BIRD BREEDS

Bronze-winged Parrot; a pet parrot standing on a perch - Photo: Wikimedia

Birds have always inspired man's imagination. The ability to fly has always instigated man to watch these ethereal species from close. Close to the heels of dogs birds were one of the primary animals that were domesticated by early man. They were a source of entertainment for young queens, messengers for royal officials and meat and eggs for banquets. Bird breeds differ from one another as some have the ability to sing, some have the ability to talk by mimicking human voice while some have the brilliant colouration of plumage or manifest a majestic body size. The following are the exotic bird breeds that have earned popularity among bird breeders.

Exotic Bird Breeds

African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens), Samburu(Kenya) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

African Mourning Dove - The African mourning dove is a large stocky pigeon and can grow up to 31 cms in height. The back wings and the tail of the bird is light brown in appearance, the head is grey, and underparts are pink and the belly to be pale grey. It has a distinctive hind neckband with a white border. The bird appears to be blackish while flying due to its black flight feathers. The patch around the eyes is red in colour. Unlike other breeds of doves, they feed in groups and can easily mingle with other species of doves.

A young Gouldian Finch with the beginnings of bright adult plumage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lady Gouldian Finch - This bird is native to Australia. Though the bird is available in pet stores it is considered to be endangered in its own natural habitat Australia. Both male and female species of the bird are almost similar in looks but the male is out to be more brightly coloured. They bond to form a pair throughout their lifetime. The courtship dance of the male is worth watching.

Bronze Wing Pionus - Though this species is quite tough to rear in captivity the bronze wing Pionus are regarded as excellent pets. They are gentle and charming in nature. Even though they are not so playful creature and even do not like to be patted on the back this bird can turn out to offer a lifelong companionship to its owner.

The Umbrella Cockatoo - The umbrella cockatoo has white plumage with brown or black eyes. This is especially found in the islands of Indonesia. The underside colour of the plumage is lemon yellow and the wings flash when the birds are in flight. The bird is so named as it has the habit of extending its chest when surprised. The chest then takes the shape of an umbrella.

By Jack Morrison Jack Morrison is a pet care expert. He has in-depth knowledge on how to take care of pets efficiently.  Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

GREEN-THIGHED PARROT - Pionites leucogaster

Green-Thighed Parrot - Pionites leucogaster

---

---

---

So Many Kinds of PET BIRDS - How to Choose the Right One

A pet juvenile male Eclectus Parrot perching on a woman's shoulder in Brighton, Victoria, Australia.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you first go bird shopping, you might be astonished at the kinds of pet birds available. The surprise might be more dramatic if you just drop into a pet store and browse the pet birds for sale. Some of them can be quite charming and some might even nod and say hello to you. This is a little guide to what you need to know before taking on the responsibility of a pet bird.

First of all, if you do encounter a bird you like on your trip through the store, do not decide on the spot to buy the bird. Do a little research first. Given the kinds of pet birds available, research can help you choose just the kind of bird that will suit your personality, lifestyle, and household. When looking at the types of bird pets available, there are many angles from which to approach the selection of your new pet.

You can look at the choice from the size perspective. The rule of thumb here is that the bigger the bird, the more effort you will have to expand. The bigger birds live longer--sometimes up to 100 years--and demand more space, attention, toys, and training. Sometimes the training might even feel reversed as the macaw or African Grey parrot or some other brightly coloured creature uses its beak to try to teach you what it wants from you.

Another way to look at the kind of bird pet you would enjoy is to think about the kind of bird behaviour that would appeal to you. Some love to get out of the cage and snuggle up with you and others don't like being touched. Birds also have different food requirements. For some, it is just bird seed. For others, it is birdseed plus grains, fruit and vegetables.

It would take a lot of space to detail all the types of bird pets that are available. Here are three generic steps to take before pulling out your wallet to pay for the new bird pet:

1. Ask around about the reputation of the pet store where you intend to buy your pet. Not all pet stores are created equal. You want one with a guaranteed good reputation.

2. Look at the array of birds that are available and get a feeling for the kind of bird that you think you would like.

3. Research that type of bird's habits, personality, and care and feeding requirements.

When thinking about the kinds of pet birds that might be best for you, be cautious. Since this pet bird could last your lifetime, be sure you think twice before you take your pet bird into your life.

By Kevin Highfill - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

---

Fact Sheet: GREEN-CHEEKED CONURE - Pyrrhura molinae

(Original title: Rainforest Birds - Green-Cheeked Conure)

Green-cheeked Conure perching in an aviary at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bird Name:

Green-cheeked Conure

Latin Name:

Pyrrhura molinae

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genus: Pyrrhura

Species: P. molinae

General Information:

Another common name for the Green-cheeked Conure is the Green-cheeked Parakeet. This small parrot is common in captivity, where it's known for being playful and intelligent. In the wild, this social species occurs in central South America where it often forms large flocks in the treetops. There are five subspecies.

Physical Description:

This bird is usually between 9 - 10 inches in length and weighs close to 70 g. Its coloration is primarily green. It has a reddish-brown forehead and its nape is brownish green. The cheeks are a bright green and there are dull green patches on the sides of the neck, throat and upper breast. The tail is maroon, wing feathers have a bluish tinge and the breast is grayish. There is purple on the belly and the beak and ear covers are brown. Sexes are similar, and it is difficult to determine males from females. The juveniles have duller plumage with darker irises. They also exhibit less of the maroon coloration on the abdomen.

Diet:

A bird feeds on a diet of fruits, such as bananas and raisins, and seeds, such as sunflower and hemp seeds.

Habitat:

This parrot ranges from west central and south Mato Grosso, Brazil, through portions of northern and eastern Bolivia, and down to northwestern Argentina. It inhabits forests and other woodlands, congregating in large flocks.

Reproduction:

The mating season for the Green-cheeked Conure begins in February and several matings are possible. Females lay 4 - 6 eggs per clutch and average an incubation period of about 24 days.

By Tony Mandarich - Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

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

---

---

PAINTED BUNTING - Passerina ciris

PAINTED BUNTING - Passerina ciris - Photo: Wikimedia

---

---

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.

---

---

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.

---

---

KAKAPO - Strigops habroptilus

Kakapo - Strigops habroptilus 

---

---

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.

---

---

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

---

---