds at maturity. Unlike other land birds, they store their energy by accumulating large amounts of body fat. They cannot fly and uses it short wings mostly for balance. They are an endangered species with less than a hundred left in existence. These remaining Kakapo are all a mossy green in color.

They have a very strong smell which often leads their predators directly to them, perhaps one of the reasons they are nearly extinct. The other is that they tend to freeze in position when threatened to make them easy prey to the newer predators to New Zealand that rely on their sense of smell to find food.

They have very strong legs and may cover several kilometers and climb up and down 300 meters in their nightly search for food. Their main diet consists of a wide variety of native plants, seeds, and fruits. They have also been known to eat small insects.

They have very strong beaks which they use to aid in their climbing as well as to grind their food to a very fine powder. Unlike many other birds the Kakapo has a very small gizzard so must grind its food so it can easily digest it.

The Kakapo is a naturally curious bird and even though they are nocturnal and live in remote places they seem to enjoy the company of people. The few remaining birds are said to have individual personalities and seem to like to interact with humans.

During breeding season the males leave their territory and gather together in a group. They can travel almost 10 Km from home to establish a mating court. When the breeding season begins the males will battle each other for the best spots. With their strong legs and beaks, there are often a number of injuries.

Each of the courts has a number of holes dug into the ground about 1/2 a meter in length and nearly 10 cm deep. Each male tends his hole in the ground keeping it totally clean and clear of any twigs or debris. The bowl-like hole is often dug next to a rock or tree trunk.

The male attracts the females by making low booming calls while sitting in their dugout holes. They start with a low grunt like sound which gets louder and louder as the Kakapo inflates its thoracic sac. They make a number of booming sounds then the sound dies off. They stand up and begin the ritual all over again making its booming sound for about eight hours a night. This nightly ritual can go on every night for three or four months.

The female may come from several kilometers away attracted by the booms of the competing males. Once the female arrives the male puts on a display of beak clicking and body movement where they rock from side to side. The male turns around and walks back toward the female. There is not a lot known about the actual copulation but it has been said that once aroused a male Kakapo will indulge in sexual intercourse with a tree or some other such object. They have been known to try to have sex with a person.

Once the female has been mated she returns home to lay her eggs and raise the chicks. The males stay on trying to attract another female. The female can lay up to four eggs. She lays her eggs on the ground under the cover of low plants. She leaves only at night to go in search of food. The eggs can take up to a month to hatch and the chicks leave the nest at about 12 weeks old to venture out on their own but mothers may feed them occasionally for up to 6 months.

The Kakapo do not breed every year. Breeding takes place only when there is a lot of fruit. In the case of some areas, this is only every three or four years. The females do not go looking for males until they are around ten years old. The Kakapo is believed to live at least 60 or so years.

By Wayne Quinton - Article Source: EzineArticles

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How to Build a CHICKEN COOP - 6 Crucial Elements on Building a CHICKEN HOUSE

An old chicken coop. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When building a chicken coop, it is suggested that you follow the guidelines below for a successful endeavor.

Element #1. - Appearance and Design:

Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do anything else. Think of the colors you will paint the roof and chicken coop walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop is clearly visible to your neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to your entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of its utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking chicken coop so that your neighbors do not complain of its detracting appearance. Once finished, always remember to remove and dispose of any types of garbage or weeds from around your chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing landscape around it to enhance its overall appearance.

Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:

When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use sound judgment in almost every aspect of the way.

For instance, you want to use building materials in which the cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you install should open inwards, not outwards. You don't want your chickens roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding windows.

A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop who's floors are easy to hose and spray down without much puddling? Well, the secret to that is to slightly slope the flooring toward the door. This way, when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow out, hence solving your puddling problem.

Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:

So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum protection?

Then listen up.

As you may know, a well-built chicken coop will protect your chickens from hazardous elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hail, snow, cold climates, etc,) but they will also protect them from hungry predators, theft, and injury.

So how do we accomplish that?

Easy. You want to build a draft-free chicken house with windows and doors that can be opened and closed as needed. Make sure the windows and doors both have proper screening systems installed in them such as a heavy gauge mesh wire. Building the chicken coop on a high yet well-drained area with ensuring the least amount of dampness of the coop. Be sure to build your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and dry the soil and coop itself after it rains.

To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to do is to bury your outside runs with chicken wire all around the coop about 1 foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry predators such as raccoons, cats and even dogs from digging underneath it.

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Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:

You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will not only keep your chickens locked up and protected from bad weather and predators yet receive the proper ventilation it requires. If so, then you already understand the importance of draft-free air movement from within the coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same goes for the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia build up and dampness that may grow inside its walls.

Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper insulation installed which will help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens are dry, they can handle cold climates very well, but humidity plus cold weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore, insulated walls are a must!

Strategy # 5. - Light Source:

If you want a good source of light and warmth for your chickens during the cold months of the year and a solid source of ventilation during the hot months, then be sure to install the chicken coop windows facing the south side where they will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.

On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will produce great eggs all year round, then you should look into an electrical source of light. You should be able to easily install an electrical light at the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling light should be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops though, try to install one electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.

Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Waters and Chicken Feeders:

Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your flock will have easy access to them. However, you have to be careful where you place them because chickens like to make a mess of everything they eat due to their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't want to see your chicken feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the chicken feeders at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the waterers. Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water throughout the day.

There you have it, folks. 6 quick and easy strategies that will show you how to build a chicken coop fast and efficiently. Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a small one, these tips should get you moving in the right direction.

Folks, did you know that the average American spends about $300 to build a chicken coop? Some even invest over 2 months of work trying to assemble the darn structure and in the end aren't even fully contempt with their product. Not very enticing is it? A great chicken coop plan can cut your time and efforts in half while saving you a vast amount money on building materials. To learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum benefits for your flock without investing a magnitude of your time and money, click here: how to build a chicken coop.

Dale Higgins has been raising chickens and poultry for over 20 years and is an expert in building chicken coops.  - Article Source: EzineArticles

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SUPERB STARLING - Lamprotornis superbus

SUPERB STARLING -  Lamprotornis superbus - Photo: Wikimedia

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MIMICRY in Birds

African Grey Parrot "Psittacus erithacus erithacus"
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A wise person once said that imitation is the best form of flattery, but some birds take this idiom to a whole new level. Almost every species of bird produces some sort of vocalization. Parrots are renowned for their deafening calls that can be heard for miles. Owls famously hoot, hawks scream, and crows caw. Ask any child, and he will be able to tell you what sound a turkey makes. Birds are even named for their distinct calls - the Whip-poor-will is a memorable favorite.

Mockingbirds not only produce their own distinct call, but expertly mimic the calls of other birds. Mockingbirds have also been known to repeat the sounds of other animals, and even mechanical sounds such as car alarms. Scientists believe that the mockingbird's imitating calls serve to expand its repertoir, thus seeming more attractive to a mate. However, mockingbirds are limited to short, uncomplicated bird songs and noises. For example, the complex song of the Song Sparrow cannot be adequately copied, even by the most talented mockingbird.

Closely related to mockingbirds, mynas (or mynahs) are known for their ability to mimic human voices. For this reason, the birds are sought after as pets. However, when it comes to imitating humans, parrots have emerged as the true bird-brains. While passerines such as crows are only able to repeat a few words or simple phrases, psittacines like budgerigars have been known to possess a vocabulary of almost two thousand words.

Experts believe that parrots are particularly adept at "talking" because they are highly intelligent and naturally social. In the wild, they form close-knit social groups. When they are raised in our home, they view humans as part of their flock, and want to interact, entertain, and be entertained. Parrots therefore mimic human voices because it interests them and gains them attention.

Many resources exist for parrot owners who want to teach their bird to talk. Generally, younger birds learn to repeat phrases more quickly than older birds. Early in its life, a parrot learning to talk will generally make unintelligible noises, not unlike a baby learning to speak. The more language the parrot is exposed to, the more he is likely to learn. Some owners have been successful by using pre-recorded CDs. Some species of parrot are more adept at learning to talk than others, and some owners never successfully teach their parrots to talk. One species that has consistently excelled at talking is the African Grey Parrot.

One of the most famous talking African Greys was Alex, who was the subject of a thirty-year experiment by his owner and animal psychologist Irene Pepperberg. Alex not only exceeded the expectations of the science community with his impressive vocabulary, but pushed the boundaries of what is understood about animal intelligence in general. By the time he died in 2007, he had a vocabulary of 150 words, and understood abstract concepts such as "over," "bigger," and "different." He could identify shapes, colors, and quantities up to six. Alex is immortalized in Pepperberg's book, Alex and Me.

By Chantelle Simoes Article Source: EzineArticles

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Raising A HEALTHY BIRD

Pet Birds - Photo by Jen’s Art & Soul 

1. If you want your bird to live a long life it is important to feed it in a nutritionally sound way. Birds often die too young because they are malnourished or they pick up a disease because they were not being fed correctly.

2. Birds who are part of the parrot family should be fed a variety of foods. Seeds are used by most as the only part of the bird’s diet and this is a mistake. Seeds have too much fat, not enough protein and almost no vitamins. Seeds should not make up more than 50 percent of your bird’s diet.

3. Try healthy table foods like items that contain whole grains and pretzels, pasta and whole wheat bread. Many birds can be persuaded, given time and encouragement, to eat dairy and poultry products. Try serving your bird low-fat cheese, yogurt and chicken. Avoid any food that is high in fat and stays away from avocados, they are toxic to

birds!

4. Beans and legumes, as well as fruits and vegetables, are good sources of nutrition for the pet bird. It may take quite awhile to get your fine-feathered friend to except these changes, (up to a year) but it will be the best thing for your bird.

5. When you get ready to make these changes do it slowly. Offer the fresh foods twice a day for about an hour at each feeding. Don’t leave the fresh food in the cage longer than that. It becomes unappealing and can develop bacteria.

6. Feeding your bird twice a day is a good idea. Your bird will become hungry between feedings and this practice produces a more active bird. With a healthy appetite, the bird is more likely to try new foods. You will also be able to keep a closer watch on how much your bird is eating. (If your bird is sick, laying eggs, caring for young, or nesting they should always have food available.) When food consumption drops, a bird is usually not feeling well.

7. If your bird is having a hard time getting used to the new diet, try warming the food or cooking the vegetables. It will take a little time to discover what works for your bird. Offer seeds only at meal time and along with other foods until you see that your bird is eating enough to stay healthy. Birds often do better with new diets when they are fed outside the cage.

8. Water is the final key to your bird’s nutritional success. The water must be fresh and all bowls should be thoroughly cleaned each day with hot water and soap. Disinfect these bowls with bleach every week. Be sure all the bleach is totally rinsed away from the bowls. Adding a multivitamin to the bird’s water daily is a good idea until you know the bird is getting enough vitamins from the fruit and vegetables. Birds are delightful pets and feeding them properly allows them to enjoy a healthy lifestyle and this practice can extend their life expectancy.

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LOVEBIRDS BEHAVIOR and Training Explained

Peach-faced Lovebird - Photo: Flickr

First off in the Lovebirds behavior and training list, Lovebirds need continuing interaction, it could be a human like you or interactions with other Lovebirds. Lovebirds can be simply bored and stressed for they're socially active creatures. They adore to cuddle and hug among one another.

They also regularly preen their favorite folk. They need to be with their owner the majority of the time, and infrequently they can be pretty jealous, another member of the family could be a victim of your envious Lovebird aggression. Each creature incorporates their own temperaments and personality.

Lovebirds need an owner which has tons of time to be with them. They can be really interactive to their owner that often when they're comfy, they are ready to rest on the finger or the shoulder of their owner. Lovebird's behavior can be often outrageous, but mind you, it is dependent on how you treat and how you give your lovebirds training.

Lovebirds are a curious, perceptive, and playful creature. They like to play, fly round and round, and gnaw things. You must ensure that this list of things is in your Lovebird's behavior and training list. A roomy place for a roomy cage, plenty of toys to play with, and things to munch like fresh willow or oak branches, they can also munch on corn, place it on a bright platform - for gratifying a natural behavior. You've got to give your lovebirds correct training particularly with the foodstuffs they're eating. You have got to make sure they eat healthy foods.

Lovebirds may also be trained to whistle or talk, though birds seldom talk, Lovebirds can be trained at a young age. Another strange extra to our cuddly, lovable Lovebird's behavior is paper shredding. Female lovebirds frequently tuck the strips of the shredded papers in their rump feathers, the males do this too, but not as good as the hens, this shows their potency in carrying more materials wanted to make a nest.

Lovebirds training with praise and good behavior can be efficacious in eliminating unpleasant habits. A well-trained Lovebird will be an excellent companion. Letting your Lovebirds sit on your finger or shoulder is also a product of Lovebirds training. You may train your lovebirds to do easy tricks like their relative the Parrot. But you've got to bear in mind that Lovebirds training is not a straightforward accomplishment, it needs patience and time. You should truly watch out in doing this, your Lovebirds might get frightened when it sees your hand in their cage, and there is a likelihood that they can bite you.

So, ensure that all these things and more than likely more issues are in your Lovebird's behavior and training list, to reassure you of a good friendship and friendship with your dear Lovebird.

Elise Gonzalez is a lovebird expert. Do You Want To Know How To Take Care Of Your Lovebird & Build Great Friendship With Your Bird? Discover more information about Lovebirds Behavior And Training, visit http://www.lovebirdscaresecrets.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Pulmonology Psittacosis Or PARROT FEVER

An immature blue heron with psittacosis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most of the time when our pets become sick it is something that worries us because we love our pets deeply and wish the best for them. But occasionally there are diseases that can affect pets and can also be transferred to humans at which time you have to not only worry about the life of your pet but much more importantly, the life of yourself and any other person in the household that may come into contact with your pet. Diseases that can be transferred from non-human animals to humans are known as zoonotic diseases. One of these diseases that must cause us to worry about becoming ill ourselves is a disease that is sometimes found in birds, it is particularly a problem in pet parrots. It is called Pulmonology Psittacosis, parrot disease, parrot fever and ornithosis.

What Causes Parrot Fever?

Parrot fever is an infectious disease which is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci. The bacteria are spread when birds shed the bacteria through feces and nasal discharge. The infected discharge can remain infectious for up to several months. A bird may pick up the strain and live normally with it for a good while until it becomes activated when the bird is under some kind of intense stress. Pet birds that carry the disease include:

• Macaws
• Cockatiels
• Budgerigars
• Cockatoos
• All types of parrots

Symptoms of Parrot Disease

Parrot disease can be difficult to detect. As with all birds, illness can be difficult to see when compared to that of a mammal such as a dog or a cat. Never the less, most cases are finally detected through symptoms including:

• Shedding
• Inflamed eyes
• Difficulty in breathing
• Watery droppings
• Green urine

Diagnosis of Parrot Fever

Most bird owners figure out that their bird is sick based on symptoms. But once they take them to the vet, the presence of the disease can be proved through:

• An antigen test
• Antibody test
• PCR-based test

These tests can, however, give false negatives and a combination of lab tests is recommended for this reason. Parrot fever is a very serious disease and can take your bird's life in as little as 3 weeks.

By Joseph Devine To find out more about parrot fever and other types of avian diseases, visit the website of your Austin vet clinic today. Article Source: EzineArticles

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A SUN CONURE Parrot Named Sunny

Sun Conure - Photo by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) 

A Sun Conure parrot named Sunny. Who could resist such a cute parrot? There he sits on the end of a branch; his head turned nearly 180 degrees toward his back; his dark shiny eye peering at you with a knowing look.

A bright Sun Conure parrot named Sunny. If you have ever seen a Sun Conure parrot, you know exactly what I mean. If you have not, let me describe one.

Description of a Sun Conure Parrot

Sunny, the Sun Conure parrot is a stunning bird, dressed in a shimmering, hooded shirt of gold with a sun-kissed, orange face. His wings and tail are shades of green and blue, mixed with a hint of gold. The Sun Conure parrot is only 12" long, including a long tail. Its beak and feet both are black. The eyes are dark brown in a white circle.

Personality of a Sun Conure Parrot

A Sun Conure parrot is a playful, inquisitive bird. Owners can't seem to find enough words to describe these little bundles of sunshine, but they try. A few of their favorites are:

* Active

* Comical

* Cuddly

* Curious

* Cute

* Energetic

* Entertaining

* Feisty

* Fun

* Loving

* Spunky

Playtime for a Sun Conure Parrot

A Sun Conure parrot's playtime is comical, to say the least. It loves its owners, and it loves to entertain them. Given a multitude of toys and a swing or two, the Sun Conure parrot will swing, jump, climb, and call out to you as he shows everything he can do. Even without toys, the Sun Conure parrot will develop its own tricks, just to play. It has a very high energy level and sometimes appears to be a bundle of golden perpetual motion.

Appropriate Toys for a Sun Conure Parrot

Sun Conure parrots enjoy chewing aggressively and will need several wooden toys to destroy. They will destroy them, too, reducing a medium-sized wooden toy to bits and pieces in a few hours. They are not as eager to play with puzzle toys, probably because they have so much energy to harness. Provide toys that call for activity and "letting off steam" and they will be happy.

Sun Conure parrots enjoy chains, ropes, and other things from which to swing. They love loud bells, but be sure you do, since a Sun Conure parrot will ring it incessantly at times. Rotate the toys every couple of weeks so that your bird will not become bored.

Appropriate Cage for a Sun Conure Parrot

Sun Conure parrots need room to fly around and use up their surplus energy. A website that recommends bird cages according to the size of the parrot, such as Bird Cages, will help you get a large enough cage. Generally, a 20" x 20" cage, about 3 feet high is good for a Sun Conure parrot. The bar spacing should be between 0.75 inches and 1" so that your parrot cannot get its head stuck between the bars. To give your bird proper exercise for its feet, install 3 different perches in the cage, each made of a different substance.

The Sun Conure Parrot's Talking Ability

Generally speaking, most parrots can be taught to talk if the owner follows a proven, consistent course of training. The Sun Conure parrot is not the best talker, however. With patience, you will be able to teach your bird a few words. With care, you will also be able to teach it not to screech for attention. It is common for Sun Conure parrots to screech to greet the day, and to end the day. In between, your bird should learn to be less vocal. Some have found that their Sun Conure parrots like to imitate beeping tones.

Food for a Sun Conure Parrot

The Sun Conure parrot does well on a basic diet of organic pellets. Organic pellets give your Sun Conure parrot a balanced diet in every bite. Avoid seed-based foods, as the parrot will pick out the seeds and leave the rest. The result will be a malnourished parrot.

In addition to organic pellets, give your parrot the variety it craves by providing fresh fruits and vegetables. Sun Conure parrots usually enjoy apples, grapes, melons, and oranges. Among vegetables, they will eat things such as broccoli, carrots, corn, lettuce, and peas. Keep seeds and nuts as a special treat.

About the Author:  © 2007, Anna Hart, a career educator, and writer, spent 3 years in New Zealand, near the home of the Eclectus parrots. She has researched Eclectus parrot prices carefully for you. Anna invites you to read more of her articles about parrots of the world at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you would like more information on preparing for a baby Sun Conure parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s insights on the subject.  Source: www.isnare.com

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AFRICAN GREY PARROTS' Food

African Grey Parrot - Psittacus erithacus - macro
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you invite an African Grey parrot to share your home, you are taking on a long-term responsibility to provide a good diet for that parrot for 50 years or more. Many owners fail to do this, even for a few months. Believing that bird seed is enough, they purchase a large bag of mixed seed, and feed their African Grey. Seeds are cheap, so bird food companies push them.

African Grey parrots' food must not be only seed, however. Such an incomplete, imbalanced diet is likely to cause illness. Seeds are high in fat and carbohydrates, and your African Grey will probably pick out its favorite seeds, making the diet even less balanced.

Most parrot experts agree that an African Grey parrots' food needs can only be met with a formula diet supplemented with a variety of other foods.

Organic Pellets

What is a formula diet for an African Grey? Organic pellets. I say "organic" pellets because many of the conventional pellets have unhealthy ingredients. Some have even been noted as containing potentially toxic ingredients.

African Grey parrots' food should never contain menadione. If the pellets you are considering for your African Grey list menadione as an ingredient, read on. The FDA requires a warning on every bag of food that contains it. That warning must read, "Person who handles needs to wear protective outfit, gloves, mask, and glasses."

Menadione may be added to give your African Grey additional vitamin K. A better option is to provide full-spectrum light for your parrot. An African Grey will get vitamin K from the light, just as it would if living outdoors.

Organic pellets also let your African Grey avoid the high quantities of sugar in colored pellets. Most African Grey parrot owners care enough about the bird in which they've invested so much money, that they don't want to give it a diet that is high in sugar.

African Grey parrots' food that is based on organic pellets will be free of contaminants that might be found in other pellets. In the U.S., government regulations force companies making organic parrot food not to use pesticides or other contaminants.

In addition to a basic, formulated pellet food, African Greys need many of the same food you eat.

1. Fresh vegetables: Offer your African Grey a wide variety of vegetables, raw or cooked. Think bright, deep colors for the most nutrition. Most vegetables that offer high nutrition to you and your family will be good for your parrot as well. Cooked legumes such as beans and lentils are good. Sprouted seeds are also good. Your African Grey will love them. To avoid contaminants such as pesticides, you may want to use organic vegetables for African Grey parrots' food.

2. Fresh fruits: In the wild, African Greys eat fruit freely. The trick is to keep your parrot from filling up on its favorite food and neglecting pellets and vegetables. As with vegetables, choose bright, rich colors in fruit for the most nutrition. Also, purchase organic if possible.

3. Other supplemental foods: African Grey parrots enjoy cooked eggs and small amounts of yogurt now and then. African Greys are more prone than some parrots to calcium deficiency, so you may leave the egg shell on the hard boiled egg, if you wish. You should not need to give your parrot calcium supplements if you are using a good organic pellet food. You may give a few seeds as a treat, but go easy on them.

No, Thank You

African Grey parrots' food dishes should never contain avocado, chocolate, or rhubarb. They should not contain any human junk foods or processed meats either. It should go without saying, but your African Grey should never be given anything containing caffeine or alcohol.

Water, Please

Remember, when thinking of your African Grey's dietary needs, that it should have fresh, clean water in its cage at all times.

Helpful Tip

For healthy African Greys, be sure you clean the food and water dishes every day. If your parrot decides on an impromptu bath, wait until it is done, wash the water dish, and give it a fresh supply of water.

By Anna Hart (C)2007 An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot breeds and offers more information about African Grey Parrots and their care at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you are interested in learning about parrot food made at home, you won't want to miss the information Anna shares on that subject. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Black-capped CHICKADEE - Poecile atricapillus

Black-capped CHICKADEE - Poecile atricapillus - Photo: Wikimedia/Flickr

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SUN CONURE Parrots - Analyzing the Exotic Sun Conure Parrot

Sun Parakeet (also known as Sun Conure) in a zoo.
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you look in a book of birds it's amazing at how many beautiful birds there are. There are small birds, ones that are great pets and ones that are just breathtaking. When you're flipping through there and find the parrots, one that will catch your eye is the sun conure parrot. These parrots are a lot smaller than the large blue or green macaws but are just as beautiful. If you want a parrot but don't want something too big or too expensive, a sun conure parrot might be the bird for you.

The sun conure parrots can be found all over the world in pet stores, but to find them in their natural habitat you would need to travel to Central and South America, Mexico or even into the West Indies. This is where these parrots reside in large flocks of up to twenty or more birds all year round, even during the mating season. When you see a large flock of conure parrots flying overhead towards the horizon they look like a beautiful sunset themselves. Actually, that is how they got their name. The bright iridescent colors of orange, red, yellow and green that cover their bodies are the same colors that you would experience when watching a beautiful sunset over the horizon. When a sun conure parrot is young there are far more green feathers that cover their bodies than anything. It isn't until they reach approximately six to eight months of age that they begin to molt and acquire the vibrant adult colors.

One of the noticeable differences between a conure and some of other parrots is that they don't have a very large speech capability. Their voices are far more screechy and birdlike than many of the other parrots. Now don't think that the sun conure parrots don't like to entertain you with sound though. They love to imitate noises such a doorbell or microwave. These parrots are able to learn some language, just not very much and the voice that they possess isn't one that most would love to listen to. Like I said, the sun conure parrots have a very screechy voice which they love to use to let you know what they're thinking. If your sun conure is happy, it'll screech to let you know. Unfortunately, it will also screech if it is mad, annoyed, bored or just trying to tell you good morning. For this reason, a conure might not be the best pet for someone who lives close to people that don't like to hear birds.

A sun conure parrot would be a wonderful bird to own because they do really love to be around people. Some parrots are just as content to be alone or with another parrot but the sun conure parrots love human companionship. Their lifespan is about twenty-five to thirty years if taken care of properly and so could be a good pet to have for many years.

By Laura Belle - Article Source: EzineArticles

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CANARY BIRD - Serinus canaria

Canary Bird - Serinus canaria

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Keeping A CANARY

Lavinia, like her canaries, is imprisoned. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is said while creating the canary, God had taken the same utmost care as he did when creating the earth so as to make it one of its finest creations.

The brightest semblance that a canary exerts is that it is both a wonderful pet to view and wonderful to hear sing. It is always in motion, cheering on its own and seems to have a keen interest in things that it comes across.

Truly speaking, canaries form that breed of bird that has been with men for centuries and its selective breeding has led to various shades and colors. The original wild canaries are mostly a drab greenish-brown color whereas it is well-known that canaries tend to be yellow. But yellowness has been developed by selective breeding. Generally, people want canaries mainly for their singing ability. Male canaries are the best singers.

It is nice to see, but to keep a canary there are several steps that should be taken essentially for its safe and secure livelihood. As is applicable in cases of other pets, certain conditions are also required so as to make the canary's life more comfortable.

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To begin with, care must be taken over of all its basic needs like food dishes and water that ought to be provided in a good state. Dishes tend to absorb moisture and that in turn can promote bacterial growth and cause all kinds of health problems and thus endanger the lives of these tiny species. They should also be provided with canary seed mixture and cuttlebone for calcium.

The canary's cage needs a couple of good perches. Therefore due concern should be paid to style, size, and materials to keep the birds healthy and content.

Generally, these birds remain happy in those cages that are large enough so as to enable them to fly at ease from one perch to another. Simply hopping from place to place fails to provide sufficient exercise. To enrich their lifestyle the cages should be at least 24" long by 15" deep by 18" tall. This is the benchmark that is expected and should be maintained before proceeding in any venture to keep canaries. Moreover, some people to let them loose at least once a day.

There are also limitations that should be stringently observed. Since these canaries are one of the most delicate species, care should be taken with windows and mirrors irrespective of their sizes - ensure there is no chance of injury.

There are also chances of harm from other pets. Since nowadays we are accustomed to having multiple pets, care should be taken that other animals are kept at bay. There is a possibility of losing the little creatures if they are allowed to fly free out of their cages without taking precautions. Try to make it a habit to clean the bird's cage thoroughly once a week including the seed (or pellet) cups, the water container, and the perches.

By Dr. Mark Clayson - Article Source: EzineArticles