How To Raise Ducks As Pets - Top Tips On Raising Ducks For Beginners

Photo: Wikimedia

Having a pet is a true delight. While most consider dogs as great pets, there are other animals and birds which people choose to have as their pets. Among these are ducks. These birds are very affable. They love to seek attention, too. Some people, though, think that raising them is rather weird and their only purpose is for their eggs or meat. They have no clue as to how to raise ducks as pets. 

Gardeners, however, find these creatures useful as they feed on bugs. These aquatic creatures are also a pleasure to look at. Children adore them very much.

It is thrilling to have ducks in our backyard. However, it is required of you to know how to raise ducks as pets. Ducks mature at about 7 months after hatching and they may live up to 10 years.

When considering raising ducks, you must make sure that a body of water is near. You should also at least 10 feet of yard space per duck. Once you have these, the rest is easy.

You should be knowledgeable about ducks' nature, eating habits and other important facts if you intend to raise ducks as pets. There are also a lot of tips that will tell you how to raise ducks as pets. You need to learn how to make them happy. One example is that ducks are social birds and should not be raised alone. A lone duck may feel lonely and show awkward, shy behavior. Be sure to raise it with a partner. It may be wise to keep one male and several females. Males can get too active when they mate and one female may not be able to handle it.

Be sure to create a shelter for your pets which will keep them from cruel weather conditions. It can be made from light materials like wood. Always check that it is kept dry and make sure to cover the ducks from the rain.

It shouldn't be surprising that ducks love water. It is ideal to have the shelter near a body of water so that the ducks can exercise and swim. If you choose to have an artificial pond, change the water regularly.

You now have the basics on how to raise ducks as pets. Raising them as pets has great benefits. Be sure to constantly observe the right pet care and ask the help of experts when needed. Ducks are attention-seekers, so remember to shower them with love.

By Mary Louise Are you looking for more tips on caring for ducks as pets? 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 how to raise ducks correctly, go to Raising Ducks Tip site. Article Source: EzineArticles

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PARAKEET Pet Birds - 5 Dietary Needs to Provide to Insure a Healthy PARAKEET

Nanday Parakeets (also known as the Black-hooded Parakeet and Nanday Conure) at a bird feeder in the USA.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parakeets are listed as one of the top five most popular pet birds, and it's no wonder. They are colorful, delightful birds that make soothing chirping sounds and are wonderful pets for anyone interested in opening their home to a bird. They are loving, cuddly, and intelligent birds that can even learn to speak a few words. Here are 5 components for a nutritious diet that will mean a happy, healthier bird.

Water-

Change water as often as necessary to keep it fresh. Open water can be a big attraction for mold, mildew, and bacteria which are unhealthy for birds and you. If you live in an older home where lead pipes are a possibility, flush out pipes thoroughly before filling your bird's dish. Another option may be to teach your bird to drink from a water bottle. If using plastic, check to make sure it will not leach into the water.

Seeds-

Parakeets enjoy grains, seeds, fresh vegetables and fruits-all of which should be organic to avoid your bird ingesting harmful pesticides used in the growing process. Seeds should include a variety of grains and fresh millet seeds. Sprouted seeds are the best because they provide the most nutrients. Like people, Parakeets eat with their eyes and keeping the food choices colorful, and multi-textured will keep your bird stimulated and interested in eating. Many stores provide a pre-mixed variety of seeds, but always check to make sure it is fresh and organic. Seed should be stored in a tightly closed jar in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.

Cuttlebone-

Always provide your bird with cuttlebone. The inner parts of the Cuddle fish used to make these are calcium-rich and serve as a toy for exercise, a file for the beak, and an excellent source of additional calcium and iodine (prevents goiter). It may take your Parakeet a while to use it but have patience. Move it to different locations in the cage, and add a little bit of it to the food dish to encourage acceptance. Cuttlebone can be found in any store that sells birds supplies, and often in grocery stores as well.

Vitamins-

Supplementing diet with vitamins is an excellent way to ensure that your bird is receiving all the nutrients it needs. Some recommend putting vitamins in the water, but there is no guarantee that your bird will drink all of the water and so you are unable to control the number of vitamins it has received. A better way is to add vitamins to treats that they are sure to ingest. After you have identified your bird's favorite foods, giving vitamins on or with that particular food will ensure that your bird has received its necessary supplement. Get your veterinarian's advice on type, amount, and frequency of vitamins to be given.

Treats-

Just like people, birds enjoy treats on both a physical and emotional level. Some favorites include honey sticks (available in lots of flavors), popcorn on a stick, fresh mallet spray (seeds still on the stem), fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Experiment to find your pet's favorite, and be sure to remove fresh food before it has a chance to spoil.

By Debbie Davis Filtering your Parakeet's air is another way to ensure your bird's health. Keeping air passages clear of airborne dust, dander, feathers and other harmful household pollutants reduces the chance of infection and disease. PurerAir.com offers a HEPA air purifier to do just that-- the Bird Dander Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html Article Source: EzineArticles

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ECLECTUS PARROT Overview

Eclectus Parrot - Male (left) and Female, Singapore Zoo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Eclectus parrots are extremely beautiful birds. The males and females look so different that is used to be thought that they were entirely different species! They are wonderful birds that make great pets if you care for them properly.

This extraordinary bird originates from the South Pacific. There are six subspecies of the Eclectus available in the United States presently: Red-Sided, Grand, Solomon Island, Vosmaeri, McGillvary, and Biaki. The Red-Sided, Vosmaeri and Grand subspecies are the most common.

The male Eclectus is translucent green with red under his wings and a yellow or orange beak. The Vosmaeri male also has a yellow band on his tail. The female Eclectus are usually red and mauve, but some are red with a blue-violet belly and underwings. Also, the female has a black beak.

The minimum cage size for keeping one Eclectus parrot is three feet long by two feet wide by two feet tall. This is very small for this bird though. You should try to get a much larger cage. You will have to let the bird out of the cage a lot so they get the activity they need. They need to be let out at least an hour each day.

In the wild, the Eclectus eats mostly vegetables, fruits, and legumes. They don't eat seeds, so don't get a diet with seeds. For the primary diet, get a pellet based one. They will also need to get fresh fruits and vegetables each day. This bird is deficient in many nutrients and also has a very long digestive tract. Because of this, it is imperative that they are fed a good diet. Try to limit the amount of fat they get so that they don't develop fatty tumors. This doesn't mean to take fat entirely out of the diet though, they still need some.

The Eclectus parrot has excellent talking capabilities. They love to mimic every sound they hear, even the dog, doors opening, microwaves, and sneezing! You will be amazed at how much they sound like the real sound. Your bird's speaking ability will depend on how much time you spend with the bird, how much you talk to the bird and how much of a bond the bird has with you.

This bird is also very curious and loves to explore new things. They are extremely playful and really enjoy playing with people, other birds, and toys. They are very smart birds and can even be potty trained. Another great thing about them is how tidy they are. They don't throw food everywhere like many other bird species do.

Unlike many other birds, the Eclectus doesn't produce feather dust. They have an oil gland instead of a dust gland. You won't see dust on their beaks. A healthy bird's beak will appear clean and shiny.

The female Eclectus is the dominant sex of this species. For this reason, many people notice that their female bird gets slightly aggressive when they reach puberty. Just make sure she has her space whenever she gets a mood swing. She is not being mean, it's just her hormones. Most females will calm down as they get older and as you spend more time with them.

The main thing to remember with the Eclectus parrot is that you will need to spend plenty of time with it. If you don't, they will do anything to get your attention, such as making extremely loud screaming noises. You have to be prepared for the amount of time this bird takes. Your bird could live to be fifty years old so you will have it for a very long time if you take good care of it.

By Michael Russell - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Related articles

• Healthy Diet For Eclectus Parrots - 6 Essentials For the Eclectus Parrot Diet(dietnewsinfo.com)

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• Eclectus Parrot(mypetsmart.com)

AFRICAN GREY PARROT – Einstein Talking Up A Storm

Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). (Photo: Wikipedia)

African Grey parrots are not the most colorful among parrots of the world, as the name indicates. Whether your African Grey is the Congo or Timneh subspecies, the bird will be predominantly grey in color. The Congo African Grey will have a bright, cherry red tail, while the Timneh African Grey's tail will be maroon.

African Grey parrots are very intelligent. It has been said that they have an intellect similar to that of dolphins and chimpanzees. African Grey parrots have the ability to mimic up to 2,000 different sounds. They can understand the use of many words they learn and are known to be the best talking parrots.

Einstein, a talking African Grey, is living proof of this. Einstein has been talking up a storm in a Knoxville, Tennessee zoo. Einstein's trainer, Stephanie White, says that it is natural for African Grey parrots to enjoy mimicking sounds. Einstein, though, seems exceptionally good at mimicking. White believes Einstein can make more than 200 different sounds, many of which are English words.

"If she hears a sound that she likes, she'll start to repeat it over and over. Then we'll put it on cue," says White.

Is Einstein Male or Female?

African Grey parrots of both sexes look the same, so no one knows whether Einstein is male or female. The zoo's veterinarians could tell with a blood test, but the zoo has decided not to do it. Einstein lives happily with the name of a great male scientist, and a feminine pronoun.

Einstein – a Talking African Grey's Bio

Einstein, the talking African Grey parrot, hatched in California in 1987. He did not live in a zoo at first. He lived with a California couple. Not for sale, the Congo African Grey was donated to the Zoo in 1992 at age 5.

When Einstein arrived at the Knoxville Zoo, she soared from unknown African Grey parrot to star status. Einstein was an immediate hit in the zoo's new Bird Show. Visitors loved the show, which features free-flight, natural behaviors of about 14 birds and a few other animals. However, the African Grey quickly became the star.

Einstein does not stay at the zoo every day. Nor does she limit her vocabulary to words and sounds her trainers want her to learn. One day, the African Grey was riding in a car on the way to a school show-and-tell. Suddenly, she began to sing "Happy Birthday" to her shocked trainers. No one knew when and how she learned the song, but she knew it.

Einstein is not only the star of Knoxville Zoo's Bird Show. She is also a popular "spokesbird" for the zoo and for Knoxville tourism.

Although Einstein is about 22 years old as I write this (early 2007), she will never behave or understand as a 22-year old human. African Grey parrots have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year old child. Emotionally, they are more like a 2-year old human. Those who live with African Grey parrots are constantly reminded of this.

African Grey – the Right Pet for You?

Einstein, the talking African Grey is amazing. You should be aware, however, that not all African Greys are like Einstein. The Knoxville Zoo has another African Grey parrot named Allie. Allie has learned only a handful of words. Perhaps Allie is shy of talking because Einstein is so good. Perhaps Allie is just not motivated.

Certainly, many African Grey parrots do learn to talk. A privately-owned, 10-year old African Grey in Texas – also named Einstein - is credited with knowing 122 words, 94 phrases, and 21 sounds.

If you purchase an African Grey parrot and patiently work with it, you will probably be able to teach it to talk.

About the Author: © 2007, Anna Hart.  Anna Hart, a career educator, and writer has researched African Grey parrots carefully for you. Anna invites you to read more of her articles about parrots of the world at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you would like more information on African Grey parrots, you won’t want to miss Anna’s articles.  Source: www.isnare.com

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BUDGERIGAR (green) - Melopsittacus undulatus

Budgerigar (green) - Melopsittacus undulatus

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The PEREGRINE FALCON - The Teflon Bird of Prey

Photo  by jkirkhart35 

"Look up! It's a bird.....It's a plane......It's The Peregrine Falcon!" Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Superman was a fictitious character, as was Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon, and although very popular and very entertaining, was no match for a real, super bird called the Peregrine Falcon. 

This creature is one of the most powerful and fast-flying bird there is. The Peregrine Falcon probably has one of the longest migrations of any bird in North America. Covering as much as 15,500 miles in one year over two different continents, spanning North and South America, hence the meaning of the falcon's name, "wanderer" or the scientific name of "Falco pereginus."

This is an incredible flier! You will find that these Falcons are averaging 25-34 miles per hour in traveling flight and as fast as 69 miles per hour in direct pursuit of prey with a hunting stoop from heights of over .62 miles! I don't even know if a Geo Spectrum could cruise at that speed. After reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour, they will drop toward their prey and kill it by biting into the neck of a passing songbird, duck and occasionally bats. OUCH!!! These falcons are so acrobatic, they can even catch their prey in mid-air. What a feat!!!

The Peregrine Falcon's habitat is comprised of every continent in the world save Antarctica and on many oceanic islands making them one of the most widely distributed species in the world. What proof is there that shows the durability of this bird? It has been proven that the falcon can survive in a wide range of areas of habitat to include: urban cities, deserts, the tundra and the tropics. They remind me of people who live in the state of Maine and then travel to Florida in the winter because the Peregrine Falcon will migrate super long distances from where they reside in the winter, to their summer nesting areas on the globe. Who knows? They may have even bought into "Time Shares."

Have you ever been in a big city and see an image of a hawk or eagle on a skyscraper? There is a stark parallel to real habits of these falcons that are illustrated high atop those buildings. For instance, Peregrine Falcons have done a great job in adapting to living in many of our cities in the United States of America. They have the ingenuity to make use of tall skyscrapers and buildings that have suitable ledges for nesting. They display their desire for cuisine variety in their meals by making use of their neighbors, the pigeon, and starlings, in the cities for their food supply. What a tasty and scrumptious treat for these Teflon birds.

These Peregrine Falcons are very intelligent and trainable also. This has always been one of the most prized birds amongst men. People have used and trained these birds for hunting, as well as message carriers. In 1940, the Federal Government issued an order to cull these Peregrine Falcons bringing about the death of 600 birds. One reason may have been because in the second World War, the armed forces used over 200,000 homing pigeons as message carriers which were also on the menu of these falcons. This was part of the reason for the decline in these fabulous birds. Populations began a rapid decline from 1950 - the 1970's because of DDT (Dichloro-diphenyl-trichlorethane) poisoning. This poisoning effected The Peregrine Falcon eggs, causing thinning and making them susceptible to breakage during incubation. Not to mention other birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Great-horned owl would occasionally kill peregrine falcon chicks. At this point, they made the Endangered Species list and by 1970 extensive efforts were made to reestablish the birds' population. Man driven efforts to breed the Peregrine in captivity began to make a difference to this almost "down for the count" bird. This is why we consider them the "Teflon" bird of prey. They have made an awesome come back. By 1999, the peregrine falcon finally made it off the Endangered Species list.

As we have seen in part, with the aide of man the peregrine falcon almost became extinct and with the aide of man the peregrine falcon has made a tremendous comeback. Let us all be aware and continue to be part of the solution in taking part in the preservation of this "Teflon" survivor. Watch them soar, watch them hunt, watch them perch in their natural habitats. The history of this falcon is one you can share with your children and grandchildren for ages to come.

By Gary L Freeman Gary Freeman. I am a wildlife enthusiast living in Wyoming. I want to get the word out about wildlife preservation and natural insect control. [https://www.wildlife-houses.com/] - http://wildlife-houses.blogspot.com/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Makings of Good PARROT BREEDERS

A pet juvenile White-bellied Caique (Pionites leucogaster xanthomeria) in a harness.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are looking for a pet that can live and last for so many years, then you should consider buying a parrot for a pet. Because of their friendly nature and interesting personalities, a wide variety of parrots have been in the pet trade for parrot lovers to enjoy.

But, owning a parrot entails great responsibility. You must be able to give proper care and attention so your pet parrot will enjoy long and healthy life.

Taking care of parrots

Parrots are known for creating close bonds with their owner or the ones who handle them. If there were one person that must understand the bird well, that should be the parrot breeder.

Parrot breeders are significant figures in the lives of parrots because they play a major role in taking care of them. In the lives of parrots, the parrot breeders are foster parents because they take care of the bird from the beginning.

Since the parrot breeders are the ones who look over the well-being and welfare of parrots since birth, the overall health and personality of the parrot depend on the methods of breeding they use. Future behavioral patterns, ability to relate, levels of socialization and emotional health of the parrot will also greatly depend on the kind of care it received from its breeder.

One of the major responsibilities of parrot breeders is feeding the parrot. Since there are different parrot species, parrot breeders will have to learn how to respond properly in feeding in each kind. Aside from knowing the kinds of food and the right diet for each kind of parrot, the proper way of feeding should also be paid attention, too. Parrot breeders should know the proper way of feeding each kind so as not to put the baby parrot in danger.

Aside from feeding, “weaning” and “bathing” are other major responsibilities of parrot breeders. Because of the great responsibility a parrot breeder must take into consideration, not everyone can be a parrot breeder.

Time, energy, commitment, patience, and resources should be considered to be successful in this endeavor. Since time and dedication is quite crucial in obtaining healthy, non-hybridized specimens of parrots, interested parrot breeders should prepare themselves for this tedious but rewarding task.

There is actually a long list of parrot and tropical bird breeders available online. Whether you are located in United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, Australia, or in any of the states of United States, there is a directory of seasoned parrot breeders who understand the needs of the parrots very well. You might want to visit these sites in order to ensure the well-being of your parrot.

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Fact Sheet: BAY-HEADED TANAGER - Tangara gyrola

(Original Title: Rainforest Birds - Bay-Headed Tanager)

A Bay-headed Tanager (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bird Name:

Bay-headed Tanager

Latin Name:

Tangara gyrola

Status:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Thraupidae

Genus: Tangara

Species: T. gyrola

General Information:

The Bay-Headed Tanager is a social, medium-sized bird of Central and South America. It is common throughout its extensive range. There are nine subspecies of the Bay-headed Tanager.

Physical Description:

These adult birds measure about 14 cm in length and weigh approximately 19.5 g. There is considerable variation in plumage within the subspecies. T. g. gyrola, the nominate type, is mainly green with a chestnut colored head, blue belly, and a thin golden band around its hind neck. The sexes are alike in appearance and the juveniles are duller in plumage and have green heads with chestnut speckles.

Diet:

The bird feeds primarily on fruit, which is often swallowed whole. They have also been known to pick insects off the underside of branches.

Habitat:

Its range spans from Central America, including Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, down to the Amazon Basin including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is also present on the island of Trinidad and Tobago. The Bay-headed Tanager occurs in forests and they prefer the wetter areas. The common habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Reproduction:

The bird builds a bulky cup nest in a tree. The female will normally lay two creamy white eggs that are speckled with brown. She will incubate them for a period of approximately14 days. The chicks will fledge after another 15 to 16 days.

By Tony Mandarich - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Wild FINCHES - Information 101

Zebra Finches - Photo: Pixabay

There are even individuals who go bird watching elsewhere just to have a glimpse of their majestic beauty. This is why it is not surprising that people catch wild finches and keep them as pets. Putting them in aviaries is perhaps one of the best things you can do for these creatures.

Wild finches are not easy to spot because they roam almost everywhere. As long as they feel safe, it is not impossible for you to find some of them. When you see them, feel lucky because not everyone has that chance to see such wild finches up close. Usually, they would only see them in pictures or in videos circulating the internet.

Listed below are some of the wild finches that you may see flying around you.

• Purple Finches - These birds have a purple-red plumage and are less common than your House Finches.
• Male House Finches - Are birds that have orange-red colors on their heads, upper chest, and shoulders.
• Cassin's Finches - Have the same features as the purple finches and usually live in high places like the coniferous Western North America forests.
• Rosy Finches - These wild finches are usually dark in color, having some patches of rosy feathers in their bellies and rumps.
• Lesser Goldfinches - Such wild finches live in the Southwestern United States and even the West Coast.
• American Goldfinches - Lettuce birds or wild canaries is what people used to call them. They can be quite picky eaters since they want their thistles dry and fresh. If you have a backyard garden, expect to see them because they feed on seeds of dandelions, hollyhock, and zinnia.

Wild finches so adorable, that you may want to own a few. There are plenty of ways on how to take care of them: like building their own aviary, preparing their meals, and the likes. You have to exert extra effort in making sure that everything these birds need you have within arm's reach. Read books and search the internet for other things that you may require to know about these finches.

It does not matter whether you admire wild finches or those in captivity. As long as you want to have them, go for it. Surely, you would be able to admire them at a closer range now that you have them in captivity. More so, you too may have plans of becoming a breeder once you see that your finches are doing okay. The money that you get from selling them can be used for their food. 

At least you would not have to pull out money from your wallet, and you can use the money you get from breeding them. Asking your friends if they want to own a pair of finches can be the start of a successful breeding line for you. Still, find time to admire the wild finches because they are equally attractive as those in captivity.

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

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MALLARD DUCK

Two Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Male and female. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Mallard duck is the most common species you will find around. It can be found in areas around the world where there are fairly warm temperatures. Most of them head down South for the winter months though. They feature beautiful colors and you can easily tell the males from the females. Only the male Mallard ducks feature the beautiful emerald green color on their heads and upper body. The females feature a very light tan or brown color in that area of their body.

During the warmer times of the year, it is common to find Mallard ducks relaxing on the waters of ponds and small lakes. They quickly catch on to the fact that people will come to these areas to feed them. Their natural diet consists of seeds, plants, and even small fish and frogs. They will also eat bread and popcorn when people come around with it. In fact, they will fight each other for it even though they aren’t hungry. They will consume all that is coming their way.

Even so, Mallard ducks are considered to be a wild type of duck. They are decedents of the various forms of domestic ducks out there though. They do seem to be comfortable around people. Those that have become accustomed to getting fed by them will even go up to people and take what they have to offer. 

Mallard ducks breed quite easily as long as their basic needs are being met. They will lay approximately 10 eggs at a time. The young ducks will hatch in about 60 days and the mother will take very good care of them. They know how to swim instinctively from the moment they hatch. She will teach them how to stay away from predators as well as how to search for food. They are very loving and caring mothers to their young babies. 

Some individuals keep Mallard ducks as pets. They have a small pond on their property that they ducks live on. If they have well cared for them will return to the same location year after year. Some people put them in cages but they tend not to do well in such isolation. They will refuse to eat and many will die if you don’t allow them to have the freedom to explore. 

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LOVEBIRDS - What Does it Take to Care For These Special Pet Birds?

Lovebirds for wedding present - Photo by eeekkgirl 

You’ve probably seen these gorgeous birds in your local pet store. They are the miniature green parrots with the big expressive eyes. Love Birds are a good choice for someone who wants a parrot but doesn’t want the commitment that a large parrot requires. A large parrot such as a Macaw can live for 60 or more years, while a Love Bird seldom lives more than 15 years.

Before you go out to buy a Lovebird, you should be aware of what you’re getting into. Lovebirds, like all parrots, are relatively high maintenance pets and therefore require a dedicated and special type of pet owner. Here are some important factors to keep in mind.

Companionship

Love Birds, like all parrots, are extremely social creatures and crave the company of others. If you don’t have a few hours to spend with him every day, then you’ll need to buy another lovebird to keep him company. Without the companionship of humans or another bird, your bird is likely to exhibit problem behavior such as extreme aggression, excessive preening, and constant squawking.

Choosing The Right Lovebird

An ideal lovebird will be 6 to 10 weeks old and hand–fed. A young, hand–fed bird is much easier to tame and train than an older, parent–fed lovebird. The most commonly available species are:

• Peach Face - This species is usually green, with a peach head, face, and neck.
• Fischer’s Lovebird - This bird has a green body with shades of yellow and orange on their head and neck.
• Masked Lovebird - This bird has a green body, with a dark brown colored brown mask around their face and neck. Just below this mask is a yellow band of feathers.

Housing

Lovebirds require a large cage with plenty of room to stretch out their wings and play — obviously, a pair will require a larger cage than a single bird. The majority of the cage bars should be horizontal and there need to be a few perches located at varying levels. Place plenty of toys in their cage to keep them stimulated.

Health

Love Birds require daily exercise to keep them healthy. This means you should let them out to fly every day in a safe room. Make sure there are no open windows or predators (such as dogs or cats) in this room.

You should feed your lovebird a quality parrot seed mix and plenty of fresh, clean fruits and vegetables that are bird–safe. This will give them a good variety that matches what they might find in the wild. You’ll need to remove any uneaten food every day.

By Jennifer Manning - Article Source: EzineArticles

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How To Make The BUDGERIGAR Your Best Friend

Budgie - by osio

Budgies are very easy to maintain. Therefore, often you can buy two or more budgerigars. Some of them can be tamed or can be taught to talk. They can attach to a specific person of the family, especially those who care for them. Budgies are getting angry when do not see the owners for a long time and enjoy when are surrounded by family.

Adopt a budgie if you really love birds. It must be left free to fly around the house. Buying a parrot is something that must be done with responsibility.

If possible, choose a parakeet from breeders, already trained to come to finger and eat out of hand. Such parakeets have greater confidence in the people you befriend him fast. Budgie breeders can provide details of parakeet care. Such parakeets have greater confidence in the people, and you quickly will become his best friend.

If it is very scared at first, do not worry! Show him that you love him, act gentle, talk with him, but stay away until he gets used to the new space and others.

Make gentle gestures around parakeets, no yelling, no music or TV so loud, do not suddenly shake the cage, do not let the dog or cat approach to his cage. Pets are always a danger to birds.

Cover the back of the cage. If it is too much space around the cage, he will fear the various dangers that can come from all directions. Do not put your hand in the cage for him, do not try to catch him.

Change food and water and talk to him until he feels that he/she got used to you. You can try to approach him your hand, teach him to climb on your finger or to take a seed on your finger.

Whatever is doing wrong the bird (burrows seeds, bites, screams, runs away) do not hit the birds. Budgies and birds generally do not understand hitting, spraying water, screaming etc. as methods of correction. To teach a parakeet to talk repetition is needed. Budgies are not known for their skills of talking and most of them do not speak.

When you leave the budgie to fly freely through the house do not forget to close the window and pull the curtain. Budgerigars do not understand what means the glass of the windows and try to fly through them. Too low or too high temperatures affect bird health. Budgie cage should not be placed near air conditioning or fan.

Electrical cords are very dangerous.  Budgies can fray the cable and this can be fatal. To avoid these accidents mask the cables.

Find more details visiting our budgerigar parakeet care website. You can also check about budgerigar breeders and budgie cages.

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Keep Your PARROT Happy with Safe PARROT TOYS

Toys and ropes for pet parrots on a plastic tree. A lovebird and a Cockatiel are on the structure - Photo: Wikimedia

You are the proud owner of a parrot and you are looking for a toy for your pet. The offer of parrot toys on the market is huge, so how do you know which parrot toy is safe for your pet? Because you should be aware that some of them are dangerous for pets as they may hurt them. Therefore, an important parrot care issue is its toys.

The first aspect you should take into consideration when buying a parrot toy is the size of the toy and the size of the pet. Basically, the parrot toy should fit the size of your parrot. Why is that? Well, because a big size parrot is strong and can easily break a small toy into pieces which can be easily ingested by your pet. Therefore, try to avoid small parrot toys if your pet is big. You should know that nowadays there is a large array of big parrot toys which are made from thick plastic, perfect for a big strong-beaked parrot.

Things aren't easy with small parrots wither. A small size parrot can be afraid of a big toy so try to fit the size of the toy to the one of the pet. If you can't tell which parrot toy is good for your pet, look at the label or ask for more information.

Another important aspect is the type of the parrot toy. You should avoid buying parrot toys which are made out of small pieces as the parrot can remove them and, consequently digest them. Remember that a parrot has a strong beak, therefore, any piece which is bite-size for the parrot should not be on the toy.

A parrot toy is usually hanging on some chains. These chains can represent a possible danger for the health or life of your pet. How is this possible? Well, chains come in two types: the chains with welded links (which are safe for your parrot) and the chains with closed links (which are not safe). The parrot may try to open up the link which is not weld and its beak would get stuck in that space. The parrot may get hurt while trying to release itself. Consequently, examine carefully the chains attached to your parrot toys.

But the chains are not the only dangerous pieces of a parrot toy. Parrot toys made out of wood may also be dangerous. Therefore, wood is another important aspect to think of. Parrots are birds which love to chew wood. They do this to find bugs hidden inside the tree bark in the woods. So a parrot will always start chewing a toy made out of wood. Some types of wood are not good for parrots, so you should check the internet for a list of parrot-safe wood.

Parrots are also birds which enjoy preening and grooming. Their instinct is telling them to constantly pick or even chew their feathers. This is not a healthy habit for your pet. So you should buy a chew rope, which is a very useful parrot toy as it allows your pet to exercise its habit every day without causing any problems to itself. But pay attention to the deterioration of the toy as it gets extremely ragged and worn out. Replace it with a new toy as the clumps may cause accidents to your pet. Your parrot could catch its feet into the clumps and could get hurt while struggling to escape.

In conclusion, there is only one rule to apply for this parrot care issues: whenever shopping for a parrot toy use the common sense rule. If you look at a parrot toy and it doesn't seem safe, don't buy it. Don't buy any parrot toys which can get ingested or which can get a foot or a beak caught them. And always examine the parrot toys carefully before putting them into your pet's cage.

And if your parrot is ignoring its new, shiny toy, don't worry. It doesn't hate it, it is just being cautious. Parrots don't like change, like most pets. And a new toy represents an unexpected change for their habitat. Therefore, the toy must be put under strict observation to make sure it is not a possible enemy. After two or three weeks of monitoring the intruder (the toy), the parrot will gain confidence into its new toy and it will start playing with it!

By Ispas Marin If you have a parrot and you want to know all the parrot care secrets that you need to keep him happy and healthy then you have to join us at the parrot care information center. You will find out useful things about parrot food, parrot health, parrot breeding and best parrot toys suggestions. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Training RACING PIGEONS To Success

Photo  by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com 

Training racing pigeons are an essential aspect of winning a pigeon race. However ideal the traits that your bird has acquired, the absence of proper training won't allow you to harness its full potential and winning is close to impossible. So how do you train a racing pigeon to become a winner?

Let's start with the basic needs: food and shelter.

Food for pigeons needs to be clean, fresh, and of high quality. Grains and grit are their primary foods but these will not boost their performance enough to win a race. Minerals and vitamins must be included in their diet which can be mixed with the water or with the food in the form of oil. It is highly important that the food should have low moisture content or else it will be susceptible to becoming a breeding ground for fungi, bacteria, and eventually become toxic to the bird.

The shelter, specifically called "loft" for a pigeon house, comes in different styles depending on your desired functions. Most pigeon fanciers build multiple lofts in order to separate the males from the females as well as the young from the mature ones (or the unmated from the mated). The former is being done to have full control on breeding while the latter is often for pigeons which are not yet identified whether male or female.

Lofts may come in different forms too. There's the "trap and landing board" for race pigeons, a "flypen" for those that are limited to fly freely, a "nestbox" for each pigeon especially that they are territorial animals, and numerous "perches".

Every pigeon starts to live in a nest then must be transferred to a bigger loft after around 4 weeks. Once inside the bigger loft, the pigeon is trained to become familiar with its surroundings such as the location of food, water, and the entire look of the loft. Only after the pigeon's 6th and 7th week can it be made to fly higher and farther for practice. By this time, it is understood that the pigeon has developed already some capabilities to recall signs that it can utilize to get back to its owner or loft.

Determining the speed of your pigeons is also crucial. Only once you have identified whether your pigeon is indeed in need of further speed can you really work on the potential reasons for the slow performance. You can measure the speed of your racing pigeon through the traditional and electronic timing methods. But although both can be effective, the traditional method may pose some conflicts when the winning bird suddenly does not continue on entering its loft, and hence the time recording does not become accurate

Lastly, you need to make sure that you are closely connected with your racing pigeons. Flying and tossing them from time to time may always be a wonderful activity for both of you and which shall continue all throughout their racing careers.  So don't be fooled by the thought that one great breed is enough to lead you to success. Training is very much a must.

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