Raising MALLARD DUCKS - 5 Vital Tips For Beginners

Mallard Duck Hen - Photo: Maxpixel

Ducks are the commonly found pets and social birds too. They can be easily raised by human beings. Though these pretty birds fear the human, it is quite easy to raise the ducklings. Pets are just like our children, they understand the language of love and compassion. So, if you are thinking of raising Mallard ducks, then some tips given below can be quite useful.

1. Caging

Cages are very important for the raising Mallard ducks. It is always good to raise more than one duckling since these social pets love the company of others. Initially, these cute pets can be stored in cages with some material that can be the source of warmth for them. In the absence of their mother duck, these ducklings need to grow in the similar and natural warmth, isn't it? The ducklings with their mother do not need any heat source since the mother takes complete care of them.

As the ducklings are raised, one can find them moving around in the time span of 2 to 3 weeks. These birds generally look for warmth in the beginning. After they grow to ducks within 4 to 5 weeks, one can see them moving in any type of environment, either warm or cold. The cage for one duck is generally larger in size that measures around 10 sq. ft.

2. Water

Raising Mallard ducks cannot be done without sufficient water. If ducklings are alone, then, little water is supplied for them. Ducklings without their mother cannot swim because they cannot produce the oil for their features that help them to swim. Due to this, we need to be careful because these cute pets might drown. When they are with their mother, the duck oils the feathers for her ducklings and then they can swim easily. For the ducks, ponds are the best for swimming. Even when they can leave without them, it is always good to have an artificial pond to keep the ducks happy.

3. Food

Ducklings love to have fresh greens and weeds. Game bird starter feed is also good for them. Once they grow to ducks in 5 weeks, one can change their feed to the game bird grower feed. You can also try a special duck feeder that can be easily available in the pet stores that provide the feed for raising Mallard ducks. Drinking water can be stored in a large clean bowl for the ducks.

4. Shelter

Shelter plays very important role in raising Mallard ducks. Shelter protects them from the heat, rain, snow, and cold. A wooden shelter can be easily made for the comfort of your beloved pets.

5. Special Care

The health and happiness of the ducks can give them a longer life. Your ducks need special care and for that, some tips below can be useful in raising Mallard ducks.

1. One needs to take them out of the pen daily.

2. After that they are free searching for food, flying and swimming

3. Keep a watch on your ducks to protect them from predators

4. Cleaning their cage is very important

5. Make sure that the floor for the ducks is not too hard for them to walk

So, finally, your pets need a lot of food, water, shelter, and care too. Well, raising Mallard ducks is quite interesting and can be done will complete care of the pets.

By Mary Louise Are you looking for more tips on raising Peking ducks or Mallard ducks? If you think you still need guidance on where to start, consulting existing duck owners and farmers will certainly be a big help. If you would like to learn more about raising ducks correctly, click here: howtoraiseducks.com Article Source: EzineArticles

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LOVEBIRD Aviary - The Place Where You Can Get Exquisite Lovebirds

Fischer's Lovebird in an aviary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Because of the attractiveness of lovebirds, there is no wonder why more people are making them household pets. Aviaries are the most ideal places to visit and be in awe of the loveliness of the African birds. A comprehensive lovebird aviary is where you will find and select the species that you prefer to keep and raise. With the popularity of lovebirds, there are plentiful aviary and breeder sites you can go to.

* Howard Voren is an aviary that focuses on the most uncommon birds in captivity; say for instance, the brilliant amazons in blue mutation.

* Connieís Bird Nest is a lovebird aviary featuring macaws, caiques, lovebirds, amazons and Congo African greys. The site includes a message board, useful information and articles, shopping options, links, and tips with regards to breeding birds which bird enthusiast will find very useful.

* Another bird breeder is Aqua Oceans that is found in New Jersey and specializes in the eye-ring species of lovebirds as well as eclectus, greys and amazons. So, if you are looking for such characteristics and you are around this area, this is the best place to check out.

* The Artemis Aviaries is a lovebird aviary that also gives readers interesting information pieces about hand-feeding pellets and formula and review of ingredients for feeding lovebirds.

* Bucksí African Skies is another aviary in New Jersey that mainly focuses in the African lovebirds species.

* Feather Tree is also a reliable lovebird aviary. It also specializes in the Pyrrhura Conures along with several beautiful mutations of lovebirds that you may find interesting and fitting to the lovebirds that you are looking for.

* Parrot Parrot is a breeder in California as well as an aviary of lovebird species like the peachfaced lovebird, Fischer's lovebird and the Abyssinian lovebird. Many lovebirds enthusiast had found their new pet in here.

A lovebird aviary differs from one another. Some of them can focus on a certain breed or mutation while others are extensive enough to provide numerous species. Definitely, lovebirds are wonderful feathered creatures. You can obtain ideas about the behavior and nature of lovebirds among aviaries.

When bringing home a lovebird from a lovebird aviary, it is essential to provide a suitable cage. They do not require a very big space, just a sufficient cage for your pet to move around. Make them feel as if they are still freely roaming in the aviary where they came from.

By Elise Gonzalez 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 Lovebird Aviary, visit Lovebird Care. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Want to Breed GEESE? Learn the Most Popular GOOSE BREEDS Today!

Two Chinese geese in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Did you know that geese make up a huge percentage - around twenty, in fact - of the poultry industry? This is the reason why many farmers these days are eager to know every bit of information they can about every goose breeding, but most especially the popular ones.

If you're interested in breeding geese, whether your intentions are related to profit-making or investing in a new hobby, it would do you well to find out and learn more about goose and breeding or the different kinds of goose types out there. Of course, since there are a great number of types to choose from, we'll only talk about the ones that are considered the most popular breeds of today. Finding the right type for you is important because it will help you decide which one best suits your purpose as well as your lifestyle, allowing you to make the necessary arrangements beforehand.

The most common types as far as goose breeding are about ten in number, but in this article, we'll only talk about four, and these are the following breeds: the Chinese goose, the Emden goose, the African goose, and of course the Toulouse goose. Now, to get to know each of these goose breeding types, sit back in your most comfortable chair and read on.

The Emden goose breed is one of the most prolific breeders. Not only that, they are also the most suitable for crossing, which is a great feature whether you're looking to profit from breeding goose or not. Feathers of Emden geese are also highly in demand because of their white color and silky feel. The Chinese breed, however, is better at laying eggs. Members of this breed are also considered better sitters and foragers, and they weigh more and mature earlier. This makes this particular goose breeding ideal for profit-making purposes.

The African breed is unique-looking, owing to its tall stature, dark beak, brown plumage, and that unmistakable knob on its head. Members of this goose breeding are good layers, although their average weight is smaller than those of the Chinese and Emden breeds.

And last but definitely not the least, the Toulouse goose is considered the best of the heavy breeds, with a typical gander weight landing at around 12kg and a typical goose weight at around 9kg. However, members of this lack in foraging skills. Usually, they are bred with other goose types, particularly the Emden, to produce a goose breeding with better fleshing qualities.

By Andrew Grey If you would like to learn more about goose breeding and raising geese, please visit: http://www.howtoraisegeese.com Article Source: EzineArticles

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BUDGIES HEALTH - What to do if the bird stays bristled up

Green Budgie - Photo by Tambako the Jaguar 

Your budgies have been bristled up for several days, shivers, its beaks grows and curves..... 

The reason for your budgie's problem is the lack of vitamins and minerals. 

As a beginning take it to the vet to cut the growths and to file away the curved beak. Don't try to do this yourself - it should be executed by a specialist. 

The next step is to buy a crayon with vitamins and minerals for it from the zoo shop. You also have to provide pine-tree twigs for it to gnaw. When there is no crayon you can replace it with chalk. It is absolutely necessary for the birds. 

However, you have to estimate whether the bristling up and the shivering doesn't come because of having a cold. This can be estimated when examining it's faecal. If the bird has a cold they will be either very dark or very light than normal. If these symptoms exist you should apply the following treatment: 

Take one capsule tetraulean / from the chemist's /. Open it. Take some powder from the capsule to the point of a small knife. Dissolve this very small dose of 1-2 drops of water. After that open the beak and pour the liquid carefully inside with a dropper. 

The treatment should be applied for 3 days most. After that, the faecal will obtain their normal kind. 

Be careful not to overdose the tetraulean. 

Except for that even if the parrot has no cold you should compulsory buy vitamins for it from the zoo shop. Another reason for this condition of the feathery creature can be starvation because with a deformed beak it is most probable that the bird can't eat millet. And only vegetables and fruit is not enough. 

Give bread to your budgies as they like it a lot. 

Do not keep them in a very cold or very hot place. Let the temperature be normal. Budgies don't like humidity and draughts. This could also be a reason for deformations. And if it is possible let them fly at least a little

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4 Steps to Buying a PARAKEET PARROT Birdcage

Photo  by Mary-Lynn 

Parakeet parrots are one of the most popular and sought-after types of parrots. When many people speak about owning a pet parrot, they think of a parakeet. Parakeets are small to medium in size and have long tails. If you're considering a parakeet parrot as a pet, there are some important factors to consider when purchasing their birdcage to ensure happy and healthy birds.

You'll want to consider the following when selecting a parakeet's birdcage:

Birdcage Size

Generally speaking, parakeet parrots can be smaller than most other types of parrots, but they should still live in a decent size birdcage no smaller than 24" x 16" x 16". Your pet parakeets will require space to spread their wings. You'll also need to consider your birds' wingspan when purchasing a new cage. It is bad for your parakeet to have their wings or tail brush against the cage when they try to extend their wings. This has both a physical and mental effect on the birds over time. It is best to purchase the largest birdcage you can afford and have space for in your home.

Due to the fact that parakeet parrots enjoy nesting with one another, you can keep two or three parakeets in a larger cage. Some parakeet cages have many water and feeding bowls to accommodate for many parakeets. It is, however, important to not have parakeets living with other kinds of parrots to prevent behavioral issues.

Birdcage Shape

It is important to remember that parakeets enjoy and benefit more from cages which are wider than taller since parakeet parrots tend to fly back and forth more than up and down. If your cage is too tall, the space in the upper part of the cage can be wasted, but if you install perches or branches in the cage, this can encourage climbing. Having a wide cage in which one side is against the wall makes the parakeet most comfortable. Interestingly enough, experts have said that a round cage isn't ideal for parakeets.

Birdcage Bard

Since parakeets tend to be a smaller variety of parrots, you'll want bars on your birdcage that are not spaced more than 0.5" apart. If the spaces are any wider, your parakeet will be tempted to push their head though with the potential of getting stuck. Some experts say that it is recommended that the parakeet parrot birdcage have one or two cage walls that have horizontal bars instead of vertical bars to give them the opportunity to climb.

Birdcage Material

It has been said that stainless steel birdcages are the best material for your parakeet, along with wrought iron and cold rolled steel. The reason stainless steel is so popular is that it is easy to maintain and tends to resist rust. Certain materials can be toxic for your parakeet parrots such as lead, galvanized steel, zinc, and brass. Since parakeets enjoy exploring and chewing, they could have the potential to ingest metal or have metal flakes get in their eyes. You'll want to seek out a birdcage that is naturally treated rather than ones with too many chemicals added.

Taking these four tips to heart when searching for and purchasing your new parakeet parrot birdcage will help you make the safe and most comforting decision for your bird.

By Jessica Peloski - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Important POULTRY Diseases

Left - normal chicken eye. Right - Eye of a chicken with Marek's disease (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Poultry farming is a method that involves breading and rearing of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other such birds with a purpose of obtaining eggs and meat for food. Poultry is considered an important source of the animal protein throughout the globe and is considered the most intensive species for rearing. There are a number of ways in which there is a big use of poultry products like butter, bread, bakery items, and other recipes.

The poultry industry is known to be a major contributor of food and plays a significant role in the economy of any country. Poultry rising in different parts of the world has proven it a profitable enterprise as it is considered a best and vital source of palatable, nutritious, and cheap food protein. In different parts of the world, there are hen birds that are maintained in the backyard of houses on small-scale in small villages. A very little investment is needed in terms of material and money for this backyard poultry farming.

Some important breeds worldwide involve leghorn, buff rock, Rhodes Island red, light Sussex that is hatched successfully in different parts of the world. An average of almost 250-300 eggs is produced by lying birds per year whereas the average live weight of lying birds is usually recommended at the age of 8 weeks as 1200 grams.

Over the last few decades, the production of poultry eggs and meat has shown a positive growth in the performance of livestock sector. Poultry farming is considered one of the most profitable and promising sources of extra income.

Rearing and breeding poultry is a tough job as there is an increased risk of diseases in poultry, both locally as well as internationally. There are different causes of poultry diseases but there are two main categories of the direct cause that include infectious and the non-infectious. Some non-infectious condition may cause reduced immune responses; secondly, this non-infectious condition may result in increased contact with different infectious organisms that can lead to an increased cause of infectious diseases.

Comparative to the production of modern poultry, the poultry production that is village based is usually characterized by different disease ranges that occur at same time. There is some free-range poultry that has subclinical infections with an increasing number of ectoparasites and endoparasites. Backyard poultry results in low productivity and the major cause of this is high mortality that is due to the diseases, mismanagement, lack of nutritional predators, and feeding. In this backyard system, the rate of mortality has been estimated about 80-90% within one year of hatching.

In many flocks of family poultry, poultry disease is an important and increasing problem. Diagnosing, treating, and preventing poultry disease are considered essential to any of the attempt at raising the productivity.

In the commercial production system, broilers are vaccinated routinely against different diseases like Avian Influenza, Infectious bronchitis, Marek's Disease, Newcastle Disease, and many others that depend on some specific recommendations and situations in each country. There are a number of poultry diseases so they are divided into five major categories that include poultry diseases caused by fungal infections including Aspergilloses, Ochratoxicosis, Fusariotoxicosis, aflatoxicosis; virus such as Fowl Pox, Avian Flu; bacteria like Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Mycobacterium avium; parasites like Coccidiosis, Haemoparasites; and those are caused by nutritional deficiency like the food that may be deficient in vitamins and minerals. There are also problems that involve poultry diseases caused by the stress, poor management, and housing. To avoid different poultry diseases it is recommended to have a regular examination of your chickens to avoid any type of serious and fatal disease.

By Vincen Temers There are different causes of Poultry diseases but there are two main categories of the direct cause that include infectious and the non-infectious. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Basic Guide to Setting Up Outdoor and Indoor FINCH AVIARIES

An example of a commercial home aviary
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Finch aviaries are beautiful homes for birds. These aviaries provide them with a bigger space that is more like their natural habitat than a simple cage. You can either opt for either an outdoor finch aviary or an indoor finch aviary. There are lots of aviaries for sale that would suit either an indoor or an outdoor setting. However, if you are up to the challenge, building your own aviary isn't entirely impossible and might just give you a sense of satisfaction and achievement afterward. 

An indoor aviary may be installed after being obtained, bought, or built directly into the walls of your residence. Make sure the aviary is equipped with tree limbs that are safe so that your birds have a place for perching. Do not overcrowd your aviary with plants or perches, because finches need to fly often for exercise. It is not recommended to place too many toys and perches along the length of their flight path because they would only be flying short distances. Spacing the perches appropriately ensures that they fly longer and exercise their flight muscles.

The aviary must have good ventilation, air filters to help the quality of air, and organic sunlight since direct sunlight is not necessary.

If you choose to buy or make an indoor aviary, do take note that cleanup time will involve a lot more labor compared to when you have an outdoor aviary. You will need to clean about 2 to 3 times per week to get rid of droppings and fallen feathers. Therefore, it is extremely important that your indoor aviary is made of materials that are easy to wipe off or clean to minimize time and effort spent on cleaning. Ceramic tiles and linoleum as flooring are among the top choices of pet owners.

Outdoor aviaries are equally beautiful but it can get very complicated. You have to deal with factors such as weather and predators. The aviary can be a good home for your finches if you live in a warm climate. However, there are people who only use their outdoor aviary during the summertime, though. But if you take into consideration the general disposition of these birds, it might not be a good idea to keep transferring them from one place to another. Some types of finches don't adapt well to frequent changes in location.

If you opt to have an outdoor aviary, you must ensure that your finches have access to shade, protection from wind and rain and that the interior of the aviary cannot be accessed by predators such as rats, mice, snakes, dogs, and cats. Adding a layer of mesh around your outdoor aviary will be an added protection because it will prevent predators from having access to your aviary. A double entry may also be necessary so when you enter the aviary, no birds can escape easily.

Buying an outdoor aviary may cause you more money though. However, if you prefer it rather than building one, remember the basic safeguards you would normally look out for when building your own outdoor aviary.

Finch aviaries can boost your finches' health; mainly because aviaries are bigger and you can design it in such a way that would simulate the birds' natural environment outside, therefore increasing their quality of life.

By Grace Hutchings Grace Hutchings is a World Class Finch Fanatic who loves finches. To learn more on Finch Aviaries please go to http://www.petfinchadvice.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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PAINTED BUNTING - Passerina ciris

PAINTED BUNTING - Passerina ciris - Photo: Wikimedia

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Backyard Bird Feeders: How To Attract HUMMINGBIRDS

Hummingbird at feeder in Costa Rica (it only took twenty shots to get one this good!) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Your first glimpse at bird watching may come through the use of binoculars. Binoculars are an essential piece of bird watching equipment, therefore, your binoculars must be able to keep the images stabilized as this is necessary for long distance bird watching. Although you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on an expensive model, it does pay to have a pair of binoculars that can stand up to the terrain that you’ll be going through, and the weather that you’ll have to endure.  They must be able to work in dim lighting and not fog up. As birds are not stationary creatures you should be able to focus on them very quickly.

The Hummingbird is a beautiful yet very agile bird. The chance to see them very closely in the wild is somewhat rare. This is because, like most wild animals, they are simply not comfortable around us humans. One option to eliminate this problem is to provide a place for them to find supplementary food. 

A popular way to attract hummingbirds to your garden is by using a backyard bird feeder. You can fill the feeder with seeds or even nectar and there’s also the possibility of having a bird bath in your garden. This provides your visiting feathered friends the opportunity to splash about and get themselves nice and clean. 

You can of course go to your nearest pet store and buy the latest and greatest in bird tables and backyard bird feeders, or you can simply try your hand at making your very own bird feeder. This is a simple easy project to do and the satisfaction that you’ll gain as you look at the many birds will definitely be worth your effort.

The main reason for buying  a hummingbird feeder is to see these tiny birds in action. Decide what Copper Hummingbird Feeder will look, and work best in your garden. After all, what you want most is to attract these beautiful jewel-toned birds to your garden. The decorative effect the Copper Hummingbird Feeder will have in your garden is just an added benefit.

There is one particular hummingbird feeder that has the ability to catch the attention of the busy little birds. The copper base on this feeder is one of the main reasons for this. The Schrodt Facet Hummingbird Feeder is made entirely out of red cut-glass. The shape of this bottle somewhat resembles a prism. The base of the bottle is narrow, but the bottle widens as you go upwards. This will allow you to store enough nectar to last for a few days.

The base of the feeder is made entirely of copper. This copper base reflects any light that is shining on it. As the reflected light may bounce off the red glass bottle, curious hummingbirds will definitely decide to come and investigate your garden that has a Schrodt Facet Copper Hummingbird Feeder in it.

And then enjoy all the beautiful birds to your garden.

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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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