GREEN WING MACAW

Green-winged Macaw or Red-and-green Macaw (Ara chloropterus) at Gatorland. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Macaw is a large tropical American parrot with a long tail harsh voice and brilliant plumage. 

Macaws are really beautiful all of there kind but I'll focus and give consideration to one kind of macaws. 

Green wing macaw is a beautiful giant bird that originates from South America. It comes from the genus Ara. Its scientific name is Ara Chloroptera which means ara for strong, chloro for green and ptera for wing. Its name speaks for itself but actually there wing has a striking blend of red with green and blue stripes. They were often confused with other macaws but still, it has its own uniqueness. A patch that is transverse with red feathers which looks like Indian war paint.

Is it ideal for us to take green wing macaw as a pet in our home? Yes, but it will be difficult because what I've said earlier it is a giant bird so it needed a large cage. Green wing macaw measures about 26-36 inches so it is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 feet and weighs 1250-1700g or 1.25-1.7kg. When choosing a cage for them for me I think a stainless cage would be better than the powder coated. The powder coating may not last under the green wing macaw's beak and maybe the powder coating might poison them and might cause harm. Green wing macaw is bought nowadays to be a pet. They interact socially with people and other macaws even though they don't speak much. A lot of people were funned of them but some misinterpret their appearance because it is some kind of a majestic. They fail to appreciate the extreme intelligent nature of the beautiful macaw.

It has been slow to breed in captivity from wild caught stock. It eventually improved with captive bred bird serves as the breeder. Their reproductive maturity is 4-5 years. Their lifespan is quite long it will last for about 60-80 years and even greater. So you will be buddy forever, and you will grow up together.

By Jason Robinson Ryan - Article Source: EzineArticles

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LOVEBIRD Cages - Choose the Best Cage For Your Lovebird

Two pet domesticated lovebirds in a cage watched by a large dog. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most vital things you need to remember in keeping Lovebirds is the Lovebird cages. The birdhouse should be with suitable and proper size for your loved Lovebirds. Your Lovebird cages should have sufficient room for your Lovebirds to fly openly. A cage 2 feet by 2 feet is sufficiently big for a single Lovebird, but you should purchase a larger one that's even better.

Ensure that the Lovebird cages you are purchasing are those that have bars that are close together. These cuties can occasionally be like Houdini who can squeeze themselves out of the cage, and voila, they fly away, rejoicing the taste of liberty. Also ensure that the door latches are well secured, picking locks is another one of their specialty. As you already know, Lovebirds like to fly round and round, they also like to climb backward and forwards in their cages.

It might be a good idea to provide your Lovebird cages with nice cozy perches. Good perches are a vital component in a lovebird's cage as they spend a heap of time standing on their feet. You may need to avoid choosing unvarying diameters of perches in your Lovebird cages for they may lead to injuries, the foot gets held up in the same position, and they get nearly no exercise and always have pressure points in the same location. You need to have at least 2 perches in your Lovebird cages with varying diameter.Swinging perches could be a nice option, for your Lovebirds will enjoy them. Swings, ladders and interlocked bamboos are a favorite.

Cleaning your cages can initially be a tedious responsibility. Having so many bars, cracks, and openings to clean, it can be tough for new Lovebird owners to work out where to begin. The crevices and cracks provide a perfect place for germs to swarm and as a Lovebird owner, you do not want germs prospering in your cages.

Setting and sticking to a cleaning schedule for your cages is crucial to holding down your job as simple as possible. Breaking down the method into easy jobs each day, week, and month not only saves your resources but makes sure that your bird always has a clean and comfy cage to live in.

Cleaning must be done to attenuate your Lovebird's likelihood of infection. Obviously, grimy Lovebird cages can end up in a large number of significant health problems in your Lovebirds. 

You've got to wash the liners, clean the food and water dishes, wipe down surfaces, including bars, perches, and toys, change the perches and revolve the toys, when washing the cage parts confirm it is totally dried. Wet surfaces on your Lovebird cages can wet your Lovebirds and they easily catch a cold.

Maintaining a clean environment for your pet takes just a couple of minutes a day, but can potentially add years to your Lovebird's life. Do your part to make certain that your beloved pets stay ecstatic and comfortable by keeping their Lovebird cages fresh, clean, and in shipshape.

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 Cages, visit http://www.lovebirdscaresecrets.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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FALCONRY History

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Peru BIRD WATCHING

Hoazin in Peru - Photo: Wikimedia

Peru bird watching is one of the greatest things a bird watching hobbyist could ever experience. This is because the place provides a great background not only on magnificent bird life but can also present to you a landscape gifted with almost everything nature has to offer. 

Next to Colombia, Peru is the next country that has the largest variety of bird species available. Because of its unique topography and strategic geography, Peru offers a great habitat for so many birds in almost all parts of the world. 

Studies show that there are almost 2000 bird species existing in Peru. Ornithologists—people who conduct a scientific study on the life of wild and domestic birds. Investigate and record their anatomy, behavior, evolutionary development, ecology, classification, and species distribution—say that almost 19 percent of all the bird species in the world and almost 50 percent of neo-tropical birds can be found in Peru. The country also offers virgin forests that are a perfect habitat for rare species of birds as well as animals. 

The best places for Peru bird watching 

Knowing how rich the variety of birds present in the country, no bird watching hobbyist can resist visiting the country. But before packing your bags and your binoculars, it is a must that you conduct a brief research first about the country so you can maximize your stay there. In your research, you should include the list of things that you need and the best places to conduct the activity. Here are some of the best places for Peru bird watching: 

1. The Paracas National Reserve. This is considered as one of the most spectacular and convenient places to go bird watching in Peru. Located in Lima, this preserve in Paracas can be reached after almost 4 hours. The common birds that can be seen in the area include the Humboldt Current, the Pisco, Dark-faced Ground Tyrant, Peruvian Thick-knee, and Tawny-throated Dotterel. 

2. The Lomas de Lachay National Reserve. You can reach this place if you traveling almost 100 km. north of the capital city, Lima. If you are into daytime bird watching, this is the ideal place for you because the place can only accommodate a small number of people. Although it is quite far, the trip well worth it because you will find rare species of Thick-billed Miner and Yellow-finches. 

3. The Marcapomacocha. This area is almost five hours away from the capital city. But, the trip will really delight hardcore bird watchers because the place offers the view of some of the world's most rare bird species including different breeds of Andean species, Sandpipers, the beautiful White-bellied Cinclodes, and black-breasted Hillstar that is really popular in the country.

You can also enjoy the off-road views of the Giant Coot located in the lake of Marcapomacocha, the Lake Junin, the Huánuco, and the Carpish range. (TIP: Make sure that you bring lots of water when you go to these places because the weather can be so hot and cause you dehydration.)

4. The Huascarán Biosphere Reserv. Located at Huaráz in the central Andes, the reserve can be reached after almost 10 hours of driving. Before reaching the place where you can find the rare White-cheeked Cotinga, different kinds of finches, and Andean Condors, you will pass through breathtaking mountain ranges and lakes. 

5. The Chiclayo-Cajamarca Circuit. Peru bird watching can never be complete without visiting this establishment because you can see the most legendary and rare species of birds that can only be seen in Peru including the Buff-bridled Inca Finch, long-whiskered owlet, marañon Crescent-chest, and the marvelous spatuletail.  

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Pet Behaviour Training - For BIRDS

A Costa Rican coconut farmer showing his juvenile Red-lored Amazon to tourists as a bonus for tipping well.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you get a new pet, then it is important that you start with the basics of pet behavior training. This is helpful when it comes to teaching birds to be petted, or teaching them how to talk if you are the owner of a parrot. Pet bird training allows you to learn the behavior of your pet in order to put this into practice when training with your bird.

Before you begin your pet behavior training, you should learn your bird's behavior and body language so that you know what he likes and dislikes and when he is happy and sad. If you try to reach in to touch your bird on the head, then your bird might see this as a form of aggression from you. Does your bird go stiff and stare back at you? Does he try to bite you or run away from you? 

These are all behavioral signs of a bird that is not happy about being petted. If you ignore the behavior patterns of a stressed bird, then you might end up getting bitten on your finger. However, if your bird seems relaxed and turns or bows his head then this is a sign that the bird is enjoying what you are doing. Some birds even bow their heads and close his eyes which is a sure sign of a bird that is happy about being petted and trusts his owner.

How do you get started on training your bird to be petted?

1 Choose a time when your bird is relaxed and happy

2 Always keep your hand in view of the bird

3 Speak to your bird in a soothing voice before trying to pet him

4 Always be gentle

5 Begin by gently touching his beak and then gradually move your fingers to the skin just behind the beak

6 After touching the beak, move your fingers around to the side of his head

7 When trying to pet your bird on the body, make sure that you stroke with the natural orientation of the feathers because ruffling the feathers can irritate your bird. Stroke in the direction that the feathers naturally lay.

8 As your bird begins to relax, work your fingers around to the back of his head and his neck

9 Don't force your bird into being petted because you might just end up with a sore finger!

10 Don't let strangers pet your bird it is important that he learns to trust you fully first.

By Mike Hickmon - Article Source: EzineArticles

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PECULIARITIES in breeding CANARIES

Photo by erix! 

Incubation 

After the time of incubation, which proceeds for 13 – 14 days, the baby – birds start hatching. The knock the shell from inside with the help of “ the egg – tooth ”, which is a small chalk tentacle on the upper side of the beak and with its help baby – birds manage to make a hole, which they broaden gradually. At last, they are able to get out of the egg, breaking its obtuse end. According to some people, the just – born birds look like “touching beasts " – nestlings with some fluffs, big raised shut eyes and wide open hungry beaks. 

Family life 

Only the female bird warms babies and just on the next day, it starts feeding them. On the day of hatching, they do not need any food – the yolk that it still in their abdominal cavity as a reserve is enough. The male canary takes care of providing food – it often feeds the babies by pouring grounded food into their beaks. The female bird looks after the cleanness into the nest – she either eats alone or takes out of the nest the excrements of the babies that are covered in mucus. In about 7 – 8 days the mucous membrane stops forming and small birds sit on the nest ' sedge alone, put their posteriors out and shoot their excrements away. Cares in the nest take about 16 days. After that young birds leave the nest, but their parents continue to feed them additionally for a certain time. 

ADVICE: If the birdcage is big enough, leave the family together. But if the female bird starts pulling its feathers out to build a new nest you should separate the young birds from their parents. 

Controlling the nest 

You can quietly look in the nest until the 14. days. Then it is better to leave everything in peace. If small canaries stay deeply crouched and cuddle into each other into the nest, it is very dangerous if you put your hand inside. They can get freighted and to go out of the nest and thus to hurt themselves.

ADVICE: If it happens so that a small canary falls out of the nest, take it into your palms and hold it at least for half an hour near the radiator. Only then return it back to the nest. 

Feeding 

During the time of incubation and breeding the small birds : 

Give calcium to the female birds. Generation of eggs spends calcium in great amounts from its body. 

Add additional nourishing mixtures for the growth of small birds (they can be found in a zoo – shops ). They should be at disposal of parent birds all the time while they feed the baby – birds. Besides, often control these mixtures to be fresh. They should be loose and easy to break them to pieces. 

Growth of baby – birds 

1st – 5th day... Baby – canaries are still with eyes shut and take up embryonic position; they lie down with their bellies up without stretching their necks. 

6th day. They open their eyes. The tubules on feathers can be clearly seen 

7th – 8th day. The canaries start shooting alone their excrements out of the nest. 

12th day. The tubules covering the feathers now get torn and feathers grow. 

17th – 18th. Yong canaries leave the nest, but they are still additionally fed by their parents. 

30th day. Young birds are fully independent. 

2nd – 6th month. Languishing because of “ youth change ". All feathers are changed except for the flying ones. All feathers get the same full color that old birds have and now the young ones are sexually mature.

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More PARROT FACTS for Fun

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Potential parrot owners need to do plenty of research about parrot facts before taking that final plunge. Of course, because there is so much to know about these beautiful pets, lots of it is just plain fun. Be careful not to get so caught up in the fun, though, that you ignore the serious aspects. 

1. Parrots have to be parented, especially the larger, smarter ones. They require as much attention and care as a three-year-old human child. They need love, persistence, and patience, too.

2. Parrots need huge amounts of exercise. In the wild, they forage for more than 50 miles every day, so in captivity, they have tons of energy that must be burned. If they don't get it, the owner will be more than a little sorry.

3. Parrots need a lot of entertainment and stimulus to their intellect. The larger ones can be almost brilliant, among the smartest of all the animals, along with magpies, ravens, and jays. They can copy sounds, and everyone knows that many can imitate the human voice. African Grays have even been taught simple sentences and how to answer simple questions. To keep them entertained when you can't, make sure they have several parrot toys in their cages at all times, and rotate them every week or so.

4. The larger birds whose beaks are huge, strong and sharp, and who have talons as well, are not good pets for young children who don't realize the bird might not be friendly. You should supervise them with guests, as well.

5. They can live a long, long time. Macaws and other larger parrots can sometimes live for up to 80 years. Even little parakeets, lovebirds, and cockatiels can live from ten to fifteen years, longer than many breeds of dogs. Even small birds need a significant commitment from prospective owners.

6. Parrots' beaks are curved and they have 4 talons, two pointing back and two pointing forward. This is known as zygodactylism. Obviously, parrots need strong feet that can grasp since their only physical position is sitting on a branch.

7. Of all the parrots, most people think the African Gray is the smartest. Two, in particular, Einstein and Alex, were able to speak as many as 1000 vocabulary words.

8. In order to breed parrots, all you need is a cage big enough for two and a nesting box. They pretty much take care of the rest themselves.

There are a lot more parrot facts to be learned.

By Alan Stables - Article Source: EzineArticles

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PARROT FACTS to Entertain

Parrots - Photo: Pixabay

There is so much to know about parrots, but you must know the parrot facts from fiction. Maybe you know some things about those famous African Greys you've seen on television, but there is so much more to know about the parrot family in general. Coming in amazingly different sizes, shapes, colors, and intelligence levels, they still share some things in common.

1. Those beautiful birds known as parrots that come in green, blue, red, yellow, orange, even hyacinth, are made up of 350 species.

2. Almost all parrots are monogamous. This is somewhat unusual in the bird world. Even birds that mate for a season is known to be "promiscuous." Laying white eggs, parrots like nesting in tree holes or cliff cavities when in the wild. When living with people they must be provided with nesting boxes.

3. They are some of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom, and the most brilliant of birds, in addition to ravens, crows, and jays. African Grays, particularly one bird known as Alex, can associate words with meanings and speak in simple sentences. They can calculate and answer brief questions with up to 80% accuracy. Experts disagree whether this comes from the bird's understanding or not. Some think the trainer, consciously or not, signals the bird in some way to give the desired response.

4. Without the vocal chords that mammals have, they make their sounds by blowing air over their tracheas that have 2 halves.

5. Strangely enough, their beaks are unhinged. This is not the case with any other kind of bird.

6. At least one parrot, the New Zealand Kea, is able to skillfully work with tools.

7. Parrots in the wild spend huge amounts of their day foraging, requiring large amounts of energy, and for this reason, they require an enormous amount of stimulation when kept in captivity. They require as much attention as a three-year-old human child, more than many pet owners are prepared to offer.

8. Almost all parrots, except Lorikeets, eat nuts, fruits, seeds, and small insects. Lorikeets, on the other hand, eat only fruit and fruit nectar.

9. They can live a very long time, with some of the larger birds living up to 80 years. Even the small budgies and lovebirds can live for 10 or 15. Many of these birds outlive their owners, making it necessary for more and more bird rescues to take place.

10. Almost half are endangered because of poaching, pest control, or capture for sale. In so many places in the world parrots are slaughtered because of destruction to crops.

Now that you know some parrot facts, have fun getting to know a real parrot.

By Alan Stables - Alan is a lover of animals and nature. Article Source: EzineArticles

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WHITE COCKATOO - Cacatue alba

White Cockatoo - Umbrella Cockatoo

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Before You Raise TURKEYS - Terminologies and Interesting Facts You Should Know

Wild Turkey - Photo: Pixabay

Ideally, before you raise turkeys, it is helpful that you know the terminologies and interesting facts about turkeys so that you wouldn't be thrown off guard when you read any related materials about turkeys. Raising turkeys on a small farm can be fun and profitable because they can be rotated like any other cash crop on your property. If you have a few acres that you could rotate pastured turkeys on, this could be a good side business for the small farmer.

Here are some terminologies to broaden your horizon when you raise turkeys:

Tom

Adult male turkey

Hen

Adult female turkey

Poult

Young one of turkey

Snood or Dew bill

The fleshy protuberance near the base of the beck

Caruncles

The fleshy protuberance on the head and neck usually pink or red in color which appears from about 5th week of age

Dewlap

A large flap skin is seen immediately below the chin

Bread

A tuft of hair attached to the skin of the upper chest region

Strut

Mating behavior of male turkey

Shooting the red

The development of caruncles and this is supposed to indicate the most difficult time in the life of young turkey

Debeaking

Poults should be debeaked to control feather picking and cannibalism. Debeaking can be done at day old or 3-5 weeks of age. Remove the beak at about one half the distance from nostril to the tip of the beak.

Desnooding

Removal of the snood or dewbill is to prevent the head injuries from picking and fighting. At the day old the snood can be removed by thumbnail or finger pressure. At 3 weeks of age, it can be cut off close to the head with sharp scissors.

Detoeing or toe clipping

Clipping is done at a day old by removing the tip of the toe just to the inside of the outer most toe pad including the entire toenail.

When most people think of a turkey they think of Thanksgiving dinner. While most who raise turkeys raise them for eating, some keep turkeys as a pet. And some do both, keep some as a pet while eating the others. There are many different breeds of turkeys, however, there are two varieties, domestic and wild. The wild turkey lives and breeds in the wild and some are kept as pets. It can fly and is said to be smarter than the domestic.

The domestic turkey is the type eaten on Thanksgiving and they cannot fly. The domestic and wild turkeys are physically different. Domestic turkeys are much larger than the wild turkeys. Wild turkeys have brown tipped tails, while the domestic is white. A wild turkey is much faster than the domestic turkey. The fastest wild turkey can run up to 35 mph, while a full grown domestic turkeys pace is a slow walk (females are a little faster because they weigh less than the male). Wild Turkeys have better eyesight and hearing than domestic turkeys. Only male turkeys gobble, female turkeys make a clucking sound but cannot gobble. Only the male turkey can fan his tail feathers, females cannot.

The turkey's crop is also called the craw. When turkeys feed they swallow lots of food which is stored in their crop. They then go to a safe place to loaf and process the food. Before you raise turkeys too, you need to know that turkeys don't have teeth, but they grind their food (even hard seeds and nuts like acorns) in their second stomach, the gizzard. This is the muscular stomach below the crop which is the glandular stomach. Look for the gizzard in the giblet bag.

All commercial turkeys produced today are the white broad breasted turkey breed. This breed was first used for commercial turkey production in the late 1950's. By the late 1960's the majority of the industry used this turkey breed.

The cost of raising a turkey is affected by many factors, including buildings, equipment, labor, feed costs, and interest on loans. Feed costs amount to almost two-thirds of the cost of raising a turkey. Geographic location, degree of automation, and size of the farm all contribute to differences in the costs of raising turkeys.

By Andrew Grey Andrew Grey is the author of "The Essential Beginners Guide To Raising Turkeys". If you would like to learn more tips on how to raise turkeys and avoid the costly mistakes. Learning the right path to start to raising turkeys is vital for new turkey owners. Don't forget to claim your FREE "Fast-Start Guide: What You Need To Know Before Raising Turkeys" eReport! Article Source: EzineArticles

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Fact Sheet: RED-TAILED HAWK - Buteo jamaicensis

(Original Title: Red-Tailed Hawk)

Female Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) eating a squirrel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common hawk in North America. It soars over the open country in search of its prey or perches in a tree at the edge of a field or meadow. With its sharp eyes peeled, it watches for the slightest movement signaling the presence of prey.

Description

The Red-tailed Hawk is a large bird measuring 18 to 25 inches in length and has a wingspan of 37 to 52 inches. Its back, head, and throat are reddish-brown, and its chest and belly are white with brown streaks. Both the adult and immature birds have a prominent brown belly band that can be seen from a distance.

When perched, the coloration on the wings blends with the back, but when in flight, the pale underside is exposed. The wings have a dark bar at the leading edge and dark tips. Its broad tail is reddish-brown or rust colored on the top and pink below. The legs and feet are yellow.

The Red-tailed Hawk's coloration is variable depending on the subspecies, age, and habitat. The shape and color of the tail and the belly band are the best identification markers to look for in an adult.

Habitat

The Red-tailed Hawk tolerates a wide range of habitats. It can be found in deserts, grasslands, deciduous and coniferous forests as well as tropical rainforests. Its preferred habitat is mixed forests and fields with cliffs or trees that can be used as perches. The Red-tailed Hawk can be found throughout North America except the arctic region.

Mating and Nesting Habits

The Red-tailed Hawk reaches sexual maturity at three years of age. Once he finds a mate, he will stay with her year after year only taking a new mate when the first one dies. The courtship ritual consists of aerial maneuvers with both flying in circles and shrilling loudly. The male will break off and shoot upward only to dive back down again. After climbing and diving several times, the male approaches the female from behind. He grabs her talons and the fight begins.

The pair uses and defends the same nesting area year after year. They build the nest together usually placing at least 12 feet off the ground. It's not uncommon for the Red-tailed Hawk to build its nest on a cliff ledge 35 or more feet in the air.

The nest is huge, sometimes 35 inches in diameter and can be up to 3 feet tall. It is built of twigs and lined with pine needles and other soft plant matter. The nest is kept clean with fresh plant matter throughout the breeding season.

The Red-tailed Hawk competes with several different birds, including the Great Horned Owl for nesting sites. It is not uncommon for one species to destroy the eggs and kill the young in a hostile takeover.

The female starts laying her eggs in April, producing one every other day. The eggs are a bluish-white and the clutch is composed of 1 to 5 eggs. Both the male and the female Red-tailed Hawk incubate the eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the female tends the hatchlings and the male hunts. He provides food for the chicks as well as his mate. After 42 to 46 days, the chicks begin leaving the nest for short flights. For the following 10 weeks, they continue to depend on their parents while they learn to fly and to hunt.

Feeding Habits

The Red-tailed Hawk is carnivorous. Its diet is mainly composed of small mammals such as rabbits and rodents. It will also prey on snakes, lizards, birds, and fish. It is an opportunistic feeder and feed on whatever is available. It usually hunts from an elevated perch. Once its spotted prey, it swoops down and seizes it. It will even snatch a bird right out of the air.

Flight

The Red-tailed Hawk soars rather than continuously flapping its wings. The strokes are deep and slow. During the regular flight they average 20 to 40 mph, but when diving after prey it can reach speeds of close to 120 mph.

Voice

The Red-tailed Hawk's harsh kk-eee-er is often described as a scream.

Conservation Status

It is protected in the United States, Mexico, and Canada by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918.

Interesting Trivia

o The Red-tailed Hawk displays sexual dimorphism. The female is 25% larger than the male.

o The Red-tailed Hawk is a popular bird in falconry.

o The feathers of the Red-tailed Hawk are considered sacred by some Native American tribes.

o Their eyes are keen. The Red-tailed Hawk can spot a mouse a mile away.

o The Red-tailed Hawk can live up to 20 years in the wild.

By Elizabeth Jean Allen - Article Source: EzineArticles

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8 Basic Guides To TRAINING Your PET BIRD

Photo by Jen’s Art&Soul

You brought home with you a beautiful Macaw, you’ve done your research and got it what it needs to be a happy bird. Now its time to train your pet bird to do all the neat tricks you’ve adorned from a distance in envy. Where to start? Here are some basic training tips for those of you who recently brought in a feathered friend.

The more you spend time with your pet bird the more you will become familiar with their unique personality. Like humans, these birds possess unique personalities that tell you how they feel in their own special ways.

1. Have you ever had trouble concentrating during long class hours or business meetings? Like people birds get bored too, so keep the training session short. 10 minutes are about the ideal length in retaining your bird’s attention.

2. Comfort and familiarity are important to birds too if you’re using props to train your bird then leave them near the cage and let the bird warm up to those items.

3. Once again, birds are like people in that they can’t concentrate very well with distractions. Turn the TV and your stereo off when you’re training your pet and try to find a quiet place away from the cage. If the bird, however, has some insecurities or is frightened you should probably keep the bird near the cage to let it feel secure.

4. We all remember things better when there’s a reward involved. (Remember that gold star you got for turning the homework in on time back in elementary school?) Find a treat that your feathered friend will be rewarded with if it performs a trick correctly. The treat doesn’t necessarily have to be food but if you do choose to give your pet something to eat, make sure it’s small and something that is easily consumed. Though praises or a good head scratch is always preferred.

5. Consistency is the key to success. Try to train your bird same time every day. That way your bird has something to look forward to and can get used to the routine.

6. Try to avoid your pet from developing bad habits. Biting can be avoided by keeping your hands out of beak range when training your bird. That way your bird won’t be as tempted to take a bite out of your finger.

7. If your bird starts to misbehave don’t get intimidated, remain calm and stay close until the bird calms down. You can leave when the bird has stopped stirring, this way it teaches your pet that acting out won’t get it what it wants.

8. Remember that each bird behaves differently and all birds require patience and commitment. Don’t expect for your bird to behave like a Harvard student after one or two training sessions. With abundant affection and consistent training, your bird will learn to build bonds with you and perform tricks.

By Roy Tanaka - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Red Throated Conure - A Guide For Care and Health

Red Throated Conure - Photo by crazyanimal 

If you have a Red Throated Parrot, you have a very rare and beautiful pet bird. To raise and enjoy your bird, you must be willing to be patient, work hard, and dedicate a lot of your time. But you will be rewarded with the affection of an incredibly colorful and personable companion.

Here is a guide for its care and health that will help you enjoy a long and wonderful life together.

Diet

The Red-Throated Conure will thrive on fresh organic fruits and vegetables. Supplement this with a high-quality pellet mix. Table food is also good including eggs, pasta, bread, crackers. Nuts make an excellent treat when given occasionally.

Don’t forget to vary their diets to keep their interest high. And try to make their food as visually appealing as possible by mixing different colors and textures.

One of the most nutritious food sources is sprouted seeds. They are low in fat as they sprout and offer a different set of nutrients daily as they continue to grow. They are truly a food that keeps on giving. You can buy seeds that are already sprouted, or you can opt to do it yourself. But they are a wonderful investment in the health of your Conure.

Avoid avocado, peanuts, caffeine, chocolate, rhubarb and foods that are high in sugar and salt. These can prove to be fatal.

Living Quarters

The bigger the cage, the happier your Red Throated beauty will be. The cage should be large enough for your bird to spread its wings fully in any direction that it faces. A variety of horizontal perches at different levels will allow for climbing, but they must not cramp your Conure’s ability to spread its wings inside the cage.

They also need to spend several hours a day outside the cage. Providing your bird with play areas and perches outside the cage in an area that is bird safe is an excellent way to keep your bird fit, engaged, socialized, and healthy.

Human Interaction

Making a happy home for this parrot means dedicating several hours of your day each day to interact with your bird. This can include talking, petting, training, or just hanging out together as you read, pay bills, watch TV, or work on your laptop.

Scheduling this time every day will increase the level of trust between bird and owner and will help your bird remain tame and relaxed around you and other family members.

Because they are members of a flock in the wild, they need and expect this social interaction. By spending this time with your bird, you are more likely to avoid behavioral issues such as aggression, feather plucking, and screaming.

If you are unable to dedicate at least this amount of time with your Conure, choose another bird as its companion, or rethink your choice of bird.

Disease Prevention

Red Throated Conures are subject to a number of diseases. And even though there is no guarantee, there are many things that you can do to lessen the chance that disease and infection will cut your Red Throated Conure‘s life short.

Schedule an appointment at least every 6 months with an avian vet. Remove fresh food from the cage after an hour to reduce the chance of your bird ingesting mold and mildew that has grown on the food. Clean the cage daily to eliminate small pieces of dried droppings from becoming an airborne and potentially spreading disease.

Filter your bird’s air to keep its air passages clear by removing a large number of airborne pollutants that are present with a bird in captivity. Filtering the air continuously will help your Red Throated Conure avoid respiratory infections that can be so deadly.

Author: Debbie Davis - Source: GoArticles.com

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Raising TURKEYS

The turkey is a large bird, native to North America. It is distinguished by its white plumage and a bare wattled neck and head. The name turkey was first applied to the guinea fowl that was thought to have originated in Turkey. However, the American turkey is a quite different species from the guinea fowl, though the name remained. In fact, the wild turkey was a staple food in the North American diet. It was known as a "Peru" in the 18th century. Some common breeds of turkey are Narragansett, Bronze, White Holland, and Bourbon Red.

There are three stages in Raising Turkeys: the breeder farm, the hatchery, and the turkey farm. The breeder farm is the place where the hen lays the eggs. These eggs are collected and sent to the hatchery. In the hatchery, the eggs are kept in special incubators after cleaning. These incubators provide the right temperature and humidity levels for allowing the eggs to hatch. Generally, turkey eggs take 28 days to hatch. The baby turkeys, also known as poults, are kept in the hatchery until they are moved to the turkey farms. 

In the turkey farms, the hen turkeys and the tom turkeys are reared separately. The poults should be fed properly and watched carefully, at least until they shed their down feathers and get the outer feathers. For this, they are put in climate-controlled barns that have soft flooring covered with straw or wood chips. They are fed on a soft powdered mixture of soybean, corn, and wheat. Other nutrients like barley, milk powder, meat meal, limestone, salt, vitamin premix, methionine, lysine and insoluble grit can also be added. Adequate water should also be provided.

Today, many advances have been made in the genetics of turkeys. This has helped to increase the size of the bird with lesser feed and in lesser time. The white broad-breasted turkey has been the most common commercially raised turkey breed, since the 1960s. There are also different strains of the white broad-breasted turkey that are reared in different parts of North America. Turkeys are bred specially to have more meat in the breast and thighs. White feathered turkeys are generally preferred since they do not leave any ugly pigment spots when plucked.

Turkeys take around 4-5 months to grow to full size. Birds less than 8 months of age are known as young turkeys. The hen turkeys take 16 weeks to mature completely and average around 8 to 16 lbs in weight. The tom turkey takes around 19 weeks and weighs anywhere between 16 and 24 lbs. Larger tom turkeys may weigh up to 40 lbs. These take a few more weeks to mature. A breeder tom turkey can generate up to 1,500 poults in a hen's six-month laying cycle.

Turkeys are given a balanced diet comprising mainly of soybean and corn. This is also supplemented with minerals and vitamins. A 30-pound tom turkey (male) needs around 84 lbs of feed on an average. The cost of the feed is generally 2/3 of the total cost. Use of growth hormones for Raising Turkeys is banned. Sometimes, antibiotics are also given to turkeys to prevent diseases and to increase feed efficiency. The quantity of antibiotics to be given and the withdrawal period are determined by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the FSIS (Food Safety and Inspection Service). 

The turkey's health is inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or other state systems, and it may also be graded for quality. Turkeys that have been on antibiotics are not allowed to be processed for some time until the residue of the medicine has cleared from the body. Turkey farms are generally comfortable, providing shelter from harsh weather, predators, and disease.

By Peter Emerson - Article Source: EzineArticles

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6 things that we have to consider before buying a BIRD

Pet Birds - Photo by fresnel_chick 

What to start with? 

First, we have to consider the following : 

What can I afford? 

The price of on parrot varies in large bounds independence with the species. You can buy for example a budgie for less than 10 $. The price of the cockatiel varies between 25 and 35 $. An Amazonian parrot and grey parrot can be purchased for about 300 – 400$, cockatoo for 1,000 $...... and the price of some parrots reaches $15,000! This is one of the initial questions which you have to answer. 

How much space will the bird need? 

Larger birds and even some of the small ones are very active physically and need big cages and space in which to play. 

Is there any free time for the bird? 

Probably this is the most important question. Birds are intelligent, playful and mostly “ social ” creatures. Will you have time to play with your bird? To care properly of it? Will it have the chance to be a part of your family? Consider the fact that birds live fairly long. A small parrot cockatiel lives for 20 years and more! Amazona or African grey parrot can live for 50, 60 and there are documented cases of birds that lived up to the respectable age of 100 years! Can you devote to this? It is not unusual to inherit birds for previous generations. Don't buy a bird if you think that you will soon get bored of it. 

How noisy is the bird? Will the neighbors murmur? 

Budgies and cockatiel are comparatively quiet. They are suitable to look after in a flat. Moluxco cockatoo could live in flat just if you have neighbors around you and six floors above / below you that like listening screams to cracking their eardrums. The African grey parrot tends to be one of the comparatively non-noisy parrots. Certainly, there are individual differences between birds. Somewhere there could be cockatoo, that don ' t make noisy to heaven. If really there could be found such, an enterprising person could make a fortune off it. Remember that noise is a subjective and relative sensation. A bird can be considered as “ non-noisy ” only at the background of another one, considered as noisy. 

How “ destructive ” could a bird be? 

Do you possess peerless old furniture? Rare books? Remember that these birds have strong beaks,. Some of them are less inclined to “ nibbling ” than others, but nibbling is completely natural behavior for them. 

Does the parrot need special food? 

Lory parrots, for example, need a specialized diet. Do you have an opportunity and means to provide it? Once you have made a preliminary investigation and have decided what kind of parrot you want, you can go looking for it and buy it. NEVER, NEVER BUY A PARROT IMPULSIVELY!

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