Bird Control

Bird control is the generic name for methods to eliminate or deter pest birds from landing, roosting and nesting.

Bird control is important because pest birds can create health-related problems through their feces, including histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. Bird droppings may also cause damage to property and equipment. Birds also frequently steal from crops and fruit orchards.

Methods
Methods of bird control include physical deterrents, visual deterrents, chemicals and sonic/ultrasonic devices, contraceptives, trained birds of prey (falconry), among others.

Physical bird deterrents include such products as spike systems, bird netting, bird slope, electrified track systems, bird wire, bird spiders, and more. These products will not harm birds, they are simply designed to repel birds from an area. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the use of bird netting, wire, contraceptives and low-voltage electrified track. Bird control products are used widely throughout the U.S. and the world.

Chemical deterrents range from products for turf to avicides. There are taste aversion products for geese, and fogging agents used for birds. Many localities have restrictions on the use of chemicals and pesticides targeted at birds if they intend to kill them. Chemical deterrents that do not harm birds are allowed everywhere.

Sonic bird deterrents are used widely in large open areas. Sounds are audible, and include predator and distress calls of a variety of birds to discourage pest birds from coming into an area. Common locations for these devices include vineyards, reclamation plants, airports, and other open areas. Sophisticated digital sound reproduction combined with random time off intervals, and random sequences prevent habituation by birds, and increase long-term effectiveness.

Ultrasonic devices are designed for enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. Ultrasonic waves prevent birds from entering and remaining in areas such as warehouses, parking garages, and loading docks. These products are not harmful to birds.

A lightweight, spinning turbine, propelled by wind, and reflecting sunlight, has also controlled nuisance birds due to its random action. Birds do not become acclimated to the device, and their roosting habit is interrupted.

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Do birds make good pets?

Do birds make good pets?
I think yes, They are beautiful, melodic, much smarter than most people think, and often as affectionate as any dog. There are several major advantages to the birds as pets. One of the main ones is that if you have limited space in your home or you live in a rented place, which does not allow cats or dogs, birds, complies with the requirements perfectly.

You can read this article to know which birds make good pets

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How to Clean Up Pest Bird Droppings!

Each year pest birds such as pigeons, seagulls and crows cause thousands in damage and clean up costs to building owners, homeowners and government agencies. Pest bird droppings can carry over 60 transmittable diseases. Several of these diseases have been known to be transmitted to humans and other animals. Even though these diseases pose minor public health threats, they can be further minimized if safety measures are taken. Wearing protective clothing like disposable coveralls, boots, gloves, and respirators should be used for protection.

If a high-powered water hose is used to strip off dried droppings, dust control measures such as containing the area with plastic sheeting, should be taken. Wetting down the work area will prevent inhalation, reduce the risk of infection and will also prevent the spread of dust outside the work area. Those with a compromised immune system such as people living with HIV/AIDS or cancer patients should not be directly involved in the removal of the droppings. Always wash hands and any exposed skin before eating or drinking and when finished with work.

Several alternatives to using a high-powered water hose exist. One such alternative includes soaking the droppings with water and then shoveling it. Workers should never clean DRY bird droppings from surfaces as the dust might be inhaled and transmit disease to the worker. The wet material should be collected in heavy-duty plastic bags or another type of secure container and discarded with the regular trash.

Once the structures are cleaned they may also be disinfected. You can use a simple solution of ammonia or bleach and water and apply to the surface to disinfect and remove the odor associated with pest bird droppings.

The key to reducing the risk of disease from bird droppings is to create an environment that excludes them from affected areas:

1) Eliminate Food Sources

a. Clean up trash bins and garbage areas

b. Discourage people from feeding birds

c. Pick up trash and food scraps in outdoor eating areas

2) Eliminate Nesting / Roosting Areas

a. Use some sort of physical deterrent to keep birds from landing and roosting on flat surfaces; sound deterrents to scare pest birds from outdoor areas or visual deterrents to keep them out of gardens and vineyards.

3) Call For Help!

a. Contact a local pest control or animal control company and have them install a bird control system.

It is important to keep buildings and other areas that people inhabit free of pest birds and their debris. Installing a bird control system will save time and money spent on clean up of bird droppings and damage made by the birds.

Need help to get rid of pest birds? Contact Bird-B-Gone, Inc. the experts in bird control solutions since 1992. Call today 1-800-392-6915 or visit us at http://www.birdbgone.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fran_Prisco

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How To Make Your Own Bird House

Bird house making is really easy as long as you love what you are doing. It is also an effective way to make your house - as well as you - feel chirpy and bright in the morning. Believe it or not, nothing beats having birds outside your homes. The following are tips and advice to make the dream bird house that you always imagined you would have. Also included are the ways and methods of appropriately setting up the bird houses.

First things first, the point of bird houses is to bring in birds. Attracting them however is just half of the story, it is making them return as much as they possibly could, that is the challenge. Hopefully, the following guidelines will work.





Have a roof that is hinged

Providing a roof that is hinged on the sides is an effective way for you to make house cleaning a lot easier especially during the spring. Spring cleaning during the early weeks of March is a good idea. As much as possible, use hinges that are rust proof. Remember that animals such as raccoons are able to open an eye and a hook.

Place appropriate ventilation

Drill four drain holes that measure about one fourth inch in every bird house's bottom. Also, add two five eighth hole ventilations on the top of each house's side.

Place a roof

Provide a bird house roof that has at least an overhang of two inches in the bird house's front in order to protect the hole's entrance from rain that is driven by wind as well as to prevent animals like cats from reaching inside. Also, the sides of the bird house should be enclosed towards the floor in order to keep the rain from having to seep inside the bird house nest.

Try to recess the bird house floor about one fourth of an inch from the bird house's bottom in order to prevent it from rotting as caused by the moisture.

Bird house perches

Believe it or not, putting perches on the bird house is a no-no. The birds that do appreciate and do perch are the starlings and the sparrows. For bird houses of song birds, keep the holes of the entrance about an inch and three eights inch small in order to keep the house sparrows and starlings out. Of course, the exception are the purple martins.

How should the bird houses be spaced?

If there are other bird houses or boxes near, they should therefore be spaced appropriately about twenty five feet far from each other. Houses for bluebirds meanwhile require about three hundred feet. The space is important in order to reduce any conflicts. Another reason for this is because a lot of birds are actually territorial and so protecting the area around the bird's nest is important. The exception to this are mergansers, wood ducks and goldeneye. Putting their bird houses close to each other is okay.

Purple martins meanwhile prefer to live in bird colonies and so apartment bird houses is their specific preference and not single family bird houses.

What kind of material is best for bird houses?

The best to use is wood. As much as possible, avoid lumber that is treated with pressure because once wet, it excretes vapors that poisons birds. Using preservatives like stain or paint could be used on the box's outside, especially the back. Using the chemical preservative creosote should also be avoided.

Try not to use cartons of milk, can tins, metal. These materials could overheat and destroy the bird eggs as well as the bird younglings. An exception however are the commercial martin aluminum bird houses.

Be careful with uninvited guests such as mice, wasps, bees or squirrels. Once found, remove them as soon as possible. Be careful though as such animals could sting and hurt you.

All in all, making a bird houses is not simply hammering and pasting one material to another. It requires as delicate a care as creating an actual house or room for a human being.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://birdhouses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about bird houses and find out about more about bird houses.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

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How to Finger Train a Parrot

Parrots are a highly intelligent bird almost like a lovebird or cockatiel. During the process, you must check your parrot behavior.whether peaceful or violent behavior.Teaching a parrot to step-up on your finger takes time and patience.

Training Steps

• Slowly put your hand in the bird's cage
• Put it in there for at least 30 seconds and then pull it out.
• Slowly push your index finger against the bird's lower chest, right above his legs
• Rub his chest up and down slightly
• Repeat this with your other hand until your bird gets the hang of it.
  

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Tips on Caring for Parakeets

Parakeets make for fun and entertaining pets, without requiring a lot of maintenance or cost. Given the proper care, parakeets can live as long as 10 to 14 years--nearly as long as cats and dogs. The folowing ten tips will give you the information you need to raise happy, healthy birds!
1. Parakeets Like Company

If you have a single bird, a mirror is practically a must. A lone parakeet will enjoy your company, but a mirror helps them feel less alone when you are not around. You can also buy bird stand-ins from pet stores to give your keet company, but that seems rather silly to me. Consider getting a second bird for ideal level of companionship for your parakeet. However, you may want to keep multiple birds separate when they are young so they will learn to bond with humans rather than just other birds.
2. Be Sure to Vary the Food

Plain old bird seed gets old fast. Pet stores and most supermarkets sell a range of birdie treats, from clip-on treat sticks to millet sprays to birdie biscuits. You can also give your birds small pieces of fruit as a special treat.
3. Parakeets Love Toys

Parakeets are playful creatures. And there are many toy options you can get for your bird, from rings to swings to bells and beads. Parakeets are drawn to shiny things, things that make noise, and objects they can move around with their beaks or feet. Just take care that any toy you give your parakeet does not have small parts which can come off and become a choking hazard. Don't over-clutter the cage, either, but rotate through several different toys for variety.
4. Earn Their Trust

With parakeets, trust may take months to build. They will likely be very shy when you first bring them home, but their personalities will emerge within a few weeks. Build trust by placing your finger in front of your bird. Do this every day until it gets the courage to hop on. After a few days of this, try coaxing your bird by gently nudging your finger against its lower chest. With patience, you will build trust in this way. Do not worry if your bird is slow to trust you. Eventually it will be climbing all over you. Just remember the next tip:

5. Never Grab Your Parakeet

To a small bird, few things are more terrifying than an open hand reaching in and grabbing it against its will. Trust between bird and human can evaporate quickly if you grab the little guy. Your parakeet might frustrate you in the beginning by refusing to sit on your finger. But resist the urge to grap. I've found it very helpful to buy a cage with a top that detaches--this allows you to easily let your birds out without grabbing and pulling them through the cage door.
6. Parakeets Love to Sing

In fact they can be quite loud! They will chirp, sing, and squawk on their own, but they love to sing along to music or even your own singing. If you're not vocally-gifted, try playing some music near your birds and see how they react. If you are away all day, consider leaving the radio on for them at a moderate volume.
7. Make Sure They Get Exercise

There is only so much exercise your parakeet can get inside of its cage. It should be taken out regularly to run and fly around. Rooms with hardwood or linoleum floors afford the easiest clean-up. Be sure all doors and windows are shut and curtains closed (birds may fly into windows and injure themselves).
8. Keep a Clean Cage

Parakeet droppings come along at an impressive rate--once every 12 minutes, give or take. I find that taking the cage outside and spraying it down with the hose is the easiest way to get it clean--remove any perches and toys first, of course. Then make sure each perch is scrubbed free of droppings. A clean environment means healthy birds.
9. Get the Right Perches

Cages usually come with a couple boring perches. These should be replaced because they don't meet your bird's needs. Bird feet don't get a proper work-out unless perches vary in diameter. You can buy natural tree branch perches or plastic perches that have fat and thin spots. Perches with a sandpaper finish are also good for parakeets.
10. Keep Your Parakeets in a Bird-Safe Area

Parakeets don't fare well as temperatures drop below 70 degrees. It is very important to keep their cage away from drafts, either from a window or an air conditioner. Also, the kitchen is not a good place to keep your birds--cleaners and cooking fumes are not good for them, and be sure not to place their cage on top of the refrigerator as the vibrations will disturb them.

Source: http://www.10spot.net/articles/parakeet_care_tips.html

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How To Starting Get Pet Bird ?

whether you will start to maintain a bird? if yes, then what is the best pet bird to start with? whether you've chosen and get knowledge about the bird would you adopt? It would be better if you first find out the ins and outs of bird you are going to adopt.

When you decide to get a pet bird, you may want to protect yourself and it with a pet bird insurance policy. You can find them and a cat crate to put the kitty in if it is trying to get to the bird by simply clicking the links. That's all there is to it. You may even learn something.

Which bird is the best bird as a pet for kids and beginners?

I recommend choosing the best bird as a pet from this list:

* Finches
* Pet canaries
* Budgie parakeets
* Cockatiels
* Quaker parrot
* Senegal parrots
* Parrotlets
* Pionus parrots
* Pyrrhura conures
* Sun conures
* Amazon parrots
* Lovebirds

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Teaching your parrot to speak

So what Parrot talk?
As the buyer in the above joke correctly suggests, not all parrots talk. This is true of different species and different birds within a species. For example, African Grey Parrots are known to be excellent talkers but that doesn't mean that all African Grey Parrots will talk. Hopefully your only reason for purchasing a parrot is not because it can talk. Parrots have so much more to offer than talking and you would be cheating yourself and your parrot if that is your only reason for getting a parrot. For the most part though, many parrots learn to speak at least a word or two even without formal training.








Teaching your parrot to speak

• Choose a simple word, usually with one or two syllables, and start teaching your parrot that word.
• Repeat the word firmly, slowly, and distinctly every few seconds until your bird makes a sound in response.
• Do not try to teach you parrot multiple words immediately because it will only confuse the bird.
• Reward your bird with a treat as soon as it makes a sound. The sound doesn’t even have to sound like the word you are trying to teach.
• Do not jump to big words at once though teach your parrot simple words at first and go for bigger ones only after he has learned several easy ones.
  

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Parrot Care is the Key to Having a Happy, Healthy Parrot

Learn How to Care For Your Parrot

You might have adopted a parrot because of your fancy for it. But proper care for this pet is very important. You should know what is good and harmful to him/her.

Adopting a parrot can be very exciting, but it brings with it the responsibility of providing your parrot care. Parrot care needs to be thought about and acted upon, to make sure your pet parrot remains happy and healthy.

Parrot Care

Parrot care is a huge responsibility of the owner. While there are no guarantees that your parrot will never suffer from an illness over its lifetime, preventive measure such as vaccination and good diet will give your parrot the best chance for a healthy lifestyle.

As a parrot owner, you have to give more time and attention to your parrot. Also, you have to give more consideration to commitment to your parrot's needs. A parrot is a social animal. When left alone in a cage for long period of time, your parrot could become depressed, lethargic, and lose confidence. Have patience and give the care and attention he/she deserves.

Parrot Health

To prevent the possibility of health problems or you notice signs of illness in your pet parrot, take him/her immediately to the vet. If your parrot fears the vet, you can take some of your parrot's favorite foods to help them overcome initial fear.

Also, if you have to keep your parrot healthy, keep the cage and surrounding areas clean all the time. An unclean environment is a perfect breeding place for all sorts of germs that can make your parrot ill.

Parrot Diet

As parrot owner, you have to feed your parrot carefully to ensure proper development and growth. For best and longer life, a well balanced parrot diet is mandatory. But what should be considered in choosing a good parrot diet? Seek your avian vet's advice, guidance and any information you need to ensure that you provide the best diet suited to your parrot's special needs. Remember to choose food wisely because poor nutrition can damage your parrot's health. Giving your parrot good and a proper diet even at an early stage will give them significant growth.

A key to having a healthy parrot is the giving them a daily balanced diet. This can prevent not only health problems but behavioral problems as well. Unbalanced diet can cause disease in your parrot and at worst result in death.

Parrot Cage

If you want to produce a happy parrot, you have to place your pet in a good cage. Parrot cage is not only useful for your parrot's relaxation and comfort but also necessary for parrot breeding. Always consider that when you buy a parrot cage, your parrot can freely move in the cages.

In buying a parrot cage, consider the size of the parrot and the size of the parrot cage. Get the right kind of cage size for your parrot.

Parrot Tricks

Parrot's are highly intelligent and can learn really fast. With proper training and care your parrot can learn all sorts of tricks as well as possibly talking. Some things like step up can aid in their care.

Make sure that the training area is free from distractions in order that your parrot can give more attention. Less distraction means more attention. Also, consider that the training area is far from the parrot's own cage.

For more great information on parrot care visit http://www.myparrotcare.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roderick_Fraser

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5 Most Important Parrot Supplies

Parrots are some of the most wonderful pets to have in the home, but they can be a lot of work to keep them happy and healthy. These animals are often from tropical environments, which require even more special equipment to maintain their health and comfort as they are often outside their normal habitat. These products are fortunately cheap and easy to obtain from many different companies. For most owners, these products shouldn't require too much effort to use, and they'll make a huge effect on the happiness of the parrot.

Feed. Parrots all love seed. Moreover, they love certain kinds of seeds and dried fruit as well. For each type of parrot, breed or otherwise, will require and prefer a different type of feed. Research on the preferences on the types of feed for a particular parrot should be performed to ensure their health and happiness.

Treats. In the same vein, different parrots prefer special types of treats. These include special dried fruits, seeds, and other types of treats. These are for special reinforcement of training and just for fun to treat the parrot to something they'll like.

Perch. A perch is for a parrot to stand on and just simply feel like a bird on a tree branch. These products come in a huge range of sizes and shapes, but most are a simple curved bar, which has a small tray underneath it to catch any droppings. Many have amenities like bars to tie treats to as well as toys to keep a parrot entertained. These products are great for showing off a parrot to guests and other parrot enthusiasts.

Cage. A cage is obviously a necessity to keep a parrot from escaping and to give it a nice home to sleep in where it can't be injured from other sources like other pets. These products also come in an immense variety of sizes, but whatever cage is used to hold a parrot should be as big as possible with bars that the parrot cannot stick its head through. This prevents the parrot from become injured and allows them as much room as possible to move around without feeling cramped.

Toys. Just like most other pets, parrots like to play with toys. The most common toys for parrots are tough ropes with brightly colored ties and other objects that will attract a parrot's eye. These products are great for a parrot to work its beak on to keep it comfortable and are great sources of excitement for the pet as well.

All of these products combined will provide many hours of comfort and happiness for a parrot, which will improve their health and make them a much more enjoyable pet that will be excited to interact with its owner.

Alex Sutton lives in San Diego with his wife and two kids. For more information please visit parrot supplies.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alexander_Sutton

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The African Grey Parrot Makes a Wonderful Pet

African Grey parrots have many endearing qualities and parrot lovers will find that an African Grey Parrot is one of the easiest parrots to keep as a pet. Not only that, the African parrot is a very popular pet parrot for many reasons. Their exceptional talking and cognitive abilities means that they interact well with their owners and are a joy to have as a favorite pet.

Given the time, these parrots will develop a large vocabulary and it has been reported that they communicate well with their owners if given the incentive.What does an African Grey parrot look like?

The African Grey is a medium sized parrot of about 10 to 14 inches which also makes him an ideal pet because he is easy to house and to handle. Not surprisingly, the male is larger than the female, but not by much.

Although very similar in appearance, there are two different types of African Grey. One is the Congo African Grey which has a light grey body color, very light grey to white on the side of the head and with a brilliant red tail. The other is the Timneh African Grey with darker grey feathers on top, light grey chest and with a maroon colored tail. The general body build of both of these parrots is much the same with both sexes, but the female does tend to have a slightly narrower head and a more slender neck than the male.

Not surprising when you think of the lifespan of other parrots, the African Grey has a long life span so it is important that an owner can make a long term commitment to the parrot when they decide to take one on as a pet. They can actually live up to 60 years which is quite amazing when you think of the usual family pet.

Keeping your African Grey healthy and happy.

This parrot has a very high intelligence which means that if not kept amused they will become bored and this is not good for his general well being. A bored parrot will develop some bad habits and quite quickly too, which could be hard to reverse. Some signs to look for to see if he is bored are:

- Feather picking
- Grumpy and unfriendly
- Biting
- Self-mutilating

From the pet parrot's point of view, one of the habits that will cause him harm is that of feather picking. If you ever notice your parrot pulling out feathers get on to this problem straight away because it is not good for him to have bare patches where he has plucked out his feathers.

Another problem is that they can become very grumpy if they are bored and this will make him an unpleasant friend. He will most likely start biting and be quite nasty to those around him. If really distressed, he will even self-mutilate.

Just like any intelligent animal a pet parrot needs interaction with its owner on a regular basis and needs stimulation to keep it happy. This does not mean that you need to be playing with it for hours a day, but your pet does like to have a certain amount of freedom and play with its owner.

The African Grey do train beautifully so enjoy the process and teach him some tricks that he will love doing and people will love doing with him. Also hang some toys in his cage so that he can play with them when he is on his own.

Be 'one of the flock' to your parrot.

In his natural environment, the African Grey would fly in a flock so they do tend to treat their owner as one of the flock. Because of this the parrot will often enjoy having the side of his head rubbed and a bit of a scratch there too, but he will not enjoy his body being handled. You will often notice with a group of parrots that they tend to smooch around each other's head. It is a habit of parrots.

If you have your pet parrot around your face do be careful not to let it 'kiss' you around the mouth (and they love to do this) because humans can transfer bacteria from their mouth to the bird which is not healthy.

If being kept by a family, children need to understand the personality of a parrot because if they do get bitten, it does hurt as the parrot's beak is very hard and sharp and is designed for cracking seeds and nuts. If a child aggravates a parrot they could get bitten, even by a placid parrot.

African Grey parrots will entertain for hours, but only if they are carefully looked after with the right diet, social needs and housing. Enjoy teaching them to talk and watch them perform the tricks that you teach them and they themselves will do if you give them the toys to play with.

Copyright (c) 2010 Kaye Dennan

Knowing how to treat a parrot pet will give him the best chance for a long and happy life. Have lots of fun with your parrot as you teach him new parrot tricks and at Pet Parrot Secrets you will also learn how to take great care of him so he is around for many years to come.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaye_Dennan

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What Are the Best Parrots Types For You?

You too possess a great love for parrots and want to know about their different varieties... almost every species of this most loved avian is bright colored excluding a few. Some parrots are smaller and look cuddly and cute while others give a grand appearance.


Parrots are mostly green in color, but some parrots are multicolored as well. Brilliant talking abilities and tendency to mimic human voices makes parrot a wonderful pet. This is a playful bird that loves company.Parrots are grouped in different types in accordance with their nature, color and size. A list of some of the most commonly known types of parrots is given below-

Parrots or True Parrot - This is a grouping of most common types of parrots. They are known as true parrots and are of the Psittacidae family of birds. This huge family includes 330 different species and some of the popular examples of true parrots are Meyers Parrot, Senegal Parrots and Amazon Blue Fronted Parrot.

Macaws - These are loud, multicolored, clever and attractive birds. They are widely seen on TV and in films. The Macaw group of parrots is made of six different genus including Ara, Anodorhynchus, Cyanopsitta, Diopsittaca, Orthopsittaca, and Primolius. Though some scientists claim that this is a grouping of 18 different species, many species are extinct now.

Dense rainforests are the most popular habitats of Macaw birds. These birds possess a bizarre eating habit. They love to munch on clay. If you want to tame a Macaw bird, you must train it well because an untrained Macaw is like an ill-trained kid that causes uncalled for embarrassment for you.

Conures - This grouping of peace loving wild parrots is known as Conures. These birds are generally of a very friendly and sweet nature. Seldom are these chirpy pets seen indulging in a fight.

Cockatoos - These unique, white colored birds make wonderful pets. This is another of the parrot species that is very sweet-natured and gets along quite easily with their human friends. Their enjoyment of cuddling and pampering make them another favorite among bird owners.

Parakeets - The smaller types of parrots, Parakeets can be seen in an array of colors. In accordance with some experts, Conures are a part of Parakeet grouping of birds. These are also known as Brotogeris parakeet, Monk Parakeet and Lineolated Parakeet.

Cockatiels - A delight for pet owners, cockatiels are among the most playful grouping of parrots. These wonderful pets are cheerful in nature and are less demanding.

Budgies - Budgie is a popular name of Budgerigar species of birds. These Australian natives are generally of green and yellow color and are among the most preferred grouping of parrots, which are tamed. With gentle nature and entertaining personalities, Budgies gel wonderfully with kids.

Lovebirds - This is a group of nine species of Agapornis genus. These birds are Africa and Madagascar natives. Lovebirds are among the thickest species of parrots and some of them grow up to 17cms. These parrots can live almost upto 15 years. Fischer's Bird and Black-cheeked Bird are two most famous species of Lovebirds.

Parrotlets - the smallest available species of parrots is also among the stockiest birds. These blue-headed parrots grow up to 5 inches and are known to be the greatest mimics.

With so many to choose from it will be no problem for you to pick out your favorite parrots types.

The author, Karla Deacon, is an expert parrot enthusiast. For more great information about parrots types visit ParrotCareBasics.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karla_Deacon

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Want to Buy Parrot Birds? Check This Out First!

There are a lot of people who want to buy parrot birds for various reasons. But before you act on your desire to have a companion parrot and buy the first one that you see perched on a cage in your local pet shop, it would be best that you take some time in knowing how parrots are properly cared for and determine if you have the necessary level of commitment in making sure that the bird will be happy and in tiptop shape for life. Also, before you spend on a companion parrot, you also need to know the reason why you want to have one.
It is not really surprising that you or your kids want to buy parrot birds because such pets are beautiful, smart, and loyal to their owners.
However, it is also important to note that there is so much more to caring for a parrot than just feeding them. There are matters that will really test your patience such as cleaning the cage every so often, making sure that the food tray of the bird is free of rotting fruits or vegetables, clipping the wings, hand taming the bird before you can start speech training, and also giving the bird a bath occasionally. If you cannot spare some of your time to get the bird out of the cage once in a while, then it may not be a good idea for you to own a parrot. Even if parrots adapt easily in a cage, they also need to exercise their wings and fly around.

Since you want to buy parrot birds, you also need to take into consideration the type of parrot that you want. If you are interested in a parrot that can easily learn tricks, especially mimicking your words, then you might want to buy an African Grey, Monk Parakeet, Red-Masked Conure or an Eclectus Parrot. However, if you just want a pet that is beautiful and have colorful feathers, you may want to own a Greater Sulphur-Crested Coackatoo, Major Mitchell's Cucktoo, Scarlet Macaw or a Cockatiel.

Looking for a perfect cage is also one of the issues for those who want to buy parrot birds. If you really do not have enough space in your home, it would be better that you just get a small parrot. However, if you have a space that can be used exclusively for your parrots, then a big aviary is also a good idea.

Gideon Williams is a parrot expert and provides excellent advise for new Parrot enthusiast that want to buy parrot birds
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gideon_Williams

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Sexing Parrots - How to Tell If Your Parrot is Male Or Female

The parrot's lack of sex organs make it very difficult to distinguish between males and female simply based on the way they look. Some species have different colorings between male and female that enable them to be distinguished, and some have different eye colors. However, for the vast majority of parrots scientific sexing is required. Some pet owners do not take this step, but it is vital for breeders.

We describe birds where sexes cannot be determined by their markings as monomorphic, and a number of methods have been used to determine the sex of such birds including: vent sexing (the posterior opening known as the cloaca serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts), laparoscopy, steroid sexing (measure the levels of steroids in excrement or blood plasma), and DNA analysis.

With DNA analysis the sex of is determined by looking at the genes located on the sex chromosomes. The difference is that male birds have two Z chromosomes and females have one Z and one W. This is considered the least intrusive of the methods as it simply involves taking a sample of blood to send away to a laboratory. The laparoscopic surgery approach, however, involves a minimally invasive surgery, where an incision is made in the parrot's abdomen and the gonads are inspected.

DNA analysis is not as simple as it may at first sound, and involves chromosome isolation and karyotyping. It can be difficult to get the cells needed for analysis, and there is a time delay in getting the results from the cytogeneticist. The more invasive laparoscopy gives instant results and allows the vet to inspect the general condition of the reproductive organs at the same time, which can provide valuable information for breeding.

People often use feathers for the DNA testing instead of collecting blood, but it should be pointed out that this is highly unreliable. If you keep a male and female together then the female's W chromosome, which is in every cell on the female, could contaminate the feathers of the male.

Once you have determined your parrot's sex does it have any implications beyond making it easy to select breeding partners? Well it is fair to say the difference between male and female pet parrots is nothing like the difference between a bitch and a dog. There is no difference in their ability to mimic or any notable difference in the way they will interact with their human companions.

Danny Oakes writes about the a wide range of parrot issues, including Parrot health care along with advice on which species make the best talking parrots.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Oakes

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Red Faced Lovebird

Red Faced Lovebird
Species Profile
Genus:
Agapornis

Red-Faced Lovebird

Species:
pullarius

Size: Adult Weight:
15cm (6 in) 43g (1.5 oz)

Races including nominate:
two: A.p. pullarius, A.p. ugandae

Colourization Adult: A.p. pullarius: male- green in colour; face orange/red; cobalt-blue lower back and rump; green/yellow upper tail coverts; black underwing coverts; green tail, with lateral tail feathers red at base, banded with black near tips and with yellow tips. Bill coral red. Eye dark brown. Female- orange facial mask; green underwing coverts. A.p. ugandae: both adults as in pullarius, but paler blue along lower back and rump.

Colourization Juvenile: A.p. pullarius: facial mask less extensive and orange/yellow in colour; black underwing coverts in male, green in female. Bill red/brown with black at base of upper mandible.

Call: Calls are described as weak and high-pitched; twittering and trilling. Also abrupt, whistling notes.

Source: http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/profile/red_faced_lovebird/
picture: © Robert van Zalinge

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Lutino Lovebird

Lutino Peach-faced Lovebird
Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name: Agapornis roseicollis var.

Description:
The Lutino Lovebird, a particularly striking bird with an overall yellow coloring and a bright red face, is a mutation of the Peach-faced Lovebird. The lutino mutation is a sex-linked gene. It acts by removing removing all of the melanin, the dark pigment, from the bird while the pigments of yellow and red are uneffected. There are two other sex-linked mutations which work to partially remove or dilute the melanin. They are called cinnamon, or sometimes 'fallow'. The darker of the two is the American cinnamon and can be described as a light green. The other is the Australian cinnamon, which is a very light greenish-yellow.

Size - Weight:
The Lutino Lovebird will get up to about 6" - 7" (16 - 18 cm) in length.

Care and feeding:
A roomy cage is required as lovebirds are very active. If you have a tame pet that is kept in a small cage, it needs to be let out for extended periods to fly about. Your pet they will enjoy a variety of seeds, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets.

Social Behaviors:
A lovebird is a very social bird with it's companion, and it is generally thought to be essential for their good health and happiness that they be kept in pairs rather than singly. They can, however, be aggressive towards other birds in an aviary setting.

Activities:
Loves to fly, climb, and play. Provide lots of room and lots of toys.

Breeding/Reproduction:
The Lutino Lovebird is excellent for the beginning breeder. These birds will breed well in either colonies or in a single pair, and have the same behaviors as the Peach-faced Lovebird. When you provide them with a nest box, be sure to also provide lots of willow twigs, palm fronds, or other nesting materials as they will build a small nest of their own inside of the nest box. They will carry the nesting materials between their back and rump feathers. The hen will lay four to five eggs which are incubated for about 23 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 30 to 38 days but will still be dependent until about 43 days. When they become independent, remove the young to their own housing. See About Lovebirds: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:
This bird has a moderate but metallic shriek and can be somewhat noisy for parts of the day. See About Lovebirds: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Source: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/lovebirds/lutinolovebird.php
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS
Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

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Which Birds Make Good Pets?

Having a pet can be a wonderful, rewarding experience and the best thing about having a pet is they’re always there for you.
Birds are the one of cute pets in the world.Are you thinking of adopting a pet bird?
Birds make great pets, but it requires making a good decision before you take on your new companion.

A little knowledge before you make your choice can save you lots of headaches down the road and ensure that you and your new pet will get along just fine in the years to come. Purchasing a bird for a pet doesn't have to be difficult.



Good Choices
Canaries, finches, cockatiels, parakeets, and lovebirds are birds who have a long history of selective breeding in captivity and can be considered domesticated strains of wild species. Their basic needs are more easily met,proper supplies to care for them are readily available, and these birds can live long, happy lives in a caring home.
There are birds that a very personable, like cockatiels and lovebirds, birds that talk, like parrots and mynah birds, those that sing, like canaries and those that are fun to watch, like finches.


If you like smaller birds, you might go for finches, lovebirds or parakeets. If you are not intimidated by large birds, a parrot, macaw, cockatoo or conure might make a good companion.

If you are on a budget, get a Budgie, which is a Parakeet. They are not only affordable, but they make great pets for kids. Most of them are beautifully colored and they can be very affectionate if you spend time with them. Some even learn to talk.

If you want something more exotic and showy, try a large Parrot. They can learn to talk and do tricks and they love to show off. These brightly colored birds can also be very affectionate once you have earned their trust.

Related Article:
- How To Starting Get Pet Bird ?
- How To Make Your Own Bird House
- How to Clean Up Pest Bird Droppings!

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Training Lovebirds

The Lovebird is a popular type of small parrot. As the name suggests, they have great potential to become affectionate and loyal pets. But proper training and frequent interaction are required of this type of bird.


Lovebirds get their name from their sweet personalities, and from their tendency to dote on their mates. Wild Lovebirds can often be found preening and grooming their significant others. Pairs also sit and sleep very close together.



Lovebird Habitat and Characteristics

There are nine different species of Lovebirds. Eight of these can be found in the wild in Africa. The Madagascar Lovebird is the only one that is not native to Africa, and as its name suggests, it can be found in Madagascar.

Lovebirds come in a variety of colors. The various species all have unique characteristics, and there are mutations within most species as well. The popular Peach-Faced Lovebird usually has a peach colored face, green body, and blue hindquarters. But they can also be found in numerous other color combinations, and some do not even have peach faces.

The Fischers and Masked Lovebirds are the only species besides the Peach-Faced that are commonly kept as pets. They also come in a variety of color combinations. The biggest difference between these two species and the Peach-Faced Lovebird is the eye ring they both have.

Lovebirds are smaller than many parrot breeds, usually measuring 6 inches in length when fully grown. These birds are great for people who have limited space. They do, however, need a cage that gives them adequate room to play and explore.

The Lovebirds Personality

Its true that Lovebirds are characteristically sweet and loyal. But they thrive on interaction, whether it is with other birds or humans. If they do not get enough interaction, they can become rather temperamental.

It is a common misconception that Lovebirds must be kept in pairs. While they will enjoy one another's company, they may enjoy it too well. Mature pairs will often shun human interaction in favor of their mates. So if you are looking for a close relationship with your pet, the best thing to do is get one Lovebird and give it lots of attention.

Lovebirds are intelligent, and they are great at learning tricks. They can also be trained to whistle. Speech is not their strongest point, though some birds can learn to talk if they are trained while young. It doesn't hurt to try to train a Lovebird to talk, but don't get your hopes up too high. These birds actions speak louder than words anyway.

Lovebirds can be somewhat noisy, and some of them like to nip. Training Lovebirds with praise and treats for good behavior, can eliminate these behaviors. A well-trained Love Bird makes a great companion, and will happily reciprocate your love and attention.

To discover more parrot training tips and techniques, sign up for Dave Womach's free parrot training newsletter where you'll discover how to fix dozens of Lovebird behavior problems.

Author: Dave Womach
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dave_Womach

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Selecting Cage for Lovebirds

One important thing after selecting the lovebirds are selecting the right cage for your lovebird. Selecting the right cage for your lovebirds is an important part of lovebird care. The bird house should be with suitable and proper size for your loved Lovebirds. Cage size is very important when you prepare a home for your pets. The cage you buy should have sufficient room for it to play around. Your lovebird needs to be able to stretch and flap his wings without hitting the sides of the cage or any toys. There should be horizontal bars in the cage as lovebirds love climbing.

Lovebirds are so playfully and as in their nature they need plenty of toys to keep them busy while they are in their cages. The most important step in love bird care is the positioning of the cage. This crucial decision lays the foundation of your relationship with your lovebird. This also determines your lovebird's mood, playfulness and attitude to you and your family!

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Selecting your Lovebirds

There are so many Lovebirds you can select from petshop. When you select lovebirds always be cautious to select healthy birds. There are large varieties of lovebirds to choose from.for those of you who are beginners maybe you are confused to select the lovebirds. Do not be confused to choose, make sure always choose young hand-raised birds as they are easy to be tamed.Older, wild, colony or parent raised birds may prove difficult to tame. Pay a little attention to the activity of the birds, as their activities will reflect their health; buy those lovebirds which are in sound health. Choose birds from both the sexes to make breeding easy. Always have an eye on the colour of your bird as colorful birds attract eyes.

Lovebirds are actually nine species you can consider selecting as a pet Lovebird. Eight of this species are natives of the African continent. These are the Peach-faced Lovebird or Rosy-faced Lovebird that has two subspecies; Masked Lovebird or the Yellow-collared Lovebird, Fischer's Lovebird, Lilian's Lovebird, Black-cheeked Lovebird, the Abyssinian Lovebird also known as Black-winged Lovebird; Red-faced or the red-headed Lovebird has also two subspecies, Black-collared Lovebird that has three subspecies, and the Grey-headed Lovebird has two subspecies, which is a native to Madagascar, which is also known as the Madagascar lovebird.

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