So You Bought a Parrot, Now What?

So You Bought a Parrot, Now What?

by Sherry R Vulgamott

In my other blog, I write about my daily life. But, most of my posts revolve around my parrots, as does my life. It is in my belief that birds were not intended to be on this earth so we could still them in a cage in our homes. No matter what your religion is, birds were not made for solitary stationary lives. They were intended to fly in the great outdoors. Nobody can argue with that.

But, now you have one in your home, as do I. Now what? Well, let's hope that you did your research and you found a parrot that is right for you and your family. We're going to assume you did for the sake of this article and my sanity.

CAGES

The first thing that needs to be purchased is a cage. Have you ever walked into a pet store and saw that they have a sale going on, "Buy This Cage, Get a Parakeet FREE!" Don't do that. Just buy the parakeet and cage separately because THAT cage will not be big enough for your new family member. Remember, your new family member is a bird with wings and will need to use those wings. A cage for a parakeet should be wider than taller, because they are not helicopters that can fly straight up.

Bigger is always better when buying a cage for your new pet. However, the width of the bar spacing in cages is also just as important, as tiny heads can get trapped in between the bars. So, keep that in mind when purchasing the cage.

A good cage size for a Macaw or bigger parrot is one where your parrot can stretch his wings without touching the sides of his cage.

FOOD

As with the topic of human children and nutrition, there are just as many debates on parrot nutrition. Some say pellets only, some say seeds and pellets, some say fresh food, seeds, and pellets, some say cooked foods, fresh foods, seeds, and pellets; but, no one says that only feeding seeds is good for a parrot.

Mine get a huge variety of foods on a daily basis. If you read my other blog, you would know that I am having some issues with Sisco eating foods that are good for her. She is a seed junky and will not eat anything else except mashed potatoes. Just like human children, if they are exposed to only certain things, they will never develop a taste of other foods. However, if they are exposed to good foods on a daily basis, they will eventually try something, and possibly even like it!

The point is to never give up trying to feed your parrot healthy foods and never stop learning about parrot nutrition.

TOYS

What do you mean by toys? My bird needs toys? Isn't a swing enough? Um, no. Your bird needs something to do. A bored bird is an unhappy bird. A bird that is busy is a happy bird. A bird that is locked in a cage from day in to day out with nothing to do will exhibit very unwelcoming behaviors such as excessive screaming. A bird that doesn't have any toys (or the wrong toys for THAT specific bird) but is allowed the freedom to come and go as he pleases may start to be destructive to the things around him, such as the molding on your big picture window or your first edition of Twilight.

There are lots of different toys on the market today. To pick out which toy is right for your bird will just be a process of trial and error. But in reality, a bird should have a variety of toys and not the same type of toy in his cage at all times. You should have enough toys to be able to rotate every few weeks.

ATTENTION

No, it is not enough to plop them in a cage with healthy foods and enough toys to outfit a bird toy store. Sorry. You need to pay attention to him. You do not have to hold your parrot 24/7, but you do need to give him ambient attention. Ambient attention is to give your parrot attention while she is in her cage or on her playstand. This can be achieved with just talking to your parrot, interacting with her, calling his name when he calls for you, reading to her, dancing with her, singing with her, watching TV and keeping a running commentary with her of what you see, etc. This is the kind of attention parrots absolutely love.

VET CARE

Your new buddy needs to see a doctor from time to time. It is true that birds hide their illnesses, so when you see what could potentially be a sign of an illness, get him to a vet as soon as possible! The time to find a good avian vet is when he is healthy, not when it is an emergency.

Those are just some of the basics of parrot care. The very basics, unfortunately. If you do not treat your parrot like the delicate animal he is, things can go very wrong in an instant.

Bird Aviaries 101

Bird Aviaries 101

by Mark G Jones

Bird aviaries or bird cages to the plain-spoken, are large enclosures for confining birds, not to keep them captive but to allow them larger living spaces where they can fly. Aviaries are also known to come with shrubs and plants to mimic their natural habitat. They can often be found in zoos and public parks, displaying birds of various colors and species for the public's enjoyment.

Aviaries were meant more to preserve certain bird species and for breeders' use. Often, it is not easy to mix bird species especially if you have no sufficient knowledge of their particular traits and habits but keeping them confined within aviaries offers a neutral environment which helps the birds settle down more easily. The most popular type of aviary is the home aviary, which are popular with breeders who have enough space in their backyards for it. Traditionally, aviaries were a DIY project but these days, commercial aviaries are available in various sizes to fit all kinds of spaces and budgets.

There are two main types of home aviaries: suspended and grounded. Grounded aviaries are fixed to the ground with a concrete base to keep rats, snakes and other predators from chewing their way in while suspended aviaries are either hung on trees or have supports that are affixed to the ground as another way to prevent predators from reaching the birds. However, choosing the best aviaries depends on a lot of factors, which makes shopping for them online quite a challenge especially if you don't have an idea of what you're looking for.

To choose the best aviaries, you must consider factors like house space, design and bird species if you are to get the best ones that will keep your birds happy, healthy and safe. Stainless steel bird aviaries are a popular choice among breeders because for one, there is no coating of paint that the birds can chip or chew on so there's no risk of toxic poisoning. It is also easy to clean and it resists the formation of bacteria well because it is non-porous.

However, if we are to be more specific, here are the most popular types of bird aviaries that are available online and off that most breeders and bird lovers consider:

Indoor and Outdoor Aviaries
These are best for people with enough space in their homes and backyards. These cages are usually big enough to accommodate two large birds or several small birds like canaries. Breeders usually choose between the stainless steel and aluminum varieties.

Stacker and Breeder Aviaries
These are for breeders who have limited space and who take care of several bird species. These are usually stacked 3-4 cages high and powder-coated in white or black. These enclosures usually contain feeder boxes, a place to hang a watering device and they have removable pans to make for easier cleaning.

Flight Cages
These are enclosures that are large enough for birds to fly in. Unlike cages they allow birds more space to spread their wings and get all the exercise they need as they tend to get bored and depressed when they can't fly around as much as they'd like and this often leads to an untimely demise in some cases. They also designed to simulate a bird's natural environment with the addition of plants and shrubs.

Cantilevered Aviaries
These combine the best of both grounded and suspended aviaries. They are usually designed with a conventional ground-based section that is attached to a suspended section which provides birds with extra room for flying and resting. This suspended section also makes it easy to keep the cages hygienic since the droppings fall to the ground and not in the cage.

Aviaries are the best investment bird breeders can make but it is also important to keep in mind several things in order to make sure that the aviaries you purchase are worth your time and money: make sure that they are equipped with proper heating and cooling to keep the birds comfortable, make sure that the wire or mesh is thick enough so the birds can't chew their way out and that they are not made of cedar or redwood which emit dangerous fumes the birds can inhale.

The Right Way to Take Care of a Pet Parrot

The Right Way to Take Care of a Pet Parrot

by Bernard Yao

Getting a pet parrot may turn out to be a highly worthwhile investment, in terms of time and money. Such a pet proves to be very fascinating to some people, especially with the numerous abilities they have. One can simply be entertained with the gesture of teaching their parrot a bunch of tricks, and a ton of time is to be dedicated into providing proper care for this type of bird. There are so many things, though, that one has to make sure of, such as cleaning its cage properly, changing its water supply as well as ensuring that it's always provided enough company. Below are some additional things to ponder upon when it comes to taking care of a pet parrot.

1. One has to decide carefully if they really want to have a parrot as a pet, and this includes looking into their cage's size and getting it a perch, since it's quite a sociable creature to have. One should also realize that its most unique trait is the ability to mimic any sound it hears, including how the owner talks. Owners should have enough time spent on schooling it and ensuring that it gets the proper training in order to develop into a well rounded pet that everyone can have fun with and appreciate.


2. Getting them the right kind of food is also essential. Parrots are often fed seeds which contain a lot of nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, all of which can help them grow and acquire healthy bodies. However, this isn't always the most appropriate choice. Considering that most seeds are being commercially manufactured, and may even include all those various nutrients, there's also a lot more freedom in choice. One can simply purchase pellets which these birds can chew on, and the owners won't have to worry about husks of seeds scattered all over the cage.


3. It would also be essential for the owner to take it out of its cage and be properly groomed. There needs to be utmost caution when doing so, since these creatures can be very fidgety, thus increasing the risk of injuring them. Their beaks must be properly cleaned in a delicate manner, toe nails should be trimmed carefully with the right sized trimmer, and wings have to be clipped properly to avoid nasty falls during flying play sessions.

A pet parrot may not be the least complicated type of birds to handle, yet they are pretty fun to have around the household. It also teaches owners how to be responsible in taking care of fragile creatures that will end up leading to a whole new experience.

Homemade Chicken Incubator: How To

Homemade Chicken Incubator: How To

by Rambo Moe

A chicken incubator is necessary if you want to hatch chicks and don't have the mother there to do it, as would normally work. You could go out and spend thousands of dollars buying an incubator from the store, but there's really no need to do that when you can get some basic supplies and make one yourself right at home.

The first step is getting the supplies you need to get started. The easiest way, especially if you've never made your own incubator before, is to purchase a complete kit. This makes it faster and easier to complete your incubator, so you can complete it and start using it right away. Just make sure that you keep a few things in mind when you're building your incubator.

The most important thing is to maintain a constant incubator temperature at all times. Otherwise, the eggs can get ruined. If you want to hatch a good percentage of fertile eggs, you have to maintain a constant temperature. This can also be one of the most challenging tasks, but the aim temperature to maintain is around 99-3/4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though different types of eggs do require different heat levels, this is the ideal and works for most.

Next, to make your incubator, you need to monitor the humidity. If it is too dry or too humid inside the incubator, you're going to have serious problems. You can monitor the humidity with a wet-bulb thermometer, which allows you to make sure there are never too low or too high of moisture levels.

It does take some work and effort on your part, but you can create an effective, efficient incubator with just basic materials and a little bit of time. These are the key things to keep in mind when you're building the incubator, to make sure it works how you need it to.

Why Invest in A Bird Aviary

Why Invest in A Bird Aviary

by Mark G Jones

Do you have pet birds at home? Or are you planning to go into such hobby sometime soon? Whatever your preferences are when it comes to pets, it's always essential to keep them well-feed and highly comfortable in the environment they live in. As much as possible, make sure to invest in a good cage for them so they can still enjoy their surroundings even though they are not in their natural habitat. But apart from the traditional bird cages, there's another option you can take advantage of. Instead of getting the typical cage that always seems like a mini prison for them, why not go for a large bird aviary so they can freely enjoy and comfortably explore their new home? Check out the following reasons why aviaries are growing more popular option nowadays.

Aviaries are the most ideal option if you really care about your birds' welfare. Because of the wider space, birds can be freer in exploring their surroundings, just like when they are in their natural habitat. Unlike cages which limit their movements and their flying space, they can enjoy more flexibility in flying, socializing, and exploring in an aviary. If you are a bird breeder, you can take advantage of the dynamic natural-like surroundings of an aviary. There are even large bird aviaries that you can visit or explore yourself. You'll have the chance to enjoy watching them while sitting comfortably in a bench inside the aviary. This gives you an opportunity to interact and explore the birds' surroundings yourself.

Just like anything else, aviaries have their own share of disadvantages. For one, they use up larger space on your yard. Large aviaries can also be a bit expensive, especially when you compare them to the cost of a traditional cage. Because of the larger space, moreover, there's also a high tendency for you to have less control over the birds (unlike when you go for a typical small cage). And of course, with more freedom to fly and explore, birds can also sometimes get into trouble with other birds or collide into something that can cause them injuries.

If you value your birds' happiness and welfare, though, aviaries are still the best way to go to support conducive breeding and flying space. Invest in a good one that has a safety porch, roof, and covers to each side. If you're not ready yet to go for a large bird aviary, you can start with a small bird shed. You can check out shed kits and aviary products that are high-quality, affordable, and easy to clean and maintain at the same time.

Birds Through The Ages

Birds Through The Ages

by Maxina D Williams

Throughout history man has kept pets. Dogs have been the most popular and look how cats were revered in ancient Egypt. But birds have always been there as well. Parrots in particular were very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans and feature prominently in ancient writings.

The popularity of parrots throughout the ages has been due not only to their beauty and their great companionability but also to their ability to be taught to talk. Can you imagine a parrot talking in Latin? Well, in ancient Rome someone had one which had been taught to say "Hail Caesar". The Alexandrine Parrot derives its name from Alexander the Great. It is said that he was given one after his invasion of northern India in 327 BC. In more recent times, 1493 to be precise, Christopher Columbus brought back a pair of Cuban Amazon parrots for Queen Isabella of Spain. That was probably the least he could do seeing she had sold off her jewellery to fund his trip. He must have had some knowledge of how to care for them or they would not have survived the journey. One can only wonder how many thousands, or perhaps millions, of the beautiful feathered creatures have perished over the years as a result of the ignorance of trappers who simply didn't know how to look after them.

A parrot, particularly one that talked, was very much the thing to have in wealthy Roman households and one of the slaves would have the job of looking after it. The type of cage was also a status symbol and would often be elaborately carved out of expensive materials such as ivory and tortoiseshell. In the 18th century Madame Pompadour, mistress of King Louis XV of France, kept parrots and served up their food and water in only the best quality porcelain bowls. No doubt the birds were impressed.

The situation is a little different today because birds of all kinds are more readily available. Having rare and expensive ones is still seen as a status symbol for some and there are serious collectors of exotic birds whose motives are quite genuine. But there is a bird to suit every person and every budget and you can derive just as much pleasure from one of the common varieties such as a Budgerigar as you can from one that costs a mint.

Cages have evolved down through the years as well. Whereas in earlier times the emphasis was on appearance, the modern cage is more scientifically designed with an emphasis on practicability and functionality but without sacrificing an attractive appearance. The comfort and safety of the bird is also a very important feature of the modern cage.

In many ways man hasn't changed all that much over the last couple of thousand years but our ever increasing knowledge and ingenuity has meant that we are forever improving the living standards of not only ourselves but also of the creatures we keep around us to enhance our lives and that includes our pet birds.

Tips You Need to Know for Spring Bird Feeding

Tips You Need to Know for Spring Bird Feeding

by Francesca Sharpe

What to Feed Them

Now, it's important to remember the significance of the breeding season. Over winter you can throw out whatever food you like and the birds will merrily peck it up, but in the spring there are children to think of!

Usually, birds will frequent feeders less as long as there are plenty of invertebrates lounging around for feeding. They'll be able to sustain themselves easily and return to the nest to feed their children. Now, if the weather turns and creates a food shortage you may find yourself seeing many more visits from mature birds. The risk is they'll not only use the feeder for themselves, but take food back to the nest. Fat, bread hunks, and large dry foods like peanuts can easily choke an infant bird.

Hand out high protein foods, including grated cheese, black sunflower seeds, mealworms and raisins. Sliced fruit such as apples and pears also respond well.

Keep One Eye on the Weather

At least in the winter you know what you're getting. It's going to be cold, and birds will need feeding. In the spring weather varies a lot more. For the most part food will be abundant and you can leave out minimal amounts, but a change in the weather can quickly result in food shortages. For insect-eaters, a bout of extremely wet weather will cut down their food source substantially, and you might want to leave out a few snacks appropriate to the species. A lengthy drought will harden the ground, and remove access to earthworms, a sizable loss for birds attempting to feed their young.

It's incredibly different for humans to detect a food shortage. Rather than adjusting your feeding practices dramatically just keep track of your local visitors' frequency. If they're coming with regularity it may indicate an immediate food shortage, so be sure you're not leaving out feed inappropriate for their young.

Keep it Clean

Unlike the winter, you're likely to see a much slower turnover of feed. Keep your unused seed in a metal container to keep it from spoiling, and consider investing in a covered feeder for the garden. The combination of rain and heat can quickly create mould and disease in your seed, and you don't want to be responsible for any health problems.

There'll be more wastage, so try to keep the amount of feed out at any one time to a minimum. Clear up the debris left on the feeder or grass, as well. Hardily shelled black-oil sunflower seeds will slowly kill your grass, though fruit and sunflower chips will spoil extremely quickly. Try and give the feeder a healthy scrub around once a week, perhaps more.

The On-Going Plight of the House Sparrow

The On-Going Plight of the House Sparrow

by Francesca Sharpe

Gathering accurate information on the avian population is far from an easy process. A dedicated network of volunteers are required to watch and document migratory patterns and local population, where experts tag communities and collate data to try and build a coherent image of change over time.

Professionals recently released data demonstrating they've managed to complete this image, and it isn't an optimistic one. UK avian population levels have fallen from 210-166 million from 1966-2012, a stunning loss of 21%. Different species have suffered or thrived in a variety of ways. Farmland bird numbers have decreased dramatically, where winter Waterbirds have experienced a startling increase in population, as has the greater spotted Woodpecker. One of the most affecting statistics, however, is the on-going threat posed to the amiable House Sparrow.

Since 1966 their numbers have fallen by 20 million, and since 1977 the population has fallen by a whopping 71 per cent. There are now between 2.1-3.7 breeding pairs left in the country, placing them at severe risk. The species has now been red listed, identifying it to require immediate conservation efforts in order to preserve them for the future.

There are a number of factors at play that may explain these developments. The House Sparrow has built up a reputation, expressing a notorious preference for nesting near human settlements. They are opportunistic feeders, and thanks to the British obsession with private gardens this has resulted in their population often migrating to towns and cities, taking advantage of the bird baths and feeders we supply.

This preference for human company may be playing into their downfall. A relatively recent theory has been raised into the effect of high noise levels on the sparrow population. Initial evidence demonstrated reduced reproduction rates, inspiring the theory that overpowering noise affected mate selection and breeding. Instead, current evidence points to noise pollution cutting off communication between parents and their young. The birds are breeding correctly, but failing to hear their hungry children in the three-week period they cannot feed themselves. As a result children are leaving the nest malnourished, if not starving altogether. In cities with 24-hour car use and an active nightlife it's no wonder sparrows are suffering from noise pollution. Despite these difficulties, the birds refuse to relocate away from handy food sources.

Some worries have been raised over the effect of cat predation on Sparrow populations, also. Their habit of hunting garden birds is rarely seen as problematic, mainly feeding on injured or elderly birds. In the case of Sparrows, creatures that nest near human settlement as often as possible, the added pressure of predation may be placing the already endangered species under unnecessary risk, and charities recently asked homeowners to restrict their cats from hunting in areas possibly containing Sparrows.

Standing as an iconic creature of the British countryside, the threat of losing the Sparrow is both real and worrying. Hopefully measures will be taken to effectively preserve the species, leaving them to be regular sights around human habitation for many years to come.

The Best Spring Feed for Your Birds

The Best Spring Feed for Your Birds

by Francesca Sharpe

Spring is certainly an important time for bird feeding. Many migratory species will be passing through your garden on their way back home, and you can expect to see new nests and hatchlings springing up around your area when mating season kicks off. Birds have specific nutritional needs throughout the period, however, so it's worth taking the time to note just what you should be providing.

Mealworms

These are an old standby, and an excellent source of live feed. Unlike their larger, crunchier brethren, mealworms are both protein heavy and moist. They benefit smaller birds the most, and you can expect to see them surge in popularity during mating season. Adults will bring them back to the nest to sustain their young, as they're one of the most nutritious and edible feeds out there.

Remember, they can easily go off if left outside for too long. Consider soaking them in water for a little extra moisture on hot days, as long as they're all eaten quickly. As always, be sure to clean up any uneaten remnants to prevent disease.

Fruit

If you grow a variety of plants in your garden, there's every chance you have a few apples and pears going spare through spring. These large, meaty and moist fruits are particularly suited to feeding larger birds, capable of digging in more effectively. The high water content will certainly benefit them in hotter weeks, and slicing up a few to leave on the feeder will keep a lot of birds happy.

As an interesting idea for presentation, consider slicing a fruit in half and impaling It on the branch of a tree. This will move larger birds into the canopy, while producing a pleasant natural appearance. Just be sure not to leave any sliced fruit out for longer than a few days. In the heat and rain of spring it's quite easy for them to rot, so dense trees and covered feeders are a nice touch.

Seeds and Nuts

As ever, nyger seeds make for a great investment, and are extremely popular among the majority of finch species. They're very fatty for their size, but will need a specialised feeder to hold them in.

Peanuts are a regular feature of any feed mix, but will require special attention if you intend to leave them out in the spring. They're heavy in fat and protein, but be sure not to make the mistake of leaving out salted nuts, birds can't process the salt and will suffer for it.

Remember, whole peanuts can easily choke a newly hatched bird, so either crush up your nuts or leave them in a mesh they cannot be removed from whole. Any other small seeds and nuts will suffice, sunflower hearts being another high nutrition treat.

Feeding Pet Pigeons - Don't Do It and Here Is Why

Feeding Pet Pigeons - Don't Do It and Here Is Why

by Lance Winslow

Why is it that humans cannot stop feeding the birds? Have you noticed whenever you go out into a park someone is feeding the pigeons, the ducks, or some other species of bird? This probably isn't a very good idea because the types of things that people eat birds, especially wild birds, probably aren't all that good for them. Especially considering most people feed birds people food, things like popcorn, pieces of bread, and other such things. This is not in their natural and normal diet unless of course they are city birds, and they've adapted for such, which is what pigeons have done for instance.

The last bird you want to feed is a pigeon because they like to stay close to their food supply. And wherever you feed them is where they will hang out, and where they will use their ultrasound bird calls to help map the area for their mind. Once they decide to live in a certain area, it's almost impossible to get rid of them. Sure, you can put up bird spikes and many business owners do, and many homeowners associations and high-rise condo complex managers attempt the same. Still, it's hard to get rid of these birds as they will find somewhere to land, you can't put the spikes on every single horizontal surface.

Pigeons really only need a couple of inches against a wall to perch - and, wherever they perch is where they let loose of their waste, and they seem to have indigestion, and diarrhea judging by what they discharge when they eat people food. Yes, the story gets even worse when you start considering the challenges of things like bird flu. Worse, if you feed the pigeons, they don't just cause a problem in your vicinity, but all of your neighbors have to deal with the ugly stains of pigeon poop everywhere. Pigeons are very good at begging and they remember the types of behavior which garnered the most free food.

They are definitely scavengers, and if you feed one more will come into the area, which means more pigeon poop and more problems, including more bacteria, and the chances of getting bird flu someday. None of this is very good, so even if you think you are doing the pigeons a favor, and you like to go bird watching, feeding them isn't very smart, not even in someone else's park. Suffice it to say, pigeons don't make very good pets, and there's no sense in you learning the hard way. Please consider all this and think on it.

Protecting Feed for the Birds You Care About

Protecting Feed for the Birds You Care About

by Francesca Sharpe

Blackbirds occupy an odd middle ground, for many they're a social and intelligent bird enthusiasts hope to attract in good numbers. For others they're an irredeemable nuisance, devouring vegetables, seeds, and emptying out the feeders before other birds can even get to them.

It's reasonable enough to want to cut down the numbers making a pitstop for your vegetables, plants and seeds. The first step is to make sure you're not doing anything specific to attract them. Some general feeding techniques are particularly effective on blackbirds specifically. For instance, avoid leaving out over-ripe apple and pears, whole or sliced. Don't include many raisins in your mixes either. Blackbirds absolutely love fruit, and even if small mammals or larger garden birds may enjoy it as well, it's a sure fire way of introducing the creatures to your garden.

So once you've established you're not openly attracting them, the job is to make your garden unattractive to the pesky creatures. A good way to begin is purchasing safflower seed. If you've ever fed your birds sunflower seed then you'll know what to expect. It's very similar in nutritional value, though substantially smaller, less messy, and featuring a bitter taste. Most birds will be happy enough to ingest it, though squirrels and blackbirds are known to hate the flavour. You'll be limiting yourself a little in terms of seed choices, but using safflower until the blackbirds pass by is a valid strategy.

While there are a number of large birds it can be desirable to attract, it's more than likely there are few birds larger than blackbirds you're interested in. Past that point you'll usually see more predators like the magpie. As such, many choose to enclose their feeders within a large cage. Choose one small enough to keep blackbirds and the like from entering, though the smaller garden birds will have no difficulty getting inside for a bite to eat.

Alternatively or in conjunction with the previous method, you can take advantage of blackbirds' weight to keep them from feeding. Most feeders have small perches for birds to stand, though smaller birds will usually cling to the mesh of the feeder while they eat. Larger birds will simply fall off if they attempt this, so remove the perches to steadily drive the pests away.

There are a few other ways of deterring them. Many stores will sell specialised sonic emitters, though these have the habit of deterring all birds, and only work for those wishing to focus entirely on gardening. Some with larger gardens set up fruit feeders far away from the house to attract larger birds, while keeping the smaller songbirds close by. But if you're looking for simple and affordable ways to deter blackbirds completely without losing other visitors, the above should suit you well.

Bird Houses and Roosting Boxes - Are They Needed? Absolutely!

Bird Houses and Roosting Boxes - Are They Needed? Absolutely!

by Steve D Miller

There are many North American birds that do not utilize man made bird houses. However, there are also many North American birds that do use them, and they have survived in large part because of man-made bird houses.

One such bird is the Eastern Bluebird. Eastern bluebirds will readily use a nesting box or bird house if appropriately built and placed. The bluebird house should be left up all year long as these birds will use them for cover in the cold winter months as well. They are also attracted to mealworms and suet from platform feeders if available in your yard. They have a bright blue color, some gray on head and wings, with white and rusty red coloring on breast, rump, and sides.

Indeed, many bluebirds would not make it through the year due to cold weather, predators, and increased competition for acceptable dwellings. By providing a bluebird house, you can help keep their population up. These bright blue birds can also be attracted to your yard by choosing berry-producing shrubs for planting in your yard.

Other birds that utilize bird houses/nest boxes or roosting boxes are: Titmice, Wrens, Chickadees, Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Purple Martins, Bluebirds, Owls, Tree and Violet Green Swallows, Barn Swallows and Phoebes, Flycatchers, and more.

In the dead of winter when temperatures are extreme, a larger space can be used to attract more birds to roost and stay warm. If you do decide to have more than your year round bird houses for bird shelter, you may try a larger bird roosting box. These boxes should use thicker wood to keep more heat in and an entrance lower to the bottom of the box, rather than toward the top of the box, may help keep it warmer. As the heat rises, it will be less likely to escape out of the lower entry hole. You may also want to use larger dimensions for the interior to accommodate more roosting birds with inside perches and scored interior walls for easy climbing. For safety, try to use a metal guard around the entrance holes to deter predators such as squirrels and raccoons. Also fewer air vent holes or gaps will help keep cold out and heat in. The same can be done by using your year round bird houses and just temporarily plugging or blocking ventilation holes to keep warmth in.

Other tips for Roosting birds in winter:

You can add a second entrance to your roosting box for easy access for many birds. This will provide a quick exit for larger numbers of birds when they are going out to feed or threatened by predators. Adding some wood chips or moss at the bottom of the box will help keep birds warm and comfortable on cold nights. This also can be done with your bird houses already set up in your yard or garden. Finally, a darker colored exterior will also help warm your bird box with the sun's rays.

Why You Shouldn't Feed Ducks Or Try to Make a Wild Duck Your Pet

Why You Shouldn't Feed Ducks Or Try to Make a Wild Duck Your Pet

by Lance Winslow

Not long ago, I was talking to a neighbor who said she wanted to feed this one particular duck. I told her she shouldn't do it because then all the ducks around here will start pooping all over the place. She said she was only going to feed one particular dock, who also had a mate who also came around to say hi to her and she felt a personal bonding between woman and duck. You know, sometimes you can't seem to get people to understand such simple concepts. You'll never guess what happened, although you probably can. So let me tell you a story if I might.

Within less than a week, there were hundreds of ducks coming up to this lady's patio every single day. They would sit and wait for her to come out to feed them. Then in a frenzy they would start making lots of noise, and they when she was done, she had to run inside and hide. Meanwhile the ducks were pooping all over the neighborhood, there were bird droppings everywhere, and not just little droppings, these birds really know the definition of diarrhea. What a mess, it would take a pressure washer to get all that crap off the sidewalks. It's been caked on there now for more than a week.

You see, there's a reason why you shouldn't feed the ducks, and why there are signs and warnings not to do that. The least of which happens to do with bird flu, ducks are wild, and they are meant to be that way - they are not to be pets. There are reasons why there are signs not to feed the ducks because they make a mess, they make a mess of everything. In nature, those bird droppings go into the soil and help put nitrates back into the ground for plant life. But all that crap doesn't belong on people's cars, it doesn't belong on patios, and it certainly doesn't look all that great on the sidewalks out front.

The moral of the story is quite simple; don't feed the ducks, and learn how to read English so you know what the signs say. Ducks don't make very good pets, they like to be wild, and they like to hang with their own species. In fact they like to hang out in big flocks, hundreds of them, they feel there is safety in numbers, and that's the way they do it, if you feed one, you have to feed them all, and when you run out of food they are not going to be too happy. And when all that food is digested, well, you know what happens; or do you need to buy one of those stickers for your car? It happens. Please consider all this and think on it.

How to Begin Bird Watching at Home

How to Begin Bird Watching at Home

by Francesca Sharpe

Bird watching is an excellent hobby to take an interest in. It's slow, measured, and can be extremely satisfying when you capture the perfect shot, or spy an interesting and unexpected piece of behaviour.

A lot of bird watchers have been known to travel quite far in pursuit of their passion. They move up and down the country to catch a glimpse of rare migratory birds, or visiting woodlands to seek out creatures in their natural habitat. These enthusiasts need high quality cameras or binoculars, with up to 8x or 12x magnification, along with a good degree of spare time and patience. But with the right preparation, you can begin bird watching without even leaving the home.

First things first, you'll have to bring the birds to you. Attracting birds to the garden is entertaining in and of itself, so start off with some feed. Hanging feeders filled with a healthy mix of seeds and nuts will keep birds coming back to your garden throughout the entire year, particularly during the sparse and hostile winters when you especially want to stay indoors.

By placing your feeder within reasonable distance of the home, you'll be able to get a good look even from indoors, or using an average quality camera. If you want to get more natural views, it may be worth investing in some kind of water feature, for instance a bird bath. Feeders are utilitarian devices to be visited briefly, but birds spend a good degree of time on water features, using them to drink, wash, and socialise. You'll attract more birds and keep them interacting for longer, giving you that bit more time to take a few excellent photos.

A handy convenience of bird watching from home is you know where the birds will be. Feeders and baths are static locations, which free you up to experiment with recording equipment around the garden. There's a wide variety of products offering live feeds, or regular snapshots, able to be powered by battery or through the mains. Cameras might lack the human touch of composition, but you're bound to get a few interesting shots you might otherwise have missed.

It's even possible to get views that simply can't be found traversing the wilderness. Fairly common bird care practice is to set up boxes and shelters around the garden, offering a place for the animals to sleep, and hatch their young. There are models of bird box out there with accompanying cameras, for a view of the birds' nest you'd usually be cut off from. Again, some take photos or offer a live feed, and being able to see wild eggs hatch in real time is an unparalleled experience.

Follow these tips, and you'll be bird watching from home in no time at all.

Protecting Garden Birds From Magpies

Protecting Garden Birds From Magpies

by Francesca Sharpe

Magpies can be desired and detested in equal measure, depending on the person and situation. On the one hand, they're uniquely intelligent birds, with a well developed social system accompanying their well developed appetites. Unfortunately, they're not only incredibly hungry, but predatory to boot. A small flock will happily devour an entire rabbit left gutted in the garden, so it's no surprise the ease with which they crack open eggs waiting to hatch, or even kill the live young of other birds around the garden. If you want to keep the other species safe you can read on for a little info on deterring the creatures.

First up, a very simple a cheap system for deterring magpies from your garden. Oddly enough, these socially advanced creatures absolutely cannot abide being looked at by other animals, particularly those they can't identify. In Australia the birds have been known to attack children in the street, who then took to strapping paper eyes to the reverse of their caps. The magpies see the false eyes, spook easily and are quick to back away.

This is an easy method to adopt, and there are a few ways to expand upon it to make it even more effective. Start off by making a few sets of paper eyes at home. Once you've got a few pairs start posting them up around the garden. Trunks and walls are best, a nice flat surface where they'll enjoy a lot of visibility. Fasten them on with sellotape for longer-lasting results.

The tape actually plays into the best way to improve the technique. Magpies are more likely to spook from objects which reflect light well. Not only are they bright, but they better represent the glistening effect of an actual eye. The best value for money solution you'll find requires two types of object. A thread of string and any loose CDs and DVDs you've no intention of keeping. String the CDs together into long hanging ornaments, then affix them to walls, trunks and branches. They'll turn in the wind, reflecting randomly while also resembling a circular eye, complete with pupil.

In small domestic gardens these techniques will prove successful enough at scaring off the pesky, predatory birds. So long as you maintain good lines of sight so a pair of eyes or reflective CDs are constantly in view the magpie population should quickly begin avoiding your property. In larger areas setting up a large number of these items tends to be an inefficient use of your time. Instead consider a scarecrow with reflective eyes. They're an old standby, and the appearance of a conscious human does wonders deterring these birds.

Top Tips For Cleaning A Bird Aviary

Top Tips For Cleaning A Bird Aviary

by Jesse Burns

A bird aviary in your backyard can do wonders to the overall ambiance of the area. This can be situated within a garden as part of the design or a focal point. Many people who love to keep and breed various species of birds will tell you that this is no easy hobby to take. You will need to keep this enclosure clean at all times to ensure the health and safety of the birds and their young.

If clean-up time is a struggle for you, it is best to have a schedule and routines to follow. A daily clean-up is a must to keep diseases and germs at bay. What usually goes on during a daily clean-up are as follows:

[1] Cleaning of feeders and bird baths
Cleaning up of bird feeders, water dishes, and bird baths should be done on a daily basis. This is not just to provide fresh water and bird seeds, but also to keep away germs from developing over time. If you've set up a weekly schedule, it is best to still include these items during clean-up time.

[2] Set up a routine for you to follow and for the birds to get used to

Having a cleaning routine helps the birds from experiencing too much stress. It is also important that you're the one who always do the clean up to also prevent stress and anxiety among the birds. As your pet birds become familiar and used to your presence, it will be easier to get in and out of their abode anytime.

[3] Use a corner of the aviary to isolate the birds

When things are still stressful for your pets, it is best to use a separator to isolate them from the area that's being cleaned. Dedicate a corner for the birds whenever you need to clean up their living space and make sure it is cleaned first before they are enclosed in this portion. This usually helps in reducing restlessness and anxiety among birds, and it truly is beneficial especially when there are hatchlings.

[4] Use mild disinfectant when cleaning

You can dilute a strong disinfectant in buckets of water. If you like it chemical-free, you can use vinegar or baking soda instead. Wipe clean the bird boxes, perches, walls, and other dirty parts of the enclosure. On a daily basis, you can also do this especially on the most soiled or dirtiest portions of the aviary; otherwise, you can schedule on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule.

To help you clean up faster, it is best to put old news paper on the floor for the bird droppings and other mess. You can just collect the sheets everyday in the afternoons and replace with new sheets for the following day.

It is a huge responsibility to keep any kind of animal as a pet. If you love birds and lots of them, be prepared to do regular clean-up to help keep your pets healthy and happy.

Feeding Birds- What Type of Feeder Should You Use?

Feeding Birds- What Type of Feeder Should You Use?

by Steve D Miller

Wild birds are surely capable of feeding themselves off the land. However, when weather extremes make things tougher for them, having an additional source of food or water can be a life saver.

You may see flocks of red-winged blackbirds descend on your backyard seed feeder before they leave their northern range. Feeders can help prepare wild birds for their long journey of migration. You may live on the southwest coast of North America and see Anna's Hummingbirds at your nectar feeder in the winter. Wherever you live, your wild birds can certainly use a helping hand from time to time throughout the year.

Wild birds will come to feed at many different types of feeders depending on the type of feeder they prefer. Some birds prefer most to forage from the ground or platform feeders, as do cardinals. Others as this male house finch will feed from the ground, platform feeders, tube feeders, and seed feeders readily all as one. Others still, like the goldfinch prefer thistle seed from open fields or from tube feeders.

Platform feeders will attract Chipping Sparrows, Cardinals, American Tree Sparrows, Towhees, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, Blue Grosbeak, Song Sparrows, White-Throated Sparrows, Meadowlarks, Evening Grosbeak, Blue Jays, Magpies, Steller's Jays, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Mourning Doves, Black-Capped Chickadee, Gray Catbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Pine Grosbeak, Northern Mockingbirds, and others.

Platform feeders can be as simple as a piece of wood on your picnic table, or your picnic table itself. However, that can be quite messy. Another option would be to get a 4x4 post and nail a wood plank sized 12 x 12 or larger to the top of the post. Drill holes through the wood plank so that water does not just sit as a puddle. To prevent most of the food pieces from just falling off to the ground, you may take some thin wood trimming and nail it to the border of the wood plank. Nailing the wood trim to surround the border of the wood plank will help keep most of the nuts, fruit, suet, or bread from just falling off. Although, having some of the scraps fall to the ground is good, as this will also attract other birds that will like to forage on the ground most often.

Suet Feeders attract: Blue Jays, Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Hairy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Black-Capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebirds, Northern Mockingbirds, Brown Creepers, Gray Catbirds, Wrens, Steller's Jays, and more.

A suet feeder is typically made of wire mesh, and easily hung from a tree branch, hanger, or pole.

Fruit feeders/ Fruit & Jelly Feeders attract Orioles, Western Tanagers, Scarlet Tanagers, and Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.

Fruit feeders will typically utilize cups for jelly as in the feeder above, with side pins for sticking orange halves.

Peanut Feeders attract: Indigo Bunting, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Eastern Bluebirds, and others.

Hummingbird or Sugar Water Feeders attract more than Hummingbirds. They also will attract Bullock's Orioles, Baltimore Orioles, Western Tanagers, and House Finch among others.

Seed Feeders attract: Painted Bunting, Purple Finch, American Goldfinch, Pine Siskin, Grosbeak, House Sparrows, Juncos, Common Redpoll, Red Crossbill, Tree Sparrows, and many more.

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

by Francesca Sharpe

These pesky creatures can be quite the annoyance for any homeowner hoping to attract a good number of garden birds. They're not particularly large for a bird of prey, but this means they're evolutionarily trained for hunting birds in confined spaces. They traditionally seek out their prey in dense woodlands, and the closed in nature of modern garden makes them an ideal hunting ground for sparrowhawks seeking a quick and easy meal, especially with the huge number of birds hanging around.

If they attack you'll not only have to deal with losing a regular visitor, but other birds will likely move on to another garden, at least until the sparrowhawk sees fit to change its hunting ground once more. Being able to deter them is a useful skill, so it's worth taking a look at just how you can manage to keep them away.

(More) Confined Spaces

So sparrowhawks enjoy confined spaces? Then you'll give them confined spaces! They may be effective at swooping in to attack within a small area, but they still need line of site and a certain degree of room. If you're looking to protect birds from their approach then consider placing small feeders within the branches of your actual trees, if you have any.

The smaller birds will still be able to feed from them happily enough. Birds of prey will be shut off by the canopy, and can't effectively swoop through leaves. This does leave your feeders vulnerable to squirrels, but a quick dab of chilli powder will keep those nuisances away.

Bring a Bigger Bird

Now, sparrowhawks aren't particularly fazed by the presence of a human, but they can't stand being around larger birds. If you don't mind their presence, consider luring some crows or seagulls over. They'll often circle your property, and the sparrowhawks will be certain to keep their distance.

These birds are ground feeders, so leave some kind of larger food on your roof for maximum visibility. Peanuts are a good choice, but other birds may pick up a few themselves. Once they're there though, they'll actually be protecting the smaller birds in your garden, and don't even share a food supply.

But Don't Jump to Conclusions

We may be discussing how to get rid of sparrowhawks here, but it's important to remember they're not necessarily a menace. If you're attracting their entire food supply to your garden it's fairly logical they'll still want to eat. They're actually quite majestic, and their 'rollercoaster' mating ritual can make for an exciting sight if you don't mind their eating habits.

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

by Francesca Sharpe

These pesky creatures can be quite the annoyance for any homeowner hoping to attract a good number of garden birds. They're not particularly large for a bird of prey, but this means they're evolutionarily trained for hunting birds in confined spaces. They traditionally seek out their prey in dense woodlands, and the closed in nature of modern garden makes them an ideal hunting ground for sparrowhawks seeking a quick and easy meal, especially with the huge number of birds hanging around.

If they attack you'll not only have to deal with losing a regular visitor, but other birds will likely move on to another garden, at least until the sparrowhawk sees fit to change its hunting ground once more. Being able to deter them is a useful skill, so it's worth taking a look at just how you can manage to keep them away.

(More) Confined Spaces

So sparrowhawks enjoy confined spaces? Then you'll give them confined spaces! They may be effective at swooping in to attack within a small area, but they still need line of site and a certain degree of room. If you're looking to protect birds from their approach then consider placing small feeders within the branches of your actual trees, if you have any.

The smaller birds will still be able to feed from them happily enough. Birds of prey will be shut off by the canopy, and can't effectively swoop through leaves. This does leave your feeders vulnerable to squirrels, but a quick dab of chilli powder will keep those nuisances away.

Bring a Bigger Bird

Now, sparrowhawks aren't particularly fazed by the presence of a human, but they can't stand being around larger birds. If you don't mind their presence, consider luring some crows or seagulls over. They'll often circle your property, and the sparrowhawks will be certain to keep their distance.

These birds are ground feeders, so leave some kind of larger food on your roof for maximum visibility. Peanuts are a good choice, but other birds may pick up a few themselves. Once they're there though, they'll actually be protecting the smaller birds in your garden, and don't even share a food supply.

But Don't Jump to Conclusions

We may be discussing how to get rid of sparrowhawks here, but it's important to remember they're not necessarily a menace. If you're attracting their entire food supply to your garden it's fairly logical they'll still want to eat. They're actually quite majestic, and their 'rollercoaster' mating ritual can make for an exciting sight if you don't mind their eating habits.

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

by Francesca Sharpe

Dealing With Sparrowhawks

by Francesca Sharpe

The Complete Gouldian Finch Birdwatching Profile

The Complete Gouldian Finch Birdwatching Profile

by Eugene Lawrence

If you are an experienced Australian birdwatching enthusiast, then undoubtedly you have heard of the Gouldian Finch, even if you have not had the privilege of seeing one in the wild. This spectacular bird has gained a lot of media attention in recent years due to its declining numbers, due to reduced habitat. Many birdwatchers agree that this finch is the most spectacularly coloured bird in Australia. There are a number of organisations that have taken to preserving the habitats of this remarkable creature. Recent research has found that there are only about 2,500 Gouldian Finch's living in the wild.

Description

The little bird gained it's name from John Gould, the discoverer of the bird. Taken by the beauty of the purple chested bird, he named it the Lady Gouldian. With it's characteristic purple plumage, yellow feathered chest and green back, this little bird is hard to be mistaken.

Diet

As a grass-finch, the Gouldian Finch main diet source is from the ripe or semi-ripe seeds of native grasses. Interestingly for a few months during the year the bird changes its diet to cope with the arduous task of raising its young. During these months the birds diet consists mainly of small insects, which provide it with the added nutrients needed during this stressful period.

Habitat Location

It really is a tragedy when one considers the vast habitat that the Gouldian Finch once lived in, contrasted with the small areas that it occupies now. Many birdwatchers initially thought that the numbers of the Gouldian Finch were plummeting in the wild due to individuals capturing the birds for pets. Research has since shown that reduced habitats, and irregular fire patterns are primarily to blame for the reduced habitat. Nowadays the finch can only be found in the wild in the Top End of the Northern Territory of Australia. Mike Jarvis, one of the most respected birdwatching guides in Australia, regularly takes tours through the Mary River district and South of Pine Creek in the dry season, with great success with regular spotting's of this endangered bird. If you are able to explore this region, keep an eye out for the finch in open woodlands near water sources. There is anecdotal evidence that they are often sighted near native spear-grasses.

How To Help The Gouldian Finch

Many kindhearted volunteers regularly monitor local waterholes in the Gouldian Finch's native habitat to keep an eye out for the sightings. The more information that organisations can gather from volunteer birdwatchers on the habitat of the Gouldian Finch, the more that they can help protect that environment. Additionally individuals can take active steps to ensure that the current habitat of the bird is protected, and report any activities that are harming the area.

There have been new spotting's of the Gouldian Finch in the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia. Research has shown that this is not a population of birds that has moved to the area, but a population that has previously been undiscovered. This breeding population shows the importance of amateur birdwatchers reporting any sightings of the Gouldian Finch, as this area is now a protected area. With ongoing care and public awareness, generations of Australian will be able to enjoy seeing this most remarkable bird in the grasslands of Australia.