The Importance of Keeping a BIRD WATCHING Life List

Birders using a tower hide at Halikonlahti, Salo, Finland.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The bird watching life list is a record kept by the birders. This also serves as a tracker device for the people involved in the activity and for those who are conducting related studies. And this is a very important tool for those who love the action and actually has the passion for such. 

Bird Watchers

The people that are being categorized as bird watchers are those who are only starting out. Everybody who is into this activity first become a bird watcher or just a mere observer. Their curiosity actually lead them to look and then look more until they've developed a habit of looking farther to see what the birds are doing and how they do it.

For such type, a journal would be fine. This is where they jot down their observations for the purpose of not forgetting. These notes would actually be helpful if they take their hobby to a different level, by being a birder. But for now, let the simple note taking do it for them. Theirs is a more simple task because what they see is far from scientific because they still don't have the equipment and the ability to see beyond what their naked eyes seem to tell them.

Birders

These are the more passionate people about the craft. They are not merely hobbyists, they do this to study and relate their observation with scientific research. This group would invest in materials to strengthen their claims. They are always on the lookout for the newest technology that could help them navigate more thoroughly. Birders go where the birds are.

Through research, they go the extra mile to travel where the birds that they haven't seen or haven't been seen by many are situated. The keep track of what happened on their journey. They take notes along the way. 

Life List

This is what the electronic or written records contain. Such things can be done by the birders. As they search for the species, the venues in which they could find more types, and looking out for yet to be discovered kinds of birds, they contain it all in a life list.

The information in a life list should include where a certain type of bird was seen, classifying the bird and the date when it was seen. Noting what the bird's usual activities are and how they went on about such is also part of this.

The birders have variety and a long list of this kind. It shows their history as an enthusiast of how far they have gone in terms of the activity and how much they have already seen and learned in the process.

They can always go back to this data to change or modify some information depending on their further observation. This is the reason why as days or years go by and as the number of life lists being made by a birder piles up the data gear more towards being scientific because more proofs are available when anyone tries to contest what was recorded.

Keeping a bird watching life list would also benefit people in the future. As the study about the different types of birds become more and more varied, people can always refer to the information provided by the birders on this list for further researches to become more and more accurate. 

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How Much Is That ECLECTUS PARROT In The Window?

Our Eclectus parrot Phoenix just after ruffling her feathers scratching - Photo   by sufw 

Of more than 350 species of parrot, the Eclectus is considered by many to be the most beautiful. Eclectus are not just beautiful, however. They are also great talkers, repeating many words and phrases, and singing songs. If you have more than one Eclectus, they will sing and talk to one another as well as to their human friends.

Which Eclectus Do You Want?

Eclectus parrot prices differ according to the Eclectus you want.

The Eclectus belongs to the genus Eclectus and the species Roratus. There are 7 to 9 subspecies within the species. The three most popular are:

1. The Red-sided Eclectus from New Guinea, to the north of Australia. It is the most popular Eclectus in Australia, and highly popular in other lands as well. With plumage that seems to be hair rather than feathers, the male sports emerald green with blue in the bend of his wings When he flies, red flashes from beneath the wings. The female has a red head, maroon body, deep blue to purple breast feathers, and a tail that ends in a pale red-pink to orange.

2. The Solomon Eclectus native to Bismarck and the Solomon Islands, north of Australia. Males have yellow-tinted green bodies with dark blue wings, edged in green. The upper side of the tail is green with yellow edging. The underside of the tail is black, edged with a thin band of pale yellow. Females have stunning red plumage, with dark blue under-wings and a band of dark blue running to the nape. Wings are the same as the male – red-tails have pale edging.

3. The Vosmaeri Eclectus native to Moluccas, Indonesia. Males have a bright green body, with oval patches of bright red on upper thighs, widening across the body when wings open. The tail is blackish blue, tipped with pale yellow. Females have bright lavender breasts, with red bodies and heads. The nape of the neck, upper mantle, and wing bend show deep lavender. The wings are deep red, tails cadmium-yellow beneath, dark red on top, and a band of yellow.

General Pricing

Eclectus parrot prices usually range from the Solomon Eclectus at the low end to the Vosmaeri at the high end.

Breeder Eclectus Parrot Prices

As of the writing of this article (February 2007), Eclectus parrot prices ranged from $800 to $1,200 each. Sample Eclectus parrot prices are listed here:

1. Solomon Eclectus: $800, male or female

2. Red-sided Eclectus: $845, male or female

3. Vosmaeri Eclectus: $1,000 for a male, $1,200 for a female

All Eclectus parrot prices given are U.S. breeders, U.S. dollars.

“Bargain” Eclectus Parrot Prices

When is a bargain a bargain? Eclectus parrot prices can be lower on eBay or other online auction sites. You can also find lower Eclectus parrot prices in local newspaper classified ads. These carry no guarantee, of course, and the parrots may not be healthy.

Whatever the Eclectus parrot prices you find, you will want to be more careful than the buyer in this bit of humor.

The Multilingual Eclectus

A man passing a pet shop sees 3 beautiful Solomon Eclectus priced at $1,500.

He goes into the shop and asks, “Why such high Eclectus parrot prices?”

“Each of them speaks five languages,” says the salesman.

“Five languages!” exclaims the man. “Do they speak Yiddish?”

“Sure,” says the salesman.

The man looks at the Eclectus again. “My mother lives all alone in the Bronx,” he says, “and a bird would be good company for her,” He pays the $1,500, asks to have a parrot delivered to his mother, and goes on his way.

The next day, he calls his mother and asks, “Mom, how did you like the Eclectus parrot I sent you?”

“Oh son, it was delicious!” she says.

“What do you mean delicious?”

“I made soup out of it – came out great!”

“But mom, that parrot spoke five languages!”

“So, why didn't he say something?”

Hidden Eclectus Parrot Prices

Before you purchase, you should consider the fact that Eclectus parrot prices are only the beginning. You will also have the costs of a large cage, toys, food, and other needs. Hidden Eclectus parrot prices can mount swiftly.

© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Har - Source: www.isnare.com

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Sleep - How Much Sleep Do Most PARROTS Need?

Photo by thomasswilliams

I, like most people, was first attracted to parrots because of the beautiful colors and the ability to mimic different sounds. The more sounds these beautiful beings were able to make it seemed the more attracted to them I had become. I am still amazed how smart these "Angels with Wings" really are.

One of the most crucial things for a pet owner to realize is the amount of uninterrupted sleep a parrot needs.

While most of the waking day is spent playing, grooming, foraging and finding interesting things to get into, the Parrots although not realized by most, do spend times asleep.

Two basic patterns of sleep are noted by these three elements:

1.) Patterns of the brain waves during different phases of sleep

2.) Eye movement

3.) Muscle activity

A.) Electroencephalography (EEG) - a test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain.

B.) Electromyography (EMG) - a test that measures the electrical activity of muscles.

C.) Electrooculography ((EOG) - a test that measures eye movements.

These three testing procedures have been conducted on several species of parrots and parakeets, including the Half-moon Conure and the Budgerigars are known commonly as Budgie.

As in Humans, Birds have been found to have two major forms of sleep.

1) SWS - Shown in a test as slow high voltage brain waves. This stage of sleep appears to be the most important because of the restorative functions of the mind and body.

2) PS - (Paradoxical Sleep) in test show low voltage brain waves similar to those of being awake.

These low voltages are often associated with movement of the eyes (REM).

In humans, dreaming happens during the Paradoxical Sleep stage. It has been suggested that PS may be associated with brain development and learning.

Out of all the parrots studied PS stage was always preceded by SWS. It has also been noted that the Parrots spent a shorter time in PS stage than most mammals or any other avian species. It should be noted, the studies could be ruled inconclusive since the test was conducted under lighted conditions. Although even under lighted conditions it was found that the Half-Moon Conure spent 57% of a 24hour period in a sleep state (SWS or PS).Budgies were 38% of the same time in a sleep state.

An interesting sleep stage was also recognized in the parrots which are referenced as Unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS). Which is the ability to sleep with one half of the brain while the other half remains alert? This is often associated with migrating birds that travel long distances is believed to go into this form of sleep. This form of sleep is also a form of protection while one part of the brain sleeps the other part is alert for predator detection.

In the wild, Parrots normally sleep in groups known as flocks. The flocks are typically found sleeping in close proximity of the feeding areas.

Parrots are much like people when it comes to sleep. Without the proper amount of sleep, parrots can be irritable. Several behavior issues can be associated with the lack of sleep which could include biting, plucking, screeching, throwing food and being generally destructive.

How much sleep does a Parrot need?

A general recommendation is at least 10 to 12 hours of darkness for rest.

When preparing for spaces for your new Parrot keep in mind of the need for quite a dark atmosphere during sleeping hours.

Keeping in mind of your Parrots need for sleep will help you and your Parrot have a more fulfilling companionship.

By Kev Hendrix - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Rose-ringed PARAKEET - Psittacula krameri

Rose-ringed Parakeet - Psittacula krameri

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BLACK LOVEBIRD - Fascinating Facts and Care Tips For Black Lovebirds

 Black-cheeked Lovebird - "Agapornis nigrigenis - head and shoulders" by Simon Redwood  - Licensed via Wikimedia Commons.

There are 3 sorts of Black Lovebird, the Black-cheeked Lovebird, the Black-Masked Lovebird and the Black-collared Lovebird. They're labelled as Black Lovebirds for their different traits.

One of these Black Lovebirds is the Black-cheeked Lovebird it is especially green and has a brown head, red beak, and white eye rings. It is commonly regarded as a race of Lilian's Lovebird. This species of Black Lovebird is found in a comparatively small range of Zambia and is exposed to habitat loss.

Adults of this kind of Black Lovebird have bright red beaks, while minors of the species are similar but with a more orange bill. They are loud, which are similar to those of other Lovebirds. The Black-cheeked kind of Black Lovebird inhabits in deciduous woodland as it desires daily access to water. It is where the surface water exists and with permanent supply. It is listed as an exposed species of Black Lovebird since it's got a tiny population which is declining due to continuing habitat loss, especially due to gentle dehydration of the water bodies.

This kind of Black Lovebird which is the Black-Masked Lovebird has an overall black head and the true feather colour is green with a yellow collar. Another consistent characteristic of the Black-Masked bird is its white ring around both eyes. They can be discovered on inland plateaus in northwest Tanzania, where they dwell in light brushwood and trees.

Friendly and companionable naturally, Black-Masked, Black Lovebird is one of the most well-liked Black Lovebird that's kept as pets. They're commonly kept in captivity as a couple and give much attention to their partner. They usually breed between 10 months and 5 to six years, at this time they can produce many clutches in the year. In purchasing a Black-Masked ensure they're young birds. This kind of Black Lovebird can be simply recognized by a giant dark patch on the higher beak, which isn't as bright as the red beak of the older ones.

Through the years, many colour mutations have been made from this kind of Lovebird and Black-Masked is now available in many colours. Traditionally, they've been fed only seed mixes, while they can survive for an extended time period on such a diet, they fall into poor health. They shell their seeds so vitamins added to the outside are dropped.

Also, they are straightforward to reproduce species. They are frequently in a rush to start with another clutch that it may result in abuse to the chicks by pushing them out of the nest. Chicks should be removed and hand-fed.

Another sort of Lovebird is the Black-collared Lovebird or sometimes called Swindern's Lovebird. A tiny long parrot, local in Africa, this kind of Lovebird is generally green with a black collar or band at the rear of its neck. It is infrequently kept in captivity due to its dietary need for a local fig, so they do not breed well. Without this urgent diet requirement, they're going to die inside a few days.

There are 3 subspecies of this kind of Lovebird. It is distributed in a large range in equatorial Africa. They hide high in the forest shade and are characterized as being awfully shy. The range is huge that the population of this sort of Black Lovebird is tough to guess but it was made certain that it isn't under significant threat.

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

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How To Give Your COCKATOO A Balanced Diet

Coy Cockatoo - Photo   by               I’m George   (cc)

In the wild, Cockatoos eat whatever they find. For this reason, you should include a variety of things in their diet to stay as close to their natural diet as possible. On the other hand, your cockatoo can eat most of the things that you eat.

They mainly feed on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, and flowers. Sometimes, they can thrive on the basic diet of seeds and pellets alone. They don't require any particular food but need "particular nutrients". You should add more vegetables and fruits to your cockatoo's diet. These are sources of additional nutrition.

The growth of your cockatoo depends on nutrition. Apart from that, reproduction, temperament and longevity also depend on nutrition. So, a well-balanced diet becomes very essential to mold a lovable, healthy and a life-long companion.

To put it briefly, a cockatoo's "balanced diet" should have equal shares of pellets, seeds, and vegetables with a small number of fruits, nuts, proteins, cooked rice, bean mixture, and table food like cheese, corn, cereal, pasta, meat etc. It should have it all (that's why I said they can eat most of the things that you eat!).

Pellets

Pellets can make as much as 60% of your cockatoo's food. In fact, some cockatoos thrive on a pellet diet. You should keep pellets in their food dish all day and night. Pellets are a must as they provide your bird with a balanced diet.

Seeds

Most cockatoos favor seeds of the Eucalyptus tree, Casuarinas, Native trees and Marri seeds. Apart from these they also eat bull banksias seeds and occasionally feed on Angophoras, Hakeas, Acacias and fruit seeds (fruit seeds are toxic to some cockatoos, so make sure your new pet is not in that list before you feed it with fruit seeds). If the bird is fed only a seed diet on a daily basis, it will lead to a deficiency in vitamins. So, a supplement of vitamins may be necessary in that case.

A Healthy Mixed Diet

A healthy mixed diet has it all...25% vitamin enriched seed mix, 25% pellets, 25% vegetables, dark leafy greens and fruits, 15% cooked rice, corn, and bean mixture, 10% table food, cereal, bread, pasta, cheese, meat etc.

Vegetables

Vegetables to be fed can be green, dark green, orange, yellow or meaty. Fresh vegetables provide the additional nutrition your cockatoo needs. So, encourage your cockatoo to eat

vegetables. Some of those that fall under this category are carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, broccoli, greens, green peppers, asparagus, ripe tomatoes, spinach etc.

Fruits

Some of the cockatoo owners-to-be have this general query. 'Do cockatoos eat fruits and how to make the bird eat fruits?' Fruits provide the natural supplements to your cockatoo. So, it would be a good idea to introduce fruits to your new pet. Initially, it may reject it, but later it will start eating fruits. Some of the favored fruits are apples, pears, peaches, pomegranate, bananas, berries, plums, oranges, kiwi, citrus, pomegranate, grapes, raisins etc.

Nuts

Cockatoos prefer nuts to fruits. Because of this, some nuts make ideal treats. They can crack hard nuts and should be encouraged to do so. If given whole nuts, they love to crack open the shell to extract the seed. Their beaks are specially adapted for this function and it could also be a form of entertainment.

Water

Water is equally important as food. The bird should drink water on a daily basis. Fresh water should be in the cage at all times.

Proteins

As I said earlier, it's important that the bird gets all the necessary nutrients. And proteins are an important supplement that aid growth. The bird can be provided with food high in proteins such as legumes, cooked eggs, and grated cheese. Sprouts, ripe tomatoes, cooked beans, spinach are some of the other sources. They can also be fed with freshly cooked lean beef, chicken or fish in small quantities. Occasionally, they can be given cooked meat bones.

Vitamins and Minerals

If the bird's diet has a variety of all the nutrients, then a supplement of vitamins and minerals is not required. As a matter of fact, it is better to consult an avian vet before giving the bird vitamin supplements because an overdose of vitamins and minerals will do more harm than good.

Now having known all that you can give your cockatoo, let's also keep ourselves informed as to what should be avoided.

AVOID:

Don't feed your cockatoo alcohol, parsley, and avocados (as they are toxic to cockatoos). Seeds high in sunflower and safflower should be avoided as these are very fatty. Keep your bird away from chocolates and caffeine. Iceberg lettuce and cabbage can cause diarrhea in your pet. Other foods to be avoided are seasoned meat or fatty processed meats. All these can cause your pet serious health problems.

Other important tips

Keep in mind that just providing them with food isn't sufficient but you have to make sure that they're eating what is given to them.

Too much milk shouldn't be included in the diet as some cockatoos are lactose intolerant and could get diarrhea. You can give them tofu, low-fat cottage and hard cheeses and non-fat yogurt in small quantities.

If you aren't including pellets/vitamin/mineral supplements in their diet, you should sprinkle a powdered bird vitamin/mineral supplement to their food once a week. This would avoid deficiencies. Although a calcium block and a mineral block should normally serve this purpose, these birds are famous for destroying the blocks.

Don't let fruits and vegetables stay in the cage for more than two hours.

Do not give them nuts and peanuts often, as these are very high in fat and can make your pet obese if overfed. Dry food can be left for no more than a day.

Always store nuts in a secure bin that will keep the contents dry and safe from rodents. Rodent excreta can transmit diseases like Salmonellosis.

Clean the food and water bowls kept inside the cage thoroughly every day. Disinfect them with bleach (and wash off thoroughly) every week.

Some cockatoos have the tendency to become overweight so you need to monitor their food and diet properly. Stick to a low-fat diet and include a variety of greens. Don't increase the volume as overfeeding will make them picky and they will also waste the food.

Cockatoos are famous for tipping over their bowls. Usage of heavy-bottomed feed and water bowls serve the purpose just fine.

With all these tips, I believe you have all the important information on how to provide your pet with the best diet.

Author: Jessica Harrison  - Source: www.isnare.com

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Advantages Of BIRD NETTING

A vineyard with bird-netting. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Birds are one of the top problems of the agricultural production in the country. Not only do birds interrupt crops, they can also ruin your garden, the school’s playground, the parking lot in your work, and many more locations where birds exist.

There are many products that could help you with your problem. There are a number of pesticides and other machinery that could be used to prevent pest birds. But there are also many good birds that do not cause damage, and may even help to pollinate your crops and garden or control smaller pests such as bugs. What, therefore, is the safest way to control the population of problem birds without interfering with the populations of the good birds? Bird netting is your answer. 

Bird netting has many advantages, such as - 

1. Health Issues

There have been studies that birds could give illnesses when droppings get in contact with people’s skin. Pigeons, for example, carry infectious diseases. These pigeons could give people tuberculosis, flu, paratyphoid, Lyme-disease, Toxoplasmosis, and Encephalitis. By making sure that these pigeons do not spread their diseases, bird netting could put an end to your health worrying. 

2. Protecting Plantation

Most birds tend to peck on your fruits, vegetables, and plants because they know that these are food. Do not underestimate the birds. Protect your plantation with bird netting, so your plants are fenced safely away from their prying beaks. 

3. Save The Birds

The best advantage bird netting has is it is environmentally friendly. By making use of bird netting to protect your property, you are not killing the birds. You are simply covering up the location with a net for the birds to stay away. Unlike other methods of pest control, bird netting does not harm the birds. Pesticides and aroma repellants terminate the birds permanently. Plus, there are laws regarding the harming of birds like robins and blackbirds. Using bird netting, you are abiding by the law!

4. Bird netting is versatile

- Large spaces such as buildings parks, and plantations

- Small spaces like the backyard or a rose garden

- Agricultural farms and plants

- An impressive variety of bird netting products

- A single bird net can be used for as long as ten years

- Variety of colors

- Variety of materials available (usually polyethylene strings or steel, to withstand extreme weather conditions)

- Prices of bird netting range from $150 to $8000 dollars

Bird netting is the smartest and most affordable way to repel birds on your area. One final note - be aware that an absence of birds may cause your garden to be a safe haven for bugs and other smaller pests that would otherwise have been controlled had the birds have access to the area. Bird netting does not 100% guarantee the livelihood of your protected area.

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Frequency Needed To Clean The COOP

Chicken coop and run by Oakdene Coops (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While chickens may be "simple" animals, they still like to feel comfortable and part of that comfort involves keeping your chicken coop clean. A tidy house for your fowl will not only make for happier, more productive chickens but will help fight against the disease, flies, and vermin. Chicken can be messy so how often you have to clean the coop depends on how fussy your chickens are.

It's a good idea to keep an eye on the coop as often as possible. At the very least, you should check on the condition of the housing every day. This doesn't mean cleaning on a daily basis but make sure your chickens are well fed and hydrated. Most chickens poop during the evening so you should clean this out each morning. The nice thing is you can recycle chicken poop by adding it to the soil to help provide nutrients for growing vegetables.

Each week you may be required to change the bedding of the nesting boxes. Recycling old bedding is convenient and efficient and is encouraged. The watering devices to keep your chickens hydrated should be cleaned at least once per month to ensure safety and combat potential illness and spread of disease.

At least twice per year, you should do a full coop clean out. Replacing the topsoil with fresh soil after cleaning the poop and any built-up dirt will make your chickens happier. Scrub down all doors and windows and keep the overall area nice and clean.

The main thing to remember is that by keeping a clean coop, you not only provide a safer, healthier environment for your chickens but they'll be happier and more productive in the process.

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Fact Sheet: BALI MYNAH - Leucopsar rothschildi

(Original Title: Rainforest Birds - Bali Mynah)

Bali Mynah - Photo by jonkriz 

Bird Name:

Bali Mynah

Latin Name:

Leucopsar rothschildi

Status:

Critically endangered, Appendix I of CITIES

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Sturnidae

Genus: Leucopsar

Species: L. rothschildi

General Information:

The Bali Mynah is also known as the Bali Starling or Rothschild's Mynah. They are endemic to the island of Bali in Indonesia and are the only surviving species. The species is critically endangered and there are only a dozen or two individuals remaining in the wild. The remaining population is under threat due to illegal bird trade and urbanization of the island. While the wild population has been struggling for years, there are a large number of captive birds in zoos. It is also listed in Appendix I of CITIES.

The Bali Mynahs are very vocal and communicate by whistling, squawking and bobbing their heads. They are the fauna symbol of Bali and locally are called kedis putih meaning white bird.

Physical Description:

This is a medium-sized stocky mynah, up to 25 cm in length. It is almost wholly white and has a long drooping crest. Black tips occur on the tail and wings. The Bali Mynah shows distinctive bare, blue skin around the eyes. It has gray legs and feet and a yellow bill. Sexes are similar. They weigh 90 to 100 gm.

Diet:

The Bali Mynahs eat fruit, seeds, and a variety of invertebrates. In dry seasons they will feed in groups.

Habitat:

Bali Mynahs will live in small groups in the forested region of Bali. Groups help them protect themselves from their predators, including snakes, lizards, monkeys, and birds of prey. Nests are built in tree cavities. It takes about two weeks for the pair to construct the nest from bark, leaves, and grass.

Reproduction:

In the wild, breeding season is in the rainy season which falls between November and April. A pair will produce two to three clutches per season. Clutch size is usually 3 eggs and incubation takes 13 to 14 days. The bluish-green eggs are incubated by both parents. The young Bali Mynahs will fledge in 15 to 25 days, but continue to be fed by both parents for a few weeks.

By Tony Mandarich Tony has been writing articles online for the past several years. Article Source: EzineArticles

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SEVERE MACAWS As Pets

Chestnut-fronted Macaw or Severe Macaw (Ara severa)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Also known as the Chestnut-Fronted Macaw, the Severe Macaw is one of the largest 'mini-macaws'. They are about 40-45 cm (16-18in) long, including the tail which is about half its length. They live in South America, from Panama south into Amazonian Brazil and northern Bolivia.

Both sexes are monomorphic, meaning they are identical in appearance. A DNA test should be carried out to identify the gender. Severes are mostly green in color, with a blue crown, brown forehead band and chin. The flight feathers are blue and the tail has a red-dark chestnut underside. The carpal edges are red and the iris in sexually mature birds is orange.

As Companion Pets

The Severe Macaw is a lot like the large macaws when it comes to intelligence and its child-like personality. They play like conures.

They are very social, playful, affectionate and generally enjoy being petted. They are quite vocal and like climbing and hanging upside down. Severe Macaws are quite smart and many owners have successfully toilet trained their bird.

Severes need suitable items for chewing on as they may be destructive if bored. They tend to also enjoy ropes to swing on. Don't provide toys designed for small birds as these are not strong enough to handle a Severe's beak. Like many birds, they love baths and showers.

If you want a Severe Macaw as a companion bird, it is best to acquire a hand-reared individual. If well socialized at a young age, Severes tend to quite sociable and not a one person bird, however, they will have a favorite person. Like all parrots, they need a quality time out of their cage every day.

Diet and Health

Macaws have a higher fat requirement compared to other species of parrots. High level of fat (usually in the form of nuts) should also be accompanied with an adequate level of dietary protein if the fat is to be metabolized properly.

A good Severe Macaw diet consists of seed, nuts, vegetables, fruits, and commercial parrot pellets.

Their lifespan is listed from anywhere between 30 to 80 years old, but it is generally considered to be 40 years.

Interesting Facts

* There are no established mutations of this species. However, a color has come up in one female individual, labeled as 'red pied'. The bird has not reproduced yet.

* Severe Macaws are the only mini-macaw to have feather lines on the bare patches on its face.

By Clara Hollins - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Basics of PARROT CAGES

People who decide to have pets at home should provide suitable housing for the animal. This means getting one that is proportional to the size and type of parrot because this will greatly affect the lifespan of the bird. 

It is advisable to get one that is very large. Most of these birds prefer to climb, stretch and play so there must be enough space for the parrot to do this inside instead of it just sitting on a perch located inside the cage.

The housing should have horizontal bars. This will make it easy for the parrot to grab hold onto the sides whenever it feels like climbing inside the cage. The distance between each bar should also be checked so that the bird will not injure itself during this activity. 

Though its true there are some cheap cages that can be found in the market, the owner must not get this based on these criteria alone. This is because the material used in making the cage will not be of good quality that may also pose a danger for the parrot. It is better than to get an expensive one made of stainless steel or powder coated since these are not toxic to the pet. 

Conventional bird cages have doors and latches. People who decide to get a parrot should avoid using this because it can cause injury to the creature’s beak, head, neck or wing. The best to get those are those that are detachable since this has been proven to be safe. 

Most animals produce waste. The ideal carrot cage should have a pull-out tray in the bottom so the owner can just take this off and wash it before putting it back inside. This is better than going inside and to clear the housing of droppings, which will take a long time to clean. 

The parrot cage should come to have a designated area where the bowl will be placed. Some manufacturers sell this with a plate inside while others have to be purchased separately. This should also be removable because this needs to be cleaned twice a day before and after feeding. 

The perch where the parrot sits must be near where the food is located. This will make it easy for the bird to go to when it is time for feeding. 

Having a pet big or small is an enormous responsibility. The individual should have a spacious and safe cage to enjoy many years with the parrot. 

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SUN CONURE - Aratinga solstitialis

Sun Conure

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RAINBOW LORIKEET Pets

Rainbow Lories - Photo  by hans s 

Rainbow Lorikeets are colourful parrots that are very active and entertaining as companion pets. This species is monomorphic, meaning both sexes are identical in appearance.

They are approximately 30cm (11.8in) in length. The body, including the back and outside of wings, is green with a lighter green nape. The head is violet-blue with shaft streaking. The abdomen is also violet-blue. The chest is mostly red with yellow markings. The wings are orange-red underneath with a broad yellow band.

They have a specially adapted 'bristle-tongue' for eating pollen and nectar.

As Companion Pets

When it comes to Rainbows, every object and noise will be investigated with great delight and often turned into a game. They are born clowns as they like to be silly and exaggerate their movements. Lorikeets love to play and will often roll onto their backs to wrestle with your hands or play with a foot toy. A lorikeet may decide to hop instead of walk to get from A to B.

As they are so active, Rainbows need to be provided with plenty of toys. They are particularly fond of things they can swing on, make noise with and foot toys. While they like to shred things and occasionally chew, they aren't huge on chewing compared to many other parrot species.

Rainbow Lorikeets need a large-sized cage as they are quite energetic and tend to use every corner of it. They also love water and enjoy a bath or shower nearly every day.

They go to the toilet frequently and tend to 'squirt' their liquidy droppings rather than simply 'squat'. This increases the risk of faeces landing on the walls and outside the cage. Many lorikeet owners prevent this by putting plastic barriers on the wall behind the cage or clipping a sheet to the back of the cage. However, being liquid droppings does make them easy to wipe and clean up.

Diet and Health

Lories and lorikeets are specialised in eating nectar as their main food source. They also require more fruit compared to other parrots.

In captivity, a lorikeet's base diet should be either wet or dry nectar mix (or both). Wet is often preferred over dry, however, a high-quality dry version can be provided and the lorikeet will mix it with water itself (therefore, the water should be placed close to the dry lorikeet food).

Lorikeet food can either be bought commercially or there are a number of recipes for making it yourself, usually composed of baby cereal, rice flour, breadcrumbs, glucose powder, skim milk powder, semolina (wheat hearts), pollen mixture, etc. Lorikeets pellets are also available but are generally not recommended or accepted by the birds.

As well as the base diet, Rainbow Lorikeets should also be feed fruit and vegetables. Native Australian chemical-free flowers such as bottlebrushes are also appreciated. Be aware of foods high in iron as lorikeets are prone to health problems due to high levels of iron.

A Rainbow Lorikeet's lifespan is around 20-30 years.

Mutations

There are now a number of established mutations (colours) of the Rainbow Lorikeet.

Rainbow Lorikeet mutations include:

• Greygreen (Olive)
• Dilute (Pastel)(often incorrectly referred to as cinnamon)
• Cinnamon
• Blue-fronted (Melanistic)
• Lutino (sex-linked)
• Fallow
• Recessive Pied
• "Olive"
• "Aqua"
• Black-eyed Yellow (Clear)("Acquired Yellow")(not yet established)
• Khaki (not yet established)
• "Mustard"
• "Jade"

There are also numerous different combinations of these mutations, creating even more variety.

A blue mutation was also found in a young wild lorikeet. Unfortunately, the individual died from injuries due to a bird of prey attack.

By Clara Hollins - Article Source: EzineArticles

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CHICKEN RAISING Terms from B - M

An adult male chicken, (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Familiarize yourself with these terms to get a hold of chicken raising.

Bantam – a chicken variety that is about half the size of the standard breed of chickens. These breeds are usually bred for ornamental reasons.

Bedding – can either be shavings of wood, haystack pile, or newspaper that are added to the floor of the coop and inside a nest box. The purpose of this is for absorption of droppings and odor of chicken poop. It also provides a cushion for eggs to be safely ejected from its mother without the worry of breaking it.

Brood – this could either mean the hens incubating their chicks or a flock of baby chickens.

Broodiness – a chicken’s desire to incubate their babies – unfertilized or fertilized. Broodiness can make an egg hatch or spoil it. There are a lot of factors that may arise in being broody. And the mother is a bit moody when she is manifesting broodiness.

Candling – is a procedure wherein a candle or a light bulb is used. It is the process letting light shine through an egg to determine if it is fertilized or not. Candling can be useful especially if you are planning to separate the eggs with growing embryo and those that you wanted to sell.

Capon – a rooster that has been castrated.

Clutch – fertilized egg groups that hens tend to incubate.

Cockerel – a juvenile or young rooster.

Comb – this is the rubbery, red flat piece of flesh hanging on top of a chicken’s head. Roosters have a more prominent comb than hens. Some who are engaged in cockfighting preferred to cut the rooster’s comb so as not to interfere with the fight.

Coop – house of chickens.

Crop – Part of a chicken’s digestive system that can be found in the esophagus wherein food is first digested before entering the stomach.

Droppings Tray – a tray that collects chicken droppings, which is located under poles for quick disposal. 

Dust bath – A pattern of chicken behavior wherein they dig a hole in the ground and immerse their bodies in the earth that has been loosened. They will get down and dirty until they get satisfied. Bathing in dust is a kind of defense mechanism to protect chickens from lice and mites that may invade their feathers and feed on their blood. A dust bath can either be natural or artificial.

Feeder – a container that delivers and holds feeds for chickens.

Fertilized egg – an egg that came from the mating of a rooster and a hen and is destined to become a baby.

Grit – bits of rock or sand bits that chickens tend to eat and is stored in the crop that is important for good digestion.

Hackles – chicken’s neck feathers.

Hen – female chicken.

Incubation – the process of egg hatching in which the application of heat is required. The eggs that are incubated are those that are already fertilized. Constant heat, usual turning, and an environment that is humid are the essential needs of an egg that also comes in with the period. Incubation takes about 21 days before the eggs are expected to hatch. 

Layer feed – a feed that is complete and is made for the sake of laying hens.

Molt or molting – this is the process of feather shedding and re-growing which happens once a year. When the molting season comes, laying season is suspended.

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Learn All The Secrets Of The AFRICAN GREY PARROT

Photo   by ♡Blackangelツ 

The African grey parrot is a medium-sized parrot that originates from the central parts of Africa. They are said to be perhaps the most intelligent of all parrots, with an adept ability to mimic human words and expressions. This is the reason why they are very popular as pets in modern-day households. Most African grey parrots are predominantly grey all over with a small color difference on their tails, usually maroon or a darker shade of grey.

One incredible characteristic that the African grey parrot carries is its incredible ability to solve even the most complex of problems. Very few parrot species have this kind of ability and it is because of this that the African grey stands out above the rest. This characteristic is tied in with their talking ability as they can learn to mimic any sound just by listening and applying this to their own vocal patterns.

Every African grey parrot has the potential to mimic almost every sound that hears, however some more than others. Parrots that are left alone in their cages with no way to stimulate their brains generally learn to talk or mimic the sounds they hear around them. Parrots that are handled often by humans have no need for the extra stimulation that sound imitation provides them so they often learn very few sounds. This doesn't mean people should neglect their parrots for the sole reason of getting them to talk. There are different training manuals to help parrots learn the basics of sound imitation.

One notorious trait that the African grey parrot has is its feather plucking habit. This can make for a very messy and disease-ridden cage and therefore owners are advised to clean the parrot cage once every two or three days. The reason why a parrot plucks his or her feathers is that it is boring and needs a source of stimulation. If owners spend enough time with their parrot every day, perhaps one or two hours, it will have no need to pluck its feathers as it is getting enough stimulation from the human presence around it.

It is commonly known that an African grey parrot can become almost fully attached to one human and therefore become aggressive towards other people. This trait just proves one thing, that African grey parrots are the perfect companion. You could perhaps say that they are the new mans best friend!

Author: Dane Stanton - Article Source: GoArticles

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