Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Conures


Conures are native to most of South and Central America.
In general, they are part of a large group of parrots that range from small species of 8.5 inches in length (about the size of some of the parakeets) to 19 inches (larger than some of the smaller macaws) with most of them being in the 12 to 13 inch range.

They can be very colourful birds, in both appearance and personality. These birds have a never-ending source of energy. They are fun to watch because of their vibrant colours and acrobatic natures. They are pleasant and peaceful birds. Unfortunately, the voice of many Conures is not always pleasant – often consisting of bouts of loud screaming. Although not known for their talking abilities, many can develop good vocabularies, especially if handfed.

Green Cheek Conures, like my Griffin pictured here are among the smaller conures that are fairly common as pets. They are generally very quiet and even their speaking voice is almost a whisper.

Sun Conures, like TJ who belongs to a member of the Parrot Club of Manitoba is a mid sized conure. Their voice can be considerably louder than a smaller conure, but their personality is fun and outgoing.

The Key features of Sun Conure are, it is medium-sized parrot with large, black hooked bill, large head; long wings; long, tapered tail; plumage bright yellow, intensifying to orange on head and belly; outer wing bright green, with blue on primaries and primary coverts; sexes alike. Its habits are usually seen in medium-sized flocks; mobile and noisy; feeds in trees and shrubs.

They nest in tree holes, often in palms; other details known from captive, birds 4 eggs; incubation 28 days, by female; young fledge after 56 days; 1 brood. Sun Conure sounds like high-pitched, grating “screek”, rapidly repeated. Feed mainly fruit. Their habitat is Savanna and forest.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Taking Care Of Cockatiel

One of the earth’s most well-known birds will be the cockatiel which could be popular because of its light, friendly and also clever character. This specific bird isn’t very difficult plus constitutes a fantastic pet. Even newbies will likely be more likely to have no problems adapting to this certain bird’s desires.

Individuals who curently have this bird think it’s to be truly fortunate for them.
Cockatiels are originally present in Australia as they’re viewed as the tiniest from the cockatoo (parrot) family. You’d discover plenty of commonalities between a cockatiel as well as a parrot merely for the truth that the cockatiel is amongst the species of parrot. The actual name sounds a great deal more like a Dutch word “Kakatielje” that basically recommend just a little cockatoo.

By their own really character itself these cockatiel birds are actually sociable and moderately active and they like to be touched, played and talked to. Most of the time, you may find these birds doing a trick to catch your attention and by singing also. They live for as long as 15 to 20 years and are located in yellow, white and gray color.

You may uncover these birds quite cheerful and affectionate to the extent that they will groom your hair. Affection is something they want and they would adore to get stocked and cuddled and might be trained to talk and whistle. Male are normally seen as far better than females for this, but then overall cockatiels aren’t extremely clear in their speech when compared to parrots.

In size they’re smaller than most parrots, don’t bite as significantly and are quieter and cleaner also. The point you should contemplate before taking one as a pet is that they are usually hand fed. This makes them straightforward to tame. Believe twice just before making a selection between a male and a female as they are friendly but not so costly birds. Female care are general far more nervous than males.

Also, you should consider insurance for this pets,due to the fact that they are sometimes ill and might be expensive to treat!

Please take a appear at the internet site to get all the info on cockatiel care! In case you would like to uncover our more about cockatiels, then have a peek at our cockatiel facts page.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Caring for Your African Greys

African Greys are the most sought-after parrots, thanks to their amazing ability to communicate with humans. They are extremely intelligent birds and are known to be the best at mimicking human behavior.

There are two types of African Greys: The Congo African Grey and the Tinmeh Grey. The Congo subspecies is the more common pet bird. African Greys are typically 12 to 13 inches from beak to tail, and thus need adequate living space. If properly cared for, these birds can live to be 50 years old or older. If you’re thinking of owning an African Grey, or if you are new owner, there are some important things you should know.

Along with the intelligence of the Grey comes an extreme sensitivity. Greys need the special attention that human children require. Experts say that these birds need at least three hours of interaction per day. Greys, like children, need to be put on a schedule; they thrive when following a routine.

It is also very important to note that all Teflon products (including kitchen pans and accessories, and beauty tools) must be removed from the house before a parrot takes up residence. Teflon is deadly toxic to parrots. Once you use a Teflon product, the particles become airborne and then deadly to your pet parrot. Please seek your veterinarian's advice about which kitchen and/or beauty tools you can purchase to replace those with Teflon.

However, not all Greys speak well or at all. Those that do speak tend to do so after age 1. Experts advise that these birds should not be taken on as pets solely because the human wants the bird to speak. Greys form a special bond with their human owners, Hollander says. They often will bond this way with only one human, and may act shy around other people. Not only will the birds mimic the words of that special human in their lives, they are also known to take on their emotions. If you’re upset, there is a good chance your Grey will be, too.

Friday, November 18, 2011

A familiar and noisy American bird - Blue jay

Blue jays are natural forest dwellers, but they are also highly adaptable and intelligent birds. They are a familiar and noisy presence around many North American bird feeders. The blue jay's "Jay! Jay!" call is only one of a wide variety of sounds the bird employs—including excellent imitations of several hawk calls.

Blue jays are sometimes known to eat eggs or nestlings, and it is this practice that has tarnished their reputation. In fact, they are largely vegetarian birds. Most of their diet is composed of acorns, nuts, and seeds—though they also eat small creatures such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles. Blue jays sometimes store acorns in the ground and may fail to retrieve them, thus aiding the spread of forests.

Common in much of eastern and central North America, blue jays are gradually extending their range to the Northwest. They are fairly social and are typically found in pairs or in family groups or small flocks. Most northern birds head south for the winter and join in large flocks of up to 250 birds to make the long journey. However, this migration is a bit of a mystery to scientists. Some birds winter in all parts of the blue jay's range, and some individual birds may migrate one year and not the next. It is unclear what factors determine whether each blue jay or family decides to migrate.

Monday, November 14, 2011

The Eagle Is Not Really Bald

The bald eagle is a species of eagle species, the most popular. Bald eagle found in many regions of North America. His name is bald eagle, but the eagle is not really bald, it was just the name alone. Characteristic of bald eagle is the color of the head until his neck is white, you also must have been very popular with the kind of eagle this one, because the bald eagle became the national symbol of the United States.

There is an unquestionable awe in witnessing the natural phenomenon that occurs in Brackendale every winter as 1000s of Bald Eagles congregate but there is no mystery to it. What these birds have found here, on the shores of the Squamish, Cheakamus and Mamquam rivers, is an inviting environment complete with all that is necessary to survive winter's harsh realities.

Eagles have wintered in the Squamish Valley for perhaps millennia but it wasn't until about 25 years ago, when habitat along the Pacific Coast was increasingly lost to misguided logging practices and dwindling salmon stocks often due to the damming of rivers, that bald eagles discovered Brackendale en mass.

A truly unique way for up close and personal encounters with the wintering eagles is a gentle float trip through the heart of where the eagles and other birds gather. Eagles are relatively unperturbed by the rafts as they float gently down the river sometimes only a few metres away from these magnificent raptors. Sunwolf Outdoor Centre, located on the banks of the Cheakamus River, offers daily Float Tours where guests see up to a thousand eagles (often in groups of twenty in one tree) during a two hour tour. On your return from the river the Sunwolf Lodge awaits with a hot and hearty fireside lunch. An invigorating soak in the hot tub while taking in the magnificent views of the Tantalus Mountain Range is an ideal way to complete the day's adventure. Better yet, combine your winter eagle rafting experience with a night's stay in one of their cozy riverside cabins and continue to view roosting eagles from your doorstep.

Something About Parrots

The parrots are a broad order of more than 350 birds. Macaws, Amazons, lorikeets, lovebirds, cockatoos and many others are all considered parrots.

Though there is great diversity among these birds, there are similarities as well. All parrots have curved beaks and all are zygodactyls, meaning they have four toes on each foot, two pointing forward and two projecting backward. Most parrots eat fruit, flowers, buds, nuts, seeds, and some small creatures such as insects.
Parrots are found in warm climates all over most of the world. The greatest diversities exist in Australasia, Central America, and South America.
Many parrots are kept as pets, especially macaws, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, and cockatoos. These birds have been popular companions throughout history because they are intelligent, charismatic, colorful, and musical. Some birds can imitate many nonavian sounds, including human speech. The male African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is the most accomplished user of human speech in the animal world; this rain forest-dweller is an uncanny mimic.
Currently the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) bans the sale of any wild-caught species, yet the parrots' popularity continues to drive illegal trade.
Some parrot species are highly endangered. In other cases, once tame birds have reproduced in the wild and established thriving feral populations in foreign ecosystems. The monk (green) parakeet, for example, now lives in several U.S. states.