The inspiration for the name: racing pigeons being held in compartments (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For the first-time owner of racing pigeons, breeding and racing these pigeons can be a tough challenge. There are some certain pigeon needs that should be considered, and its breeding and training are like Science. There is no room for lots of errors and untested training and breeding actions. That is because for it to become a successful breeding and racing program for racing pigeons, you need tested set of suggestions and verified rules coming from the ground. And it all starts with breeding up until racing.
If you are starting with newly-hatched pigeons, you are expected to note about the commonalities between these young pigeons. Remember that these pigeons can be weaned at equal ages. These birds can be vaccinated at the same age and these birds can be ranged and routed as well at the same age. These birds at their tender age are often grouped together in a specialized housing called the loft, and this will serve as their home up until their racing days.
What to expect in the first 28 days
Once these young birds have stayed for around 28 days on their nest, they are supposed to be transferred to a much larger loft. The first few days in their loft are often spent learning where they can source their food and how to eat. This is also the right time for these birds to be allowed outside and to wander so that they will be familiar with their surroundings. Expect these birds to start flying at 6 weeks, and they will start in small circles. The moment these birds start to gain confidence, these birds will fly for hours before returning to their lofts. Now, remember that this is the perfect time for training the birds. They are best trained and guided if the birds have been ranged or routed for at least two (2) weeks. The maximum time that the birds will be out is for 2 hours, and this is a great sight as you watch batches of pigeons pass you by. But the best thing about this activity is that these pigeons get the exercise that they need and they become more accustomed to their lofts.
Training tosses tips
There are some factors too that needs to be practiced when doing the first few training tosses.
• The racing pigeons should be in perfect health during training.
• Consider as well the number of days spent in routing and ranging
• If you can, you also need to consider the quality of pigeons migrating
• The best time to train these pigeons is during a clear day. This means that you need to avoid rain, fog, and strong winds. And speaking of time;
• Did you know that there is a perfect time to do the practice? According to some racing enthusiasts, the perfect time is early morning or before 9:00 in the morning
More than these, there are certain techniques and strategies that are employed in relation to breeding and training of racing pigeons. And these are varied depending on who you ask. Of the many techniques and strategies, some of those that stand out include the use of widowhood and the adoption of proper conditioning.
A per parrots cage in a living room. A model of an African Grey Parrot is standing above the television. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Fascinated by the world of the fast-talking, fun-loving parrots? Are you contemplating on the idea of getting one as your pet bird? If you have plans of purchasing one in the future, then you must familiarize yourself with the different parrot species existing in the pet trades and pet stores today.
As defined, parrots are a very popular group of birds for possessing high intelligence depending on the degree of its socialization and training. Famous for its ability to imitate human speech and various sounds, these tropical colorful birds are mainly found in Australia and South America.
Having a variety of species, parrots differ in size and color. Some parrots are bigger and grander while others are smaller and typical. When it comes to colors, green is considered the most common shade of parrots and are usually wonderful pets for their amazing talking abilities. Several types of parrots are multi-colored—with a distinctive combination of bright blue, yellow, green, and white mixtures.
These birds are also characterized by having powerful hooked bills and feet meant for tree climbing. Mainly vegetarian, other basic foods of almost all types of parrots have included fruits, chicken or meat and a lot of seeds. Although they belong to only one family of birds, parrot species have distinctive personalities and nature. Some of them are naturally friendly while some are moody and destructive because they pluck their feathers if they are bored or unhappy.
Parrot species include Macaws, Conures, Amazons, African Gray Parrots, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, Budgerigars, and Eclectus. Macaws are one of the most coveted birds in aviculture because of their comical and affectionate nature. Conures, on the other hand, are small cousins of the Macaw that has 2 sub-species: Aratinga and the Pyrrhura.
While Conures are known for its variety of color and gentle personality, Amazons are famous for their superb talking ability. Considered as the most popular large parrots in aviculture that exhibits distinct personalities, amazons are often considered as delightful pets for imitating sounds well.
African Grey Parrots is probably the most intelligent parrot there is. Despite their intelligence, greys can be hard to handle because they are generally quiet, resulting in stress attacks and reactions.
Cockatoos are considered among the favorites because they are beautiful, smart, playful, cuddly, and good talkers. Although they are generally tame, cockatoos can be hard to handle because they thrive in too much attention.
Cockatiels are most common pet birds because they are easy to breed and are relatively inexpensive pets; Budgerigars or “parakeets” that are usually afraid of humans if not trained properly; and the Eclectus that are “sexually dimorphic” or the male and females look markedly different.
Two Northern Mockingbirds at a bird bath in Austin, Texas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Mockingbirds are well recognized to be territorial, and they can seize bird suet feeders and force timid birds away. When other territorial birds, or bullies, take over a feeder, you can usually stop them by modifying the birds feed. Mockingbirds, however, would rather have foods like worms, suet, berries, and insects, but if you're handing out free feed, they will crash your wild bird feeder party every time. Not only do they try to power out other garden birds, but also challenge dogs, cats, and, at times, dive-bomb a human being to let him know who's in charge of the garden bird feeder. It can be really difficult to get rid of a mockingbird once he has made himself feel at home. Your wild bird feeder plans could be pushed off track by these dictatorial birds.
If you can't beat them, join them - or at the very least allow the mockingbirds to dwell in your backyard. Mockingbirds are usually not all bad, obviously; they are really following their natural inclination to assert themselves. They are able to help keep unwanted critters away from your garden, and learning to comprehend their sound is one thing any garden bird lover will enjoy. Even so, perhaps essentially the most prevalent reason why individuals allow mockingbirds to stay in their backyard is that they really don't have any alternative! Mockingbirds will stay for as long as they receive food, even if it is foodstuff that they might not favor if offered an alternative.
Many people try to post plastic or wood owl or hawk posters to stop the mockingbird from coming back, although this is unreliable, and on a regular basis, the mockingbird will catch on that these "fake enemies" are really no threat. A different rather time-consuming, not to mention foolish, a concept is to fill a big squirt gun with soapy water and squirt the mockingbird every instance it comes into your backyard or gets close to the hopper feeder.
What if you do not wish to give up putting out bird food or birdseed simply because you do want to encourage other kinds of garden birds to pay a visit to your backyard and you also want your mockingbirds to stay. How do you get across the really serious obstacle that the mockingbird presents? Try sketching up a different package of garden bird plans and making one more feeder to locate in a different area of your backyard. If at all feasible, make sure to place a green or artificial barrier in between the brand new bird tube feeder and the bird feeder your mockingbird has occupied. A lawn hedge or a wall can get the job done You might also put the other bird tube feeder on the opposite part of your house or a different building. The other birds will begin to come to this bird feeder, whilst the mockingbird is still left to rule over his.
Charles Darwin came to the islands and collected what is now called Darwin's finches, although Darwin himself did not think to give them this name. There are 14 Darwin's finches all in all; 13 in the Galapagos Islands and 1 in the Coco's Island which is about 400 miles north of the Galapagos all of them belonging to the Passerine group.
There is evidence that evolution took place on the island particularly involving Galapagos finches. Finches that have the same ability as woodpeckers because they are able to peck on woods are found here; as well as vampire finches, which suck the blood of other birds. Genetic specialists have suggested that all 13 of Darwin's species have evolved from a flock of giving or take 30 birds arriving about a million years ago.
Darwin's finches / Galapagos finches are 10-20 centimeters in size and the most important differences among each one of them, is the shape and size of their beaks. Each shape and size of beak has evolved and adapted to different food sources. Large-beaked finches like bigger seeds or nuts, while smaller-beaked finches prefer smaller seeds. Middle-beaked finches can also be found on the island.
Apart from seeds, these finches differ in other food choices. Some eat insects, leaves, and some remove turtle ticks. The vampire finch, for instance, feeds on the blood of seabirds. The woodpecker finch, on the other hand, is one among the few birds in the world that uses various "tools" like twigs or cactus spine when feeding. They particularly use these tools to pry larvae and other insects from beneath barks of trees or cacti.
The ground finches have bills that are more adapted to crushing seeds. The Vampire Finch, which is found in Wolf Island, is a type of ground finch and its behavior likely evolved from eating insect parasites from its own plumage.
Tree finches are another type of Galapagos finches. They mainly feed on insects and differ from ground finches by the sharpness of their bill which is better suited in grasping insects. Cactus finches enjoy eating small insects in the flowers of the cactus plants.
The 13 species of finches in the Galapagos are of the genus Geospiza and are likely to have descended from a South American species, either the St.Lucia black finch or the blue-black grassquit. When Darwin was collecting these birds, he did not immediately realize that these birds were all different species of finches. Soon after he suspected that there was more than meets the eye, he began his work on "Transmutation of the Species".
There's no doubt that these species are particularly popular for their significance in the development of the theory of evolution and are popular pet choices as well.
An adult Galah (also known as the Rose-breasted Cockatoo, (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Cockatoos are renown for their cuddly, affectionate and comical natures and as long as they are given plenty of attention they make great pets.
Usually, when one hears the word cockatoo the first thing that comes to mind is the umbrella cockatoo which at 24 inches from its head to the tip of its tail is a large bird.
Not everyone has space or the desire to own a parrot the size of an umbrella.
Fortunately, there are other cockatoo species that are considerably smaller and still make excellent pets.
Goffin Cockatoo
The smallest cockatoo is the Goffin cockatoo at only 12 inches.
They are white with pink between the eyes and the beak. They have a light yellow on the underside of the wings, tail and ear coverlets.
Goffins are very smart, inquisitive, loving and social parrots that are great at learning tricks.
Rose Breasted Cockatoo
A parrot that is slightly bigger than the Goffin is the rose-breasted cockatoo. They are light to mid gray with rose-colored feathers on the breast as well as under the wings, and a light pink head and crest.
Rosies are more independent and not as cuddly as some other cockatoos, but this independence means they don't need as much attention and can be quite happy in their cages. They are a very intelligent bird that responds well to training.
Bare-Eyed Cockatoo
A somewhat unusual looking parrot is the bare-eyed cockatoo which gets its name from the blue, bare patch around its eyes. They are relatively small birds that are 15 inches in length.
Bare-eyed cockatoos are mostly white with yellow on the undersides of the tails and wings, along with pink between the eyes and beak.
As with the other two species they are quick to learn and make excellent pets. Anyone of these parrots makes a great choice for someone that doesn't have room for a large parrot but wants a bird with the affectionate and fun-loving nature that cockatoos are famous for.
American or Northwestern Crow adjacent to the Burke-Gilman Trail (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Crows are very common birds most frequently observed in the sky. They are actually passerine birds belonging to the genus Corvus and family Corvidae. Their body size may vary from small pigeon to large wild raven. They are the inhabitants of temperate regions except for South America. The genus was described by Linnaeus for the first time in his 18th century work Systema Naturae. The name of the genus has been derived from a Latin word meaning raven. Fossils of crow have been obtained in Europe in large numbers but their relationship with most prehistoric birds is still unclear.
Common Raven, Australian Raven, and the Carrion crows are always blamed for killing weak lambs as they are often seen feeding on the dead animals no matter how that animal died. They are also known to imitate human voices just like the parrots. They are often trained to speak and are very valuable birds in East Asia as they symbolize good luck. They are also kept as pets by some humans. In the United States, they are legally allowed to be killed around the months of August to the end of March as during this time they become a nuisance also acts as a vector for a number of diseases. It is believed that crows first evolved in central Asia and then radiated towards North America, Europe, Australia, and Africa.
They are known to produce to produce a wide variety of calls for communication. They are also known to respond to the call of other species. They show remarkable features of intelligence. Crows have a special place in literature and mythology. According to the popular legends in Europe crows especially the Ravens are considered as the harbingers of death because of their dark ugly looking black colored body, big size, and horrible look. It is believed that they feed on the carrion even of humans too. In mythology also crows symbolize spiritual aspects of death. Crows have been observed hovering around the cemeteries. In Hinduism, it is believed that people after death become crows and will come to eat in the form of crows to pick up the food. In Mahabharata, a famous battle is known that was fought between the crows and owls. It is also believed that if a crow attacks a human ill omen will gather around that person and will bring bad luck.
Crows are also susceptible to viral attack. The American crow is susceptible to the attack of West Nile virus. This disease has been recently introduced in North America. This disease is very fatal and the American crows die within a week after getting infection only a few are able to survive. The virus is spreading at a faster rate. Two American species are considered to be endangered because of habitat destruction.
Wildlife needs our attention otherwise our beautiful animals will be lost forever.
Keeping an eye on me This goose appeared quite accustomed to people and was almost certainly eying me up for a crumb or two of bread - something quite a few people were feeding the geese and ducks in this lake. This was one of a trio of geese who were roaming the small parking area in hope of sustenance. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There are two major problems that can come about with taking care of geese. These deal with the health conditions of the geese and the fact that in some cases geese may try to escape a farm. Because of these two problems, it will be very important to work towards keeping geese by using a few tips. It helps to look into watching for any health concerns surrounding the geese and to watch for how they are physically kept on the farm.
In many cases, a goose may end up becoming lame. This is where the goose will feel weak in the legs. Getting a goose that has been affected to be wormed will be very important. It helps to get the goose to be wormed at a veterinarian's office as soon as possible to help with removing any parasites that the goose may possibly have.
Another tip to use regarding the health considerations for geese is to consider the amount of grit that is available for the geese. Getting the geese to have plenty of grit is important because geese aren't capable of milling down foods like people do and as a result will need the grit to help them with consuming and digesting food. It will especially be important to do this for females that have laid eggs because when there is not enough grit for these females they can die from complications as a result of laying eggs.
Heat can be a difficult thing for geese to handle. This is one of the main health considerations for geese to see because geese can overheat easily during warmer times of the year due to their feather coats. Having a clean water source in the farm area is very important because this will be used to help with getting the geese to be naturally cooled off.
Although there are plenty of health considerations for geese to watch for it will be important as well to look into the fencing that is used for the geese. A major part of keeping geese deals with getting the geese to stay on a farm. A proper type of wire fence should be used to help keep the geese on the farm. A three-foot-tall fence is important in that it will be tall enough to help with keeping the geese from trying to get out of the farm.
Using these tips for keeping geese can be very helpful. There are various health considerations for geese ranging from the grit used in the diets of these geese to the worming that is needed at times. Watching for heat and the fencing that is used will be very important too. If you would like to learn more about raising geese, please visit: http://www.howtoraisegeese.com
Quakers are also known as Quaker Parakeets or Monk Parrots and make wonderful, loyal, and intelligent pets. Here are 6 of their best features if you are considering opening your home to a Quaker.
Appearance-
They are beautiful in color which in nature is usually a brilliant green, not unlike the color of new spring grass, with blue feathers and light grey on their face and chest. Breeders have increased color choices to include blue, white, and yellow to name a few. They weigh in between 75 to 125 grams. They average about 12 inches from beak to tail and look very similar to a parakeet with a heavier body build.
Personality-
Known for their sweet and gentle ways, particularly if they have been hand fed from an early age, they make a great addition to the family. Loyal to one person, or can be great with children with lots of supervision, and will accept others in the family if a pattern of social interaction is established early and maintained. Their ability to talk is astounding, and with proper training, they can often respond with words appropriate for various situations. Consistent training is the key to such high-level behaviors.
Diet-
Thank goodness they are not fussy eaters! Most will eat pellets, seeds, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (organic is best), pasta, grains, legumes, and seeds (sprouted seeds are the most nutritious). Your bird will let you know which of these are its favorites. They can also be fed some lactose intolerant dairy products since all birds are lactose-challenged. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, avocado, rhubarb, and alcohol as all are toxic to birds.
Physical Requirements-
Quakers need space to be active both inside and out of the cage. Provide a high-quality cage that is spacious, easy to clean and it will probably last for your bird's entire life. Setting up a play area outside of the cage with toys, perches, and swings will help keep your bird physically fit, and emotionally balanced as well. Plan to allow your bird several hours, more if possible, outside the cage daily.
Life Span-
If you are looking for a companion for life, you'll have a friend in this little bird as it often lives 20 to 30 years. These birds are illegal in some parts of the United States, so make sure you check your locality before purchasing one, and before moving to another part of the country with one.
General Health-
Generally considered as quite hardy, these birds can also adapt well to changes in climate. They are still susceptible to diseases that are spread through airborne viruses. Steps to avoid disease and infection include cleaning their cage daily, providing fresh water, removing fresh food before it can spoil, and filter their air with a HEPA air purifier.
Three rubber ducks in foam bath (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some types of toys out there just seem to be a natural part of our culture. Most of us can remember bathing as a child with a yellow rubber duck. We also offer them for our own children. They offer plenty of entertainment and amusement in the bathtub while you are washing your child. In many instances, it will encourage them to actually get in there and to take a bath.
The earlier forms of rubber ducks were made from real rubber but today mostly synthetic materials are used. If you read the label you will likely find they are made of vinyl plastic. Of course, they are still called rubber ducks as we are just used to that. They also look the same as they once did. You will find rubber ducks in various sizes and even some different colors than yellow. You can even get a mother duck with several babies so your child will have a whole set to enjoy while bathing.
There are some rubber ducks that don’t make any sounds but the majority of them make a squeaking sound when you squeeze them. It doesn’t’ t really sound like a real duck but it is a fairly similar sound nonetheless. Some of them will even squirt water out of the mouth when they get squeezed. Children love these types of activities while they are playing in the water. In fact, they may come to view bath time as play time if they have some rubber ducks to play with.
You will find that some companies have started to release rubber ducks with different features. They may be dressed as various characters instead of just a plain old duck. Some of them are decorative for the different holidays while others are dressed as pirates, princesses, and other great images that children seem to take to very well.
Rubber ducks are very inexpensive and you can find them at many retail stores. Some people search for them in the toy aisle but they won’t usually be found there. Instead look at the bubble bath for children and you will likely find them. If your child is with you let them pick out a couple they really like.
Meyer's Parrot pet parrot. Its wing feathers have been clipped and the bird is clinging to a draw handle. It looks anxious, and it would probably fly to a safer perch if it could. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When children hear about parrots, the first thing that comes to mind is that this bird is usually on the shoulder of a pirate and it can talk.
Though this creature has a habit of wanting and eating a cracker, studies have shown that this magnificent and colorful animal needs more than that in order to maintain a healthy diet.
By following these simple tips, the person can find other things, which are also essential to the parrot’s diet.
1. Parrots should have also had some vegetables, cooked meats and grains just like humans. This is because these creatures need the same nutrients that people get from eating such produce.
2. A healthy diet also means giving the parrot the right portions of each meal. If the owner gives too much, this should be reduced. This will take some time to get it right so the individual should just monitor the volume each time this is given to the animal.
3. Parrots get sick very easily. If there is excess food on the plate, this should be removed because this becomes the breeding ground for bacteria and molds.
4. Aside from food, the parrot must also be given a fresh supply of water daily. This will avoid making the bird dehydrated, which can also cause it to get sick.
5. Many people see pet owners giving seeds and nuts frequently to the parrot. Studies have shown this should be done sparingly because it does not provide that many nutrients, which are needed for the bird’s diet.
6. Though parrots may eat almost anything that humans eat, these following should never be given. These are chocolates, avocados, caffeine, alcohol, kidney and lima beans.
7. Parrots should be fed twice daily and enjoy it if the food is mixed with water in the bowl. It is advisable for the pet owner to wash the dish first before and after each meal to make sure it is free from bacteria and other germs that could endanger the life of the bird.
These are just a few tips for feeding the parrot. The owner can read up more by buying a book or doing some research on the Internet.
Before buying any food for the parrot, it will also be a good idea to seek the advice of a veterinarian. This specialist can check on the bird and recommend the proper items to be bought from the pet store.
Engraving of "carrier pigeons" (actually probably homing pigeons), with messages attached. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Carrier Pigeons Discovered
Pigeons were used during the Roman Empire and by the Egyptians as far back as 2900 B.C. when incoming ships released pigeons to carry news of important guests arriving. Ancient Greece used homing pigeons to carry news of winners of Olympic competitions back to hometowns. During the 11th century in Baghdad, the one-way message system of carrier pigeons was developed. Until 1844, upon the invention of the telegraph, carrier pigeons were the fastest and most reliable form of message-transmission. Pigeons can reach top speeds of 45 miles per hour.
Carrier Pigeons Save the Day
During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871, occupying forces cut the telegraph wires of Paris. City residents sent carrier pigeons out of the city via hot-air balloon, releasing one pigeon after the balloon made it safely out of the city, to alert residents that the pigeons had made it out. The pigeons, with messages attached, were released back into the city, carrying their messages between dwellings. From that war, on, military commanders were outfitted with regiments of carrier pigeons, trained to fly back to lofts beyond the war front. The messages they carried could then be read and utilized by military commanders.
During World War I, the most famous homing pigeon of all, Cher Ami which is French for 'My Friend', saved the lost battalion of American soldiers from being surrounded by the Germans and fired upon by friendly fire of fellow American soldiers aiming for the Germans and missing them. The pigeon flew through a torrent of bullets to deliver its message to a military post away from the front, alerting commanders that the battalion needed help. For its honorable and brave deed, Cher Ami was awarded the French Cross of War medal. Upon its' passing, the bird was stuffed and put on display at the Smithsonian Institute. Military personnel also used carrier pigeons during World War II and the Korean War. Many pigeons from each war earned military honors for their contribution.
Carrier Pigeons are One-Way Messengers
Carrier pigeons, or homing pigeons, are trained to return back to a specific pigeon loft. Therefore, message sending and receiving only works in one direction. The message sender must have a pigeon that will fly back to the message receiver. Messages are written on very light paper (cigarette paper) and rolled into tiny canisters affixed to the bird's legs. This method of communication is called Pigeon Post.
Research indicates that these birds use a variety of mechanisms in order to home in on their destination. Magnetite, a substance in the bird's beak, works via the trigeminal nerve to sense magnetic fields in the earth. Recent studies also indicate that olfactory senses help the birds navigate. Once they get close to their home destination, it is hypothesized that carrier pigeons also navigate by sight, recognizing familiar landmarks.
Modern Uses of Carrier Pigeons
Homing pigeons are no longer routinely used for message delivery, with the last official military regiments in India retiring a few years ago due to the rise of internet communications. Carrier pigeons first lost their jobs with the invention of the telegraph but were widely used again for about 75 years in military services around the world.
Carrier pigeons have even been used to transmit internet signals! The IP address IPoAC (Internet Protocol over Avian Carrier) was created in the late 1990s. Until April 28, 2001, nobody had used this IP. The Bergen Linux User Group decided to transmit data via the IPoAC and, with the help of a local Carrier Pigeon enthusiasts club, successfully transmitted several packets of data. Unfortunately, some of the data was lost, as some of the pigeons did not return to their home lofts!
Now that the internet has taken over as the fastest means of communication, homing pigeons are mainly used for pigeon racing. The sport is huge in Belgium, with daily pigeon weather reports broadcast over radio stations. In the United States, the American Racing Pigeon Union regulates pigeon racing and keeps a registry of pigeon band numbers. All domesticated homing pigeons are outfitted with a band at the age of five weeks, which contains a number and a chip that is scanned when the pigeons return home during pigeon races.
Raising and Training Carrier Pigeons
To raise a successful flock of carrier pigeons, you must create a pigeon loft. The loft should be composed of indoor and outdoor space. Pigeons need places to rest or roost, food and sources of water to drink and bathe in.
Pigeons mate for life. When pigeons are born, they are covered in yellow down. They grow their grey-colored feathers soon after birth. At the age of four weeks, the chicks will begin flying around the pigeon loft. At six weeks, they can fly outside of the loft, and at two months can begin road training. Pigeons fly one way, and that is home. When training a homing pigeon, take it further away each time you release it. Once it has successfully returned home 40 times, it is ready to race.
Carrier pigeons are the unsung heroes of military conflicts past. They were the first official sports announcers and kept war-weary citizens in touch with each other. Now used for racing, and, in some parts of the world, message-sending for special occasions, pigeons continue to be part of world culture.
Keeping finches as your pets is enjoyable and effortless. Finches call for rather minimal to be healthful as well as delighted in our houses. They provide us with countless a lot of time of entertainment in exchange.
The birds within the finch family happen to be so petite as well as light-weight that they are an excellent selection for birds to enjoy as pets. Many species of finch are generally sturdy and long-lived. Your new feathered pals will supply everyone with many years of companionship as well as leisure.
These little avian species really are pretty sociable and pleasurable. They are nearly continuously energetic inside their cages and aviaries. They jump about, soar about and they even run. A couple of species even do tiny dances.
They have to have a cage or an aviary that has about 20 inches of room for them to spread their wings and fly a bit. For those who take into consideration it 20 inches is about four instances longer than most of these tiny creatures.
You'll need to produce them with lots of fresh water every day. They may also need fresh food every day. They're genuinely easy to feed. These small birds will eat a variety of distinctive varieties of food that continues to be marketed for them. You'll be able to come across their food in any way pet supply retailers, most all grocery shops, and essentially anywhere else you may purchase pet food. If you can not acquire a specialized seed for finches they are going to eat parakeet seed just also. They also will consume the game bird that is certainly crumbled.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are a number of their preferred foods. Corn, peas, carrots, broccoli and also sweet potatoes will be chopped up and served to these little fellows. They're going to like the fresh organic foods. A fantastic insect or modest worm is often an ideal alternative for them at the same time. Mealworms in unique appear to become one of many favorite foods on the finch diet.
The finch loved ones make such fantastic pets because they're not incredibly noisy birds. Only the males sing and they usually do not sit and sing continuously. They may be compact and require comparatively modest living spaces so they may be wonderful for the particular person who lives in an apartment.
You don't need to walk a finch-like you do a dog. You do not have the fur difficulty in your furniture the way you do having a dog or perhaps a cat. They tend not to get out of their cage when you happen to be at work and chew up your preferred shoes either.
Finches as pets stay put in their cage and let you observe them and their activities. They definitely favor it if you did not choose to touch them normally. You'll not prefer to try and hold your finch a good deal. If you ever do desire to manage the birds they are not negative to bite. If 1 does take place to bite you, the bite is going to be a lot more like a pinch. They tend not to have beaks like parrots so they're going to not result in you to bruise or break the skin.
Retaining finches is fun and uncomplicated, in addition to a terrific way to have a pet that calls for quite a little care.
Submitted by: Dane File
About the Author: I invite you to come see my site and read my free mini-course on " Top 10 Secrets To Healthy & Happy Finches” by clicking to http://www.FinchesBirdAnswers.com
Male and Female ostriches Cape Point (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The ostrich is the largest of living birds. Adult males stand 8 feet tall and weigh more than 300 pounds; the hens are slightly smaller. Six geographical rates differ from one another slightly in size, in skin color of the bare thighs, head, and neck, and in the size and texture of their eggs. These are all members of a single species, the only representative of their order. Until recently Ostriches ranged from the Arabian and Sahara deserts southward throughout Africa.
Ostriches live in open, arid country and usually travel in bands of 10 to 50 birds. They congregate with gnus, zebras, antelopes, and other large grazing mammals in a sort of mutual alliance. The browsing animals stir up insects, small reptiles, and rodents for the ostriches. The ostriches, in turn, with their advantageous height, spot approaching danger. Ostriches also eat fruit, plants, and seeds.
Ostriches have managed to survive on a continent teeming with large predators partly by being alert and shy, partly by their fighting skill, but mainly by their speed. Tales of their running at 60 miles per hour are exaggerated. Pacing with cars shows about half that speed to be their maximum. Though they prefer to run from danger, ostriches will fight when cornered and can be formidable antagonists. They fight with their feet, kicking out and down with vicious slashes of their heavy claws that can easily rip a lion or a man wide open.
The ostrich is the only bird that has lost two of the four toes which most modern birds have. One of these two remaining toes is much smaller than the other, and it too may be disappearing in the evolutionary process of developing a single-toed hoof, as the horse did not so long ago.
As befits the largest of birds, ostrich lays the largest egg of any living bird. Oddly enough, the ostrich egg is one of the smallest in relation to the size of the bird laying it. From 6 to 8 inches long and weighing up to 3 pounds, it is only one percent of the female's weight. The eggs vary from white to yellowish, and their hard shiny surface is pitted with superficial pores of different sizes and shapes.
For a nest, the female ostrich scrapes out a large depression in the sand in which she lays 10 to 12 eggs. Nests with 25 to 30 eggs result from several females laying in them. The frequency of such nests has given rise to the common belief that the ostrich is polygamous, which has yet to be proved. As in most ratites the cock does most of the incubating and sits on the eggs faithfully each night. The ostrich hen also incubates, always by day when her duller color has a protective advantage. Often the eggs are left partly covered with sand in the daytime for the sun to keep warm.
The incubation is 40 to 42 days. The sturdy, dappled chicks, after a short rest from their labors of pecking into the world, are soon able to travel with their parents. About a foot tall, when hatched, they grow about a foot a month until they reach 5 to 6 feet when the growth rate slows down. It takes an ostrich 3 to 4 years to mature fully.
Though able to run vigorously soon after hatching, the chicks usually stretch out flat, when danger threatens, necks extended, and "play possum." The chicks' well-known habit of feigning death probably was the origin of the oft-repeated canard that ostriches bury their heads in the sand at the approach of danger. This, of course, just isn't so.
Ostriches were large and conspicuous residents of the land that cradled our civilization, south, and east of the Mediterranean. Here they have left their record since the dawn of history. Ostrich-egg cups have been found in Assyrian graves dated 3,000 B.C. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Greeks also found the strong shells made handy utensils.
In the Roman Empire, the roast ostrich was considered a fitting main course for the Emperor's feasts. Roman physicians used ostrich fat as a drug and prescribed the gizzard stones as a remedy for eye diseases. One ancient and enduring folktale, recorded in the medieval herbals and even mentioned by Shakespeare, is the belief that ostriches can digest metal. This, like the head-burying legend, has some basis in fact. Captive ostriches are attracted by shinning objects and will swallow watches, brooches, bottle tops, and small pieces of metal or glass left within reach. Unless these have sharp points, such items in their diet probably do the birds little harm. They remain in the gizzard to be slowly ground down with the stones the birds swallow to aid their digestion.
Ostriches domesticate readily and do well in captivity, where they have been found to live about 50 years. They have been trained for riding and to pull carts but do not make good draft animals because they tire easily and send squat down and quit. Inclined to be bad-tempered, they make untrustworthy as well as ungainly pets. The voice of the ostrich is a loud hiss and a booming roar.
Ostrich plumes have found a ready market since the days of the Crusades when knights used them to decorate their helmets (this was probably the origin of their use as a heraldic symbol). The plumes reached their height of fashion in the late 19th century when they bought from 50 to 100 per pound. As the supply of wild plumes dwindled, it became profitable to raise ostriches in captivity, for a full-grown male bird produces about a pound of plumes annually.
The plumes of commerce grow only on the wings and tail. The 16 wings on each wing are purely decorative and dangle and flap crazily in the wind, as the bird runs. The 50 to 60 tail plumes grow in layers above the 14 or so true tail feathers. When mature, the feathers are harvested without harm to the bird, which grows a new set each year.
Ostrich farms were first established in Africa in the 1860s. Ostriches were first taken to America in the 1880s, where they were raised first in California, then in Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Florida. The market is no longer as lucrative for plumes as it was 70 years ago, and today the birds are kept mainly in zoos. Their skin makes a fine, soft leather in some demand for some gloves and purses.
By Waleed Khalid Shaikh Hi, This is Waleed and I'm one of the wildlife enthusiasts and I'm striving to disseminate love for animals which is also reflected in my blogs. How about reading some of the most interesting Bald Eagle Facts For Kids. Article Source: EzineArticles
Mature breeding pair of Red-Bellied Parrots (Poicephalus rufiventris) on a perch in a cage. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Parrots can be pretty hard to take care of. Unlike other pets that can be left alone in their cages, parrots are restless creatures who you have to check up on a couple of times every day. Here are just some things that parrots can do to your home.
Parrots can be pretty messy
If you are the type that would like the house to be spotless, try to reconsider getting a parrot or any pet for that matter. Parrots can be really messy, even a small parakeet.
Their food can be flung everywhere even when they are inside the cage. Your floor can be filled up with pellets, seed, and nutshells. Sticky foods may also be plastered on the walls, on the bars of the cage and even at the ceilings. Foods will literally be everywhere.
Another problem that you may have are their poop, which you really have to clean every day. And they are not that disciplined to only poop in one place. They actually poop everywhere, in bars, in their food dish and even with the toys that you give them. They may even poop in between bars, which may end up on the floor and sometimes even on you.
If you have a cockatiel variety or the grey breed, you will also have to contend with the powder that they have on their feathers. The feathers will stick everywhere. So, you really have to dust every day.
Because of this, you have to scrub the cage, their dish and the whole of the area at least once a day to prevent bacteria from settling in and of course the bad smell.
Parrots chew on everything
Parrots love chewing wood. In fact, owners of parrots often give them wooden toys to play and chew with inside their cages. Parrots, however, are not satisfied with just these toys. When they get the opportunity, they will chew on everything that they get their hands on. They will puncture your clothes, your furniture, even your books.
This can be really frustrating especially if you are the type of person who wants a clean house. Parrots are not recommended in homes that have dainty and fragile furniture. They should also not be placed in areas where they can break things and chew on antiques.
Be careful with wearing jewelry because they will sure to grab it or chew it. Parrots love shiny things. They can claw the stone right out of your favorite jewelry.
