YELLOW PARROT

Yellow-headed Amazon (also known as the Yellow-headed Parrot and Double Yellow-headed Amazon) at Cougar Mountain Zoological Park, USA perching on zookeepers left hand. This subspecies is sometimes called the Tres Marias Amazon and originates from the Tres Marías Islands, off west-central Mexico. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Originally from the coastal regions of Mexico, the Yellow-headed Amazon parrots have become popular pets partly because of their attractive markings.

These birds are predominantly green with a striking yellow head and a red patch on each wing. They can also be found south of Mexico in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras.

Although they prefer habitats like tropical or subtropical forests, savannahs, mangrove swamps, or cultivated land where trees are available for nesting, Yellow-headed Amazon parrots are now considered rare and on the endangered list because of poaching and illegal trade and because of deforestation resulting in the loss of their nesting habitat.

Captive bred Yellow-headed Amazons are widely available as pets but can be somewhat expensive. They are an extremely popular parrot species to own because of their vocal abilities.

They are a close second to the African Grey parrot which is considered the best talker in the parrot world. Although all Amazons are capable of talking not all do.

Their talking ability varies with each bird. Some birds are excellent talkers while other may never talk. Yellow-headed Amazon parrots are extremely intelligent, funny, and active birds. They like to receive attention and do so by sometimes being loud and playful. They are said to be the loudest of all the Amazon parrots. But, it is possible to replace screeching with human speech with a little bit of training.

Because Yellow-headed Amazon parrots are active they thrive in an environment that allows them to fly and move around. An aviary is a great enclosure but they can also adjust to indoor cages as long as sufficient daily exercise is offered by their owner.

These parrots are also easily tamed and trained. But, like most large parrot species, Yellow-headed Amazons can be destructive. Owners need to provide their birds with plenty of chewing toys and braches.

These parrots can grow to the average length of fifteen inches although females are slightly smaller than males.

Yellow-headed Amazon parrots have a stout, hooked beak that is not only used for cracking the hard shells of seeds and nuts but also for grasping, exploring, and climbing.

They also use their feet to climb and it is almost like another hand for them. Amazons have two toes pointing forwards and two toes pointing backward which make them perfect for grasping. They will use their feet to hold food while eating.

In the wild Yellow-headed Amazons eat a variety of fruits, berries, nuts, blossoms, and leaf buds. They have also been known to raid agricultural crops like maize. When living in a home environment with an owner these birds enjoy vegetables, fruit, seeds, nuts, berries, and pellet food.

ike all parrots nutrition is very important to their health and their lives.

When considering having one of these beautiful birds as a pet, owners should consider the longevity of their commitment.

Yellow-headed Amazon parrots can live to be sixty to eighty years old. Although no pet is perfect, these parrots are sure to give their owners hours of entertainment and pleasure.

Joseph Keith has been caring for parrots for more than 10 years.

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How To Spot the Right RACING PIGEON

Racing pigeon photographed near Barkby, Leicestershire (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A lot of fanciers make the mistake of focusing solely on the physical attributes of a racing pigeon when it comes to choosing which one to enlist in the actual competitions. While it cannot be denied that physical features such as gait and wing muscle strength play a big factor in becoming a winner, attention should also be placed on the mental ability of a pigeon as early as an age of 3 months. More often than not, it is the mental faculties of your racing pigeon that will ultimately help you win the big prizes especially in competitions that involve long flights.

Take into consideration the fact that pigeons rely on their internal compass, navigational skills, and homing instinct in order to fly to a designated point at the shortest route possible. You may have the fastest pigeon in a race, but it won't really matter if it doesn't fly in a straight line towards its goal. The more intelligent pigeons can orient themselves really well to any given location and have an innate feel for its coordinates.

These types of pigeons can be found by looking for bloodlines that can fly at very long distances. Young ones can fly at a distance of 300-350 miles while yearlings can fly up to 500 miles. These progenies are able to benefit from the genes of their parents whose long flights have helped them develop their intelligence as long-distance flyers. The ability to stay in flight for long hours has provided them opportunities in developing their decision-making skills in times of fatigue. These birds also have extensive experience in dealing with any type of weather, which should be beneficial given the fact that the weather can be unpredictable at times.

This is why pigeons that are competitive in short races don't necessary become winners when joining long ones. Not having the experience to brave the hazards of long flights, these pigeons didn't get to hone their heart, intelligence, and stamina. Most importantly, their homing instincts are too undeveloped to be able to spot the shortest route; these pigeons also tend to lose their way easily. As a result, short distance racers quit at the slightest provocation.

Keeping the pigeons healthy is also very important and that is why physical conditioning should always be administered the moment a young pigeon learns to fly in order to develop strength, stamina and recovery time. This means having them fly consecutive weeks at a distance of 200-350 miles. The moment you spot a pigeon that easily gives up after a few weeks, no matter how fast it is, is the time to judge that bird as incapable of winning any race competitions.

Always keep in mind that heredity plays a big factor in determining a winner. While it doesn't guarantee that a super pigeon will have competitive offspring, it sure does increase its chances. This is small-scale evolution doing its own work, and we might as well work with nature to find success in the sport.

It is important that you verify the accuracy of the information tagged to a pigeon before making any purchases. Lastly, make sure to have a holistic approach to picking the right racing pigeon. If you take stock of a pigeon's mental faculties as well as its physical ones, you just might be on your way to raising a champion.

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PARROTS and PARAKEETS of Costa Rica

(Photo credit: mike loukides)

Parrots and parakeets are gregarious birds and are rarely seen alone. They’re intelligent birds and are quite noisy in the early morning and again in the late afternoon as they move about in large groups. We often see large flocks of parrots flying from tree to tree around Ojochal numbering in the 100’s. Many species mate for life and will be seen flying in pairs.

The central and southern Pacific regions of Costa Rica are home to the majority of both parrots and parakeets found within the county. The Corcovado Reserve, located in the Osa Peninsula, contains many birds, as does the southern coastal plain. The Carara Biological Reserve, located about 45 miles south-west of San Jose, is a popular place to spot numerous types of parrots, parakeets, and macaws.

Many parrot populations worldwide are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and collection for the pet trade. The loss of nest trees and chick poaching can drastically reduce reproductive success. However, due to the long lifespan of many parrots, populations are unlikely to become extinct rapidly even with complete reproductive failure. Since 1975, an international agreement known as CITES, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, has helped to protect native populations of threatened and endangered species by limiting trade in these animals. These days, parrots and parakeets sold at pet stores are raised domestically by Aviculturalists however some species are difficult to breed in captivity and unfortunately are still sought by collectors.

There are about 16 types of parrots and parakeets seen frequently within Costa Rica as well as two types of Macaws. Of the parakeets, common varieties include the Orange Chinned, the Brown Throated, the Orange-Fronted, the Sulfur Winged, the Olive Throated and the Crimson Fronted Parakeet. Parrots include the Yellow Naped, the Red Loret, the Mealy Parrot, the White Fronted, the White Crowned, the Blue Headed, the Brown Hooded Parrot and the Red Fronted Parrotlet. Macaws of Costa Rica include the Scarlet Macaw and the Green Macaw. Since Parrots seek fruits and nuts for their diet, various fruit trees, almond and macadamia nut trees have been planted along the beaches of southern Costa Rica to provide ample sources of food for these feathered friends.

Zoo Ave, located in Alajuela, Costa Rica, is the largest aviary zoo and breeder in Costa Rica. The organization breeds birds for release to help replenish and re-establish wild bird populations throughout Costa Rica and sponsored a large public awareness program in Costa Rica to discourage the caging of wild birds as pets.

About the Author: Steve Linder is the marketing manager for Pacific Lots of Costa Rica www.PacificLots.com, the largest expat development in Costa Rica and located in the southern Pacific region of the country. Now in their 22nd year, Pacific Lots is the largest seller of real estate, ocean view home sites and custom homes and properties for expats in Costa Rica. Click here to request more information. Source: www.isnare.com Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=717130&ca=Real+Estate

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Are Peanuts Good For PET BIRDS Or Not?

Photo by tamburix

There is no arguing that peanuts contain a lot of essential ingredients like fiber, unsaturated fats, protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. So this is probably one possible answer to your question are peanuts good for pet birds? It will be good to think about feeding your pet with them because there are also some possible negative answers.

Actually, peanuts are seeds, not nuts and they grow underground, they are from the legume family. Their environment is damp, warm and dark which gives the best condition for mold and fungal growth. Actually, those traces of a mold called Aspergillus flavus cause the problem with peanuts. The toxic substance -

Aflatoxin is in fact produced by Aspergillus flavus. It is known that Aflatoxins cause severe liver damage for humans and animals and they are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). The level of toxicity depends on the amount of toxin ingested at one time, age, size, accumulation of the toxin, etc.

If the officials detect contamination after inspecting all peanuts for sale in this country, they reject them. The USDA and The FDA determine the safe levels for Aflatoxin in human foodstuffs and if the product is dangerous, they ban it from going to market. But this safe amount of traces of Aflatoxin in pet food is not very clear, especially for such small creatures as birds.

So the question- are the peanuts bad for your pet birds?- still remains unanswered for all pet owners. Some of them continue to feed their pet birds with peanuts, of course, the amounts are not big and they announce that they haven’t found any ill effect. They assume peanuts as high-energy nutritional and because their birds love them and have fun, they outweigh the risk.

If you have decided to feed your pet bird with peanuts, neglecting the risk, there are some precautions to avoid the deadly Aflatoxins:

1) Be informed about the recent research on pet bird consumption of peanuts

2) The risk of Aflatoxins in dried, heated peanuts is lower so you’d better feed your pet bird unsalted, roasted peanuts

3) To decrease the risk of the growth of Aspergillus Flavus - if you feed your bird raw peanuts, you must be sure they have been grown, stored and shipped properly

4) Give your pet birds no more than 2 or 3 peanuts daily

5) Valencia or Spanish peanuts contain fewer Aflatoxins so use them if it is possible

6) Human grade peanuts are less contaminated than birdseed mixes or animal feed

7) Buy your peanuts from reliable and quality sources you can trust

Consider carefully the risks and benefits of using peanuts as food for your pet birds and the decision is up to you.

by Daci Georgieva - Article Source: ArticleRich.com

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Emperor PENGUINS

Emperor Penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Emperor penguins are by far the largest species found around the world. They live in the very cold weather of Antarctica. They are exceptionally beautiful creatures with the traditional black and white we are all familiar with. They have some very colorful features on their faces too though. Emperor penguins have Orange spots on their necks and their beaks. They also have yellow on their breast and ears.

Empower penguins eat very well from the fish in the ocean. They also consume squid when they are available. Emperor penguins are excellent hunters as they can swim rapidly underwater. They can also hold their breath underwater for up to 18 minutes which is really amazing.

They have very harsh lives though in many regards compared to other species of penguins. If you have watched March of the Penguins then you already know how they trek for long miles in the harsh winter without food to the breeding grounds. They have a very high mortality rate as the cold can kill their eggs. The mother and father are often on the edge of starvation and yet they do all they can to bring their young into the world.

The average lifespan for the Emperor penguin in the wild is about 20 years. The toll of the long winters and extensive travels really take a toll on them. Those that have been placed in captivity though live to be approximately 50 years old. They generally are able to remain in very good health while in captivity without any ongoing problems.

In order to communicate with each other, this species of penguins are able to make a variety of sounds. Each penguin is very unique in pitch and that is how they recognize each other. The young are able to remember what the sound of their parents is so they can easily find them.

They are very social creatures and enjoy the company of each other. They can be competitive at times but for the most part, they get along well with each other in the colonies. They treat their young extremely well and will go to great lengths to get them the food and care they need in order to survive.

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Taking Care of an AFRICAN GREY PARROT

Photo  by lizzymyeh 

To most breeders and pet lovers out there, the African Gray parrot has got to be one of the most charming parrots out there. Known for its wonderful character, the African Gray parrot is also one of the most preferred species for possessing an admirable combination of high intelligence and extraordinary charm.

If you are one of those who was instantly drawn to the beauty of African Gray parrot, it is a must that you supply yourself with enough information about these wonderful birds.

According to taxonomy, there are basically two subspecies or types of African gray parrot that can be found in today’s pet trade: the Congo African gray and the Timneh African gray. The former type is characterized by being slightly larger than latter with bright, red tail feathers. The Timneh, on the other hand, is overall darker than the Congo African.

When it comes to temperament, there are significant differences between the two. Timnehs are believed to be more laid back and less prone to feather picking and other neurotic behaviors compared to the Congo African gray.

Generally, African Gray parrots live from 25 to 50 years depending on the history of the bird, lifestyle, stress factors, diseases, and another aspect that may affect its lifespan. When it comes to intelligence, this parrot species is considered as an extremely intelligent bird because of its ability to talk or mimic different sounds and noises and for having a unique capacity for putting their words and sounds into the right context.

Despite its admirable traits, there are some behavior issues you have to deal with when you possess an African Gray parrot. Because of their intelligence, this bird is quite demanding because you need to spend a lot of time in giving social contact and for mental stimulation. A lot of patience and attention should be given to these birds. These birds are also known for biting and feather picking when they get bored or depressed.

Here are some dos and don’ts in taking care of your African Gray parrot:

1. Make sure that you know the species of your parrot because having a good knowledge the will provide you better guidelines for taking care of it.

2. Make sure that you provide you African Gray with the basics it needs like large and safe cage, good and healthy diet, a wide range of toys, a dependable T-stand, as well as a gym or play stand, scale, and a commercial carrier.

3. If possible, take time off to talk to the breeder and pet shop assistants who have dealt with your parrot. Talking to them will give you an idea how the bird has been treated in the past.

4. Make sure that you objectively assess if the African Grey Parrot is compatible with your living space and lifestyle. Since these birds are quite demanding pets, attention and clean environment will keep them healthy and happy.

5. Because of its quite demanding nature, an African Grey parrot is not suitable for everyone. Make sure that you think a thousand times before purchasing it and have a written guarantee of its age if possible.

6. Never, ever buy an African Gray parrot on impulse because it can be quite stressful.

7. Don’t keep questions to yourself if you want to know something about the bird.

8. Don’t forget to make a list before you go to the breeder so you won’t miss out on important information you need to know in taking care of your pet.

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PENGUINS

Emperor penguins Français : Manchots empereurs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Penguins are classified as a type of bird even though they don’t fly. They are very fascinating to observe though. There are twenty different species of penguins that have been identified. Some live in the hot heat of Africa while others live in below freezing temperatures in Antarctica. They also vary in their body size and even the designs on them. Yet the all have some common elements in place.

Penguins engage in social behaviors with their colony and often live a very happy existence. They mate for life and that is very different from many other creatures out there. More than half of the human population can’t even say that anymore! They also take very good care of their young. The males play a very active role in caring for the eggs which is different again from other types of animals who leave the female to take care of it all on her own.

The diet of a penguin is mainly fish as they all tend to live very close to bodies of water. Even those in captivity at zoos have access to live fish and to plenty of water to swim in. Penguins are believed to be very intelligent creatures too. They are able to adapt to a variety of circumstances in order to survive. They are amazingly fast swimmers and they can do so for hours at a time.

They are also very curious creatures that won’t do harm to people or other animals. They seem to interact very well with humans. Yet most of the time this doesn’t happen so that they can be observed in their natural environment without any variations due to the appearance of humans around them. In some tourist locations though people walk up to the penguins all the time without incident.

When they are on land, the penguins really have no real predators to worry about. Those that live in the Antarctic due have the issue of the weather though. It does claim the life of hundreds of penguins annually. They do have predators in the water though in the form of leopard seals and sharks. Their black and white color helps to camouflage them against such predators while they are in the water.

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Why Are Some PARROTS Red

Photo  by SFB579 . TNX for 2 Million views 

Red has been long known as the color love. It also signifies love and passion but also danger. People associate the color red with love, Valentines, danger, desire, speed, strength, violence, anger, emergency exit signs, stop signs, and blood. Its usual attributes are strength, force, power, control, and leadership. Stimulation, warmth, excitement, good health, physical energy, love, sex, passion, courage, and protection are also associated with this strong color. But in pet birds especially in parrots—being red is an entirely different story.

The red in parrots

When it comes to colors in parrots, the most common is green. But did you know that there is no pigment or tinge of green present in parrots’ feathers? According to experts, although parrots appear green, only pigments present in parrots’ feathers are red and yellow.

Red parrots becoming popular pet parrot preferences because they exude mystical beauty. But did you know that some parrots are red because of their melanin chemistry and feather structure?

Studies show that some parrots are red due to Tyndall Effect. During Tyndall Effect, light scatters, thus, reflecting off the feather structure. This process also results in the illusion of a variety of colors.

Another reason why some parrots are red is that specific kinds of this bird have pigments in their feathers called psittacine or carotenoids—the ones that give carrots and yellow squash their respective colors. These are usually influenced by certain environmental factors and elements like food intake or diet.

Experts found out that red parrots emerge because the colors of the nutritional elements of the food they take are intensified. Although foods don’t usually influence a parrot’s color, it is quite significant in the process because good food will result in good health shown in the sheen of a parrot’s feathers.

Since feathers are parrot’s—generally birds’—most distinctive characteristic, on-going studies about the coloration of parrots are conducted worldwide. Most of these studies have found out that a parrot’s color can mean several things like assertiveness and other behavioral contexts.

The most popular red parrot in pet trades today is the Red-Breasted Senegal. Although it has a moderate talking ability, many parrot enthusiasts purchase this red parrot because they are playful and independent Always climbing, chewing and playing with their toys, red-breasted Senegals are among the favorite selection of parrot pets because they have friendly nature and their ability to learn and perform tricks.

Since they create very low noise, this red parrot is suitable as a family pet bird especially for those who live in city apartments. Although it has a friendly nature, this red parrot should be handled and trained regularly so they will remain tame.

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Why do BIRDS scream

Pet Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis) demonstrating analytical puzzle solving skills.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boy if we had THE answer we’d be writing this from our yacht. But of course, I have to weigh in here. What got me thinking about the subject of “why birds scream,” is some recent web surfing.

I spend my days doing what many of you wish you could be doing, surfing the web for bird toys and parrot cages. The magic of the internet enables us to shop the world. In order for us to provide the best possible shopping experience. We look at lots of sites and products. Pricing is important but not our priority. We feel good information about parrots and general avian issues is the most important product we can offer. And we offer that for free. We like to know who’s selling what. We also like to see how well they’re selling it i.e. is the site easy to navigate. Do they offer multiple payment choices and so forth?

But I digress – So here I am on the of a national chain of pet supply products. They have an FAQ for bird ownership. Something we always applaud. Well, I’m reading the list and one of the topics is Why is my bird screaming? No real explanation is offered and at the end of the paragraph, they recommend taking your parrot to a vet if screaming persists.

Yikers! Screaming parrots – vets – why?

Let’s look at this logical folks, not that parrots are logical but they are creatures of habit. One of the things we learned from Michelle Karras www.thepoliteparrot.com is silence means danger! If you have a flock of wild parrots in trees (in their natural environment) or even a flock of local wild birds in your backyard. On any given sunny day a flock of birds will make a lot of noise – it’s all about FLOCK. Chirp, chirp, scream, scream. What are they communicating about? Same things we do. “Find any food lately? Yeah, they had a great sale on worms about a mile from here.” 

SILENCE means danger! If you’ve ever seen a hawk fly over a flock of wild birds, you swear you can hear the sound of the hawk’s wings flapping. That’s one of the reasons parrots come in so many colors. If they’re quiet and deep in a tree they are difficult to spot. When that danger passes its chirp, chirp, scream, scream. So again I ask, “is screaming a reason to run to the vet? I don’t think so. 

Something we hear a lot of is - people will have a screaming bird (usually newbie’s) and the bird will scream for whatever reason. What does their human companion do? Yell SHUT UP! And what does the parrot do? SCREAM SOME MORE!

Again I fall back on my good friend logic. The bird screams, you scream back. Do you think there may be a slight chance that when you scream back the bird might be thinking “hey – this is great!  Someone is finally squawking back at me “hey SCREAM, SCREAM, please scream back some more, I’m lonely you’re my flock and I need to talk to someone than you?”

Begin to see where I’m going with this grasshopper? OK so now you know one of the whys. Here’s a little tip from Michelle Karras www.thepoliteparrot.com that may work for you:

Excessive screaming is a learned behavior that we teach our birds.  Covering your feathered companion with a blanket teaches him or her that you will cover the cage when scream gets out of hand.

Yelling at a screaming parrot gives the parrot the attention it seeks.  Ignoring a screaming parrot is not the answer either. Ignoring bird’s screams could result in finding injuries too late (or water had run out).  Options are to make sure all your Psittacines needs are satisfied.  Large hygienic cage, clean water, fresh food, working toys. Twelve hours of sleep (uninterrupted), softwood and other materials to chew, and plenty of exercises. 

Start with a signal to stop loud parrots. Ring a cowbell (or bang a pot)  in the room next to the screaming bird. They hear the bell (sound), they stop to listen, Show up from the other room while they are quiet to praise and reward. Set them up to succeed.  Use a time when you know they are quite loud. Distract them with a new noise in the next room.  As soon as they stop to listen, appear and praise.  

Lengthen the time between the signal and your appearance each time.  Try and take a whole day at first and only work with the parrot and the screaming. Initial rewards should be substantial, a known favorite treat. Use the same signal just before feeding fresh food.  Wait until the parrot is noisy; give the signal, praise, and feed.  

Not all parrots will quiet down for the same signal so you may have to try several noises before finding the one that works for you. 

Note: Do not use your voice. They may try to mimic you.

 Scream time is a time during the day that you allow your parrots to be noisy.  This should be given somewhere between 3p.m. and 7p.m. each day.  Encourage your parrots by playing stimulating music. Dance, sing or scream along with them. Scream time should last no less than 15minutes and no more than 1/2 hour each day.  

Some parrots enjoy screaming to the vacuum, this is fine to encourage but play music as well.  Find music that your parrot gets excited over. Use that same song every day for scream time. Change the music from time to time but be consistent overall.  When Scream time is over, lower the music volume Talk your parrot down. Lower the music slowly, turn it off, and play their relaxation code music. Give them afternoon snacks when “cool down” is over.  

Birds will wait for their "Scream Time” because they know they will be rewarded for their patience.

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Busy Beak are Happy beaks

Photo  by m01229 

Good toys have different shapes and textures for the bird to explore and destroy.  At least three toys should make a bird work for food    Working toys are toys that make them work for their treats or favored foods. Parrots in the wild will spend the majority of their waking hours, hunting and foraging. Toys stimulate their mind and help replicate actions they would execute in the wild. Proper toys and placement enhance a Psittacines life in captivity.

Parrots think they’re working for food while avicultural outsider sees birds playing with toys as birds; playing with bird toys. Your companion parrot is always thinking, and since nothing has changed in their minds, playing with toys is their job. It’s what Mother Nature gave them to survive, this need to forage. If you provide no means of foraging, your bird will seek other avenues. It may be furniture or personal effects. Usually, because they are easy and plentiful targets. It’s important to encourage your companion parrot to work for food because it’s a natural behavior. 

Three or four toys should be made of softwood. Softwood allows you to push your fingernail in forming an indent.  

The next toys depend on the bird. Large birds like macaws and Cockatoos may have a huge appetite. Introduce hardwood toys into cages and perhaps toys with hard plastics so they can spend more time on the various pieces. Toys may be strung together with rope, leather, chain or a combination of materials.

The balance of toys should be easily shredded. Toys may be store bought or homemade. Parrot toy parts are available and help keep toy making economical.  Softwood, paper, leather and other textures are important for the bird to explore and destroy

Introduce pieces of food like broccoli or corn, using one of many commercially available or homemade toy holders. The food on the toy holder rewards them for playing.

The more textures, shapes, sizes, and colors the better.  Diversity is important because in the wild your birds eat a diverse diet. An eclectic selection of toys helps maintain your feathered companions interest.

 Watch a bird in its natural habitat and you’ll see them chewing soft bark and hard tree trunks. Toys made from compressed palm leaf or treated Yucca introduces hours of “pecking pleasure” Interactive toys made from Plexiglas are very effective at reducing birdie boredom.

The majority of toys should hang or be placed in the upper third of the cage. Introduce a few more to the middle third (without hampering access to food dishes) around a perch made from softwood, comfortable to grasp depending on the size of the bird’s feet. The bottom third of the cage should remain relatively uncluttered to allow the bird to walk freely.

Spot-check toys and perches on a daily basis looking for frayed or sharp edges that may potentially harm your bird.

The more you change the toy and perch arrangement, the more you challenge your companion parrot. It helps them socialize and helps avoids “toy-phobia” 

Parrots can develop phobic reactions to new people, new furniture, and even new birds.

Toys from household items

Cornhusks

Adding machine tape

Toilet paper roll

Nuts hidden in nested paper cups

Phonebook slipped through cage bars

Wrapped straws – cable tied

Fortune cookies

Saltine cracker packet

Junk mail

Cotton swabs

Doggie rawhide 

Shoelaces strung with beads or Cheerios 

Branches with leaves           

Breakfast-food bowl with newspaper taped to top

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DUCKS

The Mallards, the archetypal "wild ducks", probably the best-known and most recognizable of all ducks, are dabbling ducks who breed throughout the temperate and sub-tropical areas of North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand (where they are currently the most common duck species), and Australia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ducks are classified as birds and there are many different species of them. They feature different colors and different sizes as adults. Most species of ducks are very smart animals. They can fly but most of them are content to stay in a location where they have food, water, and companionship. Males and females pair off until the female has laid her eggs and then she is alone to take care of her young. The number of eggs she will lay depends on the species. It can be from 6-12 and the incubation period can be from 45-60 days.

The female ducks in all species seem to take very good care of their young. They lay their eggs and then the babies are able to swim as soon as they are born. They will line up and follow their mother. Ducks will follow the first thing they see when they are born which can be funny if that isn’t their own mother. She will teach them how to gather food and they will stay with her until they are mature enough to fully care for themselves. Most will still stay together though.

Some species of ducks are hunted for food. Many areas allow duck hunting season to take place due to the large numbers of them. Overpopulation can result in problems due to not enough food for them. This hunting season is generally in the early winter time when most are heading south for the winter. You will need to look into the specifics of duck hunting in your area.

Some hunters use decoys as well to get those they wish to hunt into the area. They display what looks like a real duck. They also use calls to make the sounds of that species of duck. The males will come to check out what they think is a female calling them and then they will be shot. Some people raise ducks on farms in order to sale them for food once they are adults.

Not all species of duck though are good for eating. You will need to know what you should be after if you want to eat this type of bird. Many people don’t like the taste of duck but if you haven’t tried it you may want to at least experiment so you can get a taste of it.

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Happiness With A BLUE PARROT

Photo  by Tambako the Jaguar 

Parrots are known to be one of the most entertaining, loyal, and fun-loving pets any person or pet lover can ever have. Through the years, the popularity of parrots—no matter what kind or color they may be—has grown into large quantities.

Although the type of parrot—the species and family—is important for a starting owner or breeder, one of the growing preferences among the so many kinds is the color—specifically blue.

Blue parrots—or those that bear the shades of blue in their feathers, eyes, or beaks—are one of the favorites among parrot owners especially those that are first-time owners because they look lovely as they grow older and bigger.

Why choose a blue parrot?

Blue is one of the most popular and favorite colors because it signifies calmness and placidity. In its different shades, blue is always associated with tranquility, relaxation, peace, harmony as well as cleanliness, loyalty, and depression.

Among the so many parrots that have a shade of blue color are the Quaker Parrots. Although this specific breed also comes in a variety of colors like green and yellow, the blue ones are quite in demand because they are rare and usually expensive.

In pet trades today, blue baby parrots cost around $400 while the pallid blue females are about $600. Quaker pairs in shade of blue or pallid blue (those with dark-eyed cinnamon blue) are sold for $1350 because they are guaranteed to split to pallid male with an unrelated blue pallid female pair and can also produce pallid blue female babies.

Single breeder Quakers namely blue females range from $400 while the blue makes parrots that are guaranteed split to red-eyed cinnamon ones cost $800. The blue male parrots that are guaranteed split to pallid male can be bought for $750. The pallid blue females cost $600 while the pallid blue males cost $1250.

The most popular blue parrot of all times was the Macaw-Glaucous or known as “Blue Macaw.” Originating from Argentina, this blue parrot was known to shy, talkative, social wild bird, and pet. Often mistaken for Lear’s Macaw for having a similar size and build, the Blue Macaw stands out for having different coloration. This blue parrot is quite popular because its feathers are blue and could easily change tones with different shades.

Its plumage was a brilliant greenish-blue, the back of its neck has a unique gray-blue color, the head and nape have a bluish-gray color, and the undersides of its wings and tail were black but the topside of the wings exudes a bright sky blue color. Unfortunately, this blue parrot is extinct for less than a century now.

If you’re interested to be a parrot color breeder, books that are comprehensive, thoroughly up-to-date, with illustrations are available in the market now.

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How To Start Breeding RACING PIGEONS While On A Tight Budget

Racing Pigeon  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As what other people say, "True love always finds a way". This is certainly true to all the long-time fanciers of racing pigeons, who have learned to remain within the circuit despite the bad economy.

However, how about those who are just starting out? There are several out there who are just beginning to be fascinated with racing pigeons but are doubtful to embrace the inkling of breeding them, mainly because of money constraints.

If you are among those who wish to start a family of racing pigeons but is currently on a tight budget, read on the following tips and use them as an essential guide.

1. Do Your Research

Doing your research is the first step in achieving considerable knowledge about racing pigeons. Read more about them and familiarize yourself with the how's and why's of breeding and training them for competition.

Of course, your knowledge should not be limited only to what you've read. You should also go out and ask about the fanciers in your area. Their inputs would be very helpful especially on how you can get the right racing pigeons even when you're on a budget.

2. Find A Suitable Loft

Before you start purchasing racing pigeons, you must first find a suitable loft design. It doesn't have to be large nor expensive; you just have to make sure that it would house your birds comfortably.

Building large lofts would only equal to bigger costs. For example, in some places, there's a building code that if a structure goes beyond 100 squares feet, the building department would already require you to pay for a building permit. So there goes an additional expense on your part, and who knows, there might be more to come.

Don't think that not having a large loft is a disadvantage. Having a small, yet well-built loft is actually more beneficial to you and to the other people surrounding your backyard. What you can do is to perhaps build three, separate small lofts: one for breeding, another one for racing, and lastly, for fancy birds. This way, you can easily control and maintain each one of them, depending on their needs.

3. Buy pigeons from a friend or a reputable source

It is always easier to trust someone whom you already know. If you have a friend who's also a racing pigeon fancier, then that's good for you. He can walk you through the ropes of finding and buying pigeons of the highest quality but are not that expensive. If he's the one who sells pigeons, he can definitely give you some discounts on your first purchase.

4. Be on the lookout for upcoming sales

If you want to get better deals, then you have to be keen and patient in finding for pigeon sales around your area. Gather some sales catalogs, and wait patiently for these sales events to commence. Control yourself from buying just any kind of racing pigeon; you just have to be persistent in looking for the right bird at the right price. Don't worry; those who organize these sales events surely have the finest birds at an affordable price.

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A CAIQUE PARROT Owner's Shopping List

Caique Parrot - Photo by Nik Voon 

Bringing home baby, and wondering what accessories are essential for your new fids well being? Well, we have got the perfect list to complement your shopping spree. Straight from the recommendations of caique owners are some tried-and-true, accessories and must-haves. We’ve got your back (and your kids, too).

Must Haves

The cage- this is the most important aspect of your bird's environment and one that needs the most consideration. Powder coating or stainless steel finish depends on your budget, but no matter the finish, when looking at a cage consider the various aspects. Cage size is recommended at 24 by 36, with less than one-inch bar spacing. Cages that open at the top are not recommended and look for cages that have parallel bars so your bird can easily navigate. The author of this article prefers flat top cages, but it all boils down to personal preference. Food and water dishes that are extended outside of the cage (giving more room within the inside of the cage) are recommended.

Perches- a minimum of 5 is recommended. Choose different textures, shapes, and sizes, to give your bird a variety of to perch upon. Caiques like to chew and shred, so natural branches that have bark attached are recommended so the bird can take joy in stripping the perch of its bark. Cholla perches, that are made of a natural cactus material, are also enjoyed. Slick perches like manzanita and dragonwood are not encouraged. Rope perches are a favorite among caiques, as they can bounce and play, chew and rub on the soft cotton material.

Food Dishes- stainless steel or ceramic are encouraged. Purchase an extra set so that you can throw the dirty ones in the dishwasher and still have a clean set on hand. Stainless steel dishes are often sold as ‘coop cups’ and can be purchased to fit your already existing food dish holder or come with their own attachment so the cups can be placed strategically within the cage. Caiques have a tendency to enjoy tipping over their food dish, so consider a dish such as the Quick Loc Crock, which literally locks in place.

Toys- Caiques love playing with toys- that’s a fact. The brighter, the bolder, the nosier- the better. Quick hint- check out the baby section of your local discount store. Hard plastic keys, teething rings, and rattles are bird safe and caique fun. Tried and true bird toys include the shreddable Parrot Pinatas, the mind-bending Crazy Leather Box, or the chewable Brainiac block. All of these toys challenge your bird's skills and increase activity while elevating boredom. The recommended number of toys is no less than 5 at one time in the bird's cage. With a caique, the more, the better, so don’t be stingy when it comes to playing items.

Emergency Medical Kit - If your bird breaks a blood feather, bangs a toenail, or injuries himself in any way, you want to be prepared. Accidents do happen, and caiques seem to be especially accident prone. A good basic medical kit will include self-adhering gauze (vetwrap is a popular choice), clean gauze, tweezers, hemostats, a pair of sharp scissors, antibacterial cream, and a heat pack. Many different types of medical kits are included, and the more comprehensive ones contain everything from emergency hand-feeding formula to forms that include your vet's contact information.

The Water Bottle- Caiques are bird chef want-to-be. Their specialty? Parrot stew. Whatever can go in the pot- er, in this cage, water dish- will. It can make providing a clean source of water frustrating at times. Especially when you go to change the water and you wonder why how on earth it turned a bright blue color, and what the heck are those floatie things? Trust me, you don’t want to ask questions. Some caiques, intelligent as they may be, don’t seem to realize that dunking that big chunk of brightly colored wood in the water doesn’t make the wood any easier to chew. There is a solution- water bottles. A water bottle can be hung, providing your pet with a constant source of fresh water, even if he has turned the once clean bowl of water into something less then delightful. When purchasing a water bottle, the recommended ones are made of glass (shy away from thinking plastic ones) and have stainless steel spouts and outfittings. Lixit brand is highly recommended.

The Snuggle Buddy- while this is the name of an actual product, in this article we refer to snuggle buddy as anything that your bird likes to sleep next to/in at night. Most caiques enjoy having a ‘happy hut’ type of tent to sleep in at night. There are a variety of tents and huts available for purchase. Looks for one made of long last material such as fleece, with the hanging attachments made of something similar to plastic chain link. Otherwise, the attachments that hold the hut to the cage can be easily chewed through by a bored bird. Other snuggle materials can include fleece swings, large cotton rope toy for the bird to snuggle, and other like materials.

Foraging system- Foraging is an important part of your birds wild, natural behavior. While we highly encourage a foraging model feeding system, because this theory and research are still relatively new and mainstream, we are categorizing a foraging system as an ‘accessory’ rather than an immediately required part of your bird's environment. Creative Foraging Systems is a new company that has a fantastic line of feeders and toys that are perfect for caiques. Allowing your bird to work for their food lets them re-create natural behavior that can potentially curb future behavioral issues. You have many options and choices when it comes to foraging, but we most highly recommend a foraging system as the main feeder and an accessory like the ever popular Crazy Maze as a supplemental item.

In Conclusion

This is just a sampling of items that can be purchased for your bird, and come highly recommended by owners. Look for other articles that include in-depth product reviews, food recommendations, play gym accommodations, and much more.

Emily McNair  - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus) - Photo: Wikipedia

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