Selecting a pet bird

Humans have been fascinated by birds for centuries, with a variety of species kept as companion animals in cultures around the world. They can make wonderful additions to households, especially if there is limited space or family members are allergic to other animals.

What are you looking for in a bird? Your choice of bird will be affected by your preferences for appearance, personality, companionship or ability to talk.

Appearance

Pet birds come in many sizes and colors — ranging from finches with a wing span of just a few inches, to macaws whose wing span can be up to four feet. Bird feather hues range from natural greys, yellows, reds, and greens to unusual color combinations resulting from selective breeding.

To read more on this story, click here: Selecting a pet bird

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Video shows a bird in an Australian zoo that has learned to perfectly mimic a human baby's crying

• Echo the lyrebird appears to have learned how to perfectly replicate the sound of a wailing baby.

• The bird, who lives in a Sydney zoo, can also mimic a fire alarm and power drill, a zoo official said.

• The official told The Guardian that Echo had been "working on his craft" during the zoo's lockdown.

A lyrebird named Echo has picked up a peculiar song during his zoo's COVID-19 lockdown: The wailing of a crying baby.

Keepers at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, tweeted a video of Echo, a seven-year-old male, making the sound on Tuesday. Watch him here:

To read more on this story, click here: Video shows a bird in an Australian zoo that has learned to perfectly mimic a human baby's crying

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FASCINATING HUMMINGBIRD FACTS

Many hummingbirds will soon be heading south! Learn some fun facts about hummingbirds—how much these tiny birds weigh, whether they can really see red, and what types you’ll see where you live. Did you know that hummers do not flap their wings? Enjoy these fascinating hummingbird facts.

WHAT IS A HUMMINGBIRD’S SIZE?

These diminutive birds weigh only about 4 grams—or .141 ounce! That’s tiny! For comparison, a U.S. penny weighs 2.5 grams. The egg of a hummingbird weighs just 0.4 gram to 2.4 grams. A newly hatched bird is just 0.62 gram. However, when it’s time to migrate, hummers pack on the grams for the long trip—sometimes doubling their weight.

They are among the smallest birds, too, with most species measuring 3 to 5 inches long. The smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, is only 2 inches long—and weighs less than 2 grams.

To read more on this story, click here: FASCINATING HUMMINGBIRD FACTS

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Meet The Golden Pheasant – Commonly Known As The Most Beautiful Bird On The Planet

Sporting a deep orange ‘cape,’ with a vibrant yellow crown and back, dark wings and upper neck, red underparts, this bird is truly something special. So it’s hard to believe these are shy birds, taking into account how loud it is on the outside. They are very hard to find as they run away when detecting the slightest of disturbances.

The golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) or Chinese gold pheasant whose scientific name is Chrysolophus pictus is a neognata galleriforme pheasant species, has two species of the genus Chrysolophus and its origin as the name indicates is in Burma, China and other areas of the great Asian continent. This particular bird in other parts of the world is bred in captivity for the consumption of its meat, but this species of Asian pheasant is in the wild, in the case of China has served as a source of inspiration for many painters who have seen the beauty of this bird reflected in thousands of pictures, is part of the system of Asian symbolism.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet The Golden Pheasant – Commonly Known As The Most Beautiful Bird On The Planet

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Lorikeets the Clowns

Lorikeets are the clowns of the bird world.  Just like a clown they have an unmistakable bright red beak and colourful plumage and they are mischievous and noisy making sure that all eyes are on them.  Those that keep lorikeets describe them as addictive since watching their cheeky antics can keep them from doing anything else for hours.

There are two main groups of lorikeets – the small Australian lorikeets and the larger tropical lorikeets.  The smaller varieties include the Purple-crowned and Little lorikeet which are around 19cm in length.  They are fairly quiet, tend not to talk and have a lifespan of around 10 years.  Tropical lorikeets live up to 20 years and are around 30cm long; they are excellent talkers and varieties include the common Rainbow and Red-collared lorikeet.

To read more on this story, click here: Lorikeets the Clowns

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The 6 Best Bird Pets for Children and What Makes Them Great Pets for Kids

When finding the best bird pets for children, you must take into consideration the kinds of birds that are compatible with kids. Each bird species is unique in more than just its appearance. Bird species require different levels of time, attention, commitment, and even space. So, which types of birds are most compatible with children?

To read more on this story, click here: The 6 Best Bird Pets for Children and What Makes Them Great Pets for Kids

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Do Not Use Dog Hair For Bird Nests

Safe and natural materials for birds to make their nest

Thank you so much to the person who wrote to me and asked about leaving materials outside for birds to use to make nests. While it isn’t time to think about that now – we still have snow in Manitoba – there are many places in the world where birds are looking for materials right now. You can also use this list to gather up materials later.

There are two common things that people put out thinking they are helping birds but they are not. Their little legs get caught, twisted, and broken. Those two things are mesh fruit bags and the other is yarn and string. There was a recent article suggesting that people put things inside a mesh bag so that the birds can pull the material out. Please don’t. Use a wire suet container – they cannot get their tiny legs caught in it – if you feel you have to hang up the material. There are also craftspeople making specialized metal objects just for this purpose. And while yarn is commonly thought of as a good nesting material and people delight in seeing the colourful strands woven into a nest, the yarn also can get twisted around little legs. I know that no one putting out nesting material wants to break the legs of these lovely creatures.

To read more on this story, click here: Do Not Use Dog Hair For Bird Nests

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Parrots Can Be Amazing Companion Animals, But Do They Really Make Good Pets?

It is estimated that there are 11 million birds living as pets within the United States. Parrots are now thought to be the fourth most common household animal after dogs, cats, and fish. So do they make good pets? You may be surprised to learn that for many Americans the answer is no.

Parrots can be amazing companion animals. They are highly trainable, they can be cuddly and affectionate, and if treated correctly they will form very strong bonds with their care takers. The flip side is that they are such social and intelligent animals that they demand a huge amount of attention and mental stimulation in order to thrive. 

Many people eventually find that they can’t give enough time and energy to

Lorikeet

their pets, especially in the long run when the joy of a new pet begins to ware thin. To make matters worse, many parrots can be aggressive, especially once they become sexually mature. A parrot bite is not a fun thing to endure.

If you want to get a parrot of your own, there are several things you should consider before purchasing. Read through the 5 following questions and answer them honestly to your self to see if a parrot is the right fit for you.

1. Can I afford a parrot?

If you get a small parrot the cost can be fairly cheep. A budgie Parakeet will only cost you about $20 in the US and a decent sized cage for the bird probably won’t cost over $50. Larger and less common parrots demand a higher price. You should expect to pay anywhere between $400 and $10,000 for a larger parrot and then you will need to spend about the same on a cage.

Once you get the parrot you will need to spend more money on food, replacement toys, replacement perches, veterinary care and other continual costs. The price for the average small bird (parakeet or love bird) will cost between $315 – $500 a year to keep alive and well. A large parrot like a Macaw will cost about $650 – $1,275.

Are you honestly willing to spend that kind of money on a pet? If not, I suggest you look for a different kind of pet.

2. Do I have time to take proper care of a parrot?

The average parrot needs 2 – 6 hours of direct interaction outside the cage from you or one of your family members every day in order to maintain mental health. Remember that depending on the species, your parrot could live to be 80 years old or more.

Can you consistently dedicate that kind of time to your parrot in the long run?

When you go on vacation you will need to leave your parrot with someone who is also willing to give your bird all the special attention he needs. Even then, things may not work out. 

Sun Conure

One alternative to one on one interaction is to build a large aviary and get several parrots that will interact with each other. Keep in mind that these birds may bond strictly to each other and can become aggressive to people unless they are constantly socialized to humans. Parrot that live together in groups can also become aggressive to one another. Make sure you know what you’re doing before creating a multi-parrot aviary.

Parrots also need enrichment exercises to stimulate their minds. 

Tip – Make as many friends with other parrot owners as you can! This way you can take turns watching each other’s birds when needed and you can share tips on how to better care for your parrots.

3. Do I have the patience to be a parrot keeper?

Parrots have all sorts of strange behaviors that can be very annoying. Sun Conures are great parrots, they are playful, loving, loyal, beautiful, and easy to train but they come with a voice so loud that the entire block knows when one gets upset. Sun Conures are so loud that they can easily get you evicted from your apartment and because of this they often end up in bird rescue shelters after their owners decide they just can’t stand the noise.

Quaker Parrot

Other species of parrot have different problems. The Quaker Parrot, for example, becomes extremely territorial of his cage during breeding season and the Lorikeets have a way of shooting their poop all the way across the room when relieving them selves after a meal. 

Parrots are wild animals and don’t naturally know how to behave appropriately around humans or inside of houses. You are the one the decided to take them from their natural habitats and place them in your home, it is your responsibility to put up with the problems that are bound to arise as a result of this decision.

With careful training and loving patience, your bird can be taught many house manners and can become a wonderful member of your family but this takes time and lots of hard work. Are you truly up for it?

4. Can I handle getting bitten by my parrot?

Even the nicest birds will have a moment where they feel threatened or mistreated and will decide to attack.

Parrots tend to get most aggressive during breeding season (breeding season varies from species to species) and a parrot that used to be perfectly tame can suddenly seem to go crazy. This of course is true of virtually all pets but the signs of aggression are particularly hard to see with birds. An attack can seem to come out of nowhere from a bird who is usually very loving.  As a result, people tend to develop phobias of their own parrots after just one incident.

No matter how sweet and wonderful your bird may be, no matter how good of a bird owner you think you are, You will get bitten…and it will hurt! 

If you own a small parrot this may mean a simple little puncture wound. If you own a mid sized or large parrot, stitches (or worse) may be needed.

At the Knoxville Zoo they have all sorts of dangerous animals in their bird show: hawks, owls, a vulture, a crane, and a giant African Ground-Hornbill but the one bird that has sent the most staff members to the hospital is their Scarlett Macaw – one of their only birds that can legally kept as a household pet. He bit one trainer on the mouth and tore her lip open so far that plastic surgery was needed in order to properly heal the wound. She was a pro bird handler working with an animal she saw every day. If it can happen to her under the best of circumstances, it can happen to anyone.

Can you forgive a bird after receiving a bite like that and then be willing to continue working with and loving your parrot? If your answer is no then you really need to consider a different hobby. Parrot keeping is not for you. Once a parrot owner develops a fear for their own bird, the bird will be left inside his cage all the time and will suffer. This is not good for your bird or for you.

Tip- The smaller the bird, the weaker the bite. If you have a low tolerance for pain, get a small parrot. There is no shame in this and there is an amazing selection of small parrots to choose from. You would be amazed to discover just how much personality, beauty, and charisma these small parrots really have. You don’t need to go out and buy the biggest macaw you can find.

5. Am I willing to study and learn about parrot keeping?

Most of us have never had much contact with birds before. We know how to deal with cats and dogs but as soon as we get our hands on a bird we quickly realize we have no clue what we are doing. As a result you need to be willing to study and learn.

There is a lot to learn and you are a busy person. Are you willing to make the sacrifice of time needed in order to learn about your birds needs?

The Joy of Parrot Keeping

For those of you who actually do have the money, time, patience, pain tolerance, and the desire to learn that is needed for the life long hobby of parrot keeping, the joy associated with the hobby is unlike anything else you have ever experienced. Your parrot will change your life and the way you view the world.




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Celebrate National Pet Bird Day on September 17

Founded by the Bird Enjoyment & Advantage Koalition (BEAK), National Pet Bird Day celebrates the joys and benefits of bird ownership

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bird Enjoyment & Advantage Koalition (BEAK), a concentrated effort to educate on and grow responsible bird ownership, is excited to announce the 2nd annual National Pet Bird Day, which will take place Thursday, September 17, 2020.

Pet bird owners are encouraged to share stories, photos and videos of their birds using the hashtag #NationalPetBirdDay, while others can learn more about the joys and benefits of bird ownership.  

To read more on this story, click here: Celebrate National Pet Bird Day on September 17

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Air Force Academy's Falcon Mascot Hurt In Army Football Prank

Two West Point cadets’ prank on the Air Force Academy’s football team went seriously awry over the weekend, injuring the rival team’s falcon mascot.

The bird was bloodied during a botched kidnapping, but the injuries aren’t life-threatening and she appears to be on the mend, according to the Air Force Academy.

The West Point pranksters snatched two falcons belonging to the Air Force Academy: Aurora, a 22-year-old gyrfalcon that serves as the official mascot, and Oblio, a younger Peregrine falcon. The Air Force Falcons football team was at West Point for Saturday’s game against the Army Black Knights, which Army won. 

The Army cadets reportedly threw sweaters over the birds and locked them in a dog crate. When they returned the birds, Aurora’s wings were bloody, likely from thrashing in the crate.

“I think they had them for a couple hours and then they realized it was a bad mistake,” Sam Dollar, the Air Force Academy’s falconry team adviser, told The New York Times. “When Aurora started thrashing around in the crate, they decided that wasn’t a good thing.”

To read more on this story, click here: Air Force Academy's Falcon Mascot Hurt In Army Football Prank

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Can Wild Birds Be Tamed and Kept As Pets?

"Taming" a wild bird may be a flawed word when considering a wild bird as a pet. A better word would be "habituate." Habituating means the bird accepts the presence of humans in such a way that they aren't spooked and fly away when a human is present. Several small songbirds can be habituated easily by placing a bird feeder near your house and filling it with feed. As the birds visit and revisit your feeder, they recognize your human presence as not being a threat. Amazingly, a few of those songbirds can be so habituated that they can be "trained" to take food right out of your hand! But make no mistake, these birds will remain wild.

Some of those common songbirds who are willing to become friends to humans include such species as the House Sparrow, the chickadee, the tufted titmouse and the Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

Other birds that will come close to humans but probably won't be trusting enough to be hand fed are the Cardinal, the Downey Woodpecker, the American Robin, the Purple and House Finches, the Goldfinch and the White-breasted nuthatch.

To read more on this story, click here: Can Wild Birds Be Tamed and Kept As Pets?

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The Budgie Bird - One of the Most Owned Parrots Around the World

Do you know what a budgie is? If you live in the United States you probably know it as being a parakeet. Budgies and parakeets are actually one in the same. The term parakeet is a generic label used to describe any small, parrot-like bird that has a long tail.

The Budgie/Parakeet is one of the most owned little parrots around the world. They are a favorite with many pet bird owners because they are small, capable of singing, talking and they are relatively easy to care for.

The Budgie short for Budgerigar are a native to Australia, and belong to the parrot family. They are colorful and graceful. They come in a variety of sizes from small to medium. They have long tapered tail feathers, and are full of energy. The average life-span of a budgie is generally 2-7 years, although there are some that have lived to 13 and ever older. Some budgies die before their first birthday. There are many factors that can affect the lifespan on a budgie. Many budgies die from natural causes like tumors, unfortunately they are very susceptible to them. Although budgies are often called parakeets, they are actually birds of the species Melopsittacus Undulatus.



How to tell the sex of your pet budgie:

The color of the cere, the fleshy area above its beak where its nostrils are is the best indicator of a pet budgie's sex. A male budgie will typically have a blue cere or it may be pink or pinkish purple in color. A female budgie will usually have a brown, white, light beige, or a reddish cere. Female budgies also have whitish rings around their nostrils.

Colors:
While green is the most common color, budgies are bred to produce many color mutations. These colors are categorized primarily by shades of blue or green. Most budgies have striped bars on their wings.

Diet:
Foods you should never give your budgie:
Never give your budgie alcohol, avocado or chocolate - these can kill your parrot! Also avoid asparagus, eggplant, cabbage, caffeine products, junk food, milk and cream, raw potato, and rhubarb (including the leaves).

Foods you can feed your budgie:
Radishes; turnips; carrots (root and tops); cooked sweet potatoes; radicchio;endive; mustard & dandelion greens; swiss chard; kale; parsley; cooked red potatoes; green beans; bok choy; tomato; sweet red & green, and other types of peppers; cauliflower;broccoli (head and leaves); beet & turnip greens; kohlrabi; sugar snap or snow peas; squash (peeled & steamed); red beets (peeled); romaine or green/red leaf lettuce; collard greens; corn; cucumber.

Fruits:
Apples;berries; kiwi; mango; cantaloupe; honeydew; pineapple; cherries; cranberries;
banana; pears; peaches; oranges; pomegranate; tangerines; grapefruit; papaya; grapes;
Apricots.

Make sure that you wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly before feeding. Remove the pits, and all seeds from the fruit. Any vegetables and fruits left uneaten should be discarded daily so that it does not spoil. Since vegetables and fruits are high in water content, the urine portion of the droppings will increase.

Cage:
Your bird’s cage needs to be big enough for them to stretch and flap their wings without hitting the walls or any hanging toys. The bigger the better. No smaller than 12"x18"x18". Make sure that the spacing between the bars is no wider than 1/2-inch wide. Any wider than that and a budgie could squeeze through the bars and escape, or get stuck in the bars.

The decision to own a budgie should be considered carefully. Please consider the facts below before buying a budgie:

• Budgies needs daily exercise or it will soon become overweight.
• Budgies are highly active and need a variety of toys to play with and chew on.
• You should allow your budgie out of the cage for at least an hour a day to fly around and explore.
• Males seem to be more "talkative" than females.
• They have the ability to speak 100’s of words.
• They often have a favorite person, and that will be the person they will cuddle with.
• They do bite, and their bites feel like a hard pinch.
• Make sure that you socialize your bird when you bring it home so that it will be comfortable with many people handling them.
• A budgie might get somewhat loud is if it hears a bird outside and will call to it.
• Avoid mirrors in the cage until after you have tamed your budgie. They will think it's another bird and may bond to it instead of you.

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How To Be Your Pet Bird's Best Friend

Think about your best friend. What makes them that? Maybe it’s that you can always talk to them. They know when to be blunt, and when to give you space. They see you at your worst and encourage you to be your best. They’re always there for you, as you are always there for them.

That type of relationship is one you should have with your bird, especially as they get older. (Young parrots need a mentor-student relationship, so they learn how to live in our homes.) To develop a BBFF relationship with your bird, here are several things to do and consider.

Communication is Key
Having a best friend means you have someone you can share all your secrets with. You can do the same with your bird if you really want (they may only repeat their favorite words), but the point is that communication is important. Where this gets complicated is your bird can’t speak and tell us what they like, at least vocally.

Through body language, a parrot speaks volumes, and that’s how they chiefly communicate with us. We’re talking pining eyes, ruffled feathers, tail wags, etc. Each of those movements means different things, and it’s up to us to learn to “speak” parrot. If you don’t learn to understand parrot, the only conversations you’ll be having with your bird will be bites.

While learning body language (or how parrots speak to us), we also need to learn how to communicate with our parrots. Luckily, we can talk through training, where you tell your parrot what you would like it to do through cues. It’ll take some work to get the hang of positive reinforcement training, so do your research and don’t be afraid to reach out to people for guidance. It’ll help create a great relationship with your bird in the long run.

To read more on this story, click here: How To Be Your Pet Bird's Best Friend

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Woman Accused of Eating Dead Bird on Train Was Just Excited - Says She Was Only Defeathering It!

Like any other shared space, public transit is gross. Even when the rules are clearly understood, people are going to do whatever they can get away with, whether that means clipping their nails, delivering racist tirades or ravenously eating potato chips off the floor. Plucking birds, however, is not gross—or at least shouldn't be if you've ever enjoyed a Spicy Chicken Sandwich that didn't stab your mouth with a hundred razor-sharp quills.

But despite being a non-racist, odor-neutral activity, people lost their minds earlier this month when a Canadian woman plucked a bird inside a plastic bag on the Montreal Metro, retching and panicking and accusing her of eating the bird raw. That last part soon became the focus of international press coverage, earning write-ups from the Metro, the Daily Mirror and UPI, who ran the headline "Woman plucks and devours raw bird on Montreal Metro in viral video."

However, Christine David, who claims to be the woman in the video, has a different story. Talking to Vice, she said "No, I didn't eat it actually. They were just exaggerating." According to David, who comes from an Inuit community near the arctic circle, the bird was a rare treat from back home, a ptarmigan , she merely started defeathering out of excitement.

David had earlier defended her actions on Facebook, saying, "I was so happy that I didn't care where I was at the moment," "I was not even eating it raw" and "I will always be an Inuk no matter where I am."

Police are reportedly investigating David's suspiciously ethnic behavior, weird stuff having never before happened on a subway car.

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Cockatiels Are Among The Most Popular Of Pet Birds

Did you know that cockatiels are among the most popular of pet birds? Normal cockatiels are gray, with white patches on the wings. They have a yellow/white face with a bright orange patch over the 'ear'. Variations include : Pied (varing white patches cover body), Pearl (each feather retains gray color, with white intersperced), Lutino (Bird white with yellow/white/ orange face), and Albino (white bird). Another popular bird is the Budgie also known as the Parakeet.

The life-span of Cockatiels is usually around 15 – 20 years, however, it has been reported that some have lived up to 30 years!  Having one bird is fine, but you must spend a lot of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis. Having two birds will make it a little easier, but they will bond with each other, and may not bond with the owner.

I have often heard people say, “I don’t want a bird, they are dirty!”  This is simply not true. If a bird’s cage isn’t clean, it’s the fault of the owner, not the bird! All pets require care.

One thing that I do want to mention, is to never keep your bird in your kitchen. A friend of mine has a cockatiel that she used to keep in her kitchen. I asked her why she had it there, she said that because she spends a lot of time in her kitchen/dining area. Her bird did end up getting sick. The kitchen is generally a poor choice for your cockatiel’s cage. There are a number of fumes in the average household kitchen that can be toxic for birds. A good place the cage is where you and your family spend time so that you can interact with the bird.

Cockatiels are vocal creatures. Some make very loud noises. It may sound like they are screaming, but it’s just the natural sounds of the bird. When you arrive home your bird may make noises at the excitement of seeing you.

How to tell the sex of your Cockatiel:

Males tend to have a brighter facial color. Females have a duller facial color, and have barring under their tails. This method of sexing becomes more difficult in the variations of birds.

Feeding your Cockatiel:

A seed diet is not adequate, but tends to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium, and protein. Seeds can be part of a healthy diet but only a minor percentage. There are other human foods that birds like. Millet is another great food.

For a well nourished bird include a variety of fresh fruits crisp or lightly steamed veggies and other table foods in your bird’s diet. Always serve them chopped, sliced, diced, minced and mashed.

There are human foods that you can give your Cockatiel:

Cooked chicken/ turkey; Eggs/hard boiled/scrambled; Cottage cheese; Yogurt; Asparagus; Beets/beet tops; Broccoli; Brussel sprouts; Carrots; celery; corn; chicory greens; cilantro; collard greens; green/yellow beans; kale; mustard greens; peas and pods; parsley;  pumpkin; red/green sweet pepper;  romaine lettuce; spinach; turnip greens; water crest; yellow squash; zucchini; bananas; berries; cantaloupe; cherries; cranberries; honey dew; kiwi; mango; oranges(seedless); papaya; pineapple; watermelon; cook pasta; cooked brown rice; dried fruits; whole wheat toast; oatmeal; cheerios; rice krispies; grape nuts; Un salted popcorn; and animal crackers.

Foods you should never give your Cockatiel:

Avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima beans, milk, sodas, sugar, teas, rhubarb, leaves from potatoes, tomatoes, egg plants, bean plants, alcohol, salt, greasy foods, tobacco, fruits seeds or pits from, apples, apricots, oranges, cherries, or peaches.

Tips on caring for your Cockatiel:

• Your cockatiel needs to have fresh water every day. Change the water every day, even if it looks full. If you find any droppings or feathers in the water cup, change the water, so your bird will not get sick.

• Some bird noise is very loud but is not screaming, it’s just the natural sounds of birds. Since they are very vocal creatures and you can expect them to greet dawn and sunset with enthusiasm. They may get rowdy just before mealtimes and especially, if you work and the house is empty all day, when you arrive home.

• Offer foods that have different colors shapes, textures and flavors also vary the presentation.Some birds get startled in their sleep and awaken in a panic. They may start trying to flee the cage and bumping into toys, feeding bowls and their perch.

• Don't ever give food from your mouth, or kiss your bird.  This is harmful to your bird since your mouth carries germs that can make your bird sick.

• Cockatiels are very dusty. They use a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger.

Signs that your bird may be sick:

• Birds often pretend to be fine when someone is watching nearby (survival instinct), so observe very carefully

• Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble.

• Any sign of blood, is a bad sign. If your bird is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding immediately, and contact your Vet.

• If a normally playful bird doesn't play very much any more, it may well be sick.

Cockatiel sings "If Your Happy & You Know it"

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Peacocks as Pets: Guidelines and Tips

Peafowl are commonly known as peacocks, although that is actually the name for the male of the species. What is unique about these birds is the distinctive bright and colorful plumage and long tail of the male and its strong sexual dimorphism with the female, who has brown feathers.

There are actually three different species of peafowl, the blue or Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), the green or Java peafowl (Pavo muticus) and the Congo peafowl (Afropavo congensis). Peafowl have been kept in gardens and parks by humans for centuries, and like all animals they require specific care if you want them to stay healthy and happy.

Regardless of which one is your favorite, in this AnimalWised article we'll go over some guidelines and tips you should consider if you want to keep peacocks as pets.

Can you keep green peacocks as pets?
Green or Java peafowl are native to Southeast Asia, including the island of Java. It is recognizable for its bright green, blue and bronze feathers; unlike in the case of blue peafowl, male and female green peafowl look quite similar.

The wild green peafowl lives in tropical forests, and as a species they do not respond well to the cold, so we recommend much thought and consideration before researching how to adopt one. This species can be more aggressive than the blue peacock, and in captivity males must be kept separate on account of their fighting spurs.

Due to habitat destruction, the green peacock is an endangered species. As such, we don't recommend keeping them as pets at all. In fact, you should check your country's legislation to ensure you're not taking part in illegal animal trade.

To read more on this story, click here: Peacocks as Pets: Guidelines and Tips



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Birdwatching for Beginners

Birdwatching or birding is the observation of birds as a recreational activity. It can be done with the naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, or by listening for bird sounds.

Birdwatchers observe wild birds in their natural habitat. Birdwatching means learning to identify the birds and understand what they are doing.

In North America, there are over 800 species of birds. Wherever you live, you'll probably find at least 100 species that are easy to find in your area.

Birding is the fastest-growing outdoor activity in America. According to a survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 51.3 million Americans report that they watch birds. And more are taking it up all the time!




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Bird Owners, Do You Know the Signs of ‘Sick Bird Syndrome’?

The presence of signs of illness in a bird is sometimes termed "sick-bird syndrome." This is because many illnesses in birds cause the same signs, and, by the time a bird shows signs of illness, the bird is really sick. Aviary birds, like other prey animals, hide signs of illness. Predators look for signs of illness or weakness when choosing their prey, so a prey animal needs to appear healthy, or it will be a sure target. By the time they are showing signs of disease, in many instances, the birds have become too weak to be able to disguise it. At this point, small birds, especially, have little reserve, and even handling them can put them into shock. This is why it is extremely important for bird owners to be aware of signs of illness in a bird, and monitor their birds at least twice daily for the presence of these signs.

If you notice any of the signs of illness in the list below, contact your veterinarian. Weakness, labored breathing, bleeding, injuries, collapse, seizures, or other nervous system signs are especially serious, should be considered emergencies, and need immediate attention.

Signs of illness in birds as characterized by changes in general appearance or stance:

• Huddled
• Sitting low on the perch
• Sitting on the bottom of the cage
• Hanging onto the side of the cage with his beak instead of sitting on a perch
• Head tucked under wing and standing on two feet
• Ruffled feathers (consistently)
• Weakness
• Losing balance, teetering, or falling off of perch
• Lumps or swelling of any portion of the body
• Picking at his feathers or body
• Trembling
• Not preening
• Harassed by other birds
• Eyes dull, sunken, or abnormal color
• Walking in circles
• Unusual smell to bird or droppings
• Drooped or elevated wing(s)

Changes in behavior and general attitude that may be signs of disease in birds:

• Inactivity
• Decreased or changes in vocalizations or singing
• Drooping wings
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Increased sleeping or eyes closed
• Poor response to stimuli
• Changes in personality, e.g., more submissive, more aggressive
• Displaying juvenile behavior, e.g., begging for food

Changes in color, volume, consistency, and number of droppings indicating illness in birds:

• Change in color of the urates (the normally white portion of the droppings), urine (the normally clear portion), or feces (normal varies with species)
• Change in consistency: watery (increased urine), loose feces (diarrhea), hard feces (constipation) indicating illness
• Bloody droppings
• Undigested food in feces
• Decrease in number or size of droppings
• Increase in urates

Signs of disease in birds characterized by changes in appearance of the head:

• Discharge around the eyes and/or nares
• Squinting or half-closed eyes
• Overgrown or flaky beak
• Shiny black beak in a cockatoo (symptom of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)
• Loss of symmetry (one area seems swollen or smaller compared to the other side)
• Redness or loss of feathers around the eye
• Discoloration of the beak
• Flicking or twitching of the head

Changes in feathers suggestive of illness:

• Ruffled or fluffed feathers
• Lost, misshaped, or broken feathers
• Decreased preening
• Wet, stained, or matted feathers on the head, vent, or other area
• Dull feathers
• Long or excessive molt, bald spots
• Pulling or picking at feathers
• Abnormal color or barring

Changes in legs or feet associated with disease:

• Lameness or favoring a leg
• Flakiness, crusting, or discoloration of feet
• Abnormal nail growth
• Shifting feet
• Swollen feet or joints

Signs of illness in birds associated with changes in breathing:

• Difficulty breathing
• Breathing with an open beak
• Tail bobbing when taking a breath
• Sneezing
• Discharge or crusts around the nares
• Wheezing or clicking sounds
• Exercise intolerance (heavy breathing after exercise, or inability to exercise)
• Change in sound of voice

Changes in eating/drinking/digestion indicating disease:

• Increased or decreased appetite
• Increased or decreased drinking
• Vomiting or regurgitation
• Straining to defecate or pass an egg
• Diarrhea
• Swelling in the crop area
• Weight loss (use a scale) and/or prominent keel (breast bone)
• Discharge from mouth
• Inability to pick up food or manipulate it
• Protrusion from the vent

Injuries:

• Burns
• Bite wounds
• Injury from flying into a window or other object
• Bleeding

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A Swedish Man Who Kept a Herring Gull in his Apartment as a Pet Was Forced to Let the Bird be Euthanized by Animal Welfare officials

Nora, Sweden, - A Swedish man who kept a herring gull in his apartment as a pet since it was a chick was forced to let the bird be euthanized by animal welfare officials, news media reported.

The man had been keeping the bird in his home for two years, Sweden's The Local reported, but officials in the city of Nora said he could not keep the gull in captivity without a permit.

The Nerikes Allehandra newspaper recently reported that an animal welfare inspector found the bird in the man's dark, tiny bathroom after a neighbor made a complaint. The tenant reportedly told officials he'd kept it as a pet since it was very young and let it fly around in his home.

The bird had never flown outside, officials said, and would have had no chance to fend for itself in its natural habitat. The man fed it fish and vitamins, meaning it would not know how to find its own food in the wild.

Since local law prohibits citizens from catching and caring for wild birds without a permit, the city decided the bird must be euthanized immediately, on the spot.

The man reportedly asked animal officials to release the bird into the wild, but they refused because they said the gull was never trained by its mother to survive on its own.

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Pet Companion Birds Species

This is a list of the Top 5 Companion Bird Species available. Brief descriptions of these popular birds are sure to help potential owners decide which type of pet bird they should buy.

1.  Parakeets/Budgies
The common Parakeet, or Budgerigar to be exact, makes a wondeful pet for children or those who are new to keeping birds. These hardy little jewels come in an array of beautiful colors, and require less space and maintenance than larger bird species. They are quite intelligent in spite of their small size, and while most are content to whistle and sing, some have been known to learn a word or two. Average life expectancy is 12 to 14 years.

2.  Cockatiels
These medium sized birds are simply a delight to keep. Members of the parrot family, these Australian natives are known for their surprisingly advanced whistling and singing abilities. While Cockatiels are capable of learning to talk, many owners find that their birds prefer to whistle, and tend to mimic quirky, random sounds such as the ringing of a telephone. These birds are available in increasingly diverse color combinations and have an average life expectancy of between 15 and 20 years.

3.  Finches and Canaries
Finches and Canaries are other popular types of pet birds. With most varieties measuring 5 inches or less, Finches and Canaries require less space than most other bird species. Unlike parrots, which are hookbills, Finches and Canaries are known as softbills or waxbills. These little birds thrive in small flocks, and generally pay little attention to humans -- making them perfect pets for those who love to watch birds, but would like a pet that requires minimal interaction. A well cared for Finch or Canary can live for up to 10 years.

4.  Lovebirds
Lovebirds are one of the smallest known parrot species. These beautiful little birds should not be overlooked in favor of larger, more demanding parrots; any Lovebird owner will tell you that these birds possess all the intelligence and personality of the largest of macaws. These birds are fairly quiet companions, making them ideal for those who live in apartments or condominiums. At around 6 inches long, the Lovebird has a life expectancy of up to 20 years.

5.  African Greys
African Greys have been said to be the most intelligent of birds, some boasting vocabularies of up to 2,000 words! Because these birds are so smart, they tend to be demanding pets, and will get bored quickly if not stimulated. If you are looking for a highly intelligent and affectionate friend, however, the African Grey may be right up your alley. Greys typically live 50-70 years.


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