January 30, 2009
If you love exotic pet birds and are thinking about purchasing one to join your family, you should really do some research and familiarize yourself with the variety of colors, sizes, temperaments and requirements for the species you are considering.
Parrots are a popular pet bird because they are highly intelligent when socialized and undergo training. These beautifully-colored birds are popular pets for people, because they aren't difficult to manage and they mimic many sounds, such as that of the human voice.
Mainly found in South America and in Australia, parrots come in a variety of sizes, colors and species, such as different types of "Lorikeet" like the "Rainbow Lorikeet", "Green Naped Lorikeet", "Blue Lorikeet" and many more. Parrots often stand out in comparison to other species but there are some that are smaller and more inconspicuous.
While parrots come in a beautiful array of colored feathers, it's interesting to note that the dominant color in all is green. Depending on its species, some types of parrots come in multi-color shades that are usually a great combination of bright white, yellow, and green hues.
Parrots are large, colorful birds with big hooked bills and scaly feet designed to climb up and down trees. When it comes to diet, the majority of parrots species out there are vegetarian while others east fruits, chicken meat and other lean meats and seeds of different types.
Studies prove that birds are the best pets for children, and among birds the most suitable are the parrots. Aside from being intelligent birds, parrots are also ideal for kids especially for those who are starting to recite their first words because they can teach kids to imitate sounds and the human language as well. Due to their intellect and ease of training, the African Grey parrot are ideal smart parrots for your child.
Today, the most common parrot species include Macaws, Conures, Amazons, African Gray Parrots, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, Budgerigars, and Eclectus.
January 30, 2009
Bird feeding is not an easy thing. You cannot simply put some bird food on a plate and set it under a tree. Soon there will be other uninvited guests eating all of the food and leaving nothing for the birds. Mice, squirrels and raccoons are some of the animals that will eat up the wild bird seed. Squirrels rank at the top of the chain and the pilfering habits of squirrels deprive the wild birds of their food. The only thing that can be done is to make your bird feeder squirrel proof.
There are many different bird feeders on the market for the wild species of birds you would like to attract. You will find that many of them are topped with plastic domes to keep the pesky squirrels from getting the wild bird food. The squirrel proof bird feeders have plastic domes fitted at the top and at the bottom. When the squirrels try to climb up the pole or descend the suspension wire they encounter the deterrent. Unable to tackle it they fall to the ground, spilling a little bit of seed in the process, which they eat. But the amazing thing is the creatures try this very trick again and again till they are full. Squirrels definitely find ingenuous ways of getting what they want from a squirrel proof bird feeder.
Squirrel proof feeders come with chambers that allow only small birds to enter and gain access to food, while preventing squirrels from doing so. A plastic coated metal netting around the bird feeder works as a perfect deterrent. Only the beaks of the birds reach the food ports. Do not apply jelly on the poles or the suspension wires. Though this may prevent the squirrels from eating the food meant for the migratory birds, the jelly may stick to the wings of some birds and make flying difficult for them.
Meat for one may be poison for another, or so goes the old saying. Though it is unlikely that squirrels would know that a certain food is poisonous, they certainly would not think twice about devouring these foods, which is why squirrel proof feeders are needed. Cardinals, chickadees, titmice, and other species of birds love safflower seeds whereas squirrels hate them. Niger thistle is also not favored by squirrels much. Adding these foods to your bird feeding program is a definite way of making your bird feeder squirrel resistant.
