Pet PARAKEETS and Their Wild Cousins

Parakeets - Photo  by PuppiesAreProzac 

Budgie parakeets can make wonderful pets if you know how to keep them happy. A lot of people assume that in order to keep their pet parakeet happy, all they need to do is give it food, water, and a clean cage to live in. Unfortunately, that's not the case. Parakeets have a variety of special needs that can be best understood by taking a look at how wild parakeets behave in their native land of Australia.

Parakeets evolved for life in the great Australian Outback. Life in this arid desert-like landscape is not easy. Temperatures can reach well over 100°F, food is scarce, standing water can be very difficult to find, and predators lurk in the skies as well as in the underbrush. In order to help deal with these harsh conditions, parakeets have developed some unique adaptations.

Food and Water

Most large parrots need access to a huge variety of nuts, fruits, and vegetables in order to be healthy. These things are not readily available to the parakeet. Because of this, the parakeet has shrunken in size compared to other parrots and lives almost entirely off of grass seeds. Grasses are a dependable source of food in the Outback because they can grow even with very little water.

Even though parakeets mainly live on grass seeds, it's important to note that they feed on over 20 different kinds of grasses. This variety helps them get all the nutrients they need. It's important that you provide your pet parakeet with a large variety of seeds as well as formulated pellets in order to keep your pet healthy.

Parakeet bodies have been streamlined to preserve water. If the humidity is high and the temperatures are cool, they can go without drinking for over a week and hardly show signs of fatigue. If you or I were to try this we would die within just a few days.

Because parakeets drink so little, it's important that you keep your bird's water bowl clean and fresh by switching out the water every day instead of just waiting for your bird to drink it all and then refilling it. If you let the water stay for several days it can grow bacteria that can kill your parrot.

Flying Ability

Parakeets are not built for long distance flying. Instead, they enjoy powerful bursts of flight for short distances. A parakeet can take off almost immediately if he thinks his life is in danger and his incredible maneuverability makes him almost impossible to catch, even for stealthy and agile predators like the peregrine falcon. Even though parakeets typically only fly in short bursts, they are nomadic (they never stay in the same place for very long) and during the course of just one day they may end up covering more than 10 miles in their search for food.

Your parakeet needs time outside of his cage every day in order to fly around the house, climb on things, and do a little exploring to get his wiggles out.

Make sure the parakeet cage you buy is large enough for your bird to fly in without snagging his wings on the walls when he gets excited or frightened. The smallest cage for a single bird should be no less than 2 feet long. Also, make sure that your bird has toys to climb on and chew up in order to get some exercise.

Parakeet Flocks

Parakeets are flock birds that are never seen alone unless they are sick or have gotten lost in their clan. Parakeet flocks can be as small 5 to 10 birds or larger than 10,000! Flocks shrink and grow depending on the availability of food. When times get tough, large groups will break into smaller flocks to avoid fighting over patches of grass when foraging.

The flock provides parakeets with safety from predators as well as a place to make friends and find a mate. Because parakeets are such social animals, your bird will need several hours of attention from you each day unless you have several parakeets to keep each other company. A lonely parakeet is a sad and frightened parakeet.

Parakeets are paranoid

The parakeet's Australian name is "Budgerigar" which means "Little Snack". These poor innocent creatures can be found on the dinner menu of almost every meat-eating animal in the Outback. Because of this, they are horribly scared of almost anything that moves, including humans.

It's important that you carefully earn your parakeets trust before attempting to handle your bird. Never hit your parakeet when he does something wrong and never leaves your bird alone with a dog or cat.

Now that you know a little more about wild parakeets, I hope you will be able to make your pet parakeet feel a little more at home in your family. Good luck to you!

By Jon D Perry - Article Source: EzineArticles

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50 Reasons My Blue and GOLD MACAW Makes Me Happier Than My Child

Photo   byLadyDragonflyCC – >;< 

You love your kid or kids and the reasons for it just cannot be counted. I love my daughter more than anything but my Blue and Gold Macaw runs a close second. I sometimes wonder knowing what I know now. Would I do things the same way? If I had a do over. So one day shortly after sending my daughter off to Florida State University to finish her last two years. I sat down and thought about things from a different perspective and listed the below. Here are 50 reasons why I believe owning a Blue and Gold Macaw may be a better choice than having a child.

1. Color coordination, they have it down pat. No one does it better than a Blue and Gold Macaw.
2. There is no P.T.A.
3. A Macaw doesn't want to go to the movies. When and wherever I want to go so goes my Blue And Gold Macaw.
4. A Macaw gives you the remote. He doesn't care whats on the tube tonight.
5. Your Macaw likes you, mostly.
6. A Macaw doesn't lie to you.
7. A Macaw actually misses you when you're gone.
8. Just because it's Christmas a Macaw won't wake you up any earlier than normal.
9. A Macaw doesn't expect a Christmas gift.
10. A Macaw doesn't know its his birthday and won't remind you of it everyday for a month.
11. You don't need to take a Macaw to school. You get to be the school.
12. A Macaw doesn't expect a car for their 18th birthday or ever.
13. No need to save for a Macaws college fund.
14. A Macaw washes and dries his own clothes.
15. A Macaw will shower with you.
16. Macaws are cheaper than kids.
17. Macaws are generally friendlier than kids.
18. Its easier to understand a Macaw than a kid.
19.Macaws don't need a night light.
20. A Macaw doesn't want a cell phone or Ipod.
21. A Macaw doesn't need a computer or Playstation.
22. A Macaw will at least try to eat a vegetable.
23. You never need to help a Blue and Gold Macaw with homework.
24. You never need to meet with a Macaws principal.
25. A Macaw will never annoy you with a text message.
26. A Macaw never expects you to text them back.
27. You get to choose where your Macaw makes his messes.
28. A Macaw doesn't invite the Macaw down the street for dinner.
29. Macaws don't get into slumber parties.
30. A Macaw enjoys speaking with you. Even if its only a few words.
31. Macaws are not difficult to cook for.
32. Macaw toys are cheaper. But may not last longer.
33. Macaws don't care what the bird down the street has or gets.
34. You can train a Macaw. Or your Macaw can train you. Depends on your outlook.
35. A Macaw doesn't pout every time he doesn't get his way.
36. Macaws make excellent nut crackers.
37. A Macaw will find your jewelery fascinating.
38. If you're doing something a Macaw will be curious as to what it is.
39. A Macaw will never ask to stay over somewhere else.
40. Even if it isn't his Birthday or Christmas morning. My Blue And Gold Macaw still likes me.
41. Friends or family that must have quiet won't visit you often or for long.
42. You just cannot cramp a Blue and Gold Macaws style, he just won't let you.
43. Macaws don't care if they've had broccoli once already this week.
44. Macaws don't play soccer.
45. Macaws know who the boss is in the family and they don't care.
46. Macaws don't need braces on their teeth.
47. Macaws won't die if they don't have a new pair of Nike's.
48. Macaws don't need a prom dress.
49. You don't need to give a Macaw away because it met another bird.
50. Blue and Gold Macaws never outgrow their clothes.

I have had my Blue and Gold Macaw (Shadow) 12 years longer than the 19 year old daughter. Over those years I have never had heartbreak nor frustration from Shadow. He is just a Blue and Gold Macaw and I know this. It is all I ever expect from him. I wish the daughter had been so easy.

By Ryleigh Cantrell - Article Source: EzineArticles

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A SENEGAL PARROT As A Pet

Senegal Parrot Deutsch: Mohrenkopfpapagei (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of all of the parrot species, the Senegal parrot is one of the most colorful of the parrot families. They are relatively easy to breed and are often bred in captivity for the pet trade since it is no longer legal to capture export or import parrots of any species due to conservation concerns.

They are not as large as other parrot species and are not as loud which makes them more popular for people who have limited space or who live in apartments or condominiums where disturbing the neighbors would be an issue.

They are quite long-lived in the wild and in captivity so a person should make sure they want to make a long commitment to caring for a parrot before buying one. Acclamation into the environment of the owner can be quite tricky if there are multiple people in the family. The parrot should be introduced to as many people as possible and moved to different environments or rooms within the home so that it does not become permanently attached to any one member of the family. 

If this happens the parrot may become jealous of the attention of other family members and may act out with misplaced aggression. By spreading its time equally among family members and among rooms in the home it is not as likely to bond to one single person or one single place and acclimation will become much more smooth and desirable for all.

As with any pet, research is needed to make sure that you can properly handle and care for your pet. If you decide to get a pair for possible breeding purposes it may be difficult to tell the males from females based on their appearance alone. It will be up to a professional breeder or pet store person to help you determine that you have a pair that is suitable for mating. Research for building a nesting box and providing for the female and the young until they are taken from the parents at approximately 12 weeks of age is imperative.

Senegal parrots are not as well-known for being talkers as other species such as the African Greys but are still quite elegant in the number of sounds and whistles they can produce. As with other parrot species, because of their intelligence, they need to have interaction and distraction to keep them from becoming bored because boredom can turn to depression and death in Senegal parrots due to aggression against the cage, injury to itself, or refusal to eat until it dies.

By Alan Stables - Article Source: EzineArticles

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ORIOLES and Eden

"Baltimore Oriole" Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Each morning, very early, I walk to the 3 areas where they dine on their meals of oranges, and a mixture of meal-worms and grape jelly. Always, I hear the staccato-like chatter as they wait for their breakfast in the trees in our gardens... it is not chirping, the sound is unique to these birds.

And always, I smile because I feel privileged- honored, really- that these splendid creatures come here and trust they will find the nutrition they need to nurture themselves and the babies they fly thousands of miles to have here in the high Sierra's.

In June, now, they search through the jelly mixture for the meal-worms- I have learned this is the protein they require for the babies. I assume the kids are getting hungrier and are demanding more protein to fuel their growing bodies.

Occasionally, their feet drag detritus from their nest to leave on the sticky lip of the jelly jar. Today, there was a long strip of what looked like very thin plastic tape, about 6 inches of it, reminding me of the tapes we used to play long ago but thinner and with white checks, stuck to the top of one of the containers.

While adding a generous supply of meal-worms to each of the 3 containers, I thought about why this gives me such pleasure, aside from the obvious joy of seeing these outrageously colored birds amidst all of the other mostly brown, black colored birds which merge with the muted natural landscape of the desert.

I think of Eden now and then.

Of a place where all of creation - all of us creatures were in a sense, one. We, humans, had dominion but the word does not imply any perversion of power or hierarchy, rather it implies a deep reverence for all creatures, an understanding that supersedes words because perfect communication can exist only without words.

A place where the meaning of that peculiar staccato chatter of these splendid creatures was clear to us because we understood the gratitude, the love. We understood because we shared the gratitude in each moment, in the splendor and the goodness of each tree, plant and creature... the shared peace of each moment and the love for each one of us.

Eden.

By Dr. Lin Wilder Lin Wilder, DrPH is a former Hospital Director. She now writes full-time. Her website is http://www.linwilder.com. Contact Lin at lin@linwilder.com Article Source: EzineArticles

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Considering a PET BIRD? Ask Yourself These 7 Critical Questions

Cockatiel Parakeet (Nymphicus hollandicus). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Birds can make wonderful pets and companions and there are many different birds to choose from. Two of the most popular are cockatiels and parakeets. Cockatiels and parakeets make wonderful pets that only require simple daily care. They don't take up a lot of space, they eat small amounts of food, and they don't require a daily walk outside. They love being around people and often want out of their cages just so they can be closer to you. Some even learn to talk.  

You're not alone in considering a pet bird. In fact, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), birds are the 3rd most popular pet behind cats and dogs. 

It all sounds great, doesn't it? Slow down a little bit, before you rush out to buy a cockatiel or a parakeet, take some time to think about whether or not you are ready for a bird companion. There are a few things for you to consider before you decide if you're ready for the responsibilities that come with parakeets and cockatiels.

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a parakeet or cockatiel until you ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have enough patience for a bird? Cockatiels and parakeets are social animals and they like attention. You should give them at least a half an hour of attention a day to keep them happy.
  
  
• Am I a neat freak? All birds (not just cockatiels and parakeets) can be fairly messy.  You're probably going to have some feathers and bird seed to pick up around the cage.
  
  
• Can I care for my bird properly? You're taking the right first step by looking for information about birds. It's important for you to know all of your cockatiel's or parakeet's needs before you bring him or her home. 
  Don't make the mistake of assuming that since you already have a dog, cat or some other pet, that you know how to take care of a bird.  Birds have very different needs than other pets.  I'm afraid it's a little more complicated than sticking your bird in a cage and giving it water and birdseed. 
  
  
• Do I have room in my house for a bird cage and other 'bird accessories"? You need to think about where you're going to place the cage in your house before you walk in the door with it. And remember, the bigger the bird, the bigger the cage. (Be sure to study the do's and don't of cage placement. There are places in your house that are very dangerous for your bird.)
  
  
• Do I have the time to give my bird what it needs? In addition to the time you should spend with your bird giving him or her attention, you should spend some time preparing meals for your bird.  A proper diet for a healthy cockatiel or parakeet includes fresh vegetables and fruits - not just seeds.
  
  
• Exactly what type of bird (and how many) do I want? Decide whether you want a female or a male bird. Maybe you would like to have a pair of birds so that you can breed them. It's easier to think through these types of questions now instead of waiting until you're talking to a breeder.
  
  
• Am I ready for a long-term commitment? As I said above, it's not unusual for cockatiels to live 15-20 years and parakeets can live 12-14 years. Getting a pet bird is a long-term commitment. Please don't get a cockatiel or a parakeet thinking that you're going to "try it for a while". There are already too many birds in rescue and adoption centers.

Pet birds can bring a lot of fun and happiness into your home. If you don't know what to expect before you bring one home, you may be in for a surprise. However, if you've gone through the checklist above and decided that you're ready for a new feathered family member, then congratulations!  Get ready for a long, loving and happy relationship.

Author: Simon Blake

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Fiery-throated HUMMINGBIRD - Panterpe insignis

Fiery-throated Hummingbird - Panterpe insignis

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Adding GOLDFINCES, CARDINALS and Other Birds of Color to Your Backyard Retreat is Easy - Here's How

A European Goldfinch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to turning your backyard into a getaway or retreat, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it a private outdoor oasis, complete with water features and an outdoor kitchen? Or is it adding a terraced effect with exotic plants, detailed retaining walls and hardscape patios and walkways that make you feel that you are enjoying the seclusion of a five-star resort? Your home should be your haven, the place where the world stops at the beginning of your driveway and your retreat begins.

To add exotic color to your outdoor haven, I have two words; Bird Feeders. You will be intrigued by the various types of birds you can attract to your yard. By attracting these birds, you will add color, sound, wildlife and create a sense of seclusion.

There is more to attracting birds than just nailing a birdhouse up to a fence post or hanging one off a tree limb. The species of birds you attract depends on the type of feeder you choose, the placement of the feeder in your yard and the type of feed you put in the feeder.

Here are five categories of birds you may want to consider. All come with their own distinct colors, sounds, and traits.

1) Goldfinches: These birds are yellow in color, with the males being more vibrant in the spring season. They are small in stature and shy by nature. You can use everything from Thistle sacks, which are inexpensive and easy to reposition in the yard to small "clinger" only feeders to various types of triple-tube feeders. For the sake of the length of this article, I will give you a resource you can go to and learn more on the various types of feeders. The type of feeder is important to the type of birds you are trying to attract, but even more important is the type of feed you use to draw specific species to your feeders.

Goldfinches are partial to finely chopped Sunflower hearts and Nyjer seeds; Nyjer is a black seed cultivated in Africa & Asia and are high in calories and oil content. Another source of nutrition and a strong attraction for Goldfinches occurs in the autumn when the blooms from plants such as Marigolds and Zinnias are long past their pretty stages of summer. These create a great feed for Goldfinches, so be sure to leave these in your garden or yard and you will attract a flurry of activity from the Goldfinches, as they are storing energy for the winter.

2) Cardinals: A regal bird with its pointed crown and vibrant red color trimmed in black mask and neck. If you have ever seen a cardinal up close, you would remember it. It has a look like no other bird, in my humble opinion. Whether against the green of summer leaves or the white of winter's snow, Cardinals are a splendid attraction to any setting. Here is how you can seduce them to your haven. They like feeders either low to the ground or with a platform they can eat from when hung from above. This is due to the fact they are a larger bird and require some space to maneuver. They do not eat from tube feeders, like Goldfinches, unless the tube feeder has a tray on the bottom for them to perch on. Their favorite feed is Sunflower or Safflower seeds; their big bill makes it easy for them to crack these seeds. The addition of a bird bath is another draw for the cardinal, as they love water.

3) Blue Birds: The nesting sites of Bluebirds differ according to your region of the country. For your specific region do a little research and determine the best type of nesting site to build to attract these brilliant blue colored birds to your private retreat. They prefer open spaces so they can feed on insects, their main nutrition source. Another favorite of the Bluebird is live mealworms, so you may want to keep some on hand if this beautiful bird is going to be added to your yards color pallet. For winter nutrition, Bluebirds feast on the berries from Bittersweet & Holly. Again, the addition of a birdbath to provide a water source, especially in winter, will help coax the Bluebird to your backyard paradise.

4) Orioles: An orange bodied bird with black head and back, its wings have traces of white and yellow mixed in amongst black. Orioles are shy birds that migrate to South America for the winters. A great tool in the attraction of Orioles is oranges. Cut a few oranges in half on secure them to a gate or fence top and use them to bait the Orioles into your yard. Another weak spot for Orioles is jelly, they love jelly. You can go to your local bird store and pick up an adapter that fits over the open end of a jelly jar and viola; you have a feeder for the Orioles you hope to draw into your backyard. Due to the fact that Orioles are shy birds, start off by setting the feeders further away from active areas and then slowly move them closer, once you began to gain their confidence. This will give you the pleasure of watching this beautiful bird up close; I guess you can say "You'd have a Bird's Eye view". 

I know, really bad, but I couldn't resist. Once you notice the Orioles you can leave twine, yarn, and strands of hair for them to find and use in building a pendulum nest they will use for the season. Oranges, jelly, and hosts who do not disturb them, they will love you for the season.

Red-headed Woodpecker
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5) Woodpeckers: Last, but not least, in this selection of vibrantly colored and distinctively different birds; Woodpeckers are showy birds with colored plumage. Described as a clinger, because of its ability to grab on with its feet and attach itself to the sides of trees with no or little effort. They have spiny tail feathers, which aides them in climbing and resting on tree trunks. Typically go up and down tree trunks scrounging for insects, it is advisable to hang your feeders for these birds close to the trunk at first, to get their attention. Once you have their attention, you can move the feeder further out on the limb away from the trunk. Tree nuts and peanuts are the secret to luring these birds to your collection of featured wildlife. Beware though, once a Woodpecker begins its assault on the tree of its choice; it could get noisy for some time to come.

So there you have it, you have added gold, red, blue, orange and the rhythm of the Woodpecker to your Backyard Getaway. For more information on this subject, I recommend The Backyard Bird Company. Take a minute and Google them, they are jam-packed with great information.

By Joseph Killian For more landscaping and backyard retreat ideas, visit insideoutadditions.com. Thank you for reading this article. For all your Home Addition and Landscaping Ideas, please visit http://www.insideoutadditions.com.  You will also find a comprehensive gallery of Landscape and Home Addition projects, ideas and designs. Many of which are supplied through the contractor's own portfolio. Joseph Killian is a consultant and writer for insideoutadditions.com Article Source: EzineArticles

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Choosing the Best Birds for Your AVIARY

Commercial home aviary (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When starting a new hobby, it is always prudent to learn everything there is to know about it in order to be a success at it. An example of such a hobby is aviculture, which is the practice of keeping and breeding birds, contributing significantly to the upkeep and preservation of avian habitats by raising public awareness.

Aviculture is also one way of contributing to the environment as keeping birds in an aviary under controlled conditions protects them from natural disasters and situations that can severely decrease their numbers. It also enables bird enthusiasts to study the behavior of certain avian species and find ways to forestall their extinction.

Aviaries have been in existence since the 1800s, with an aviary known as the Raven Cage being considered as one of the oldest structures in the London Zoo. An aviary is akin to a cage but where cages confine birds to a particular space, aviaries allow them to fly in much larger spaces. Also, unlike cages, aviaries simulate a bird's natural environment with the addition of plants and shrubbery within the space.

If you're considering starting one in your home and deciding on which birds to choose, there are several factors you need to think about and seriously consider if you are to be a successful aviculturist. First, you must consider the climate in your location and choose birds that are well-suited for it. Also, don't make the mistake of choosing birds that are too large, too loud or too expensive as they can become ultimately too much to handle.

For beginners, the first choice should be canaries which are among the most popular aviary birds in the world. Well-known for its singing prowess and vibrant colors, the canary is ideal for those just starting out in aviculture because they don't require too much caring for and will be quite happy to be left to their own devices. If you want a singing canary you'll have to make sure you get a male one as female canaries don't sing.

Another bird that is known for its singing prowess is finches. As fast flyers, they can be fun to watch as they zip from one corner of the aviary to another, twittering in tones that are several decibels below what parrots are capable of. Finches are ideally bought in pairs and need lots of flying space as they do love to fly. Be careful though, that they don't get too crowded as territorial fights can erupt.

Budgerigars or parakeets are perhaps the most ideal aviary birds since they are relatively inexpensive, easy to dispose of and just as easily replaced, which is why some people tend to disregard this bird and forget the fact that they can be trained to be good talkers despite their small voices. When patiently handled, budgies can bond closely to their human companions and are ideal pets for children. Quaker parakeets, on the other hand, need to be handled carefully as they are considered illegal in some states because they are considered threats to local agriculture.

If you want birds that can be petted, then cockatiels are what you should get. They love to snuggle and be petted which is why they are considered the most affectionate birds. These small parrots also come in vibrant colors and can also be trained to talk and others in whistling. Most parrot species like the poicephalus parrots and the Pionus parrots are an easy-going and gently bunch that is not as noisy as some of their mates and can also be easily taught the gift of gab. You can also consider their livelier and flashier cousins the Amazon parrots, who although slightly quieter, love to attract attention to themselves and are easy to handle as well.

And last but not the least there's the peach-faced lovebirds which, in addition to being easy to care for are also affectionate and love to be petted. They can be carried in your pocket or perched on your shoulder but must be bought in pairs as otherwise, they waste away without a suitable companion. They tend to be on the quiet side but are known to be able to learn a few phrases every now and then.

Of course, having the best aviaries to keep your birds it is also important in your success as an aviculturist. 

The great thing about getting aviaries these days is they are available online as well so that all you need to do is to pick and choose the best size and style for your home or backyard. Remember to get one that has enough space so that even if you put varied species in it you won't find yourself having to settle territorial fights. Also get ones that are easy to clean, preferably with removable bottom trays to clean droppings easily.

By Jesse Burns Whatever your reasons for starting a bird aviary are, you'll need to get the best bird aviaries money can buy. Check Simplysheds bird aviary and be on your way to becoming the best aviculturist possible. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Simple Ways to Attract HUMMINGBIRDS to Your Garden

A female ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) sipping nectar from scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma).
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A lot of people think that hanging out a quick hummingbird feeder is enough to encourage hummers into their gardens. While hummingbirds will stop by and eat from these feeders, they tend to quickly move on to more welcoming gardens. Creating an ideal garden for hummingbirds offers more than just food. They offer all of the basic essentials for bird life. 

Hummingbirds come and stay in gardens that are perfectly suited for them. Here's what you need to create an ideal garden for hummingbirds.

Many hummingbirds are a migratory species of bird that spend the winters in South and Central America and in the spring travel all the way up to North America and even into parts of Canada where they spend the warm season breeding, raising young, and preparing to fly south again. Hummingbirds rely on the nectar found in flowers, which they get plenty of in South America. But, they need the abundant insects found in the spring and summer in the lands of North America and Canada to successfully raise healthy babies. 

They also spend a lot of time resting- usually about 80% of their lives is spent sitting and resting their tiny bodies. Providing a garden that's full of healthy insect activity with lots of nectar sources and plenty of thin twigs, branches, and other similar places to rest are all going to entice a hummer to stick around. Even more important, providing a safe place to nest will help the hummingbirds stay through the season, and return yearly.

Rely on plants that hummingbirds enjoy to eat from. Tubular red, blue, and purple perennial flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds. The wild versions of plants usually create the most nectar which will encourage hummingbirds to come back again and again, but this isn't a hard-set rule. Many cultivars provide plenty of nectar for hummingbirds.

Hummingbird plants include:

• Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)
• Azalea
• Honeysuckles
• Weigela
• Monarda (Bee Balm)
• Agastache
• Hosta
• Foxglove
• Yucca
• Rose of Sharon
• Viburnum
• Crape Myrtle
• Summersweet (Clethra)
• Hydrangea
• Mockorange
• Potentilla
• Trumpet Vine
• Salvia
• Coral Bells (Heuchera)
• Mints

Consider tying up a thin line if you don't have a clothesline already. Hummingbirds of North America are well adapted to life with people and their homes and are quite fond of perching and resting on clotheslines, wires, extension cords, chicken wire fences, or any thin and stable cables. Trees and shrubs are also very welcome resting spots too.

Offer a moving source of water for hummers to bathe in and drink from. Despite assuming that these small birds get all of the water they need from nectar, they are still observed using birdbaths consistently.

In the garden, try to refrain from using chemical commercial pesticides. They are long-acting, so even if you use them in a specific area they often stick around and continue to kill for weeks after the application. Instead, encourage a healthy bug population. If you're over-run by grasshoppers or Japanese beetles, for example, there are plenty of specific traps that work to capture these pets and bring their numbers down to a less destructive number. One option is to use a natural organic insecticidal soap for aphid infestations that won't harm hummingbirds if it's ingested in small amounts.

So... go beyond the hummingbird feeder for attracting and keeping those gorgeous winged jewels in your garden.

By Cheryl D. Jones Cheryl D. Jones shares gardening tips and landscape ideas through her blog, newsletters and her nursery's website. Visit GreenwoodNursery.com for a full line of plants including trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and ground covers. Join the Greenwood Gardeners Club free to receive Greenwood Nursery's weekly newsletter, seasonal promotions and 10% off your first order. Click here for a listing of plants to attract hummingbirds to your garden, as well as butterflies and bees. - Google+ Article Source: EzineArticles

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Why We Need And How To Revive PIGEON RACING

At cage. Bangladesh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pigeon racing has been around since the 1800's and has lived on to this day. The fascinating aspects of the sport are numerous, to say the least, and the bond that man can create with the bird is a treasure that everybody needs to experience at some point in their lives.

However, I've noticed recently that the sport is steadily declining in popularity. Sure, we still see a plethora of websites about pigeon racing on the internet. But if you notice, none or only a few of them don't go out on a limb to promote the sport at all. All we see are charts, racing results, pigeon auctions and obscure pedigrees. All of these only serve to bore those people who have not been exposed to the hobby yet. If we wish to promote the sport to as many people as possible, we have to begin focusing again on the things that led us to the sport in the first place.

The sport's decline in popularity can perhaps be attributed to a lot of factors. First, kids today have a short attention span. This is why most of them tend to lose interest when they discover that racing pigeons take a lot of time and effort. Children today would rather go to the internet and tend to their online farms instead. Or maybe the thought of taking care of pigeons is not their idea of being "cool".

Here's what I think. If we want to spark interest in pigeon racing as a hobby and a sport, an effort has to be made in regards to reaching out to kids. After all, the fascination with pigeons is in its truest form in the eyes of a child. Their minds are not subjected to corruption by the lure of money that comes with the sport, nor would they care much about a pigeon's type of pedigree. They only care about the pigeon's majestic appearance, the beauty it emanates through its stark shades of aquamarine, and most of all, the grace displayed as it streaks through the sky. I can feel pigeon racing professionals laugh in jest at this genuflection, but let's not forget that most of us have been led to the sport because of these same reasons.

As someone who spent much of his childhood racing pigeons, I have learned invaluable lessons that I still find useful as an adult. The sense of responsibility that one acquires in raising these magnificent birds is something that I'll always treasure. Racing pigeons have also instilled in me a competitive fire that few of my peers can match. The data gathering, the strict training program, and the meticulous feeding, etc. have all contributed to my sense of discipline. All these things played a big part in my success as a professional adult. Wouldn't it be awesome if your kids can benefit from the same hobby and in turn, make them better individuals as they grow up? 

If you love the sport of racing pigeons, stop for one moment and visualize a child smiling while a beautiful pigeon is perched on his right arm. Now that's truly a sight to behold.

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First Steps In Training Your PARAKEET To Talk

A Red-breasted parakeet (Moustached Parakeet)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parakeets have always been the most popular pets among birds. They are known for their chitchatting and easy domestication. Their basic color feather is yellowish green, but they also come in other colors, such as colorful blue, and sometimes, they can be completely white or yellow.

A parakeet as a pet usually means a lot of fun. It is true that they can be so noisy, but it is very interesting and nice watching them bristle and chat with themselves or even with a little thing. As any other kind of parrots, they mimic the sounds they often hear. They usually imitate phone ringing, bell ringing, or even a part of your favorite tunes. However, when it comes to talking, it is a little harder for them to emulate words, usually because of some consonants which they find hard to pronounce. Yet, it is not impossible. With a little effort and patience, you can successfully teach them to pronounce a few single words, even shorter sentences.

For the beginning, if you haven't acquired your parakeet yet, it is great, because buying is the crucial step in teaching your parakeet words. Make sure to buy a very young parakeet, preferably a chick, because they are best at learning words and sounds while they are young. If they are old, you will never be able to teach them to talk. When choosing a parakeet, let it be a male. Males are easier to domesticate and teach, and they prefer chatting to squawking. Females are usually wild, and you will need more time to domesticate them and teach them words.

This may be cruel, but if you want to teach your parakeet talk, don't buy a couple. When they are together, they focus on each other and will not pay much attention to external sounds. You will also notice that it will take longer for them to imitate a simple sound; it often happens that they produce nothing but chitchat and squawking. The same applies to little mirrors; once a parakeet has it in its cage, it will never separate from it, and thus, will not pay attention to you or the sounds.

Now when you have all done well, start with learning. Start with simple and short words with more vowels. Once they master the simple words, they will easily overcome the harder ones. However, do not despair if your parakeet curiously and silently watches you while teaching it; it is a good sign because it tries to memorize the words. Patience is essential in this case. Sometimes, it takes only a few days, but sometimes a couple of weeks; but patience always pays off in the end.

As you can see, a good start is very important here. It is not just about buying a parakeet with a beautiful color but taking a young bird that will learn quickly and be your friend for several years. However, keep in mind that all parakeets are not the same; some will learn slower, some faster, and some will be able to imitate just a few simple words. It also depends on how much time you can devote to it. So, good luck!

By Miona Milenkovic - Article Source: EzineArticles

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All You Wanted To Know About BIRDCAGES

Photo: Pxhere

Home is where the heart is, isn’t it? Ever thought about those who have no home and make us feel good day as we enjoy their music and admire their beauty. Shouldn’t they also have a beautiful place of their own? Yes, we are talking about the birds whose melodies we wake to every morning and who warm our hearts. These pretty creatures have their nests perched on trees and shrubs. However, when the humans have started keeping birds as pets, the pretty birds do not have the luxury of having their own nests. This is how the concept of birdcages came into being. Since birdcages are the only option that we humans have for them, why not make it beautiful?

Types of Birdcages

There are many kinds of birdcages available t day for the birds. Since birds can be classified into three sizes, small, medium and large, cages are also provided in the same way (i.e., small, medium, and large). It is true that no one else but you knows the best your bird requires, so you’re always advised to get your birdcage designed as an acrylic bird cage which is ideal for any bird that you may own. The birdcages come in a variety of designs and materials, including the manzanita, ribbonwood, grape wood and acrylic perches. Aside from that, you can buy bird toys for your bird/s to play with. You can also make sure they have a wide variety of food to eat.

Decorating Your Bird’s Home

Select the birdcage that’s easy to clean. For this, you can place a tray into the cage, which you can remove easily when you need to wash it off. You can also make sure your birds get their well-deserved rest by purchasing a cover to place over their cage at night. You can buy lots of toys and hanging materials to enhance the looks and charm of their home. For example, you can give put a ladder in their cage that they can walk up and down on. This is just one of many ways to keep them from getting bored and enjoying their home. Your birds are special to you, so they deserve a special home.

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Keeping MACAW PARROTS As Pets

Two macaws - a Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) on right,
and a Blue-and-gold Macaw (Ara ararauna) on the left.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keeping Macaw parrots as pets isn't too difficult, but it does require a lot of time and commitment. Be sure that you know how to take care of one of these majestic birds before you bring one into your home, so you don't get any surprises about behavior or needs along the way.

There are a few different species of Macaw that are available in a wide variety of sizes and colors. There are Scarlet Macaws, Blue and Gold Macaws, Blue Throated Macaws, Military Macaws, and Greenwing Macaws. The oldest reported Macaw lived for over 100 years. Although the normal expectancy of Macaws is about 80, it's still a lifelong commitment you have to make with Macaws.

To help your Macaw reach his or her full potential, you need to feed him right. In the wild, Macaws mainly eat fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. You will have to mimic this as best you can, offering a good variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as some seeds and nuts. Be sure that the seeds and nuts are fed sparingly, as the captive Macaw doesn't have the same energy requirements as a wild one, and could become overweight with too many of these fattening foods. You should never feed a Macaw onions, avocados, tomatoes, chocolate, anything with caffeine, or salted nuts and seeds.

Another important part of having a Macaw is understanding behavior. Most of the negative behaviors such as excessive screaming and bad eating habits stem from wild instincts. When you know what the rood of these problems are, you can quickly and easily solve them rather than fighting with your Macaw over these things. Be sure to have a plethora of information on Macaws and their behavior before you get one. You can track down this information on the internet or in books.

Some behavior problems stem from improper socialization. Macaws that mainly interact with just one person will bond with that person and may show aggression when other people try to handle them. Solving this problem is easy. Just be sure that everybody in the house spends time talking to, cuddling with, and giving affection to your Macaw. It's important for the Macaw to know that they are a valued member of the household like he would be a member of a large flock in the wild. Once you get these things down, keeping Macaw parrots as pets is both fun and rewarding.

By Alan Stables - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Finally, Our Female LOVEBIRD Laid Eggs

Photo: Publicdomainpictures.net

Do you intend to keep and breed lovebirds? If you do, there are things that you need to consider before you buy a couple of lovebirds to breed. As a beginner in keeping this type of bird, you need to know many things before you decide to buy them. If you want to see them breed, you have to be sure that the couple consists of a real female and a real male lovebird. Failing in determining their sexes will result in failure in breeding because homosexual birds will not result in infertile eggs to produce lovebird's chicks. 

Another thing that you need to know is the age of the couple. If you do not want to wait too long for the couple to breed, you have to be sure that the lovebird couple that you buy are fully grown a couple. Because lovebirds reach maturity in the age range of 8 to 12 months old and are ready for breeding when they are between 12 to 15 months old. Lovebirds have a long lifespan if they are well taken care of. So, you have to prepare a good home for them to stay and breed for a long period of time.

What makes people interested in lovebirds? It is hard to deny that lovebirds have special ways of attracting pet lovers. First of all, lovebirds are cute with their colorful feathers and parrot's look. The lovebird couple invokes their keeper's love with their attractive look and nice and loving behaviors. The most interesting behavior that can be demonstrated by a lovebird couple is their loving behavior. They demonstrate their loving for each other every moment of the day even if it is not their mating season. The most frequent behavior demonstrated by them is feeding each other. Possibly, this behavior equals to kissing in humans. Lovebirds are also known for their intelligence and playfulness. 

So, in addition to equipping their cage with several perches and a nest box for breeding, you need to provide them with several toys for them to play with. At first, you may think that a lovebird which bites its perch, cage bars, and toys does it for nothing. In fact, it has a purpose with its bites. You need to learn why it bites. Many things about these birds will amaze you at first, however, if you love them you will learn about the things that amaze you. You can find these new lessons from other lovebirds' keepers who share their experiences on the net.

Being inexperienced in keeping lovebirds, we had to wait very long for the female of our lovebird couple to lay its first eggs. The reason was that we were unable to detect the age of the female bird when we bought the couple. We just trusted the former owner who said that we would not wait for long to see the bird breed. Now we realized that the female bird that we bought was about 4 to 5 months old at the time we bought the couple. 

And it took us more than 8 months to see it mating and laying eggs. However, we are lucky that the couple consists of a true female and a true male, so we finally could see the female lay its first eggs. Now we are waiting for the couple's first chicks to hatch. My son has already prepared a new cage for the chicks when they are able to live independent of their parents.

By Majelis Abu Hamid Majelis is a librarian, an English teacher, and a translator working at the Library of Graduate Program of Sriwijaya University (Pascasarjana Unsri), Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia.  Article Source: EzineArticles

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How to Breed FINCHES

Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For most people, a finch is a little bird often seen in their gardens, sometimes colourful and sometimes not, sometimes with a pretty song and sometimes not. For the bird keeper, a finch can often be a catchall term for birds that aren't parrot family. But to be accurate, a finch is one of a number of species that are loosely related who look and sound very different. So who are finches and how do you breed them?

Estrildidae vs Fringillidae

Latin names are always hard to pronounce and difficult to remember but due to the varying local names for birds in different countries, they can often be the best way to identify a bird conclusively. For the finches, most of the species encountered in bird keeping come from two main families - the estrildidae finches and the Fringillidae finches.

Fringillidae finches are often referred to as 'true finches' or Old World finches, despite some of them being found in Hawaii and one family in the Arctic fringes. They are most common in Europe and the family name comes from the Latin name for one of their distinctive members, the Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs). Familiar faces in this family depend on where you live but birds such as the European greenfinch, goldfinch and the siskins are all members, as well as one of the most commonly kept birds - the canary.

Estrildidae finches are often referred to as New World or Exotic Finches, though again this isn't a totally accurate name as some are found in Old World tropics areas. Most of these species are from warmer climates however so when kept in the Northern Hemisphere, often need heat to survive. Included in the family is another very commonly kept bird, the Zebra Finch, along with waxbills, Firefinches and the mannikins or munias.

Nesting choices

Birds choose their nesting location and type of nest by some internal standard that we humans can only try to anticipate - this means that there is no guarantee that a bird will choose the nest box it is 'meant' to. As a rule, however, estrildid finches tend towards closed nest boxes made from wood or plastic that either has a small hole in the front or an open section. Fringillidae finches will often make use of a nesting pan, a half cup often made from plastic or wicker, which they will add some nesting material too.

If you are breeding finches in a large cage or an aviary, they will often build their nests where they please. You can offer a host of beautiful ready-made nesting facilities and they will build a nest in the corner on a ledge or behind where the boxes stand so don't be surprised if the nest box remains empty and chicks appear from some strange location.

In breeding cages, they have less option and often an external nest is used so that room inside the cage isn't lessened by it. Nesting pans can be attached to cage bars and sometimes fake plants are used to hide it so that the bird has the illusion of being in a tree.

The breeding process

Every species of bird has its own courtship rituals, breeding preparations and specific requirements to start the process. Some, such as the Zebra finch, merely need somewhere to nest, some nesting material and a mate to get started and will breed whenever they feel like it. Others wait for a specific breeding season, which will often fall into line with the breeding season of the wild birds in the country - normally the warmest times of the year. The Canaries are an example of this as are goldfinches and greenfinches.

Eggs are usually white for the estrildid finches and shades of blue-green for the Fringillidae finches, the latter being larger as are most of the birds. Incubation periods also vary as do the number of chicks but around two to three weeks incubation is generally the norm. Once the chicks hatch, some being completely bald while others have small tufts of hair, they are blind for around a week and remain in the nest for three to four weeks. When they leave the nest or fledge, they will be dependent on their parents for a week or two more as they learn to feed themselves.

Problems

This is, of course, a simplification of the process that may not be as easy as this. Birds can abandon nests with eggs and with chicks, other factors can disturb them or the chicks die in the eggs and the birds realise this. Chicks can fall from nests or contract illnesses that mean they die at some point. But saying all of this, there is nothing better than peeking into a nest and seeing a host of new life, even if there have been hurdles along the way.

In my experience, the key to breeding finches is to let them get on with it as much as possible and think of what they would need in the wild. While most birds have never seen their native environment, their instincts are still strong. Plants, either real or fake, are a big factor, as is providing live food such as mealworms to some species. Do plenty of research before buying birds to understand what you need to provide them for them to be happy - if they aren't happy, they will never breed. And even then, things can still go wrong. But when it goes right, it is a wonderful experience and one you will quickly become addicted to.

By Angela Tempest For more information about the different species of finches and how to breed them please see my articles at https://thefinchweekly.wordpress.com/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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ECLECTUS PARROT - General Health

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus). 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While Eclectus parrots are very hardy birds, there are a number of health-related points you should know about to ensure the best of health and longevity of your bird.

The basic needs of Eclectus parrots apart from daily socialization with other birds and humans consists of three things: Natural foods, pure water, and plenty of exercises and mental stimulation. It has been proven again and again that this combination results in birds with the finest of health.

The best form of nutrition comes from providing a diet rich in variety, and while vitamin and mineral supplements are good to help boost nutrition, they should never be the bird's main source of nutrition. Eclectus parrots love fruits and vegetables, some favorites being mangoes, pomegranates, apples, carrots, bell peppers, lettuces and other green vegetables.

Only pure water should be provided for your Eclectus parrot since much of today's tap water has many additives and birds can be much more sensitive to these toxins than humans are. Water bowls should be cleaned and refilled with fresh water each day. Washing bowls and crocks in a mild solution of vinegar water will help eliminate potentially harmful bacteria that could make your bird sick.

Exercise is very important for your parrot to obtain optimum health. Exercise can be provided in a number of ways. Toys that provide interest involving beak, claw, and mental stimulation may be purchased at pet shops and online. A general rule of thumb is 'bigger is better' as long as the toy is safe and size-appropriate for your bird. For a hanging toy (one that clips to the inside top of the cage, or hangs from a toy stand), dimensions not exceeding 10" x 18" should be sufficient.

If you follow this basic information for your Eclectus parrot and keep yourself educated, you can help ensure your bird a long, happy, healthy life. Remember to always consult your veterinarian for any questions you may have concerning your parrot's health.

By Andrew Rocuant - Article Source: EzineArticles

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