BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON - The History and How To Take Care Of This Beautiful Parrot

Blue-fronted Amazon also called the Turquoise-fronted Amazon and Blue-fronted Parrot kept as a pet in Argentina.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot is actually one of the best Amazon parrots with the ability of speech and sounds. Their talking ability varies greatly from individual to individual, but some speak nearly as well as the Yellow-headed Amazon group. These Amazon Parrot originated from South America and is average in size. They can probably live up to 50 to 60 years or more, but little is known about their life span in captivity. 

Blue-fronted Amazon's average height is 14 - 15 inches from head to the tip of the tail and weight average being half a pound to just under a pound. The Blue-fronted Amazon also called the Turquoise-fronted Amazon and Blue-fronted Parrot is a species of Amazon parrots and one of the most common parrots kept in captivity as a pet or companion parrot. They have blue feathers on the forehead above the beak and yellow on the face and crown with blue and red streaks at the tips. The Blue-fronted Amazon reaches sexual maturity at around two to three years of age. The Blue-Fronted Parrot is a highly intelligent species; however, they can also be quite moody at times.

The Blue Fronted Amazon Parrot lovers are very worried, because of illegal capture of wild birds every year. Data concerning the reproductive biology will serve to guide future decisions about the management and conservation of this species. This was because the public was prepared to pay high prices for the Yellow-naped Amazon, Double Yellow-headed Amazon and the Blue-fronted Amazon (having heard that they were the best talkers) but would not pay high prices for the Orange-winged Amazon parrot, because they had previously been imported as wild-caught birds in such huge numbers that prices for them had always been low. Blue-fronted amazons are good pets but generally not the right bird for first-time owners.

They are very easy to feed. Basic nutrition is supplied through any of the many fine vitamins, mineral, and protein-enriched large hookbill seed mixes or pellets available at your local pet shop. Amazons feed on fruits and seed in their natural habitat and they can attack crops, especially citrus.

A cage with a playpen roof is highly recommended for Amazons as these birds love to sit up top and look around. Blue-fronted Amazons enjoy chewing wood and should have wooden toys or prepared wood for chewing "only give toys that are designed for parrots". A parrot's cage should, of course, be cleaned out every day and some of the old sand can be used again if the droppings are removed by sifting it. They need a cage that has enough room that they can move around in and also be able to spread their wings. A suggested cage is 4 feet wide by 4 feet tall by 8 feet long suspended 4 feet above the ground or floor. They require a cage with toys and equipment to keep them entertained. They have a tendency to nip which is their way of expressing themselves and exploring their surroundings.

These Amazons are heavy-bodied and care must be taken not to cut too many feathers. Blue-Fronted Amazons, males can be aggressive in spring, the mating season. Blue-fronted Amazon is one of the most common companion parrots. It is endangered in its natural habitat in North-eastern Bolivia, South-Western Mato Grosso, Brazil, Paraguay, northern Argentina and Northernmost Buenos Aires.

Also, they have this new toy out that talks to the bird with your voice. Maybe you could do some training while you are at work plus it will keep them busy for a little while. All parrot need a lot of attention.

Copyright  By Glenn Byers - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Finding A HERBIVORE PET for A Herbivore Person

Keel-billed Toucan (also known as Sulfur-breasted Toucan and the Rainbow-billed Toucan)
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As a vegan, I welcome my home to a herbivore pet of any kind. While I have a problem with the natural order of the circle of life, I find myself unable to feed one animal to another so all of my little companions are happy little herbivores like me. This article is meant to help any other vegan that feels the same way in finding a herbivore companion of their own. If you own larger land, you may want larger herbivores that need more room to frolic and that's cool too! The best part of having an animal around is the feeling you get knowing they feel comfortable in your presence.

Indoor Pets

So far when it comes to a herbivore pet to play with at the house you'll have a choice of a few furry little mammals, a couple of birds, and a reptile. The mammals are rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. All of them are vegan rodents and can be kept in cages. Whenever you take them out to play with making sure any children near the pet are careful when they are handling the little guy. Macaws and Toucans are iconic birds and are both vegans! Macaws aka parrots love to bond with their human friend if treated right. Toucans may try to take a bite out of a bug but if you supply it with enough fruit it will stick as a herbivore. Iguanas, like Toucans, will eat bugs, but only if they're starving so feed it the right kind of leaves and it will stay a true vegan pet.

Outdoor pets

Having little indoor pets may be too limited for you and you may be willing to share quite a bit of land for a herbivore friend. The best kind of vegan pets to suit your standards would be horses, emus, goats, cattle, and capybaras. Most people see horses, goats, and cattle in many different ranches and farms but I bet most people don't think twice that those animals are vegans. Emus are a close relative to ostriches and can get up to 6 ft tall. These guys have legs strong enough to tear down wire fences so it's good to keep the properly contained for their safety and your properties safety as well.

Capybaras are giant rodents, it sounds terrifying but they're lovable oafs. They are a cousin to guinea pigs and you may notice they bark like dogs. They will always keep a smile on your face.

Green Love

A herbivore for a pet as a vegan has you appreciating nature more knowing that you are connected with your companion in more than just diet but also as a friend. Understanding the animal before making it a lovable pet should be the most important part of the decision process. Always consider adopting an animal from animal shelters like the humane society. The best part of any animal relationship should be how comfortable and loved the animal feels towards you, the guardian.

By Kenn Pyon - Article Source: EzineArticles

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GOULDIAN FINCH - Erythrura gouldiae

GOULDIAN FINCH - Erythrura gouldiae - Photo: Trisha Shears Wikimedia

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The KEA PARROT - The Clown of the Mountains of New Zealand

Photo by SidPix

The Kea parrot is also known as the "Nestor parrots" and some call them the "mountain parrots". Keas' lives in the South Island of New Zealand, in the high-altitudes, meadows, and mountain range, they nest in burrows under rocks and among tree roots.

The Kea has a life span of 14 to 20 years of age, stands 16-19 inches tall, and weighs between 31 to 35 ounces.  The males and the females have basically the same coloring; which is a dull olive green, their feathers are edged with a dark brown giving them a scalloped look. Their breast is greenish-bronze, the underside of their tail is green and blue with orange and yellow tips, their crown is a yellowish-green and their bill is a solid brown.

One reason they might be called mountain parrots is that their feathers are so thick they can tolerate the cold, snow, and windy conditions in the mountains. Their long slim bill is used to find food between the rocks, they also dig for food using their talons which are long and sharp.

The Kea's diet in the wild consist of seeds, fruits and berries, roots, leaves, flowers and being omnivorous they eat insects, worms and they also other dead decaying animals.

They are very intelligent and very nosy (like they say inquiring minds want to know), if one bird sees something of interest they all will be interested also. They seem to have no fear of humans at all. They will peck the rubber tires on vehicles and sometimes even cause damage; they will carry away anything they can get in their beak, from food to toys and even clothing.

Kea parrots are very social birds and live in groups of 10 to 14 birds They will even help each other to find food and once found will share it with others. This also is a learning experience for the younger Kea parrots.

If a person is thinking about owning one of these parrots they better be able to interact with them because they demand a lot of attention and can be very destructive. Their cage should be at least a sixteen-foot square.  Individuals do poorly in captivity so if you are really brave I would suggest at least having two, to keep each other company when you are not there, if that isn't an option try hanging some mirrors so he doesn't feel so alone. 

Toys are a necessity to provide the activities that these curious and intelligent birds must have to stay physically and emotionally healthy. Give toys that require them to solve a problem; like taking something apart to find food such as dried fruit or nuts or something else to chew on or just taking what he found apart, anything that will stimulate and keep them busy.

Remember also the Kea parrot loves to dig and play in dirt put a box of dirt in the corner of his cage and hide pine cones, nuts, pieces of wood, rattles, and if you can stand it why not some worms.

By Alice Gines - Article Source: EzineArticles

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SCARLET MACAWS As Pet Parrots

Scarlet Macaw (Ara Macao). Two at Lowry Park Zoo,. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Scarlet Macaws are one of the larger parrots species. They can reach 36 inches in length, although half of that is it's a slender tail.

Getting one of these parrots is not a short term commitment. Some have lived to be 75 years old, and the average life span is between 35 and 50 years.

They are mostly scarlet-colored with blue on the wings and tail with a yellow band on the upper wings below a scarlet shoulder. The Scarlet Macaw's upper beak is white and the lower beak is black. They have a white, featherless ring around their eyes. They tend to be more high strung than the other macaws and have a tendency to pinch when young which can lead to biting if not discouraged early on.

You shouldn't try to discourage a young macaw from pinching by being aggressive and slapping it. If you make it afraid of you it will naturally want to bite when you get too close. Their high strung nature makes them nervous when there is a lot of noise and activity. Something to consider if you have children.

That's not to say that they can't be taught to get along and even play with children, but it takes the proper training for both the parrot and the children.

If it gets bored and starts screaming the noise it can make is enough to drive you out of the room.

A common reaction to a screaming macaw is to yell at it to shut up or to give in and give it a treat or toy to play with.

You don't want to reward your macaw for screaming or it will figure out that the more noise it makes the more attention it gets. When your parrot is screaming you need to ignore it, and then when it finally quiets down give it some attention.

It will eventually learn that screaming isn't going to get it what it wants.

Scarlet Macaws are quick to learn, and when handled by someone with an experience they become very loving playful pet parrots.

By Gary Caine - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Training Your Pet PARROT

Photo  by Aidan Jones 

PARROTS are excellent pets. You might quickly find that these particular birds are unquestionably very intelligent and also their ability to be trained to make them fun to train. Remember that any animal which often exhibits signs of high intelligence could very well become bored, which means that your role really should be to train your pet parrot and in addition spend the time it's going to take to help with making the bird into a magnificent pet. It will need a little to train a bird, however, with the proper training program, your parrot will provide you with numerous years of friendship.

It is possible to train your parrot once you stick to a couple of simple steps. Anytime "school is usually in" to the parrot, it's always best to take your bird from his or her parrot cage and work in a small low-noise space. Your parrot might be more likely to be receptive and remember instruction when it is inside a new surrounding. The other challenge you ought to try, do away with pretty much all disturbances in your house. When your parrot has become diverted during the training, it won't be taught well. This indicates that you need to power down radio stations, television, and possibly even the handset. Also, realize that parrots are much just like children. They've got very short attention spans, for this reason, small exercise sessions are usually beneficial.

Additionally, begin to set up your parrot's training program time near to their life schedule, not yours. Following a treat is actually, the perfect time with regard to training since your parrot would be content and definitely will be aware. Your parrot will take delight in plenty of compliments. Even though you may find that you have not been successful, don't allow your bird to realize your levels of stress get higher. This will make it a distressing experience relating to your bird and you'll have a harder time helping your bird involved in learning later on in life.

If you find yourself willing to teach your parrot a fresh, new trick, your pet parrot will obey well to sweets and as well as rewards. Remember the fact that almost all creatures react much better to compliment as compared to punishment. Attempt to avoid hitting your parrot, even if they are behaving mischievously. Ignoring this behavior will be your very best wager whenever training your pet parrot. Birds do not understand punishment or unfavorable reinforcement. In reality, if you actually react to your parrot's inappropriate behavior, your pet might actually notice this as praiseworthy attention. Remember the fact that while your parrot will enjoy food treats as rewards, try to accentuate the favorable and boost effective conduct with lots of rewards and playtime. Otherwise, your parrot may only execute the tricks you desire them to be able to when some kind of food reward can be acquired.

Repetition is actually the key to successfully training your pet parrot. Repeating these types of basic steps repeatedly till your pet "gets" the technique is a good method to train your parrot to perform. This will work nicely with regard to basic instructions and superior tricks. If you have just gotten your pet parrot, begin out with very easy tricks, for instance teaching your parrot to sit on your hand on demand. Choose a word for each trick and employ it whenever you train. Above all, never ever force your parrot to train. If you realise your parrot is usually exhausted or maybe uninterested, then halt and try out again yet another time.

When your parrot learns way more instructions together with tricks, you can start shifting your training program closer and closer to the bird's cage. As they start to get better at their new skill, they may feel safe executing in his or her cage and additionally in the hustle and bustle within your home. Birds quickly learn more likely than not, and often by merely tuning in when they are not in training, that might result in humiliation to you if he or she learns something inappropriate.

Teaching a parrot will take a good deal of time and determination. You will need to really enjoy your parrot and furthermore need a great deal of your time and commitment. if you want to make this particular loving relationship worthwhile. Thanks to patient exercise along with love, you have a really good and well-behaved pet that is along with you for a very long time into the future

Jerry Kum - ArticleSource: GoArticles

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QUAKER PARROT: Just What You Need To Know

Monk Parakeet or Quaker Parrot (Myiopsitta monachus). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you want a bird who can talk, a Quaker parrot is the one you're looking for because parrot Quaker training is easy. It is a fast-learner, develops a bond with the owner, and loves to be around people.

Results would be better if just one member of the family would teach a parrot how to talk. Even so, you can hear the bird imitating the other members of the family as well.

Have you seen a Quaker parrot up close? It is a mid-sized engaging parrot, growing to around 1 foot in length. A Quaker parrots' top is bright green, its chest and face are colored white to grey, although as years have gone by and breeding has taken place, the colors have changed a little

The family's pet parrot

Two things can describe this parrot: affectionate to its owners and very gentle. This makes it perfect for little family members. Larger parrots on the other hand might not be since they become aggressive when mad.

Color

Originally, these Quaker parrots were green and white but since the species evolved during the years, and due to breeding in captivity, there are a variety of color combinations and different shades, too.

Toys

An active parrot likes to play around with toys, especially if he is home alone or when there is no family member available to play with him. A climbing gym, the ones with bells is a good example and will surely keep him amused for a very, very long time.

Would you consider keeping a Quaker parrot as a pet?

This kind of parrot would be a very good pet not just because it is affectionate and gentle but it adapts well to different environments. This is a very big advantage when keeping a pet bird but we all know that if there is a positive side, there must be a negative side.

Some states do not allow keeping the Quaker parrot as a pet. Because it can adapt well, these parrots that have often flown away have caused problems in the agri-industry and that's why they have been considered illegal. Sadly, if these are found anywhere in the states, they will be killed. Check laws first before considering buying a Quaker parrot, especially if you live in the southern areas of the United States.

If you do decide to keep a pet bird then you will find parrot Quaker training easy because of its intelligence.

By Kaye Dennan - Article Source: EzineArticles

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How to disinfect the BIRD CAGE

Before setting the bird into its “ lodging ” you should do something else 

Never the less that the birdcage is new, and the perches are ecologically clean, they should be disinfected carefully. I call this operation “carbonation ”, because as a “disinfectant” gas for burning is used, and gas for cigarette lighters can be used but it can be quite expensive. 

How to proceed : 

Wash both the birdcage and the wooden sticks with soap and hot water. 

Leave them dry well especially the sticks because they soak with water and drench. 

Prepare the gas and a cloth with which to put the gas over the perches and the birdcage. It is compulsory to put gloves ( surgery or household for washing plates ), otherwise, your hands will smell awful. 

Slightly damp the cloth, but not to drop gas from it, and carefully rub the birdcage everywhere and the perches. Now the birdcage and the perches are absolutely ready to be completed and to put the bird inside. 

The disinfection is very useful for the bird because when it steps on the “ carbonated ” perches, a part of the gas gets soaked into its legs and then when scouring themselves it goes on its feathers. 

It is good at least once or twice to clean the perches with gas and to change them. That is why I told you, in the beginning, to provide yourselves with wooden sticks. 

o clean the birdcage with gas is more difficult because you are supposed to have a spare ” lodging ” for the bird, where to put it temporarily. Nothing prevents you from cleaning the birdcage periodically with a cloth damped with gas without washing it with soap.

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CROWS as Pets? Don't Even Think About It!

Van Gogh - Wheatfield Under Threatening Skies with Crows - Photo: Wikimedia

In Van Gogh's "Wheatfield Under Threatening Skies with Crows," crows are shown in the middle plane of the painting, like an ill-fated force, between the menacing skies and the grain. True, the crows have an eye on the grain, but they are also unpredictable and playful. Although they act as if they do not even recognize the existence of a human nearby, these birds are always well aware of their surroundings.

I had never thought of crows as pets until I entered the office of someone my husband knew and found a big black crow sitting on her head. This lady was an animal lover and a licensed pet care-giver; she had found this crow hurt and had healed him back to health.

She told me, even though she let him free in her backyard, the crow came back to her. She never kept the crow locked in a cage; although there was a cage with the door removed in her house. She always left a window open and the crow was free to come and go as he pleased. This lasted through the summer.

At the end of the summer, the crow disappeared and probably became a member of a flock, then migrated, because that's what crows do, and keeping them locked up is against the laws of nature. It might have been sad for that lady to see her pet leave since that crow was so bright and loving, but because the lady was so knowledgeable on the subject, she understood.

Crow - Photo   by     wolfpix   (cc)

Never think of a crow as a pet; you should not even attempt to get, catch, or buy one. To start with, under the Migratory Bird Act, it is illegal to hold a crow and a permit is very difficult or impossible to obtain. Should you, however, find a young nestling crow thrown out of its nest and if you live in the middle of a wilderness, you might try to nurse the bird to adulthood, with the understanding that he will one day leave you.

If you find a hurt wild bird and don't know how to attend to it, take him to a vet or someone licensed in bird care. Around where you live, if you don't know anyone qualified for the job, call your state's wildlife authority or find an Audubon center close to you. You can do so on the website http://www.audubon.org/, by entering your zip code.

Helping out an orphan crow is easy because crows will eat practically anything. A good basic diet for such a bird should contain bird vitamins and calcium, oatmeal, hardboiled egg-yolk and some ground beef to make up for the insects most birds are so fond of eating.

If the bird is very young, he'll need to be handfed. Don't be afraid to put your finger gently inside its beak, since baby crows eat from their mothers' beaks. By the time the crow is six weeks old, he'll feed himself. Give the bird enough space to fly, like a room. When he is strong enough, leave the window open, so he can fly away and live his life as nature intended it to.

Crows belong to the family of corvids and they fly in large flocks around the cities, suburbs, and the countryside. Magpies, jays, cloughs, nutcrackers, and a few other birds are related to crows. Most of the crows are black but there are blue, purple, brown, gray, and albino crows in existence.

Crows, as very intelligent animals, are known to mimic human talk and engage in games among themselves. Better yet, they have proven themselves to be too smart to be afraid of scarecrows.

With their unpredictability, crows have encouraged human imagination and have placed themselves inside many myths. Yet, like humans, they possess their own kind of culture or lifestyle that deserves to be respected.

By Joy Cagil - Article Source: EzineArticles

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British Garden Birds - The HOUSE SPARROW

A pair of House Sparrows (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Even the most ardent bird lover can have a love-hate relationship with the House Sparrow. Despite being very sociable birds they are also known for destroying crops and some people see them as pests.

House sparrows are native to Europe and Asia but have colonized throughout the world and in the US they are known as English Sparrows to distinguish them from native species. They are now the most widely distributed bird on the planet and in the RSPB's 2008 Big Garden Bird Watch they were the most counted British garden bird.

In the 18th century, many parishes in Britain had "sparrow clubs" set up to destroy as many sparrows as possible because of their destruction to crops. Bounties continued to be paid until the 19th century when it was realized that the culling was not working.

Unfortunately, House Sparrows are now struggling to survive along with many other common British birds and have declined in numbers so much that they have been put on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It is thought that the lack of food and suitable nest sites is contributing to the decline.

In the 1950s the UK sparrow population was estimated at 9.5 million which increased to 12 million in the 1970s. The numbers started to fall in the 1990s and the population is estimated to stand at about 6 million now.

The male sparrow has a grey crown and nape, edged with dark brown on the sides of the head and a distinctive black bib. The larger the male's bib, the better he is at attracting a mate. The upper plumage is flecked with brown, buffs and greys.

Female sparrows are much duller with tawny upperparts and a cream-colored stripe above the eye.

Sparrows are mainly seen in urban areas and near arable farms. A flock of sparrows will often draw attention to themselves by their noisy, squabbling behavior particularly when fighting for food. They are most commonly seen in the south and east of the British Isles.

House sparrows breed between April and August preferring to nest in colonies of 10 to 20 pairs. They like to nest in holes and under roof tiles or if there is a shortage of holes then they will build a nest in a thick hedge. They lay up to 6 eggs which incubate for about 12 days. Sparrows can raise 3 or 4 broods during one breeding season.

Sparrows will naturally feed on insects during the summer and grain during the winter although they will eat most kinds of foods provided by humans like bread, grated cheese, fat and specially formulated seed mixes.

To help reverse the decline of House Sparrows you could provide them with sparrow flats - special nest boxes that allow them to breed in colonies.

By Anna Price - Article Source: EzineArticles

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9 ways to protect our BIRD from illnesses

1. Good hygiene – regularly clean the birdcage and the appliances in it. The cleaning must be accomplished a minimum of twice a week. 

2. We must n't let our birds have contacts with wild or free-living birds, who are the main carriers of diseases and infections. 

3. Do not put the birdcage exposed to draughts – the birds can catch a cold, and they should be exposed to the sun no more than 1 – 2 hours because they can get overheated and can suffer from hypothermia. 

4. If you have other pet animals – a dog, a cat, first get sure that they are not aggressive towards the birds and only then you can leave them in the same room together. 

5. Examine the birdcage for protruding parts and objects that can hurt the birds. 

6. A very important factor for the good health of the birds is the proper and balanced feeding. Except for grain mixture, they should get enough quantity of fruit and vegetables, from which they will supply themselves with necessary vitamins. 

7. Also, with great importance for the health of birds is the proper supply with minerals. You can buy them from the zoo in a combined form. 

8. It is also necessary that your birds get small stones and sand in a separate container, which contributes to good digestion and food – assimilation. 

9. Overfeeding the birds with proteins of animal origin is very dangerous for them and it can cause podagra and lead to abnormal appetite.

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GOULDIAN FINCH Care: 8 Important Tips

White-breasted Yellow-headed and Black-headed male Gouldian Finches (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Northern Australia is the native habitat of the Gouldian Finch. The other names of the Gouldian finch are the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould's Finch and the Rainbow Finch. Both sexes of the Gouldian family can be identified by their colors of bright yellows, tropical greens, and black. Red markings, usually on the cheeks, will also be seen. The best way to tell the difference between the female and the male is by what color and/or patterns are on their chest. The male's chest is a bright purple and the females' is a light mauve.

Gouldian finches are more difficult to breed and care for than other types of finches and below I have outlined some useful tips you should consider:

1. Gouldian finches need a lot of space to exercise and fly about. You should consider whether to buy a cage or an aviary, this depends on the number of Gouldian finches that you have. After you decide on a cage or aviary, you should then choose a permanent location to keep these birds as they do not like changes in their location.

2. Gouldian finches like humid and warm conditions. These environmental settings should not be taken lightly so do make sure you provide the right conditions before choosing where to place them permanently.

3. Gouldian finches love seeds, which are their primary food source; therefore a nice mix of quality seeds should be given to them every day. You also need to provide additional nutrients and vitamins. Grit, as well as crushed eggshells, should be added to their daily diet. Lettuce, watercress and spinach (greens) also are necessary for a balanced diet. In addition, your finches require calcium so providing Cuttlebone is a must; especially when breeding.

4. A clean cage or aviary is essential as it keeps the birds in healthy living conditions. The cages must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis; usually monthly but more often if necessary. All containers in the cage or aviary should be cleaned daily and the gravel in the bottom of the cage should be replaced with clean gravel at least once a month (or more often if needed).

5. Fresh water should be available daily as stale water can attract bacteria and spread disease. Ideally, you would clean the water container at the same time. Plastic containers are not ideal and should be avoided.

6. Gouldian finches are extremely sensitive about being touched and petted. Try not to handle them unless it's absolutely necessary as this stresses them out.

7. Gouldian's lay on average 4 to 6 eggs and these will hatch between 15 to 18 days after the egg has been laid. It is of the utmost importance that the breeding parents are not unnecessarily disturbed and extra food and clean water be provided each day. Try to use the hand feeding formula as well. The formula is a special diet that should be given to the parent birds. This should be done before the eggs hatch so that they get accustomed to the new diet. Once the chicks are hatched the parents will regurgitate this mix and feed the babies.

8. Never breed Gouldian finches that have a different head color. The reason being is that such mating results in an imbalance in the sex ratio of the young. It's an interesting scientific concern that points to the mortality rates of the young which have been recorded as high as 80%. So this is why breeding Gouldian's of the same head color is recommended.

These important tips will require your additional research for a thorough understanding of the Gouldian finch's needs. Keeping finches is a satisfying and proud journey that I know you will enjoy in order to successfully care for these beautiful birds.

By Ron W Shearer - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Beauty of ORIOLES

Oriole - Photo: Wikimedia

SPRING IS HERE!!! And so are ORIOLES! These wild birds are strikingly beautiful! Because of their beautiful black, orange or yellow color, their distinctive whistle, spring songs, and their amazing suspended nests, which we'll plan to look at further.

ORIOLES are quickly becoming one of America's favorite wild birds. While over eight species of Orioles can regularly be seen in the United States, we want to look at the "Major Three" species - Baltimore, Bullocks, and Orchard.

ALL United States Orioles show variation on the theme of black with yellow or orange color. Except for in the Southeast, all Orioles are tropical migrant wild birds. While migrations vary, Orioles generally arrive in the South in early spring, mid-west in early May, and further North soon afterward. It is very important, for one that is interested in housing and feeding, that Oriole feeders up and ready around May 1st, or often Orioles will pass you by for better feeding grounds. It is also important to have nesting materials out and ready to help attract and encourage Orioles to nest in your yard because by summer's end, migrating Orioles are headed back south to their tropical winter homes in Central and South America. It seems that Baltimore Orioles (Not the Major League Baseball Team) ranges are expanding, while Bullocks and Orchard Orioles are declining.

ALL Orioles need and benefit from our help and we benefit from them also where natural pollination and insect control are concerned. We can help by setting up bird feeders, bird food, bird bath's and birdseed in your neck of the woods and be a part of the bird feed and housing shortages. Where nesting material is available, Orioles will defend an area of several acres and start building a pendulous (hanging loosely) nest.

Here are some interesting facts and ideas to think about, when planning to set out bird food in your yard, near your birdbath and to fill your bird feeders to feed and attract these wild bird orioles. Here are some facts to keep in mind about the Orioles. ORIOLES migrate at night so they are tired, cold and hungry when they arrive in your neck of the woods.

If you wait until you see them, you are "too late" to attract Orioles, in maximum numbers, to your yard. Not so much wild bird seed but bird food like ORANGES is one of the "keys" to attracting Orioles. Cut oranges in half and provide them "juicy side out" for a refreshing snack for these beautiful birds. You can also attract these wild birds up close by offering oriole feeder nectar, jelly and fruit on the feeders by the house and patio.

They love the bright orange feeders and they are inexpensive and slip right on any Smuckers (tm) or other 10-12 ounce jelly jars.

Hanging the nests on a multi-level, wrought iron hanger is another idea, as you are able to tier multiple nests for their room and board enjoyments.

Many people feed jelly year-around, not only Orioles but Woodpeckers, Robins, Warblers and others enjoy it. Many people have said that they keep Orioles longer now that they feed grape jelly!!!! There are a lot of people who claim that their favorite Oriole nectar feeders are Oriole Feeders. Why? Their wide mouths and flat tops, make them easy to fill and clean (base also comes apart easily to clean), and some have bee guards to make sure that Orioles - not bees - enjoy the nectar.

If you're worried about ants bothering your jelly or Oriole Nectar, there are guards to put on and hang oriole feeders with clear nectar protector ant moats above them and fill with water. This acts like a moat, similar to those around the old castles, and has a similar effect. As you are probably well aware, ants can't swim, and for a few extra dollars, you'll never have to mess with cleaning them out of the feeder. These also work well with hummingbird feeders. While it is often advised that it is good to mix their own hummingbird nectar from sugar, some opinion is that commercial Oriole nectar will attract and hold more Orioles and other wild birds at the feeder longer.

Whatever you decide to set up, there are two things to keep in mind. Creativity and fun! You and your family will really enjoy these colors of nature occupying a place in your neck of the woods. Not to mention, you are helping them in their survival and keeping a good, natural source of insect control and pollinators around. Best wishes to you and your endeavors with the Orioles of North America!

Ken Rudman - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Keeping ZEBRA FINCHES

Domesticated Zebra Finch Taeniopygia guttata  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are the most common species of Australian finch and comes from the family called Estrildid which features most of the finches kept in aviculture across the world. It lives in the cool south and tropical far north of the country as well as in Indonesia and East Timor.

Basics

People have called zebras 'flying mice' due to the ease of which they reproduce. This is great if you are looking to start breeding or add a new species to your aviary as it is very little in the way of specific requirements for them.

Zebra finches are happy to live in colonies with their own kind of birds, as well as a huge range of other species. They will live peacefully with nearly all other species of finch, canaries, British birds, doves and even smaller parakeets.

When breeding, both birds can be a little defensive of their nest and will chase other zebras away from it. This is a natural behaviour and will extend when a chick fledges, or leaves the nest, but is never particularly aggressive or result in harm to the other bird. It is more of a noisy, fast-flying warning to keep away from their house.

Feeding zebras is pretty uncomplicated, as well. Use a good foreign finch mix as the basis of your feeding regime and supplement with egg food and some specialist seeds such as niger or hemp seed. Fresh fruit and vegetables are very important for their health, and they will readily consume foods such as spinach, kale and cabbage and fruits such as apple, pear, grapes, mango and plums. With fruit such as apple and plum, remove any seeds or stones as these contain tiny amounts of toxic substances, so better not to take a chance. Access to grit or cuttlefish is also important, especially around breeding time to replace calcium used in making eggs in the hen.

Breeding

Zebra finches don't have a particular breeding season in the way many birds do. They are triggered into breeding condition by light and heat levels or sometimes, for no perceivable reason! They like a variety of nesting materials and are surprisingly good little builders. Coconut fibre, jute, sisal, feathers and even dried grass will all be incorporated into the nest which will usually be a domed affair. They will also happily use a half-open finch nest box or one with a single hole in.

Once the nest is finished, take away surplus nesting material; otherwise, they will keep building and even cover their eggs. Anywhere from 2-7 eggs are laid and are incubated by both birds for around two weeks. When the chicks hatch, they are tiny and nearly hairless, blind and helpless. They are fed by the parents in the nest for around three weeks at which time they fledge fully feathered and resembling an adult save for their black beak. A way of knowing that the bird has matured is that the beak will change from black to bright red for a cock bird or a duller red for a hen.

After fledging, the chicks are fed by the parents for at least two weeks, at which time they may be able to fly or may not be proficient. If they aren't the best at flying, they will seek out corners to hide in so always keep an eye open for fledgelings in odd spots and make sure they don't get themselves stuck.

Zebras can breed at crazy ages of around three months, but it is advisable to wait until at least six months of age before allowing this. One way to ensure this is to keep males and females in separate cages until fully matured.

Keeping Zebras

The lifespan of these little birds is surprisingly long. In the wild, they live around five years but in captivity, 5-7 is average, 12 is possible and the oldest zebra was recorded at 14.5 years of age. They are relatively hardy concerning weather conditions, though any bird should be sheltered from the worst of the climate.

They will happily live in a good-sized cage as a pair or colony, or with other birds. They will also thrive in a flight or large aviary cage and in a flight, can become quite friendly towards humans when they can approach on their own terms. Standing very still with food in hand before the first feed is a good way to win them over, and some may happily hop onto your hand to get in at the food first.

Conclusion

No matter what your experience with birds, zebra finches are a great bird to have. They need little specialist care and can breed easily given a few simple supplies. They come in a range of colours as well and different mutations, so you can quickly get involved in the fun side of genetics and learning which pairing might produce which colours. But all in all, they are fantastic little characters who will quickly win your heart.

Article Source: EzineArticles

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The AMERICAN BALD EAGLE - Facts Everyone Should Know

American Bald Eagle taken at the Hoogle Zoo in UT
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many people don't know that the bald eagle has been the symbol of the United States and the nation's national bird since 1782. Sea Eagles, so common in 18th century Europe, were a common sight to America's early settlers, and it is from mistaking the two birds that the bald eagle got its name. There were no bald eagles in Europe, as the bald eagle is found only in North America. The sea eagle name lingers, and the scientific name, Haliaetus leucocephalus, actually means "sea eagle with a white head" in Greek and Latin.

Of the 'sea eagle' species, the bald eagle is the only one that is native to North America. The bald eagle is immediately obvious by its smooth, white head and white tail, contrasted by the deep brown feathers of its body. Coins, flags, buildings, and seals in the United States have used the image of the bald eagle to symbolize the country.

The bald eagle is a fierce bird of prey, along with other raptors, such as hawks, vultures, owls, and falcons. The bald eagle lives on a diet of live prey, such as waterfowl and fish, as well as rodents, snakes, rabbits, and birds, but they will eat carrion when there is no live prey to be eaten.

Bald eagles are enormous and intimidating birds, with adults growing to 32 inches in length, with wingspans to 7 ½ feet, and weighing up to 16 pounds.

The largest eagles live in Alaska, and the smaller eagles can be found in Florida. Wherever the bald eagle lives, the animals in the region scatter when the bird begins to land.

Each hunting pair of bald eagles requires an area of 2 to 15 square miles in which to hunt. Each pair of bald eagles shares a nest, furiously guarding it against predators. The bald eagle sometimes chases animals that have made a catch of their own, such as the East Central Florida bald eagles that chase Ospreys along the Indian River Lagoon. The eagle will then get to eat the Osprey's catch, as the Osprey drops its squirming prey to escape the eagle.

Although they are birds of prey, the bald eagle shows a tremendous instinct for family loyalty. The bald eagle stays with its mate for life, though few other birds follow this behavior. Though most birds live a much shorter time, the bald eagle can live for as many as 25 years. They live across North America, from the north, including Canada and Alaska, across the middle expanses of the U.S., and south into the northern part of Mexico.

The bald eagle travels frequently, flying to northern climates to escape hot summers, the birds usually return close to the place where they were hatched in order to begin families of their own. Breeding bald eagles lay one to three eggs in the spring, which hatch about 35 days later. After three months in the nest, the baby bald eagles begin to fly, and a month later fly away from their mother for good. The dangers of hunger, disease, harsh weather and toxic chemicals can all make life hard for baby eagles, but almost 70% manage to adapt and survive for at least a year.

Did you know that to save the species in 1940 the United States Congress passed the Bald Eagle Protection Act? This law made it illegal for people to disturb or bother the birds. This also included taking bald eagles for reasons such as selling, trading, or transporting them and also included their eggs and nests. Taking an eagle included shooting at the birds, wounding them, trapping, capturing, disturbing them, or killing them in any manner.

Large numbers of bald eagles died because of DTT, the overuse of pesticides, and other toxic chemicals. The bald eagle was given a chance to be saved by the many reintroduction programs and new laws that were enacted to help them. It seemed nearly impossible to save the species from extinction at the time.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 allowed species that were small in numbers to be classified as threatened, and species with very low populations to be classified as endangered. In the early 1990s, the rapidly increasing numbers of bald eagles made it possible for the species to be taken off the endangered species lists in most states.

The bald eagle has dramatically increased in numbers between 1963 and 1994, rising from about 500 pairs to almost 5,000 pairs and leading Congress to reclassify its status as threatened. With the increasing population of the bald eagle, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will soon take the bird off the endangered species list.

To observe the bald eagle is a pleasurable experience. The long strides of the bald eagle as it launches leads into the soaring, slow-motion movement of the bird in flight. The determined eagle keeps to its determined path, its prize kept in sight. The skies of North America are increasingly filled with the majestic bald eagle. Everyone should make an effort to see this animal.

By Ryan Orlancia - Article Source: EzineArticles

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A Favorite BACKYARD BIRD - The CHICKADEE

Carolina Chickadee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Chickadee is a familiar and welcome visitor to most backyards in the United States. Varieties of this bird are found across the entire US. A member of the titmouse family, there are five variations in the US. Mexican, Chestnut Backed, and Mountain Chickadees reside in the western states. The Black Capped and Carolina Chickadees cover most of the US from New Jersey to Kansas and south from Texas to Florida. I mention these two together because they are so similar, even at close range, they are hard to distinguish. It would appear they have a hard time themselves as Black Capped and Carolina Chickadees have been known to breed with each other in areas where they overlap.

This active friendly bird will visit almost any backyard birding area and become a year-round resident. After becoming regulars at your feeders during spring and summer, most will winter in the same area they had their summer nests, provided the weather doesn't turn too harsh. Even then, they will migrate only a short distance and return when it warms. For year-round backyard birding, the chickadee is hard to beat. These birds have a cheerful call and song and provide hours of entertainment checking the trees and shrubs for insects.

Insects are the food of choice for the Chickadee. They eat live insects, eggs, and larvae while hopping or hanging, even upside down, in trees and shrubs. They sometimes make quick short flights and catch insects on the fly. They also enjoy berries, fleshy fruits, suet, acorns, and seeds. This friendly bird is a regular at our tube and platform bird feeders. We see them taking one sunflower seed at a time from our bird feeder and flying a short distance to open it. They enjoy our blueberry bushes, pine cones, and muscadines as well.

Chickadees can be trained to eat from your hand. It will take patience and consistent offerings, but these birds will slowly begin to come to you. This occurs more often in colder weather when the food supply is more scarce. This chickadee enjoys a variety of foods and can be enticed with various offerings until you find the one which works for you. Try various nuts, seeds, or fruits at about the same time each day. The inquisitive chickadee will get closer and closer until you find them eating from your hand!

Chickadees nest naturally in hollow trees or old woodpecker sites. They can be attracted to man-made birdhouses. Obtain a birdhouse made for them and place it in a pine, elm, aspen or birch tree. We have them nesting in houses attached to our wood fence. Just be sure you have a sturdy house, rough sawn for the bird to cling to and protect them with predator guards at the entrance. A chickadee house should come with tree shavings. While not used for the nest, it looks at this as proof this is a proper nesting site.

This bird is easily attracted and a favorite of many backyard bird watchers. Offering several varieties of food will keep these visitors happy. Provide sheltering shrubbery, water, and natural or man-made birdhouse nesting sites and you will have an entertaining songbird dancing, singing, and performing upside down acrobatics for years to come. If you are fortunate enough, the Chickadee will reward you with eating from your hand.

By David R Price David Price is an avid amateur bird watcher and outdoor photographer. Article Source: EzineArticles

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