The Basic Information About Sparrow

Sparrow is a brown, chunky bird that is about 15 cm long and very common in human- occupied habitats. A small bird, it has a stout body, rounded wings and broad head. The bib is deep, conical and very well adapted for seed eating. The males have a distinctive black bib, white cheeks, a chestnut mantle around the grey crown and chestnut-colored feathers on the upper wings. The females and the young ones have a plain, dingy-gray breast; a distinct, buffy eye stripe; and a streaked back. Sparrows love to be in gardens with lots of seeds, insects and berries. Unfortunately, their number is fast declining, putting them under the threatened birds list. Here are some interesting facts and amazing information about these small, chunky creatures.

Sparrows are loosely monogamous. Both the female and the male take care of the young ones, though the female does most of the brooding. These birds are aggressive and social, which increases their ability to compete with most native birds. They can swim to escape from predators, although they are not considered to be water birds.

The difference between a male and a female sparrow is that the former has a reddish back and a black bib, whereas the female has brown back with eye stripe.

Sparrow nests are bulky, roofed affairs. They are haphazardly built and without good workmanship, unlike what is displayed by other weaver finches. The nest building is initiated by an unmated male, who begins the construction while displaying it to the females. The females do assist in nest building, but are less active than the male. In cool season, sparrows build specially created roost nests or roost in streetlights, to avoid losing heat during the winter.

Sparrows are generally not territorial, but they are quite aggressive when it comes to protecting their nest from intruders of the same sex. They prefer to live near human dwellings, especially if there are bird feeders. They are generally found in farming areas, cities and suburbs.

Sparrows are around 14-16 cm long. They are chirpy, with grey and brown color. They have the ability to fly at the speed of 38.5 km/hour and can even reach a speed of 50 km/hour. These birds usually nest in cavities, but some may nest in bushes and trees as well. They build untidy nests of grass and assorted rubbish, including wool, feathers and fine vegetative material.

Manmade environments have always been a source of food and shelter for sparrows. They usually nest under the eaves of homes and in holes in the walls of buildings or in climbing plants that grow on walls. Sparrows raise three nests of 3-5 eggs. Both male and female helps to incubate the eggs for 12-15 days. The fledglings usually fly out after 15 days. The population of sparrows has been declining, as there is less food for them, because of fewer gardens. They are now on the threatened birds’ list in many parts of the world.

There Are A few Advices For The New Pet Birds Keeper

There are a few advices for people who are considering purchasing their first pet bird or for people who are new to birdkeeping. There is quite a lot to learn about the proper care of birds and even those of us who have kept birds for years continue to learn new things. There is so much to write about and so little room, so I'll attempt to touch on just a few of the fundamental topics.

First of all, I would recommend buying a few books about bird care and also subscribing to one of the magazines devoted to bird care. You can get the basic knowledge online or buy the related books online. From a breeder's perspective, as much as we all want to sell you our birds, we also want them to go to good homes where they will be well-cared for. Parrots require interaction with their household. Their behavior is a bit different from that of a cat or a dog. Birds are highly social creatures and bonds of trust must be forged for a good relationship between you and your bird.

Birds have the intelligence of a 2 or 3-year old child. They need boundaries and they need an established routine. Many people make the mistake of lavishing hours and hours of attention on a new bird when they first bring it home, only to decrease the time they spend with it when the novelty wears off. This can cause behavioral problems such as feather picking or screaming. It is necessary to spend time with your bird for they have been known to "go crazy" sitting alone in a cage day in and day out. Never underestimate the intelligence of these creatures. Ask yourself how you would react under similar circumstances.

Consistency is the key. If you let your bird out for 45 minutes in the morning, and an hour or several hours each night, then it is best to stick with this routine. Sometimes our birds will watch TV with us or eat a bite of our meal, and other times your bird may be happy just to play on top of his or her cage, on a playgym or on a T-stand. Remember, your 2-year old can get bored easily and will enjoy a change of scenery and a variety of activities.

In the wild, birds wake up at sunrise and usually forage for food soon thereafter. If you are able to do so, it is best to give them their fresh food at this time since they will tend to eat their healthy foods first. Then that food bowl must be removed before bacteria can grow. If you have your birds on a good pelleted diet, the fresh food isn't all that necessary. However, there are many that feel the birds enjoy the various textures and tastes of a varied diet. You will learn more about nutrition and diet from reading and talking to other experienced bird owners like those in your local bird club.

Parrots need toys to chew on. It is an instinctive psychological need for them to play and chew and it also keeps the tips of their beaks dulled. Should you acquire one of the larger parrots, such as a cockatoo or macaw, be aware that you must keep them supplied with wooden toys. Perches can be made from dowel wood or from branches of trees that are non-toxic to parrots. They should be of varying thicknesses in order to prevent foot problems from developing. PVC pipe for perches is not recommended. Yes, it is easier to keep clean and it is indestructible, but it will not make for a contented bird.

Playtime should be fun for both you and your parrot. They love toys or sharing a healthy snack with their owners. Most pet birds love music or the soothing sounds of new age music or natural sounds such as an ocean surf or the calls of songbirds. Amazons are known to be particularly fond of all kinds of music ranging from Aretha Franklin to opera to C&W. Birds enjoy being talked to and some owners even read their pets stories! Which brings us to the fine art of teaching them to talk and training them to do tricks.

Grooming your parrot is also an important part of responsible ownership. Keeping the wings and nails properly clipped can be done by you or by an avian veterinarian. Baths are also very important to the psychological well-being of pet birds. If exposed to baths at an early age, parrots will enjoy this special time with you. Many owners shower with their birds, while some birds prefer to bathe in a dish of water or in a kitchen sink, and still others love to be misted with lukewarm water. The baths are necessary for your bird's skin and feather quality. Feathers will last longer and look prettier while the skin will be less prone to dryness and flakiness. Simply said, the bird will feel better after a good bath.

It is a privilege and joy to own a parrot, but it is also a great responsibility which requires not only a long-term commitment from you but also a willingness on your part to learn all you can about these wonderful creatures. Enjoy your parrots and they will enjoy you. Happy bird keepers keep happy birds.

These Facts About Birds

Birds are the sixth group of animals. They are known for their ability to fly. No other living being then birds and few insects can fly as their natural ability. But not all birds have this ability, some birds, like penguin, ostrich etc are the species of birds because of their build like birds but they cannot fly. Birds know some of the best aerobatics. Humming bird can stay still in the air, eagles can attack on their prey pin point by coming down at great speeds from height. Some more facts about birds are given below.

1. Groups

Birds belong to sixth group of animals and there are further 30 groups of birds. These groups are not subgroups but contain 30 different natures of birds.

2. 9865 species

There are total 9865 species of birds alive today. According to experts, after year 1500, 133 species vanish from earth and there may be more about which we do not know. 1227 species are threatened with extinction and there are 4 species that have gone extinct from wild and only few of them are surviving in captivity.

3. Earliest known bird

The earliest known bird lived in Jurassic period 150 million years ago. The archaeopteryx is the first known bird. Its first fossil was found in 1861 and kept in London. It did not have basic features of flight so experts are uncertain about its flight.

 
4. Evolutionists

The supporters of evolution theory are still confused about the evolution of birds. They are uncertain about the origin of the birds. They believe that birds evolved from a dinosaur named theropods but not all the characteristics of both are similar.

5. Feathers

Feathers are the uniqueness of the birds. No other living being has feathers. The main function of feathers is to help birds fly. The other functions are waterproofing, protection from UV rays and protection from other harmful elements.

6. Not only birds can fly

Other than birds, only one mammal can fly, the bats and insects too can fly but not same as birds.

7. Laying eggs

All birds produce by laying eggs. Their eggs vary in size, too big birds lay big sized eggs while small birds lay small sized eggs. Similarly their nests and the new born are also different in size shape and nature.

8. Seasonal migration

There are many species of the birds that migrate to great distances from the wintering ground. Many species follow similar routes to migrate. These routes are called flyways.

9. Birds do not have teeth

Birds do not have teeth but instead they have bills. These bills are according to the food intake of birds.

10. Ostrich

The largest of all birds is ostrich. Its body has long legs, small head and a heavy body. they are able to run at 45 miles half an hour.