A Duck For a Pet, in the House, Wears Diapers - Yes!

(Cairina moschata) with wings outstretched (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is surprising to hear and not many people have heard of this but; yes there are ducks that live in human homes. It is very rare but, seems to be occurring more often these days. Ducks are becoming domesticated in several areas of the country. Believe it or not, Ducks make great pets.

There is a lot involved in the care of having a Duck for a Pet. There is also a lot of learning to be done. Most families receive their ducks for Easter as gifts. Then families have no idea what to do with their duck. Families start to realize that their new duck is not around her/his mom and other ducklings that they need to grow and survive. Right after Easter, many families (if they care) have to start researching about Duck Care. Most families decide to give away their precious duck after they get them and bond with them. It is important for families to know that, within a few days of having their duck he/she has already "imprinted" with them. The family becomes his/her pack. What most families should do is learn how to care for this precious Duck without the neglect of leaving her outside, in a pen all day, and with no attention. This duck they have will need the love, affection, care, and attention that our other pets in their family always receive.

Nowadays, most duck owners start with the internet. The search can be started by searching for information on house training a duck, duck diapers, what to feed a duck, duck as pets, and much more. Pet Duck Care and Duck Diapers are easy to find in the search engines. More people are raising Ducks for Pets. But, some advice to be taken; there are all sorts of different opinions and advice for Domestic Duck and Goose Care. Pet duck owners will have to do some studying of on the different duck care sites and services that are now easier to find on the internet.

In the beginning, it will be very hard to care for this Duck. You see, ducks are very clean creatures in one way but, very messy in another. The messy part of a duck is the "Poop". It will be all over if you do not control it. If you are thinking of a way to "litter train" your duck...that will Never happen. The only thing that will control the duck poop is "The Miracle Duck Diapers". What a lifesaver and difference they will make. The diapers will allow your duck baby to be in the house anytime that he/she has the harness and diaper on. There are also Duck Outfits that are adorable and fun to sports ducks around in.

Not only will the new duck love being in the house with you but, he/she will just love to be in the duck bath more. Do not let them have baths for a few weeks though. They can get very ill and die is they are put into a cold bath within the first few weeks of their lives. They can also drown. The favorite thing for most ducks is bath time, rather it is by sprinkler, hose, or a special bath. They love outside kiddie pools so much and will literally swim, splash, and have a great time. Most ducks love to be out in the yard, graze the grass, and eat bugs. Their favorite bugs are mealworms. You can even raise your own mealworms. There are instructions for that on YouTube. Mealworms are getting pretty costly. If you raise them, not only will it be more economical, but there will also be more of an abundance of the worms.

If you do have or get a duck, it is important to know Exactly what their most favorite thing to do is. Their most favorite thing in the entire world is To Be With You or their Family. If you raise your duck from a little bitty baby, they "imprint" on you. You and the family become their "pack". If you put your "imprinted" duck with other ducks...your duck will not know what to do. Many people get and give ducks for Easter Gifts. Then they keep them until they are tired of them and then they dump them off where other ducks live. Big mistake! Those folks are setting their duck up for Death. A "Human Imprinted Duck" does not know how to survive with other ducks. Other ducks will not accept her/him either, and the "human imprinted duck" will not survive. Most often getting or giving a Duck for Easter is a Big Mistake. If you get or give a Duck for Easter, then you better be Serious about having one.

Did you know that Ducks have a lifespan of 20 years? It is true. It all depends on the care that they receive and the ailments that they endure.

If you are one who does have a duck or is serious about getting one, then you are more then likely looking for the right care. Experienced advice is to trust The "Gooses Mother and Father" site. You will be able to learn: the proper feeding for a duck, training, how to maintain good health for your duck, how to treat ailments or infections, and much, much more.

Just learn all that you can and the journey with your duck will be a great and a rewarding success.

By Kami Snoeberger - Article Source: EzineArticles

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SENEGAL PARROT - 5 Personality Traits That Make the Senegal a Great Pet Parrot

A juvenile Senegal Parrot. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The African Senegal Parrot has worked its way up on the list of top picks for pet birds. Here are 5 of its best personality traits that help make it a great choice for a pet Parrot.

Quieter Than Many Parrots-Sometimes the Senegal is listed as a quiet bird which is absolutely true, except when it's not. Even though they are not prone to making screaming and screeching sounds as frequently as some parrots, when they want to be heard they have no problem making it happen. In their defense, they are not usually noisy except when excited or wanting attention. And as always, a lot will depend on your individual bird.

Can Entertain Themselves-These are pretty independent birds that do well without another bird sharing the cage with them. With a variety of toys that are rotated in and out of the cage frequently, they are happy spending their days exploring, swinging, climbing and chewing their toys for stimulation. They still will need to spend several hours out of the cage each day for proper exercise. They will also need several hours of human interaction daily to remain tame and to continue to foster trust and affection between caregiver and bird.

Talkers-Many learns to speak well, while others tend to sound mechanical when speaking. There are still others who never learn to speak at all but enjoy whistling, and imitating household sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or microwaves. There are a number of videos and books written about the best way to get your bird to talk, but ultimately they are no guarantee that the bird you've chosen will do so. The best way to ensure that your bird will talk is to hear it talk before you buy it.

Highly Trainable-Senegals enjoy short, but regular training sessions for tricks with the outcome being great tricks and a stronger bond between you and your bird. Remember to go slowly, be consistent, and reward with a treat when they have done a good job for you. Never, ever, scold or punish your bird if it does not meet your expectations. This will only injure your relationship with your bird and lessen the chances of getting your Parrot to learn the trick.

Fun and Entertaining-With proper toys, perches, ropes, and a swing or two they are energetic birds that are highly entertaining. Watching them can be a lovely way to unwind any time you have a minute to watch the show.

By Debbie Davis - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Why OWLS Do Not Make Good Pets

The Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) is a species of owl resident in much of Europe and southern Russia. This species is a part of the larger grouping of owls known as typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although owls are declining quite rapidly throughout the world, there are still some that are up for sale in the market, especially in Europe. However, advice that is usually given about owls is that you should never think of having one because owls do not make pets. It has actually been considered illegal in some countries. There are states in America that have set up a law requiring owls to be handled only by those people who are qualified and licensed individuals.

One reason why owls do not make good pets is that of their instinct that is much linked to the killing, which makes them destructive. Owl's talons are very sharp and they can be very dangerous to a human being. Qualified bird handlers have also fallen victims of an owls attack. Owls are ideally active at night and so they can give you a lot of trouble at night, especially during the mating season. 

Owls don't make good pets because they are considered as one of those birds that have a long life span and so intending to keep one becomes a lifetime commitment. There are those that can live for well over 20 years with some small species living for about 10 years. The specialized treatments required do not make owls good pets. If you are the caregiver you need to learn about their diet, signs of illness and the behaviors related to them. You also need to know that owls are carnivores and they require a regular supply of meat.

By Christine Rafii - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Different Types of MACAWS, Some History and What to Look for From the Breeder

Photo: Pixabay

These Macaw parrots are beautiful and have very bright colors. They are part of the parrot family and there are several types. They originally come from Central and South America rain forest. In their natural habitat, they flock from anywhere 10 to 40 other birds. Macaws are very loud squawkers and screamers in their natural habitat echoes through the forest. There are plenty of nuts and fruit to blend in with and eat. There are 17 species of Macaws they are extremely intelligent and very social birds. 

They have long tail feathers. They will sleep in the trees at night for protection and in the morning they are out looking for snails, bugs, fruit and nuts. The male Macaw takes care of his family. They actually mate for life; he feeds the female and the young. They are a very playful bird and will make good pets if you put time and effort into training and socializing with him or her. That means training and learning all about the needs of these beautiful colored birds. Make life good for them and they will make life grand for you. You will have a great relationship together. There are several varieties that are extremely close to being endangered and they are the Hyac, Red -Fronted and also the Blue-Throated Macaws. There are two types sadly already extinct they are the Glaucus, and the Spix Macaw is gone from the wild. If you are interested in one of the Macaw do your homework. 

Because remember if you take good care of your Macaw they will live as long as you or longer. This is a lifelong commitment. You can talk with Macaw owner through forums and other internet sites for their experience and to learn more about the bird. The internet is a massive place to learn more about Macaws.

How to pick out your first bird:

Assuming you did all the necessary research. I feel the best bet would be a breeder because they have more birds to pick from of the same kind and has the most knowledge of the birds. This is very important to know as much about the Macaw as possible where ever you buy. Find out whatever information you can, this will help you with the discussion of the Macaw you want to pick. You could also buy from a reputable pet shop but most likely they will not know too much about the bird. Also, the most pet shop isn't going to have a good selection like the breeder.

You might also think about having your new bird checked by an avian veterinarian before you take it home. The breeder will sometimes have the bird checked out by his avian veterinarian he will have the result and the price of the bird will most likely be higher. They will check for the CBC and culture of the throat and vent and also a Chlamydia screen. One other thing you should know if buying from a breeder find out if the parrot is weaned or not. It is better if it is because this is a very stressful time for the Macaw. If you have other birds at home you might want to quarantine them for about 30-45 days. Just to be on the safe side. The health of your Macaw is very important.

Here are some Macaws you may want to look into.

The Blue and Gold Macaw:

A very popular, playful, and fun a loving parrot. This parrot usually adapts easily to its surroundings and has a very good personality.

The Hyacinth Macaw:

By far the largest Macaw it is nearly 4 foot in height with a very large wing span probably not a starter parrot. This Macaw would do better with his own room.

The Red Fronted Macaw:

This Macaw is about 2 foot high and has a very nice sounding voice.

Here are a few more you could look into.

The Scarlet Macaw:

The Military Macaw:

The Green-Wing Macaw:

In conclusion: These parrots need lots of room and a commitment to give them a considerate amount of attention. Some of their downfalls would be that they are very noisy and apartment live is probably not going to work. They are a lot messier than the small parrot. But if you have the room and the commitment these parrots are wonderful.

By Glenn Byers I started internet marketing for extra income and found out I really liked building these small niche sites and doing the research on all the different subjects. I have some health problems which slows me down on my small farm so this helps me out. I get to meet people on the internet and sometimes help them with their problems with pet care and how to handle their animals. Just wanted to say thanks for reading my article and I hoped it helped someone out there. So if you get a chance, I have more articles on different parrots here, take a look at my website at http://www.amazingparrottips.com/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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EASTERN SCREETCH OWL - Birds of Prey

EASTERN SCREETCH OWL - Birds of Prey

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The FERRUGINOUS HAWK

Ferruginous Hawk flying near Cambria, San Luis Obispo County, California, USA. - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The male ferruginous hawk is quite large; however, the female is a bit larger. Ferruginous hawks have rusty colored feathers on their wings and their legging feathers. Most live in the western Great Basin and Great Plains. They are excellent fliers that know how to soar in the sky for a long time. 

Ferruginous hawks also stay in uncultivated pastures on prairies and grasses in western North America, however, they spend most their time in arid and semiarid grassland regions. Ferruginous hawks avoid high elevations, forest interiors and places like narrow canyons and cliff areas.

During 1900, ferruginous hawks nested through south and central Alberta, but in 1980, the ferruginous hawk was designated threatened. Today it is still designated vulnerable by the Endangered Wildlife in Canada and the population has declined in most areas in the US except California. The main reason for their endangerment is the disappearance of native short grass that hawks use for hunting.

Ferruginous hawks like to hunt gophers, however, hawks in Alberta eats mice and white-jack rabbits. Hunting generally occurs in the early morning and the late afternoon. They can attack from short distances and strike prey on the ground, use aerial hunting from about 300 feet, or just fly after prey from a perch. They do not hunt very well on croplands because their large wings and size prevent them from effective maneuver among grains on the ground.

Hawks build their nest in trees including cottonwoods, willows and swamp oaks along the waterways. which occurs in mid-March in Colorado and Kansas but they will nest on the ground if necessary. The male hawk collects most of the material such as grass, twigs, old bones and crow or horse dung, while the female arranges it into a nest, which they use year after year. They lay their eggs between February and July and their nest usually contains three or four white eggs.

By Michael Russell - Article Source: EzineArticles

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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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