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Friday, November 30, 2012

Parrot Care and Behavior

Parrots are beautiful and majestic. They can nearly bowl you off your feet with their stunning beauty... but there's more to it than good looks. A bird won't sit in a tweety bird cage all day eating seed saying "Polly want a cracker?". First off, I'll give you a little glimpse of parrot care needs...

Cage size and shape is a big factor here. Parrots, as well as all birds, cannot be housed in a round cage. They need corners to feel secure in. The cage should be kept against a wall or in a corner, not in the middle of a room. The cage should be *at least* 2 times the width of the bird's wing span. Bigger is much better. Those "parakeet cages" and "cockatiel cages" that you see in pet store would not be suffice for a single canary or finch, let alone a budgie or cockatiel. The cage should be on a stand. The cage should not be set on the floor (for small birds). The cage for big parrots have wheels on the bottom and are very tall, and do not need to be on a stand.

Toys and perches are also needed, of course. At least 5 toys would be good. Wooden toys and paper toys are ideal. Plastic toys aren't very fun for birds because they can't really chew on them. My lovebird, my only bird, loves to shred paper and dixie cups. Birds need wood AND rope perches. Different textures for their feet. Wood alone can become hurtful to the bird's feet! You may also choose to give your bird swings and ladders, for even more fun.

Diet... oh diet. A parrot just can't eat seed. They need pellets, good seeds, fresh fruits and veggies, and if you can, cooked foods and sprouts. You can look up toxic food lists for birds on Google. Parrots seem to love eggs, and whole wheat pasta. My lovie loves to eat off of my plate.

Attention! Parrots need attention. Some more than others. That's why, if you work long hours, don't get a large parrot! They need much more attention than the small guys. I mean, hours and hours of attention per day. Not 20 minutes.

Noise, beautiful noise! Not.. Well, birds make noise. It's inevitable. If you have a quiet bird, you have a sick bird. Budgies chirp, macaws scream. Even little Aratinga conures (suns, jendays, cherry heads.. etc) can pack a noise punch. It's amazing how such a loud screech can come from a little bird, really! Even my lovebird can chirp quite loud! And he's only a baby... and I mistakenly taught him the "come here" whistle. Which he uses all the time! The big guys can knock you off your feet with their screams and squawks. I heard a macaw squawk at a bird expo and it nearly stopped my heart! Very, very loud. Cockatoos and macaws especially! Oh, and Amazons! Oh, and.... Well yea, there are a LOT of loud birds.

Now; to the behavior part. Ready for it?

Parrots are mentally confusing animals. They can learn to pluck their feathers and other bad behaviors quite easily. Whether it be a bad diet, not enough attention, or other problems, such as arguments in the household. They can develop screaming problems, too. Whether it be their owner screaming or learning that screaming means attention. A bird can become aggressive and untrustworthy with a mistake from you, like using violence with your bird when he does something wrong. Negative reinforcement does *not* work with parrots. Only positive reinforcement does. Reward them for doing everything you like them to do. And they will learn to please you. But boy, do birds love drama! If your bird bites or lunges, don't pull away or yell. That's a reward! Carefully remove the beak from your hand, place your bird somewhere else, like on a perch, go into the bathroom, tend to your wound and scream if you need to! Let all your anger out! Then you can approach your bird again.

Parrots need new toys every once in a while to keep them stimulated and happy. Whether it be a wad of paper, or a $50 wooden toy, they will be happy. They need plenty of toys, and new toys to be happy and healthy. You should bring the bird out of his cage often and have play sessions, like peak a boo, or maze (Google it). There are plenty of ideas. Birds love to forage for food and treats, so you can try doing things like hiding food and letting your bird find it. Remember, parrot's don't have a sense of smell, so don't make it too hard! (They smell with their tongue. That's why something they gently grab onto your finger and "smell" it!).

Please don't think I'm trying to scare you away from parrot owner ship! The pros can sometimes outweigh the cons, but sometimes they can't, so expect that! Do your research research research, please! There are way to many homeless parrots as it is.

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Australian King Parrot

The Australia King Parrots are a medium size parrot and as the name would suggest native to Australia. They are the largest of the local Australian brightly colored Parrots. By far they are Australia's largest parrot measuring sixteen to seventeen inches in length and weighing seven to eight ounces. This Parrot is a particularly robust and hearty bird; their life span in captivity can average from twenty to twenty-five years.

The Australia King Parrots are also known as The King Lory, Queensland King, Southern King Parrot, Australian King, and The Eastern King. The Australia King Parrots are inhabitants of Australia's coastal mountains, and forests regions of Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. While the wild birds are largely seen in the eastern regions of Australia, wild King Parrots are commonly seen in populated areas such as parks and gardens.

In the wild the Australian King Parrots eat fruits, berries, seeds and small insects. During the early morning and late afternoon the wild Australian King Parrot can be seen in groups of three to five flying to their daily feeding grounds. They have been known to destroy orchards and corn crops. Most farmers consider them to be largely pests.

The birds have been known to have a preference for the fruit of the white cedar tree. It is very common to see them eating ripe kiwi fruit, figs and eucalyptus pod seeds. When kept in captivity, they typically eat commercial bird food from a feeding tray. Their diet can be supplemented with passion fruit, kiwi fruit, sunflower seeds and fresh corn on the cob. They seem to favor early morning feedings.

The birds are not known to being overly affectionate, and may not take to being handled very well. However, the birds are not in any way anti-social. In fact they seem to enjoy interacting with their caretakers. The birds are an excellent alternative to more vocal Parrots. They are quiet Parrots and tend not to scream making them highly sought after due to their good nature. While not the best talkers among parrots, they can learn to say a few words. When they vocalize, owners are entertained with their very pleasant chatter and whistles.

Often described as beautiful, the Australian King Parrots have a very visible color pattern. It consists of a color combination of largely reds and greens. The male's heads are fiery red in color while the female's heads and breasts are green. Both sexes generally have read bellies and green color trailing down their tails and onto their wings. The back and wings usually have a dark green coloration with lighter green patch across the shoulders.

Keep in mind they are a curious and intelligent bird. They will need a large cage to keep them active. As mentioned earlier they are hearty bird and they need to be exercised outside the cage daily. Standard exercise for this bird consists of three to four hours outside the cage so give them a lot of attention and they will reward you with lots of love.

4 Pointers On Gouldian Finches

Gouldian finches have been domesticated for many centuries, but they are already considered to be endangered species in the wild. They are a joy to behold, beautiful, marvelous birds that are sure to attract anyone due to their iridescent colors.

Thoughts to Consider before Choosing the Gouldian Finches

Be reminded that the Gouldian finches are not easy to take care of. They require care, attention and strategic planning. Without ample knowledge, you can end up losing them early and this could break your heart as a pet owner. If you are not ready for the demands of taking care of this fantastic bird, then you have to opt for other types of birds of easier finches to take care of like the society finches and the zebra finches.

Domesticated Ones versus Wild Ones

Make sure to purchase them only from expert breeders. It would be hard to take care of wild ones as they are not accustomed to captivity and have a higher chance of getting depressed and dying. It would be best to get a domesticated pair. The Gouldian finches must never be bought alone. They must come with a pair in order to survive. It might not necessarily be a female and male. It can be both sexes.

What do the Gouldian finches need in order to thrive?

The Gouldian finches would need a clean supply drinking water every day, a place for drinking and a place for taking a bath as this type of birds love this kind of activity. You can choose to play vitamin supplements in the water. Just make sure to consult a vet or an expert breeder before trying anything.

It would also need ample food. It must not go without food for 3 to 4 hours long. It must always have some seeds to eat. Make sure that the water is clean. Place it away from where it can be contaminated by their feces. It would be best to use a stainless steel container for the food and the water and avoid using plastic to lessen the chances of causing bacteria and algae.

Aviclense and Benefits of Using it for Gouldian Finches

Remember when algae forms in the containers then place aviclense in their water in order to solve the problem.

Be careful of the diet of the Gouldian finches. Make sure that they have a variety of seeds and greens. Owners can also provide them with eggs and biscuit, cuttle fish bone and oyster shell for their calcium needs and eggs shells in order to maintain their health.

If you are in a very cold climate, take the time to make sure that the temperature is bearable for the Gouldian finches, not too hot or not too cold. Especially when they are breeding, they need to be in the right blend of temperature in order for the younger birds to survive.

Make sure to place the cage high enough so that they cannot be reached or disturbed by other pets.

How Do Birds Stay Warm In The Winter Tips on Buying the Right African Grey Parrot Cage Finches Information: How to Feed Your Finches Correctly African Grey Parrot Facts To Help Make Buying Decisions

Yellow Headed Amazon

The Yellow Headed Amazon is native to Mexico and Central America. It is actually endangered due to the destruction of the rain forest in these areas. Another reason these birds are endangered is the captive pet trade. These parrots sell for quite a lot of money, so they are captured and sold as beautiful, exotic pets. Although the capture and export of wild parrots into the United States is illegal, it happens much too often.

This Amazon is known for its gorgeous plumage. It is mostly green in color, with yellow feathering on the head and neck as well as a bit of yellow on the wings (the wings also sport a bit of red). The beak and feet are flesh toned.

Size: 15 to 17 inches in length

Lifespan: Sexual maturity happens sometime around their 5th to 8th year of life. Their lifespan is anywhere between 50 and 80 years, so be prepared for a lifetime with your bird.

Dietary Needs:

A diet of consisting of nutritious pellet and fresh fruits, veggies, and nuts is recommended for this parrot. Because the Yellow-Headed Amazon is prone to a vitamin A deficiency, dark veggies, carrots, corn and other such foods rich in Vitamin A are great. Beans are a good addition, but only when they have been cooked. Nuts that are still in their shell are very fun to crack open and eat as well.

Cage Size: The larger the better for these active birds. This birds cage should be at minimum 32 inches wide with 5/8 to 1 inch bar spacing.

Traits: These birds are not timid or shy. They are outgoing and forthright, dramatic in their gestures and very entertaining. Because of their in-your-face personality, you should always watch your bird closely when you have guests in your house. Instead of running away, these birds will more often than not come right up to your visitor and may very well give a nip to an unsuspecting hand. They can become aggressive during mating season when they reach sexual maturity, so they are recommended for a more experienced bird owner. Training is important with these birds to curb any aggressive tendencies. Training also doubles as great bonding time with your bird. Remember, set aside time everyday with your bird to keep them happy and bonded to you. Birds, most of the time, are very social creatures.

Health Concerns: Yellow-Headed Amazons are prone to a problem that many people also suffer from. That's right. Obesity. With all those yummy foods available, who can resist eating just one more scrumptious morsel? Well, although a pudgy bird may seem happy and perhaps appear a bit cute, obesity in birds is very harmful to their health. Exercise outside his or her cage along with healthy low fat foods are a good way to keep your Amazon trim and in-shape. Amazons may get a few diseases that are common among their particular breed. Some include: Psittacosis (A bacterial infection that causes lethargy, difficulty breathing, weight loss), toe necrosis, and fungal infections. Psittacosis is particularly dangerous, as it can be spread to humans with weak immune systems, such as the elderly and young children.

Train-ability: This parrot is an amazing "talker". The yellow-Headed Amazon is considered one of the most talented imitators in the parrot world, running a close second to the African Grey. This does not mean that all Yellow-Headed Amazons will speak words. They may just makes sounds, like that of the door opening if it has squeaky hinges or the telephone ringing. Some will have an array of spoken words in their vocabulary, but this really depends on the bird and how much you talk to them.

How to Choose a Bird Cage for Your New Bird

Getting a bird? You ll need a bird cage along with other things, but the most key element is to find good bird cages for sale. Birds will always need a good cage. If you have thought about making or getting a homemade cage, you should know that they will typically have wire on them that will probably have zinc in it, it s is highly toxic to birds. Another thing to remember about homemade bird cages is that if they are made of wood, it is almost certain that some birds can simply shred/chew/destroy it. Depending on your lifestyle you may also need to look for traveling Bird Cages for Sale. The prices can range from $20-$150 depending on the quality and material.

Now a couple other things to look for when finding Bird Cages for Sale are toys (they are really a must trust me). The thing is that they will probably always end up eventually destroying them, so you should buy something very sturdy. The prices can range anywhere from are $5-$20 each, I recommend around 3 toys in the cage, too many toys can stress the bird out. If you can get more than three, you may try just switching them out every now and then.

Many times when looking for Bird Cages for Sale, you can get the perch with it. If you can´t then its always good to get one from a pet store unless you already know what woods are safe for your bird and how to dry them. You DO NOT want sand perches, this will dry the birds feet and doesn t do much on trimming the nails.

And now, the most essential thing besides the bird cages is the birds food, and it can cost a pretty penny. Their diet is seed, pellets, fruit and vegetables. Vegetables are the most important (for obvious reasons) this should be their main food, Fruit will be more like a daily treat, it has a large amount of sugar so not too much, Pellets although always available to the bird, should not be the main food.

Once you have found Bird Cages for Sale and have chosen your bird, you should really enjoy having your bird, make sure that you cherish every moment you have with it because like with any and everything, you never know when it will be taken away. The bond that will form between you and your bird will be priceless!

Parrots And Air Cleaners - 7 Facts To Understand

Providing fresh clean air for pet parrots is one of the most important things to provide; because if your bird can't breathe not much else will matter. There are many features to consider when deciding on the right purifier for your situation. Here are 7 answers that will help you make the right choice.

How important is 24 hour filtration? In a word it is crucial. The goal is to keep the level of air quality high all the time. And the only way to do this is not to ever allow a build-up of particles.

Having a motor that is able to run safely with high revolutions per minute is essential to constantly minimize pollutants in the air. This type of motor is called a split capacitor and should be listed in the technical specifications of the owner's manual.

What level of ozone is safe? This remains a controversial subject for many. Studies have shown that the level of ozone would have to be so high to effectively clean the air that it would be toxic to humans. Other studies conclude that trace amounts are acceptable.

The one thing that all can agree on is that fresh air is best. So using a technology that only produces fresh air is best for you and your bird. HEPA filtration is safe and is the most efficient at particle elimination.

Which is better, plastic or steel casing? Steel is the best option for a number of reasons. Many parrots have strong beaks and use them to explore things in their environment including the purifier. A unit made of steel is less likely to have pieces break off that cause injury, or worse.

When a unit runs continuously (as it should) the motor heat will cause the casing to get warm. Sometimes when the unit is made of plastic this can cause fumes to be released into the air when the plastic heats up. The last thing you want is to pay for a unit that causes problems rather eliminates them.

What type of filter is best? There should really be a canister of filters that contains multiple filters that are designed to remove various size particles. A HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is designed to remove airborne particles that are .3 microns or greater in size. This filter is cable of removing airborne bacteria and viruses as well as the microscopic pieces of dander that all birds shed continually.

There should also be large and medium size pre-filters that can trap particles that you can see such as bird dust, feathers, and normal household dust. These filters save the more intricate HEPA from filling needlessly with particles that are easily trapped by these bigger and less expensive filters.

A filter for odor is also a good idea. Having a carbon cloth filter gives you 2 advantages. Because it is woven like a cloth it can also trap particles, and the fact that it is made of carbon means that it can remove gases, odors, and airborne chemicals to which birds are so vulnerable.

How big of a space should the unit be able to clean? It should be able to clean the area that is open to it. So if your birds are in a family room, the cleaner should be capable of cleaning not only that room but all the other space open to it. So if you leave all of your doors open and your space is 1500 square feet, that's the space your purifier should be sized to clean.

Where is the best placement for the unit? The cleaner should be placed so that it does not create a draft for the birds. Ideally, a unit should only need about 6 inches of clearance from any surface to function efficiently. This means it can be placed out of the way and in a way that keeps the chord from being a tripping or choking hazard.

What type of maintenance should be expected? Maintenance should be minimal and should be able to be done while the unit is running. Vacuuming the outside occasionally should be the most that is expected.

How Do Birds Stay Warm In The Winter Tips on Buying the Right African Grey Parrot Cage Finches Information: How to Feed Your Finches Correctly African Grey Parrot Facts To Help Make Buying Decisions