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| African Grey Parrot - Psittacus erithacus |
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Clean Lofts - The Key To Racing PIGEON Success
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| Looking northeast from Clifton Avenue at rooftop racing pigeon loft (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
First and most obvious, clean up that poop! Bird poop is a breeding ground for parasites and bacteria. The lofts should be cleaned daily. This is one of the best ways to keep your birds healthy and in racing form. Moving about the loft while cleaning gets your birds to use to you, this is a good time inspect birds. In addition, cleaning poop out of the lofts daily means you will see if something strange is going on. Does somebody's poop look different than usual?
Next, clean those water dishes. Don't just top them off or dump and refill. This is another good place for bacteria and parasites. It is important to rinse them daily, and if you're really strict about cleanliness in your loft you'll wash them with soap and water every day. At a minimum, water dishes should be washed once a week. Remember to thoroughly rinse the dishes after you've had soap in them. Don't just keep refilling those yucky water dishes, clean them. Your bird's form depends upon it.
Finally, wash the food dishes! Even though they are dry and don't appear to get dirty as often as water dishes might, they still need regular cleaning. Once weekly is a good rule of thumb for cleaning food dishes. Again you should make sure to wash them completely with soap and water. Allow the dishes to dry thoroughly before you add more food.
Good racing pigeons start with good husbandry. Good husbandry starts with cleanliness. Keeping the lofts clean is the most important thing you can do to ensure your birds are in top racing form. Nobody wants to race a sick bird and tax its weak body further. The three most important things you can do to keep your lofts clean is clean up the poop and wash dirty food and water dishes often. The added benefit of daily cleaning is that you get to spend time observing your birds. Observing your birds means you will get to know each individually and learn when they are race ready.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Buying a PET BIRD - Things to Think About
Buying a pet bird may sound like something nice and easy but just because they are small and usually kept in a cage, birds are not all alike and not always the most congenial pet imaginable. Well, canaries, finches, parakeets and cockatiels are fairly easy to get along with. So are lovebirds. Canaries and finches are relatively low maintenance. So are parakeets and cockatiels and these are more people friendly and will actually enjoy being touched and petted.
Some people will talk about how low maintenance pet birds are. Birds don't need to be taken for walks and they don't keep you awake at night. You can even create nighttime for birds by covering their cages with a blanket or heavy sheet. For those who say they prefer a warm and cuddly pet, bird lovers are quick to respond that a pet bird can be very affectionate. Some even express happiness at seeing you return home with big noisy greetings.
There are some serious considerations to having a bird as a pet that you don't run into with other pets. One of the big concerns is the need to keep your pet from escaping. If they do manage to fly free, they can be long gone from your neighborhood in a very short time. It doesn't take much for a bird to escape. If you let it out of its cage so it can get a little exercise in the house and have some cuddle time with you, all it takes is someone coming to the door. Even if you just open the door a little, the bird can be out and away in seconds.
Another surprising fact about having pet birds is the lengthy commitment involved. The typical small birds such as canaries, budgies, and finches have a lifespan of at least 15 years. Cockatiels and lovebirds last a minimum of 20 years. Parrots are long life birds. Conures have a lifespan of about 30 years. Some have a 50-year lifespan. African Greys can live up to 75 years. Macaws can last a century.
As a rule of thumb, the bigger your pet bird, the more work is involved. Larger pet birds live longer, need more room, and need more attention. You cannot ignore a bored bird. It can create quite a commotion if it is unhappy with you. Before you make the commitment based on a whim, do some research on buying a pet bird. You will need to know the likes and dislikes of the bird, what kind of food it likes, how much space it needs, what its temperament is like and whether it likes to be touched or not.
Monday, November 19, 2018
Tips For Building An AVIARY
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| Aviary, The Abbey Gardens An exotic bird in the aviary in The Abbey Gardens (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Where you are going to place the aviary is another important factor to consider. Are you going to house your birds indoors or outdoors? Do you have enough space for access and cleaning? Will your aviary be in a safe place where you can control damage or potential theft? Once you have thought about these points, the next thing to do is check your buildings plans and decide on what materials you are going to use.
Choosing a sheltered spot for your aviary will keep it protected from the wind and prevent too much direct heat from the sun. Make sure too that it is not too near overhanging branches from trees, as dropping from other birds may contaminate your aviary. Allow for space around the aviary in case you decide you want to extend it at a later date. Better to think ahead than have to reconstruct a whole new aviary which will be time-consuming as well as costly.
Building an aviary of good quality will not only enable you to get the most enjoyment from your pets but also create a more natural environment for the birds themselves.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Caring Suggestions And How To Keep Your RACING PIGEONS Healthy
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| At Cage. Bangladesh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
In bird selection, you can never go wrong with the ones that have a lineage- racing pigeons that come from that illustrious family of race winners. If you don't know someone that breeds these top quality birds, then the second option for you is to go downtown and check out the lofts that breed these birds. One tip to follow is to ask the assistance of someone who knows a thing or two about these birds so that the right ones can be picked. Once the right racing pigeons have been selected, then you have hurdled one stumbling block in becoming the leading fancier in your community.
Now select the best means you are compelled to ensure that they are well-attended to. This means that raising and maintaining these birds and their lofts should be prioritized. There are a number of suggestions on how you can make this happen in your own lofts. And it's best that you are guided by these when raising your birds.
• Overcrowding the loft is not the best strategy. According to many fanciers, every pigeon should be allotted with at least 1 ½ square feet of space. This means that the space of the lofts will be dependent on the number of birds.
• Supply the birds with the right amount of food. But it doesn't mean that you will have to over-feed these animals.
• Take care of the health of the birds by subjecting them to regular checkups. There are certain vaccination shots that should be enjoyed by these birds including shots for pox and paratyphoid.
• It may be best if you can worm these birds at least twice a year.
• If your budget is more than okay, it is best as well to get vitamins and supplements for the birds. Ask the neighborhood vet for the right vitamins for racing birds. A corollary to this, don't just randomly select vitamins which you think are best but are not.
• And did you know that a piece of garlic can do wonders for the health of your birds? There are some fanciers that attest to the workings of garlic. They say that the consumption of this food item helps the rejuvenation of the blood.
Care is not just done prior to racing. Right after racing, racing pigeons deserve some care and affection as well. Give them enough time to rest and recuperate- after all, they have been involved in a very rigorous activity!
Friday, November 16, 2018
The AMAZON PARROT and How They Are Amazing
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| Photo by warriorwoman531 |
, Gonzo. He is the mildest in temperament for an Amazon Parrot. He loves to be around people maybe not very cuddly, but his personality outshines that. He is very intelligent and it attentive when being spoken to. He understands you and responds to you when he is told not to do something. He is much like a dog and very loyal. I am very fortunate to have an Amazon-like Gonzo.
Now we are going to talk of the genus of all Amazon parrots. There are about 30 different species within the Amazon genus. They are all on the CITES index, which means that Amazon parrots, like Macaws, Pionus, Caique parrots all protected exportation out of the wilds like Brazil, Central and South America and the likes of Mexico.
On what is called the CITES Treaty; CITES stands for Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. The CITES also known as the Washington Convention was created by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It was adopted in 1963, the convention then opened for signatures in 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1985.
I ask that if you do decide on an Amazon parrot be very careful as to where you purchase your Amazon from. They are an endangered species and they need to be protected by people, like you and I. That is why I highly recommend getting a hand-fed baby or adopting an older parrot. The difference between a wild caught and a domestic parrot is the band they have on their leg; an open band means they have been taken out their country of origin and a closed band means they were hatched and hand-fed in the country you reside in. Many breeders do band their babies for statistical reasons, by keeping clean bloodlines and knowing which aviary the baby came from. If a breeder does not band their babies I would be wary of that purchase. Remember that if one-day certain species of Amazon's may become extinct in the wild, it will be you and I who not let them be forgotten; as they will be our domestic companions.
An Amazon parrot's lifespan, with them being healthy is around 50 years or even longer as long as they have had good nutrition and have been well-taken care with their needs in mind. They are a medium size bird about 10-20 inches from head to toe. Amazon parrots have short stubby tails. Their primary colors are green feathers with coloring on their head and/or their face. Some can be very colorful to just a multitude of greens.
Diet
An Amazon parrot's diet, you have to be careful as they have a tendency to become overweight with lack of exercise from being in a cage for a number of hours a day. They eat seed, pellets, fruits, veggies and some may like human food. I highly recommend putting a pellet in their diet. It has nutrients not found in the seed. Fresh fruits and veggies are very important as they contain phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments), that is not found in seed and pellets. Your Amazon needs nutritional food and also a variety of other foods because as they become bored, they need a variety for psychological enrichment. Food is mealtime but it is also playtime. Like your two-year-old child, mealtime is a fun time. The fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamin A are dark green leaf-veggies, carrots (the baby ones whole), mangos and sweet potatoes. The reason for vitamin-enriched foods is because Amazon's are prone to this deficiency. All sorts of fruits and veggies can be fed. The fruits you can feed them are apples, pears, berries, mango, papaya, banana, grapes, oranges, tangerines, tangelos. The veggies you could feed them are whole baby carrots (something they can play with), cucumbers, zucchini, red peppers and chilies, even dandelion and chickweed (make sure they are not sprayed with pesticides). Gonzo loves all nuts, though Amazons are known to get obese from fatty food, he also has an indulgence for tortilla chips and ramen noodles. DO NOT feed them avocado as it is toxic to them. Make sure they have clean and fresh water every day. Amazon's like to dunk their food so you may have to change it a couple of times a day. That is to avoid any bacterial infections.
Cage
Their bird cage should be as followed with the cage guidelines when you are buying a cage for them. Remember twice the width so they may spread their wings and 1 1/2 times in length for their tail. Bar spacing needs to be 5/8 inch to one inch apart. There need to be both horizontal and vertical bars to climb around on. The cage Gonzo has is 24x20x27.
They need plenty of toys to play with. Make sure the bowls are secured to the cage because Amazons are renowned throwers. I recommend an extra bowl for treats, fruits and veggies; besides their water and food bowls.
You need to wash their food and water bowls daily. Clean their cage at least once a week, by washing everything down with water and a small amount of dish detergent. Make sure it is well rinsed off when you put your parrot back into the cage after cleaning. Their trays can become quite messy as everything goes on the floor or below them. They do not have the best table manners. I like to change their trays with a newspaper every time I feed them. The newspaper is nontoxic and cheap to get. I do not recommend pine sawdust or ground shells. There is a chance of getting a bacterial infection or them eating it and getting sick.
Illness
We have spoken of bacterial infections and you are wondering "How do I know if my parrot is not feeling well?" The signs can be different so watch them carefully. Watch your parrot carefully because parrots differ from one another when there are signs of illness. If their demeanor changes from lively to sullen, ruffled plumage, resting often with their head tucked into their back (keep in mind that your parrot may prefer to sleep this way), consistent sneezing (yes parrots do sneeze). Now the most noticeable ones to watch for are if they do sneeze and discharge is coming from their nostrils, cloudy eyes and any change in their droppings (feces). I recommend you to have a good avian vet specialist, who you have a relationship with; that knows your parrot so you may call them after hours for any potential issues that should arise.
Gonzo
Gonzo is not caged and we do not have to be subjected to the aggression that Amazons are known for. The more your parrot is out and interacting with the family they are more likely to be friendlier and not so aggressive. Amazon's can be the most aggressive of all parrot species; however, this varies from Amazon to Amazon
. Our Red-Lored is one of the mildest and more adaptable to the family life than other known species. These issues can be alleviated by not caging your parrot for excessive periods of time. Gonzo is not caged; he hangs on top of his cage and playpen, watching the day goes by. This also gives him a chance for exercise and prevents the obesity Amazons are known for. Please do not keep them on their perch in the middle of their cage; as they will appear like a stuffed parrot and when approached will bring out their aggressive side.
. Our Red-Lored is one of the mildest and more adaptable to the family life than other known species. These issues can be alleviated by not caging your parrot for excessive periods of time. Gonzo is not caged; he hangs on top of his cage and playpen, watching the day goes by. This also gives him a chance for exercise and prevents the obesity Amazons are known for. Please do not keep them on their perch in the middle of their cage; as they will appear like a stuffed parrot and when approached will bring out their aggressive side.
Behavior
How your Amazon parrot behaves. Many are very loyal, like a dog. Extremely intelligent and playful; you can teach them to play basketball and roller-skate; these are typical toys that can be purchased. They are outstanding talkers and yes, even sing opera. Amazon parrots love classical and traditional anthem music. Keep in mind that each species of parrots are individualistic and have differences so you may get an Amazon parrot who does not sing or talk. In our case, our Red-Lored does not sing nor talk, but is fantastic just the way he is. Never get a parrot expecting it to talk, get it because you want a lifelong companion. Amazon parrots are great screamers and vocalization, not as loud as a cockatoo or macaw though. They can be quite noisy at times, especially when the sun comes up and goes down. When it is breeding season and they hit puberty, about 5 or 6 though it could be later, they can turn into Jekyll and Hyde. Ride it out, this your companion you made, it is a commitment to for life.
Amazon parrot loves to bathe with a mister or in the shower, it is a fun time and it can be quite comical. Their world is about playing. May it be with food to the toys in their cage; they see the world as an adventure playground.
Keeping this all in mind; you will have a happy family when you understand your new found companion and their idiosyncrasies. Gonzo is everything that one that anyone could ever ask for. He is beautiful, great disposition in life and shows us how to take one day at a time. We are grateful for Gonzo; hopefully, after you have done all your research and made that commitment as to what kind of parrot you decided on, you have decided on an Amazon parrot.
Peter has four very proud parrot species from all over the world. We have lived with our four parrots for over 15 years. All of our parrots are domestically born. The joy we share with them is immeasurable.
Article Source: EzineArticles
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Thursday, November 15, 2018
CAGE Vs AVIARIES: Which One Should You Choose?
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| An example of a commercial home aviary (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
It's aquariums for most but for some, its aviaries. Pet lovers tend to relax more and feel calmer when they watch their pets in action and nothing promises more action than watching colorful birds of different species take flight and belt out a cacophony of sounds in birdsongs.
The thing is, people tend to confuse aviaries with bird cages, thinking that they're one and the same thing. For the clueless and for those who want to know the difference between each, aviaries are large enclosures for confining birds but have larger living spaces than cages. Aviaries also allow birds more space to fly and are usually designed to mimic a bird's natural habitat. Because these cages allow birds to fly, they are sometimes referred to as flight cages. Plus, aviaries will also allow you to house a number of bird species.
Birdcages on the other hand, are cages designed to house birds as pets. They are often considered too small to house more than two complimenting species at a time and are more often than not, used more for home décor without live birds in it, unlike aviaries. Cages are also too small for birds to have any flying space and choosing cages also depends on the size and species of birds you want to get.
Whether you prefer to get a bird cage or a bird aviary, there are important things you need to remember if you are to ensure that your birds will live in a safe, healthy and happy environment. For one, your cages or aviaries will depend on the number of bird species you want to breed, the weather conditions where you live and the kind of birds you want to breed. Gardens are usually the best places to build your aviaries in while indoors would be the best place for bird cages.
If you're in a quandary about whether to get a bird cage or an aviary, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each in order to make the best decision. Cages offer you more flexibility and freedom to control your birds, allows you to create specialized diets and monitor them closely for any signs of health problems. However, birds are more prone to escape cages than aviaries so if you want more security and safety aviaries may be your best bet.
Aviaries, on the other hand, allow birds to fly and live more happily because it is specifically designed to mimic their natural habitats. Since you can house more birds in them, it also gives them the opportunity to socialize, form their own flocks and choose their mates. Some breeders even attest to the fact that having aviaries actually lets you form a closer bond with your pets and is a constant reminder of why you lovebirds to begin with.
And lastly, aviculture experts also believe that if you want to concentrate on one or two bird species at a time, then cages would be more practical than aviaries. Unless you have been breeding birds for a while and know each species like the back of your hand, aviaries are best left to the experts and the experienced.
Take your bird-breeding to the next level and get the best aviaries that will suit your needs. Find aviaries at SimplySheds site and ensure you have a healthy and safe environment for your fine, feathered friends.
Article Source: EzineArticles |
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
CANARY CAGES - Tips on Choosing Canary Bird Cages
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| Cages for small birds in a shop window in Brussels. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Size
Size is one of the most important things to consider. The Canaries are small birds. This means they can easily fit between the bars of the cage if they are spaced too far in between. Therefore, make sure you choose a cage with half an inch of spacing at most.
Material
You will also need to think about the material that the canary cages are made from. Some of the most common choices include wood, plastic and metal. It's best to get a metal cage. Wood and acrylic plastic cages can be difficult to clean, and you always want your birdcage to stay as tidy as possible.
Metal cages are also far more durable. Stainless steel and powder coated metal are definitely two good options. However, avoid designs that have thin wire, as they will be less durable. If you invest in a quality cage, then you likely won't have to buy another one anytime in the near future.
Shape
Another important consideration when choosing canary bird cages is its shape. When most people visualize cages, they think of a tall domed shape. However, canaries like to fly around horizontally instead of vertically. With this in mind, try to get a design that's pretty wide.
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Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The Facts About CHICKEN RAISING - A Profitable Family Business
Having pets around is said to liven up every abode. There seems to be no home in the United States that does not have one pet aboard, and people globally supports that assumption as well. Animals have been welcomed as a part of the family, and are nurtured accordingly. The usual pets that you would see around would be that of dogs and cats; being domestic animals. These animals have been commonly associated with man; the dog, being coined as "man's best friend"; and the feline, being a sweet and doting companion in every abode.
People are used to having animals around; which they take in as companions for purposes of having protection and for having a stress-reliever at home that the whole family can play and bond with. But, in rural areas, raising chickens as well as caring for them; is widely practiced. Aside from the above-mentioned advantages of having animals around, raising chickens to rake in more profit and food than one can purport; especially if you know how to raise chickens in an efficient manner. This is definitely a smart option when it comes to animal farm raising as this seems to be a traditional method which takes you back to the basics; which is pretty interesting and practical especially in these economically trying times.
As people would say, trying times call for better options and getting more leverage towards financial security. Seemingly, raising chickens is a better alternative towards raising others forms of farm animals such as cows, pigs, and sheep; to name a few. For one, the sound of having unlimited fresh chicken meat supply is enticing; and so are the supply of chicken eggs; which sounds great for breakfasts. Maintaining a chicken farm or coop is pretty inexpensive too as compared to its counterparts, and the smell isn't that bad either.
Also, this provides the soil its natural fertilizers. These may all sound easy; but raising chicken is one thing that must be well-planned, researched, and must be strategically executed. One must take note of how to efficiently take care of chickens, provide due nutrition, and keep them safe. Chicken raising is a serious matter but is an engaging activity for the whole family. Aside from providing food; this is also a profitable business venture for people who are optimistic about the threshold of agriculture and chicken raising even in today's modern times. In fact, the steady mix of technology and traditional chicken raising is equally complimentary and thriving in today's modern market. Chicken served in a plate is everyone's favorite meal, and is considered a staple in the global arena.
However, raising chickens well is important to get the best end-products. This needs calculated and well-educated moves when it comes to the combined basics of rearing chicken traditionally with the consolidation of high-end technology being employed in raising chickens and building coops. But, here are some facts that you need to take note of in raising chicken the right way:
- Do you prefer brown or white eggs for your meal? Well, knowing which one you aim to produce will help you choose the right chickens that can do the job. You can actually anticipate the egg colors by means of looking into the color of the skin that is next to that of the chicken's ears. A pale or white chicken skin in that area means that the chicken is ought to produce white eggs as well; while the brown or reddish skin on that spot would produce brown eggs.
- It is advisable to feed chicken with organic food and supplements when necessary. Let them move around in the grass area. This is said to lower down the cholesterol levels while increasing the Vitamin E and Omega 3 fatty acids levels; which is a great thing for people with heart ailments and those who want to lose weight.
- Another advantage as well by raising chicken is that they help people eliminate bugs and they also eat grass which saves time for grass-cutting. These are also very low maintenance as they are only required to be fed once a day and their beddings are changed once or twice per month depending on weather conditions. Daily clean-ups would be a breeze once you get the hang of it.
Raising chickens and building coop takes some real planning to be done; here's a heads-up to that:
- Time allocated for tending the flock; depends primarily on the number of chicken under your care. It could probably take around 15 minutes to a few hours of work to allocate for chicken raising.
- Chicken are social animals and loves to roam around and interact with other chickens. They need a spacious and clean land where they can exercise and run freely. You should also consider getting two hens if you want to produce more eggs. Chickens have feelings and varied personalities as well, and they also need to be comfortable and happy in their surroundings in order to produce eggs at your disposal. You need to provide them with a roomy coop that will be tailor-fit to coupling.
- Investments in raising chicken would be costly at first, but the rewards will grow immensely as the business reaches milestones as well.
Raising chickens is definitely a profitable venture that comes with real-time benefits and perks for the whole family. It is an income-generating business venture that will give more advantages for food and leisure; more than any type of animal farming options there is.
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Monday, November 12, 2018
How to Buy a PET BIRD: 5 Important Things You Need To Know
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| My pet companion bird, an Amazon Blue Front Parrot, posing for his portrait. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Birds make great pets, well they won't be as loyal a dog, but at least they require less maintenance. Like any other pet, it's important that you know what kind of bird you want. This should be in correlation with your personality. Like any other animal, birds have personalities.
Some birds are more sociable than the others while some are more inclined to be hyperactive than most. In any case, birds should be treated with the utmost care. Ignoring them will aggravate them because just like any other living being, they need attention and care. Besides if you are not willing to take care of them they why take them in the first place?
Some birds are more sociable than the others while some are more inclined to be hyperactive than most. In any case, birds should be treated with the utmost care. Ignoring them will aggravate them because just like any other living being, they need attention and care. Besides if you are not willing to take care of them they why take them in the first place?
Things you must know before Buying a Pet Bird.
1. Find the Right Seller.
First, it is recommended that you check your local newspaper first for legitimate ads from professional breeders. Why? Because like anything else, you can only rely on experts for the best kind of breeds. Moreover, they will be able to provide you with the best kind of information about your chosen type of feathered friend.
2. Inquire About Health.
These winged animals also usually come with paper when bought from professionals, we're talking about veterinary records here which is very important if you want your bird to live long enough, you may want to know its medical history. The only backlog is that these birds are usually pricey so if you don't have the budget, then the next stop is the neighborhood pet shop. This is tricky because some pet shops don't have in-house vets and only have ignorant salesmen to man the place. Therefore, if this is your only choice then I suggest you do prior research to the kind of breed you want, just so that you know what it should look like healthy.
3. Psychological Test.
Check for the coat and the beaks if it's on the right shape. Coats should be shiny and full while beaks should look sturdy. It will also help if you could observe the bird for a while before you commit to buying it so that you can have an idea if it's psychologically healthy; the last thing you want is to have a bird with a defective instinctive behavior which will prevent it from responding positively in your care.
4. Learn its Past Life.
Check if the bird is properly cared for; see the cage if it's in good condition and if there are adequate food and water. This is to prevent you from buying a traumatized bird. If you just want to buy a bird from a friend, it is still necessary to check all these stuff, after all, a pet is a responsibility, you'll be spending a lot of time with it so it's best not to jump the cage without a thorough thought first.
5. Best of All.
Make sure that the bird you will be buying will have an emotional tie with you, don't just choose birds because of their aesthetic qualities. Look for qualities that will endear them to you because these are the aspects, which you will be relishing for a long time.
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Saturday, November 10, 2018
Top Ten Places to See BALD EAGLES With Your Binoculars
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| American Bald Eagle fall mating ritual - (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Here are the top ten National Wildlife Refuges for viewing:
- The Klamath Basin Refuges - Tulelake, CA, hosts the largest wintering concentration in the lower 48 states, often up to 1000 birds. Each year during the month of November, the birds begin to appear en masse on their Klamath Basin wintering grounds.
- Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge - Basom, NY, Named for the Iroquois Indians, eagle watching is among the refuge's most popular activities.
- Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge - Woodbridge, VA, On the banks of the Potomac River, lies an 8000-acre peninsula, and the home of the first refuge established specifically for the protection of bald eagles.
- Patuxent Research Refuge - Laurel, MD, is the nation's only refuge established to support wildlife research. The 12,750-acre refuge, which supports a wide diversity of wildlife, is managed to protect native and migratory bird species.
- Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge - Cambridge, MD, Eagles are here in droves from the fall through the summer, taking advantage of the mix of marsh, forested uplands and some farm fields.
- Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge - Crystal River, FL, From October through April, many bald eagles winter and nest on the banks of the Chassahowitzka River. In fact, frequently, visitors will be greeted by a pair of bald eagles in a tree at the refuge entrance.
- DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge - Missouri Valley, IA, This refuge has become an important wintering area for up to 120 bald eagles.
- Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge - Mound City, MO, Visitors can attend Bald Eagle days at the refuge this year on December 1 and 2 featuring live eagle shows and guided tours of the refuge's 2-300 bald eagles.
- Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge - Zimmerman, MN, is a particularly good spot for eagle viewing; an extensive network of shallow lakes that freeze and grow short of oxygen in the winter mean a seasonal fish kill that provides easy feeding in the spring, when groups of eagles descend to eat their fill.
- Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - Ridgefield, WA, Ridgefield is home to four nesting pair of bald eagles, but dozens more drop by in the winter, feeding on waterfowl and fish from the nearby Columbia River.
Bald eagles are simply amazing. The phrase "eagle eye" describes their highly developed visual ability, which can spot a moving rabbit almost a mile away. An eagle, flying at 1,000 feet altitude, can spot prey across almost 3 square miles. With wingspans of six to eight feet, these raptors can fly about 65 miles per hour and soar to altitudes of 10,000 feet, staying aloft for hours using natural wind currents and thermal updrafts. I encourage you to grab your binoculars and visit one or more of these locations that may be 'in your neighborhood' so that you too can view this amazing raptor.
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Friday, November 9, 2018
PARROTLETS - Tiny Birds with a Big Attitude
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| Photo by BLW Photography |
, as the name suggests, are tiny parrots. It is, by the way, generally pronounced parrot-lets although some people insist that the "t" in the parrot part is silent and call them parro-lets. Although only 4 to 4 1/2 inches tall, they are true parrots with big parrot personalities and intellect. They are known for being a little feisty, but if handled regularly they are loving pets. They are very playful and like their bigger cousins can be taught to do tricks and to talk.
There are several species of parrotlet, but probably the most common for pets are the Pacific parrotlets. The males are predominately green with blue markings on their wings, rumps and heads. Females lack the blue markings. Although green is their natural color there are a number of color mutations available. They include yellow, blue and white. Parrotlets, with good care, can live 20-30 years in captivity.
If their wings are left unclipped they are very nimble flyers. They can hover and dart and perform some impressive aerial acrobatics that you don't see with larger parrots. Unless you have a large, safe, secure environment for them to fly in, however, it is usually safer for them and easier for you if you keep them clipped.
To be happy and healthy you will have to provide them with a cockatiel sized cage with a few toys, fresh water and food. A mixture of small seeds, a few sunflower seeds and small pellets make a good diet. Supplement that with some fruits and vegetables. If you have one parrotlet, it will become bonded to you and should be quite friendly. If you have two or more they tend to be closer to each other, naturally, and usually are a little less tame. Make sure you get a parrotlet that was hand fed as a baby. Hand fed babies are much more socialized to people and make much better pets. Like any pet bird, they require regular attention, but they are good at amusing themselves for long periods of time while you are away.
Parrotlets
are relatively quiet parrots. They chirp and chatter a lot but they don't scream like larger species. That, along with their small size makes them a good choice for apartments or other small living spaces. They are fun to own, fairly easy to maintain and can be great little companions.
are relatively quiet parrots. They chirp and chatter a lot but they don't scream like larger species. That, along with their small size makes them a good choice for apartments or other small living spaces. They are fun to own, fairly easy to maintain and can be great little companions.
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Thursday, November 8, 2018
PARAKEET Care - How to Keep Your Pet Parakeet Happy And Healthy
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| Photo by Young in Panama |
Parakeets also called budgies, require the proper cage. Make sure it's a cage designed for small birds, with narrow gaps between the cage bars. Get the largest cage you can afford - it should have enough space for your parakeet to open his wings fully. The cage should have a swing, and at least two perches. Attach a cuttlebone to the side of the cage so your parakeet can keep his beak trim.
Make sure the cage has a pullout bottom drawer so you can easily keep the floor clean. Place newspapers or bird paper down on the bottom to absorb the droppings. You can sometimes find parakeet cages with a grated floor above the bottom of the cage - this will keep your parakeet off the dirty bottom.
Position the cage off the floor in a draft-free area. If you're concerned about drafts, cover the sides or parts of the cage with towels to be on the safe side.
Parakeet Feeding
Give your parakeet fresh food and water daily. Buy a good seed mixture designed for parakeets and supplement their diet with vitamin drops and bird gravel (available in most pet stores). Whenever opening their cage, use caution and make sure all the doors and windows are closed - because a parakeet can escape in a flash. Also make sure no household predators are around (dogs, cats, etc.).
Parakeet Handling
Parakeets frighten easily, so try to avoid any noisy or sudden movements towards them. Take your time and be gentle whenever you're around them, this will gradually gain their trust. You should immediately begin the process of getting them used to you and your hand. You can do this by placing your hand in their cage and leaving it there for 5 - 10 minutes, as often as you can. While your hand is in their cage, sing and talk soothingly to your parakeet and this will help establish a bond of trust. After a period of time, you'll be able to place your forefinger under your budgie's chest and he'll hop right on your finger and stay there for longer and longer periods of time.
Parakeet Exercise
To stay healthy, a parakeet needs exercise - and this means flight. You should let your parakeet out of his cage to fly every day. Start out slowly, because a bird that's been caged for a long time will be very weak in the beginning and have problems flying. Take his cage into a small room, such as a bathroom, and open the door to his cage. He'll eventually get out and try to fly. There will be some crashes and frustration, but in a small room such as a bathroom, you won't have to worry about him getting stuck behind a bookcase. After a week or so, he should be in flight--shape and then you can begin letting him out to fly in larger rooms.
Parakeet Health Care
Parakeets are susceptible to a variety of diseases, but the most common and potentially fatal is diarrhea. Keep an eye on her stools - they should be round and solid. If they are consistently runny, then she could have diarrhea. Think about any changes you might have made to your parakeet. Have you given her table food? Many table foods can be harmful to a parakeet and give them diarrhea, even seemingly harmless foods such as iceberg lettuce. Stick to seed and treats designed for parakeets and go to the pet store or call your veterinarian for an anti-diarrhea medicine designed for parakeets.
Good parakeet care doesn't have to be complicated. Just take the time to give him attention and care on a daily basis. And it's a good idea to invest in a good parakeet or budgie care handbook.
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Tuesday, November 6, 2018
TRUSH Song Bird
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Thrushes belong to the Family Turdidae which also includes:
- Yemen Thrush
- Olive Thrush
- Olivaceous Thrush
- Comoro Thrush
- Kurrichane Thrush
- African Thrush
- African Bare-eyed Thrush
- Grey-backed Thrush
- Tickell's Thrush
- Black-breasted Thrush
- Japanese Thrush
- White-collared Blackbird
- Ring Ouzel
- Grey-winged Blackbird
- Island Thrush
- Chestnut Thrush
- White-backed Thrush
- Grey-sided Thrush
- Eyebrowed Thrush
- Pale Thrush
- Brown-headed Thrush
- Izu Thrush
- Dark-throated thrush
- Black-throated Thrush
- Red-throated Thrush
- Redwing
- Song Thrush
- Chinese Thrush
- Mistle Thrush
- Red-legged Thrush
- Chiguanco Thrush
- Sooty Robin
- Great Thrush
- Black Robin
- Glossy-black Thrush
- Andean Slaty Thrush
- Eastern Slaty Thrush
Thrush is often found in open woods and land that is mostly cultivated over all of Europe and much of Asia. Many of the northern birds migrate south during the winter. Thrush can be both insectivores and omnivores. Omnivores Thrushes are known for defending their food source against other thrushes in the winter months. Nesting in trees they lay several eggs in an organized cup-shaped nest which is often lined with grass.
Monday, November 5, 2018
Dromoland Castle - FALCONRY, Archery, And Family Fun
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| Dromoland Castle. Dromoland, one of the finest luxury castle hotels in Ireland, offers a golf resort paradise where guests experience living like landed gentry. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
At the time, both kids were younger (Kelsey, 4 and Gianna 7) and the word spontaneous was not really in my vocabulary. But I guess the wine and sunshine got the best of me, and I was 100% sure that this cruise should be a definite plan for us. Tedd was also under the effects of being completely relaxed (and a little buzzed) and was totally into it!! When I got home, brochure in hand, I immediately emailed the travel company for this tour and got all the details and was well on my way to selecting staterooms, and getting my passport number to put on the application when it hit me... and it hit me hard - I CAN'T LEAVE MY KIDS AND GO TO EUROPE FOR 10 DAYS! I think Tedd secretly felt the same way, so there ended our romantic, European Wine Tasting Cruise.
After a day or so of feeling blue and let down that my maternal instincts were so strong, the lightbulb went off - let's go to Europe with the kids! We had never taken them to Europe before, although it was on my agenda for the not too distant future; but I thought, maybe this was finally the right time to plan it. All of a sudden, I was excited again. But, where? I decided to just Google "best place in Europe to take kids" and lo and behold, Ireland popped up. I hadn't really thought much about Ireland as a destination. It was somewhere I knew I would visit, sooner or later, but, after some reading, I thought - "Why not now!" Something that caught my eye was a place called Dromoland Castle (pronounced DRUM-O-Land). I visited their website and must say, it was quite impressive!
I thought to myself, "imagine staying in a castle" - the kids would love it! I would love it! I studied their site for days - from the lovely welcome video with the horse and buggy and beautiful swans swimming; to the refurbished guest rooms, each with their own decorative theme; to the dining options onsite and of course, the plethora of activities offered, and I knew this was the place for our girls' first European trip. So, I planned the trip with my reliable travel agent, Stephen Slovenski for mid-August 2012. JSYK, Dromoland has a very interesting history -much of which we would find out from our friendly buggy driver, Sean Kilkenny! More about our buggy ride with Sean, (and Paddy his horse) around the palatial grounds of this amazing castle later.
Lovely outdoor seating area at Dromoland
Our flight to Ireland was great and uneventful. The girls were wonderfully behaved and slept quite a bit. Getting through immigration and collecting our bags was a breeze. I was very taken, at the onset, with the friendliness of the Irish. Everywhere we went, from the airport to restaurants, to tourist attractions, they were the nicest and warmest people I had ever encountered while traveling.
We arrived at Dromoland unscathed, considering, Tedd was driving on the opposite side of the road. We had no choice about taking the extra car insurance when renting our car, as it was the rental company's policy to do so... and it's a good thing we did! But you'll have to read on to find out why. Upon our arrival at the Castle, we were greeted as if we were long lost a family of the staff. I never felt so at home in a foreign country before. Our room was not ready, so we were invited to go down one of the hallways, where a full continental breakfast buffet was on display outside the main dining area. The walls of the hallway were lined with small tables and chairs and a small parlor area at the end of the hall had more tables, chairs and couches for sitting comfortably to enjoy our much-wanted pastries, fruit and cheese. This room felt very medieval with its mismatched furniture, high ceilings and decorations on the wall. The kids were all excited (and so were Tedd and me) that we had wifi - so we immediately emailed and messaged the gang at home (my parents and sister Danielle and daughter Rebecca) that we were safe and sound! This lovely lounge room led down to a sweet and welcoming outdoor eating court, which we sat many a morning, with a cup of tea and coffee, before starting our day.
Our room was finally ready at around 1pm and what a gorgeous room it was!! Decorated in the most welcoming shades of light blue and rose, it looked like a picture out of a decorating magazine. We had two full beds, along with a sitting area, a nice sized table, a desk and a flat screen tv. The bathroom was luxurious as well, with marble countertops and a large shower/tub. The kids had a great time taking pictures of the room! We also had an incredible view from our room of a lovely lake. You could hear the clippity clop of Sean's buggy early in the morning and throughout the day, as he took guests on tour rides around the grounds of Dromoland. I need to mention that although it was mid-August, it was not at all hot and humid. Quite the opposite. It was cool and even a little chilly and in spite of the great amount of rain that we experienced, there was not much humidity at all. In fact, the hotel did not have air conditioning and it didn't need it either. A small fan on the table facing the beds, with the windows open, did the trick!
The grounds of Dromoland were absolutely gorgeous! Tons of flowers and picturesque garden settings. It's no wonder this is a popular wedding reception location. A short walk from the main castle and guest rooms, through the gardens and a long arbor, is the spa, followed by the restaurant. The food was very good - I was a big fan of the pureed soups and brown bread! I even downloaded a recipe for Irish brown bread (which I've yet to make, of course). Both girls noticed right away how the portion sizes were smaller than what they were used to in the States. Of course, we all agreed that there is no need for such large portions and it was nice to see both of them finish the meal they ordered because it was appropriately sized.
As with all my trips, I had a full itinerary of activities and local sites to see fully planned. Dromoland offered many of these activities including falconry, archery, golf, fishing, clay shooting and more. The falconry and archery interested us most and both of which were completely new to us! As soon as I read on the Dromoland site that they had falconry, I was completely excited. I had only seen this in movies and on television. It sounded so exotic and I could not wait! The first day we arrived, we saw the instructors from the Dromoland School of Falconry on the front lawn, beginning their overview and lesson with other guests and right there front and center, was one of the birds from the school. This little guy's name was TJ. It was quite an education the morning we spent out and about with TJ, the Harris Hawk, and our Instructor. Falconry is the term for using a trained bird of prey to hunt or catch the game. The person who flies the "Falcon" is called a Falconer. So we were getting a lesson in being falconers! Today, in modern falconry, the Red-tailed hawk and the Harris hawk are more commonly used rather than falcons. Just a little trivia for you - Falconry is believed to date all the way back to ancient Mesopotamia, some 2000 years ago. So, there we were, the four New Yorkers, getting a lesson in early English falconry. It's amazing how enthusiastically these birds will fly to a welcome outstretched arm! In the hawk world, females are called "hawks" while the term for the males is "tiercel". The males are actually lighter, as they are a third smaller in size than the females. Our friend "TJ", though smaller than his female counterparts, was still a substantial bird to have landing on one of your body parts. I have to admit, it was a little intimidating at first. Because of the bird's sharp claws, or "talons", it is necessary to wear a very heavy glove when having the birds land on your arm. Kelsey and Gianna looked very cute wearing the glove - it nearly covered their entire arms! Kelsey, only 5 at the time, was so brave and unafraid, and as you can see from the photo, this bird was quite large compared to her! Gianna, on the other hand, took a while to warm up to the whole idea - but she came around.
We walked all around the grounds, especially through the forest area where we witnessed TJ soaring up into the trees and then flying at top speed to perch on either our instructor or on one of us, depending on who held out their arm. One time, TJ decided to perch on Kelsey's head - I didn't get a picture of this since it was rather unexpected and unnerving to the kid. But, it didn't stop her from continuing with the art of falconry.
This experience was clearly one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland! The kids also enjoyed archery several times during our stay. For first-timers, they were really good too! After signing up, we were, once again, connected with an instructor and were taught the basics of archery, including the proper way to hold and use a bow and arrow. The kids had a blast and talked Tedd into getting an archery set for them for our house out East.
Our fun didn't end here, there were tricycles, which we had a blast riding one evening, and of course, our horse and buggy ride with Sean Kilkenny and "Paddy" was truly a joy. Sean told us all about the history of Dromoland and lots of interesting tales about its owners through the years. The current castle building was finished in 1835, but the first building that was constructed here is believed to have been a tower house erected in the 15th or 16th century. Dromoland came to be the residence of eight generations of the O'Brien Family, and according to records, it appears that it may have also been occupied by other local Gaelic families, such as the McInerney family during the 16th Century. The translation of the name Dromoland is "Hill of Litigation" because its history is steeped in legal battles over ownership. Today, it has been host to a number of famous individuals including former President George W. Bush, Juan Carlos of Spain, Muhammed Ali and Bono, to name a few.
Now back to my rental car story. One day, we ventured out of the Dromoland grounds and decided to take a long drive to the Cliffs of Mohr. We had a great day - well up to a point! We stopped for lunch, we drove all around the Irish countryside, taking pictures and singing songs and listening "School of Rock" with Jack Black on the DVD player in the back seat for the 14th time and were looking forward to the famous site we were off to see. As we were traveling down a narrow road, which was par for the course on our little journey that day, I was feeling as if Tedd was driving extra close to the stone gates and walls of the residential property. Many of these homes had large garbage pails in the front and I felt myself leaning towards the right as we drove and came too close for comfort for my likings on the left side. I was just about to say "Ah Tedd, I think you are awfully close" when all at once B - O - O - M!!! we hit something. And it was loud!!! After the shock of hearing that loud sound wore off, I looked out the front passenger side window and could see that whatever we hit, we knocked off the side view mirror. I looked at Tedd and he was about to go on a rant about how "these @#$% roads are so @#%*$ narrow" He didn't have much time to get angry when I can't even express the hysteria that overtook me and the girls. We could not stop laughing. So, bad that the tears were coming down my face. Tedd had no choice and began laughing too. For the rest of our Ireland trip, we could not look at that dangling mirror without cracking up. I guess the rental agents know what is possible when renting to foreigners who are not used to driving on the left side! (And just an aside - we did make it to the site seeing boat, dangling mirror and all; we got on, even though it seemed rather rough that day - and although the kids thought it was loads of fun getting thrown all around, Tedd was one of the unfortunate ones who felt the effects of the constant swaying and erratic movement. Green and sick is an understatement. So, for me, I decided to just look straight ahead at the horizon, to avoid the same fate, until this ride was over, and so we only got one photo on the boat ride!)
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