The Distinctive and Vibrant VIOLET LOVEBIRD

Photo by raider of gin

Among the very stunning mutations of the lovebird comes in the most desired shade or color which is the violet. This color dominates and is seen in the lovely violet lovebird. With the effervescence of violet, it grows to be a greatly admired color on the lovebirds, particularly in African lovebirds. The mutation was initially developed in Denmark and is not spreading around the world. The presence of the violet color usually creates a vivid lovebird color pleasing to look at especially that the violet color usually dominates the body of the bird.

You will see that in a violet lovebird, its rump color transforms from turquoise to purple. The violet mutation is known as semi-dominant, meaning a lovebird that inherited the violet from equal parents may exhibit more vivid violet color. This is referred to as the double factor violet. Meanwhile, a bird that inherited violet from one parent has a single factor violet. On the other hand, not all double factor lovebirds can show the intensity of violet since the mutation can vary in birds.

Violet lovebird breeders believe that the purple tint displays best when combined with a white-face blue mutation. Various white-faced blue lovebirds can appear as violet lovebirds along with a silky white face and remarkable violet rump, thus proving as a striking arrangement. The occurrence of a single dark factor likewise picks up the influence of the violet tinge all over a lovebird's body.

More lovebird raisers and breeders have become attracted to the effervescent violet lovebird. There are numerous kinds of the purple lovebirds and a number of them illustrate a modest peach trace on the forehead while others display green and blue colors. Such colors which are also very pleasing and pretty to look at when mixed with the violet color.

It could be difficult to tell the difference between the single purple with a single dark factor. It is also called medium from the double purple with a dark factor. Single parent lovebirds with double factor purple, when harmonized with a non-violent lovebird, will result to entirely single violet baby lovebirds.

Violet lovebird is a peach-faced lovebird mutation. In whiteface lovebirds, you will see the presence of vast variations in the color of their bodies, ranging from a single hue of violet to other purple hues. The violet rump shows that these African lovebirds carry the purple factor. The whiteface varieties also differ with an intense apricot band in their forehead.

By Elise Gonzalez Elise Gonzalez is a lovebird expert. Do You Want To Know How To Take Care Of Your Lovebird & Build Great Friendship With Your Bird? Discover more information about Violet Lovebird, visit Lovebirds Care. Article Source: EzineArticles

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BREEDING PARROTTS - It's Not As Simple As You Think

A female Australian King Parrot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Breeding parrots is not a simple task for the true parrot lover. I recently read an article written by a devoted parrot parent who described some of the trials and tribulations involved with breeding. Some of the difficulties mentioned were as follows:

° The death of one mating partner and the grief held by the surviving bird can often result in that birds death also.

° Abandonment of a nest of eggs or chicks.

° Death caused by illnesses such as egg yolk peritonitis.

° When weaning the chicks it takes a constant effort to feed and clean up after them. Your life and schedule is determined by the needs of the chicks.

° Breeding pairs are noisier than normal birds creating an undue amount of clamour.

° Sometimes the mating pair just don't get along and will not mate, and you now have two birds to try and find mates for.

° Selling the chicks once weaned, and having to deal with people who are untrained and have no idea how to raise and care for your chicks.

° Having to haggle over the price for your hand raised chicks.

These are just a few of the items discussed in this article. Nevertheless, the author continues to breed parrots because of those owners who do adopt, love and care for their hand raised birds.

This article illustrates that one should always spend some time researching matters like breeding before taking on the task. There's a great deal of information available for those contemplating breeding parrots that a person should read and study. It is not as simple as just letting a couple of birds mate, raising the chicks and then selling them off.

How knowing about breeding can help in parrot adoptions

When looking at the breeding process from the standpoint of a breeder, it helps the shopper for a pet parrot in evaluating their choice. If you're looking to adopt a parrot you should look for a breeder that shows the devotion, love and caring for their flock as the writer of the earlier discussed article.

The most important factors in setting the stage for a bird's future life are established during the weaning process. If a parrot breeder has shown, the skill, the love and caring while weaning a parrot chick, the person who adopts such a bird will have a happy and joyous addition to their household.

When adopting a parrot from a parrot breeder, a prospective parent needs to learn about what it takes to be a good breeder and then once armed with this information they will be better suited to evaluate how their chick was weaned.

A good breeder will be willing to spend the time with a perspective buyer to explain how the chick was weaned, what foods that particular species needs and likes, and other details needed for a happy life. In actuality, a buyer should feel that he or she is being evaluated to determine if they will make a good parent. If a parrots breeder shows this kind of concern, then the prospective parent may have just found the right breeder to adopt from.

By T Charles - Article Source: EzineArticles

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A Beginner's Guide to LOVEBIRDS

Photo  by BékiPe 

Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close to each other, not because they are in love with each other. Lovebirds can and do mate for life, but it doesn't happen every time.

Lovebirds are social birds and should be kept in pairs. They are very active and curious birds and can even be quite aggressive at times. They can chatter all day long with a sometimes very shrill sound. Lovebirds are native to Africa and a few nearby islands. In their native habitat, they are found usually in small flocks of 10 to 20 pairs.

Lovebirds are of the class Aves, the genus Agapornis and members of the Psittaciformes, or family of parrots. Agapornis comes from the Greek words: Agape meaning love, and ornis meaning bird.

Lovebirds typically live from 10 to 15 years depending on a great deal on the care they are given, some lovebirds have been known to live to be 20 in captivity. There are 9 species of lovebirds, of which 8 are available as pets. They are not related to the South American parrotlets.

Sexually Dimorphic

1. Abyssinian Lovebird

2. Redfaced Lovebird

3. Madagascar Lovebird (Grayheaded)

Sexually Monomorphic (Similar)

1. Black cheeked Lovebired (Blackfaced)

2. Fischer's Lovebird

3. Masked Lovebird (Black Masked or Yellow collared)

4. Nyasa Lovebird (Lilian's)

5. Peachfaced Lovebird (Rosyfaced)

Characterized by Eye Rings:

Without Eye Rings:

1. Madagascar

2. Redfaced

3. Peachfaced

4. Abyssinian

With Eye Rings

1. Masked

2. Fischers

3. Nyasa

4. Black cheeked

What To Look For In A Healthy Lovebird

1. Active, alert and curious disposition

2. 4 well formed toes, 2 forward and 2 backward, nails must be complete

3. Bright, round eyes

4. Nostrils clear of discharge

5. Feathers lay tight against the body

6. Smooth beak that closes completely

What To Avoid In A Healthy Lovebird

1. A bird that sits huddled in a corner or on the floor

2. A bird with feathers fluffed up

3. Deformed toes

4. Vent fouled with feces or badly stained

5. Signs of weeping or runny eyes

6. Excessive plucking or excessive missing of feathers

7. Bald spots

8. A squeak, wheezing or other abnormality when breathing

9. Nervous behavior

10. Lethargic behavior

11. Dull or lifeless feathers

12. A bird too large for it's normal size (birds can and do get fat)

13. Nasal discharge

If you are a first time or novice lovebird owner, don't choose a bird that you think may be sick, choose the healthiest bird you can find. Many sicknesses can be cured, but better to leave these birds for experienced owners. Don't buy a sick lovebird because you feel sorry for it. If possible get a certificate of health from the breeder or pet shop guaranteeing that a replacement will be made if the

lovebird becomes sick or won't breed.

Lovebirds are not rare, there are a lot of them around to choose from. So take your time and select only birds that you really like the coloring and personality of.

Keeping Lovebirds as Pets

Lovebirds should be kept in pairs, one female and one male. They very much enjoy each others company, although don't be alarmed if they have occasional spats with each other. If a pair of lovebirds constantly fights, then it's best to find each of them another mate. If you're buying birds from

a breeder, make sure the breeder will exchange birds if they are not compatible.

As a general rule, only one pair of birds should be kept per cage. Keep one or more cages far enough apart from each other so they do not allow birds to be able to peck at each other.

When introducing new birds to a home with pre-existing birds, the new birds may not always be welcomed readily.

Lovebird Behavior

Lovebirds need exercise out of their cages daily. Remember: Birds Love to Fly Being cooped up in a cage all the time is not healthy for them, physically or emotionally. Birds kept in a cage will often sit on a perch and flap their wings incessantly.

Lovebirds need between 10 to 12 hours of rest a night. Do not keep your birds in rooms with televisions or other noisy devices when it's time for the birds to roost. Total darkness is not advised either, use a small 7-watt bulb in the room to provide enough night light for the bird to find it's perch and drink or feed if needed.

Keep all electrical wires, extension cords, etc, completely hidden and unavailable to the birds. Never use Kerosene or similar type heaters that give off fumes. Coal and wood stoves are no-nos. No matter how hard you may' try, a wood burner will emit fumes and smoke into your home that may kill your lovebird. If you have a home with a wood burner completely isolate a room only for your birds and use an infrared or electric heater. A fairly constant 80 degrees Fahrenheit temperature is about right for lovebirds.

It's not a good idea to keep finches, cockatiels, rosellas, or budgies with lovebirds.

By Dave Cole - Copyright (C) For more really cool info on all aspects of Pet & Wild Bird Care: visit Petey, Petunia & Tweet Tweet's site and take advantage of their extensive library of free avian care tips & fun info.  - http://petcaretips.net/bird_care.html Article Source: EzineArticles

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OWLS in FALCONRY Today

Gauntlet Bird of Prey Centre, near Knutsford Closest I've ever been to a barn owl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This article will present the common uses of owls in falconry today. There are about two hundred species of owls today which can be found throughout most of the world. One of the best-known species, the barn owl, is also one of the most widespread and in most areas kill more rodents than any other predator.

Falconry and hawking were very common activities in most of the world until recently, being used for both sport and obtaining food. In Europe, the goshawk was known as the "cooks hawk" because it could catch so many things for the table including rabbit, hare, pheasant, partridge, pigeon, grouse etc. Gyrfalcons were prized as the most fitting bird for an Emperor, a peregrine for a king, a merlin (because of its small size) for a lady. Eagles were used to hunt wolves in Siberia, Saker falcons to hunt gazelle in the Arabian deserts. The Saker would catch the gazelle and slow it enough for a Saluki (a desert dog breed) to kill it. Falconry was a hugely popular sport with nobility and a vital activity for ordinary people.

The most common use of owls in falconry currently is in falconry displays for the public. Barn owls are always hugely popular birds with their gentle, beautiful flight and lovable nature. Barn owls are also common in most areas and relatively easy to care for making them an ideal candidate for falconry shows. They are also one of the most suitable birds of prey to be used for giving audience members the experience of holding a bird of prey on their fist. The beautiful slow flight of a barn owl gives the audience much more chance to see a bird of prey up close while flying than the fast flight of a falcon which might only be in view for a few seconds as it zooms by.

By Thomas Goldman - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Essential Facts About LORIKEETS and Their Suitability As Pet Birds

Photo  by Kiwi~Steve 

Unlike many other breeds of parrot, the lories and lorikeets are specially adapted to live on a pollen, nectar and fruit diet. A brush like a tip to the tongue, long narrow beak and special digestive enzymes are what makes them unique from other parrot type bird species. Small to medium-sized and often brightly coloured there are several species from Australia, which all have similar requirements.

There are over 50 species of lories and lorikeets in areas and countries nearby but only about 7 from Australia itself: 'musk lorikeet', 'little lorikeet', 'rainbow lorikeet', 'varied lorikeet', 'scaly-breasted lorikeet', 'red-collared lorikeet', and 'purple-crowned lorikeet'. I will mention each briefly with pet potential information.

Musk Lorikeet. Glossopsitta concinna.

(green keet, red-eared lorikeet) Weighing in at about 60 grams with a length of approximately 22 cm (9 inches).

The musk lorikeet relies on mainly native flowering shrubs and trees for food and can cause some problems in commercial orchards. In the wild, the musk lorikeet inhabits coastal woodlands and eucalyptus forests, often in large flocks of several hundred.

Very rare as pets in America and Europe but makes a delightful pet in Australia but still not very popular due to government regulations that require a licence to keep native birds.

Little Lorikeet. Glossopsitta pusilla.

(red-faced lorikeet, green parakeet) Approximately 40-45 grams and about 15 cm (6 inches) long.

Like others in the family, the little lorikeet eats mainly fruit, pollen and nectar but prefers to be high in the canopy of trees. In the wild, the little lorikeet inhabits East Australian forests, coastal heath and open woodland, and is very sociable often forming large flocks.

Not kept as a pet in its native Australia and a very rare pet in Europe and America.

Rainbow Lorikeet. Trichoglossus haematodus Malaccans.

(blue mountain lorikeet, green collar lorikeet, bluey, Swainson's loris) 125 grams approximately with a length of about 30 cm (12 inches).

Around flowering trees and sometimes in the company of scaly-breasted lorikeets, the rainbow lorikeet may congregate in noisy flocks of several hundred to roost and eat.

The rainbow lorikeet is very popular as a pet bird in its native Australia and also quite popular in Europe and America. A pet one can be a good source of amusement as they are always playing, and a young bird can become tame quite quickly.

Varied Lorikeet. Psitteuteles versicolor.

About 55 grams and average 19 cm (7.5 inches) long.

In the wild, the varied lorikeet is mainly found in large flocks in Melaleuca and eucalyptus woodlands in the tropical lowlands of Australia.

Virtually unknown as a pet in America and Europe and very rarely a pet in Australia with just a few in captivity.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus.

(green and gold lorikeet, greenie) About 75-80 grams and about 23 cm (9.5 inches) in length.

Although common in urban areas where it makes use of nectar-rich garden plants, in its natural habitat the scaly-breasted lorikeet will form large flocks, often in the company of rainbow lorikeets. These flocks will travel from tree to tree in the open forested areas of its native land.

A quiet pet bird which is also playful and affectionate and can be taught to talk really well. This makes it a popular species of pet bird in Europe, America and its native Australia.

Red-collared Lorikeet. Trichoglossus haematodus rubritorquis.

Approximately 125 grams in weight with a length of about 30 cm (12 inches).

Unlike most of the other species of lorikeet, the red-collared lorikeet prefers to abide as a pair or in a small flock. These move around often due to their food source, the eucalyptus flower being a favourite food so they tend to inhabit the open eucalyptus forests most of the time.

Although good pet birds they are kept in low numbers because of availability and price.

Purple-crowned Lorikeet. Glossopsitta porphyrocephala.

(blue-crowned lorikeet, purple-capped parakeet) About 45 grams and around 16 cm (6 inches) long.

Will form large flocks where the food source is plentiful, including urban gardens and orchards. Their natural habitat in the West is in forest areas, whereas in the East they tend to go for coastal heath, mallee and open woodland areas.

Not very often kept as pets anywhere, but a little more popular as aviary birds.

All the above are kept in varying numbers in aviaries around Australia and the Western world, although some are not as popular as pets or companion birds.

If kept in an aviary a suspended mesh floor is best for ease of cleaning - just hose it down - due to the nature of the droppings, a solid floor aviary will require continuous cleaning.

Due to their special dietary requirements, they can prove to be difficult to give the right foods. 

Although the bigger species will eat seed, this should not be their main food but is suitable as an extra to their correct diet consisting mainly of pollen, nectar and fruit. And of course, any nectar-bearing flowers will be most welcome.

By Pete Etheridge - Article Source: EzineArticles

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A Guide to CANARIES and the Bird's History, Characteristics, and Breeding Practices

Photo by erix!

Canaries are beautiful songbirds that have become a common pet in today's world. For centuries, people have appreciated this bird for its singing ability. A wild bird at its beginnings, they belonged to areas of the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira. Thus, the bird gained its name as the canary. Because of its amazing singing abilities, they were domesticated beginning in the 1600s. Breeding these birds became a hobby for some and a profession for others. People are bewitched by their melodies, especially in male birds, who are the ones that can carry a beautiful tune. Started first as a high society hobby, canaries eventually became popular to the common man as well.

Canaries come in a variety of different colors such as orange, brown, white, black, yellow and red. They can be bred to be in different colors and sometimes they are even bred based on their sound patterns. Sometimes finding a canary that can sing the most beautiful complex melodies became something of a contest. Even today, there are much bird shows in the world where canary owners let their birds compete in a singing competition.

Breeding canaries tend to be a tough challenge because it is hard to determine the sex of the Canaries, which is a crucial part to see whether the bird can sing or not. The breeding conditions have to be optimal as well. They are best to be bred with one pair per cage. Bird cages such as double breeder cages or aviary cages, along with nesting boxes and nesting materials, tend to be an ideal environment for breeding. Initially, they require to get introduced to each other. Once they are seen the male is trying to breed with the female, then it is ideal to put them together in one cage.

During the breeding period, make sure that the Canaries are getting the best nutrition as they can get. Things such as cuttlefish bones, broccoli, apple, hard boiled eggs and bread are great to help replenish any nutritional deficiencies the mother might have during this period. With good nutrition and environment, the entire process should go smoothly.

The mother typically lays four to five eggs and spends four to five weeks to incubate the nest. The father's role is to bring the food and feed the mother. This time, again, good nutrition is ideal for the bird. Be sure to leave a lot of food in your double breeder cage or aviary cage. After the first round of breeding, the pair may go for a second round. The young birds should be separated by the partition on double breeder cages or even separate them to another cage so that they can safely grow.

As they grow up, the tunes they carry intrigue everyone all around. Always tend carefully to canaries because they are not birds who like to be handled much. If they are standing on your hand, then you can be sure they trust you a lot. Ultimately, canaries are the best pet to have if you enjoy beautiful music and breeding them can also be a wonderful experience.

By Mika Harimoto Mika Harimoto is an expert when it comes with animals because she has been living around them for many years. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Choosing a PET BIRD - Proper Bird Care and Right Bird Cages

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many of us might have noticed that birds are most active in the morning and evenings. They are either searching for or eating food, or are talking to each other. Their daily routine is very similar to that of humans and other creatures, and that's precisely the reason why birds are very popular as pets. Since most of us are living in urban areas, we have lost touch with nature and animals, unlike our forefathers who had a very strong connection with nature.

Parrots: Excellent as Pets

Parrots have always been excellent as pets since they are loving and affectionate by their very nature. They are also capable of imitating our speech, which attracts humans towards them even more. The pet birds and bird cages industry has been comprehensively changed due to hand-rearing techniques, thus making the local pet bird supplier a very good source of knowledge during the process of change of pet bird ownership.

If you are looking to buy peach faces, canaries and budgerigars, pet shops are an extremely good place to go to and be equally selective while buying bird cages. If you want hand reared pet birds, you should go to specialized bird shops. Make sure that you select only clean shops having healthy birds, and which come with a squeaky clean reputation.

Hand Reared Birds are Excellent Pets

Hand reared Parrots have proved to be extremely good pets. Larger birds create more noise and are more demanding compared to smaller birds. At the same time, they are more talkative and become better lifelong pets.

Intelligent, Quiet and Don't Bite

Most people like birds, which are intelligent, quiet, and don't bite. Just make sure you provide them with a lot of space in bird cages. The popular pet birds include Grass Parrot, King Parrot, Regent, Princes Parrot, Kakariki and Budgerigar among others. Specialized bird shops will provide you with most varieties of pet birds and bird cages.

Budgies as Pets

If you are more than six years of age, you would love a Budgie as a pet bird, because they are superb as talkers and may turn out to be lifelong companions. If you have selected a young weaned Budgie, you will find they are easier to tame. A young Budgie can be easily identified due to the presence of black horizontal lines on their body from forehead towards the beak. There are no such horizontal bars in the older Budgerigars. Male Budgies are more popular as pets. But, when they are young, it is difficult to find out their sex. If the bird shop owner or staff is experienced, he or she will be able to choose the right male Budgie and right bird cages for the pets.

Cockatiel: Friendly and Relaxed

Cockatiels are also very popular as pet birds amongst youngsters. It is well renowned for its friendly and relaxed nature. It can start imitating speech very quickly. Again you need to select a young male bird. Male cockatiels can be easily identified due to their orange cheek patch. The tail patterns of male and female birds are different, so we can easily distinguish between the two. A female Cockatiel is not a popular pet bird due to egg laying activity and egg binding. You need to take great care till a young Cockatiel starts eating independently. These birds are known to be healthy, but they still require a regular health plan and spacious bird cages.

By Sunil Punjabi - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Why Build A BIRD AVIARY

A Budgerigar in the aviary in Clissold Park,
Stoke Newington, Greater London.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keeping birds as pets or to rear for breeding comes with a certain amount of responsibility and basic knowledge. It is important to keep pets well feed and above all comfortable in their environment. 

When it comes to birds, it is important to provide a comfortable living area, where they can feel as close to their natural habitat as possible.

Many might consider investing in an extra large cage in order to provide a larger area for flight but it is the option of an aviary which is by far the more ideal option when it comes to housing birds. Cages, without doubt, limit a bird’s movement whereas an aviary creates a far more natural environment and allows them to explore.

However, aviaries do take up a larger amount of space and can come at a price, so it is always a good idea to shop around and do some research beforehand. The last thing you would want is to build an aviary that may completely overwhelm you with an amount of floor space it requires. Aviary plans can be found online and most come with easy DIY instructions and even all the essential tools needed for its construction. 

Do make sure though that the materials you use are of quality and are robust enough to withstand all weather conditions, particularly if the aviary is to be placed outdoors.

Building an aviary will increase not only your ability to breed or keep birds but also improve on the quality of care you give them.

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Hawk Headed (Red-Fan) PARROT - Deroptyus accipitrinus

Hawk-Headed (Red-Fan) Parrot - Photo Wikipedia

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BIRD WATCHING in Arizona

Photo: Flickr

Bird watching in Arizona indefinitely a must for those who are into this kind of hobby. This is because the place offers a wide variety of birds perfect for observation such as the common ones including black and gray hawks, owls of different species such as whiskered screeches and elves, various species of hummingbirds, nightjars, trogons, flickers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and pewees.

The place is also perfect if you want to see rare kinds of birds such as seasonal species of kingbirds, chickadees, becards, gnatcatchers, titmice, sparrows, tanagers, and warblers. 

If you are planning to go bird watching in Arizona, always make sure that you visit the Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve which houses almost 300 different species of birds. If you want, you can make a schedule online and avail of the guided tours on Saturday mornings. The preserve has an almost 3-mile long trail that gives you a breathtaking beauty of nature along with various species of birds nearby. 

Things you need before you go bird watching in Arizona

In the United States, Arizona is one of the best places for bird watching because it has a hot type of climate, which invites a vast species of birds. Because of the number of birds seen in the place, birding has become a source for recreation and tourism. 

Before you get captivated its wonderful bird life and its breathtaking landscape in this side of the state, make sure that you prepare very well the things that you might need. If you are planning to conduct bird watching in Arizona, make sure that you bring:

- Bring a bird watching guide. This is very important especially for first-time watchers because this will serve as a reference for you. The guide usually contains basic information about the place or the preserve, list of birds that are usually seen in the area, brief characteristic of common birds that can be seen in the area and tips for the first-time watchers. 

- A good pair of bird watching binoculars. Although some centers provide binoculars for the viewers, it is best if you bring your own pair. This is to ensure that you will use a good pair of binoculars when coming to Arizona for bird watching. If you're planning to buy a pair of binoculars before going there, make sure that you buy a pair that has good magnification, clear lens and focus, and good exit diameter. 

- High SPF bottle of sunscreen. Since Arizona has hot weather, it is best to protect your skin, especially from sunburns. In Preservation centers, you are usually asked to go on a trail that has no shade. If you want to protect your skin against too much ultraviolet rays, it is quite important to apply lots of sunscreen with high SPF. 

- A notebook with a pen. This is a good option especially if you want to record your observations about the birds. When you have a handy notebook and pen, you can easily jot down the characteristics of the bird and other notes about the Center easily. (TIP: Choose a notebook with a plastic cover so you can protect your notes from getting wet.)

- A big bottle of water. To keep you well hydrated during bird watching in Arizona, it is best to keep a bottle of water with you at all times. Having a handy source of liquid at hand is very crucial especially if stay out in the sun for a long time in a place with hot weather. 

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What You Should Know Before Buying A Pet PARROT

A pair of wild Senegal Parrots in a tree in Africa,
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Parrots are great animals. In fact, as a pet, parrots can be pretty entertaining especially with children who just love their mimicry. But like other kinds of pets, parrots are not all sweetness and light. They can also be a bother especially when you are not really much into pets. 

Here are some things that you have to take into consideration before buying a parrot for a pet. Read on and think long and hard about each item. Remember that parrots are not exactly cheap. Once you buy them, you won’t have any choice but to take care of them. 

1. Parrots are noisy

Mimicries may seem cute for a while but after several weeks of non-stop noise, it would eventually become a bother. If you are the kind of person who values your peace and quiet at home, parrots are not the pets for you. Their songs are not the same as the musical sounds that some birds make. The larger the parrot bird that you have, the louder the sound that they will produce. 

Do you know that they can even scream so loud, you’d be running for cover? Your neighbors will even hear it. A normal parrot will probably scream at least two times a day. A screaming match will probably last for about five to fifteen minutes. 

2. Parrots love to play with things

Remember that parrots cannot tell the difference between a wooden toy that they are allowed to play with and a priceless wooden furniture that your great great grandparents bequeath you. They can chew at it and you won’t be able to do anything about it. 

And sometimes, they won’t even be content with furniture. They can also chew computer and electric cords, books, papers and virtually everything that they can get their claws on. Wallpapers, clothes can also be clawed on. So, be very careful.    

3. Parrots can bite

They may seem docile creatures but they are actually not. Parrots can bite and they can claw. Even small birds can do this like the parakeet. And this is not just the ordinary bite that will not result in a big wound. They can actually draw blood and rip the skin. 

Some who bite really hard can even break the small bones. This is not to say that parrots are mean creatures. They are just scared of people they do not yet know. Their defense mechanism is of course to bite.

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How To Make Champions Out Of RACING PIGEONS

Racing pigeon
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They are fondly called the 'racehorses' of the sky. Racing pigeons are still being raced, and batches and batches of these birds are still seen circling the skylines.

The days of pigeon racing they say is not over, even though some reminisce about the old days where racing these birds are very popular. In fact in some suburbs, you can still notice some fanciers that raise these birds and they maintain lofts on their rooftops. And during early mornings and late afternoons, you will notice these winged creatures still flapping their wings desperate to reach the finish line first. The action on the skyline is intense. 

But the intensity of the action is more felt on the ground where fanciers and raisers of these birds await with bated breath if their winged creatures will be the first ones to cross the imagined finished line. And as soon the birds cross the designated borderline, fanciers and the enthusiasts would erupt in claps and cheers the loudest, of course, belong to the winning fancier. This goes on and on as long as there are competitions involving these pigeons. And so is the list of fanciers wanting to be the next toast of the racing community.

For every scream of joys, there is also that group of fanciers who silently applaud and hope that they can bring the fastest pigeons the next time around. Are you one of them? If you then remember that success in this form of racing is simple and easy; it's about teaching those winged creatures in the art of navigation and endurance. You need navigation so birds can fly on their own and return to their loft and endurance so that the birds can withstand long travels.

Add up the 'care' ingredient and you have the perfect recipe for racing pigeon champs. You will also need to incorporate care and understanding because these birds are living creatures as well. It's because in their daily forays in the skyline they will have to contend with strong winds and even other larger birds.

More than these three rules, dedication is also important for fanciers wanting to raise champions. Remember that there is an ocean of difference between a pigeon racer and the keeper. The keeper simply raises these birds. The racer is the one that breeds, trains and cares for these birds. You will need dedication because it takes many years to properly understand the needs and wants of these birds. Once you have these ingredients, then it's a lot easier shaping future champion birds. Here are some other factors in order to come up with champs in your loft.

• Look for the finest bloodline of these birds.
• Systematic training of these winged creatures should come next and finally;
• Treat these birds as an 'athlete' by taking into account training strategies.

These may be tough to follow, but the experience will tell you that it works. Remember, whatever you do for these racing pigeons they notice. Just try releasing them, and signal them to come back and for sure these birds will come back- just another reason why it pays to extend the best training and dedication for the birds.

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Caring for Your Pet FINCH Made Easy

Photo  by Navicore 

Your Pet Finch Information made exciting and entertaining!

Finches make excellent pets and it's no wonder! They are very easy to take care of, enjoy being around people and have bright and beautiful colors to admire. They make an excellent pet for many different people such as apartment dwellers, families with children and pet owners who have other birds or pets already. A pet finch is active, personable and social which makes them very entertaining as well as being a terrific companion. Are you still not sure whether a finch is the right pet for you? Here is what you need to know before making your final decision.

Finches are very diverse, with different personalities, colors and patterns which contributes to their individualism as a pet. Some of the most popular variations of finches include the Zebra Finch, the Society Finch and the Gouldian Finch, all of which are slightly different from one another. The Zebra Finch, for example, is very social although it is recommended no matter what finch you have that you don't pair them in the same cage with another species of bird such as the parrot, lovebirds or parakeet. 

Unlike the finch, many other bird species are likely to be more aggressive and can harm your pet finch. It is best to house your pet finch by itself or with another pet finch, although be aware of bullying or fighting with more than two pet finches in one cage at any given time. Finches, for the most part, are kind and social although active as they enjoy spreading their wings and flying from side to side of its cage!

Unlike a parrot that tends to squawk when it's not being given the attention it craves, the finch is content playing by itself. This makes it a wonderful pet for those pet owners living in small spaces like an apartment or those who don't have the time to play with their bird constantly. Some finches are very tame and will allow perching on your finger, while others may not. Finches require its nails to be trimmed, so if you choose to trim them yourself, make sure to use your palm against their back to scoop them up. Finches that bite are very rare, although if they do snip your finger, it shouldn't hurt or won't be dangerous.

Since finches are an active bird species, they thrive in a spacious environment where they can fly from side to side and really exercise their muscles. Although having a couple of perches available for your pet finch is important, make sure that their cage isn't too crowded so they have plenty of space to roam. The right cage is very important. By investing in a mirror, ball or branch you can give your finch all of the entertainment it needs. Finches enjoy taking baths as well, so help your finch along by bathing it a few times a week to help him stay clean and healthy. Also, by supplying your pet finch with damp grass alongside the bottom of its cage, he will enjoy the effect of rolling around in it for hours!

Some people who are interested in purchasing finches as pets, they may be concerned with how noisy of a bird they are. Pet finches are a quieter bird species and more affordable than lovebirds or a parrot. Running anywhere from $15-$30, you can easily purchase a pet finch that meets your budget and taste.

Many pet owners enjoy their pet finch for their social personality, lovely song and their active lifestyle!

I hope this helps you better care for your pet finch!

By Cindy L Erpelding - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Best BIRD WATCHING Optics

View of rocks from bird watching hide. - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The passion for bird watching starts with a simple idea of mere observation of the different kinds of such species. But as years progress and technology develop, more and more bird watching optics become available in the market and your aim is to find which one is the best.

The Idea

If you are interested to know how a person starts to become an avid bird watcher, first, they have the love for nature and curiosity about birds that they would go out of their way to be able to see some and then see some more until the hobby becomes a passion.

A person can start on his own backyard, observing the birds that fly through their vicinity. Then they could start feeding the birds so that the latter would stay longer within near distance. The idea of bird feeders and bird baths start from this same cycle. To protect the welfare of the birds, trees are planted as well as shrubs and also provide for nesting areas.

Not hooked yet? You can also watch the birds near you, whether on the road or a busy street. Just be mindful of your own safety when performing such a task.

The Optics

Now that you already have the habit, you can look into the available optics in the market to see the birds more clearly and to make your observation gearing towards the scientific route.

Binoculars are usually the first gear that birders invest on. The more expensive ones, of course, are better. Usually, those come with thicker glass, better vision, coatings, precise configuration and alignment and easy to navigate controls.

Although with so many types available in the market these days, you might find yourself confused about what can be a good purchase. If trapped in this dilemma, all you got to do is ask. Ask the people who've already been doing the hobby for longer periods than you do or if you can't find somebody, search the Web. The Web actually has all the information you need to know about birding and bird watching and the gears and optics that you must have in order to become successful with the venture.

Look closely at the features of the binocular before purchasing one. Choose the right weight by holding such. Remember that when you already have to such it, you have to hold it most of the time for it to serve its function. Also, try to see through it when you are still in the store to know if it is the perfect fit for your eyes. Look at the lenses closely, navigate through the control. You could also ask what are the accessories available to see your options. This way, birding would be much easier and fun now that you have a gadget with you.

The scopes are for the advanced users. This is bought along with a tripod. The idea for the proper placing of such develops the more frequent you use it. The lenses would be your utmost concern when it comes to this. Inspect those before you buy one. 

There's a lot of other optics available that you could try once you've mastered the use of binoculars and scopes. It varies from night vision, infrared, illuminating appeal, tools to photograph or record the observation on video among many other choices.

The best bird watching optics is there to help you find the right view, the right angle. When you are already geared up with such, all you need to be mindful about is where you could find the right spot.

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Healthy Diet For ECLECTUS Parrots - 6 Essentials For the Eclectus Parrot Diet

Photo  by osseous 

Eclectus Parrots have an unusually long digestive track that gives them the ability to efficiently extract nutrients from their food.  As a result, they must have a very balanced and specific diet to help them stay well. In general organic foods are tastier, and healthier because they avoid the use of pesticides and chemicals. Here are 6 components necessary to keep your Eclectus properly fed and healthy.

Fiber - Because their digestive tracks are unusually long, fiber is necessary to keep the track clear and food properly moving through it. This can be fed to them in the form of legumes such as slightly softened garbanzo, fava, lentils, and soybeans as well as whole grains.

Fruits - They also enjoys and benefit greatly from fresh organic fruits such as apples, bananas, mangos, grapes, pomegranate seeds, watermelon, papaya, and oranges. Rotate new fruits as they come in season, and use thawed frozen fruits when fresh are not available.

Dark Leafy Green Vegetables - The darker the leaf, the more nutrients it contains. So kale, mustard and dandelion greens, Swiss chard, spinach, beet and carrot tops are excellent sources of nutrients and should be chopped into small pieces to make them easier to eat.

Other vegetables should include corn on the cob, broccoli, green beans and peas, and okra. Prone to have a Vitamin A deficiency, foods high in Beta Carotene should also be fed regularly as they are excellent natural sources of Vitamin A.  Cooked carrots, yams, and sweet potatoes should be staples in their diet.

Seeds and Nuts - Sprouted seeds are best because they are living plants, low in fat, and provide different nutrients daily as they continue to grow. Sprouts are one of the healthiest foods you can feed your bird. There are kits available that allow you to do it yourself, or you can buy seeds that are already sprouted. Be sure to provide them daily.  As for nuts, young birds still need some fat to develop properly,  but nuts should be fed sparingly to mature birds as they contain large amounts of fat that can cause health problems stemming from obesity.  However, an occasional nut (one) for a mature bird can serve as a tasty treat.

Pellets - Theoretically pellets are a great concept. Having all the nutrients packed into each tiny piece would seem to be a great way to ensure a healthy diet. However, some pellet mixes contain excessive sugar which can lead to kidney problems; and artificial coloring, preservatives, and flavoring that many pellet mixes contain can cause toxicity. Even the organic pellets which do not contain preservatives can make it easier for bacteria and fungus to grow-- which can pose serious health issues to your bird if ingested. So fresh foods always trump pellets.  And if you decide to use them, they should be of a very high quality and comprise a minute portion of the total diet. Avoid colored pellets at all costs as they prevent the Eclectus from producing properly colored feathers and beaks.

Table Food - Scrambled eggs that are thoroughly cooked, cooked rice and beans, and a cracker are all fine on occasion. Birds are lactose intolerant so dairy products should be avoided unless they are lactose-free. Foods with high salt content should also be avoided. Chocolate, avocado, alcohol, rhubarb and foods with caffeine are toxic and can lead to the swift demise of your Eclectus or any bird.

The Eclectus Parrot is an enthusiastic eater and will thank you for providing a healthy diet with many years of love and devotion.

Author: Debbie Davis - Article Source: EzineArticles

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