The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pet Bird The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pet Bird
Showing posts with label Pet Bird. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pet Bird. Show all posts

Friday, September 10, 2021

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


FOLLOW US!
/

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

2021 BirdWatching Photography Awards first place: Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier


Kathy McCulloch Wade, of Lake Forest Park, Washington, won first place in the 2021 BirdWatching Photography Awards with this stunning image of a Short-eared Owl facing off against a Northern Harrier, which has its back to the camera. She shot the photo in mid-March 2021 in Skagit County, Washington, a great location for wintering owls and raptors. She said she went to the site to test a new piece of camera gear, and immediately the Short-ear landed in a field near her with a vole in its talons.

“The owl perked up its ears and was very alert, staring in my direction,” she said. “It became clear that it was alert because a Northern Harrier was fast approaching, and this owl wanted to protect its meal. The owl flew up just as the harrier got very close, and this is the resulting image. The owl successfully scared the harrier off its meal this day.”

One of our judges, founding editor Eldon Greij, noted: “I can’t imagine the odds of actually seeing this behavior.”

To read more in this story, click here: 2021 BirdWatching Photography Awards first place: Short-eared Owl and Northern Harrier


FOLLOW US!
/

Sunday, August 15, 2021

Important Facts about Parrot for Kids


Parrot is the most popular and loved bird among children. Apart from being beautiful with its bright coloured feathers and beak, it is considered to be one of the most intelligent among birds. However, there are more facts to a parrot than it being a bird with colourful plumes and its mimicry skills. So here is an article not only on Indian parrot bird information for kids but also on other parrot species of the world as well.

Interesting Information about Parrots for Kids

Parrots are interesting creatures not just for their intelligence and beauty but also for their diversity and variety. Not all parrots are the same; the diet, plumage, size, look and the vocal sound all differ from one type to another.

To read more on this story, click here: Important Facts about Parrot for Kids


FOLLOW US!
/

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Helping Your Depressed Pet Bird


Depression in pet birds is more common than you might think. Check for the signs that mean your bird is not in its usual cheerful mood. Many symptoms of depression also could point to an illness, so it is a good idea to visit the avian veterinarian for a checkup. Learn the small changes that can bring back those happy chirps

Causes of Bird Depression

Depression in pet birds has a number of causes, both mental and physical. Any illness or recovery from being sick and result in the bird being less chipper. The mental and psychological stresses that can lead your bird to be blue include a change in cage position, boredom, the death of a partner, or the loss of a favorite toy.

To read more on this story, click here: Helping Your Depressed Pet Bird



FOLLOW US!
/

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Deworming Your Pet Bird


Worms, mites, and lice are the most common parasites in pet birds. Although you can use store-bought products, you can also use home remedies.

Birds are sensitive to and can be easily harmed by different pathogens and allergens. Pet birds need proper preventative medicine and good hygiene in order to be healthy.

The most common parasites in pet birds

As mentioned above, several internal and external parasites can affect pet birds. Despite their small size, these creatures can cause numerous illnesses and serious damage to the health of all pets.

Below, is a list of the most frequent parasites in canaries and other pet birds.

Worms: Internal parasites, generally called worms or maggots, that get lodged mainly in the digestive system of their hosts. They usually reach the bloodstream and spread to other organs.

To read more on this story, click here: Deworming Your Pet Bird


FOLLOW US!
/

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

International Pet Bird Travel: Bringing Pet Birds Back to the U.S.



To prevent the spread of avian diseases, birds coming into the United

States (U.S.) are subject to quarantine. Pet birds meeting certain criteria

may undergo this quarantine at home. First, your birds must be of U.S.

origin, meaning born or purchased in the U.S. Second, your bird must not

have traveled to a country affected by an avian foreign animal disease 

To read more on this story, click here: International Pet Bird Travel: Bringing Pet Birds Back to the U.S.


FOLLOW US!
/

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Pet Birds and Air Travel


 

You may have seen a fellow traveler bring a small dog or cat into the airplane cabin or take a larger dog with them as checked baggage. But did you know that a few US airlines allow you to bring your pet bird with you on your flight, provided you meet certain conditions?

Species

Each airline specifies which birds are permitted as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage. Typically, your bird must be a "household" bird, a pet, in other words, not a wild bird, and it must be odorless and quiet.

Hawaiian Airlines, for example, says that your bird must be "harmless, inoffensive, odorless and not require attention during the flight." Most airlines that accept pet birds will not allow you to bring chickens or other poultry, only pet birds such as finches and parakeets.

To read more on this story, click here: Pet Birds and Air Travel





FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Ever Thought About Getting A Bird? They Make Great Pets


Have you ever thought about getting a bird? They make great pets! Here are a few reasons you may consider: 

They are fairly low maintenance

Birds are a good option for those who want to enrich their lives with a pet but are either slightly time poor or don’t want the high-maintenance cats and dogs bring with the need for a lot of attention, exercise, and training. Birds on the other hand, require far less training, unless you want to teach them cool tricks! They are much easier to clean up after as they are self-grooming creatures and their mess tends to be isolated to their cage.

They are highly intelligent

Birds are very smart and curious creatures. They have the capability to learn many new things, such as learning to mimic human speech and behaviours or using objects as tools. This makes them very intriguing and fun pets to watch and play with, especially with their human like antics!

Birds are perfect for small places

If you live in a small house or an apartment a bird is the perfect pet for these spaces. Whereas cats and dogs require a lot of room to run around, birds are quite happy with only a few metres of space for their cage.

They are very social

Birds are considered to be very social creatures as can be heard with their constant chirping and chattering. This makes them fun to interact and talk with, especially if you have trained your bird to speak or it has started mimicking human voices. Either way they are the perfect companion to talk to and get your thoughts off your chest without fear of judgment.

Life long companion

Did you know that some species of birds can live up to 50 years? That truly makes some birds life long companions. However, although some birds can live up to 50 years many have a lifespan of up to 20 years, which is still quite a long time. So whatever breed you choose be prepared for a long and happy life together.


FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, October 20, 2018

Canary Bird Information


The Canary bird is set aside from other pet birds because of their beautiful singing ability.

Canaries are known for their beauty and their song and have been kept as pets since the 1400s. They are not companion birds and are better admired from afar, but this doesn’t make them any less of a great pet. They do spend a lot of time in their cages, so you need an adaquately sized cage with perches on either end to provide them with maximum flying space.

If you want a Canary that sings, you will need to find a male. If this is very important to you, you should arrange ahead of time with the breeder to be able to return the bird if it proves to not be a singer. Keep in mind that males sing to attract females, so they should not be kept in pairs. They also don’t sing in the summer because it is molting season. We have also heard to not put mirrors in their cages because Canaries are very territorial and they may see this “second bird” as a threat.

The most commonly kept Canary birds are the American Singer, the Border Fancy, and the Red Factor. The American Singer is a song Canary (well known for singing), the Border Fancy is a type Canary (a popular type), and the Red Factor is a color Canary (well known for color–the more red, the more valuable).

To read more on this story, click here: Canary Bird Information

FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, September 15, 2018

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

FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, August 4, 2018

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

FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Watch as Two Baby Cockatiels go from Hatchlings to Full Grown Birds in 30 Days


At birth, a baby cockatiel weighs only 4 grams and is the size of a small thumbnail, according to tieltreasures.com. At about 6 days old, they open their eyes! The tiny bird grows fast and by day nine is eating a whole teaspoon (or two) of food three or four times a day! The blue color on the wings starts to appear as well as the crest feathers.

The baby’s feathers don’t open up until it is two to three weeks old. When the little bird it about 3 weeks old, it will venture off for its first flight. A full grown cockatiel can weigh from 100 – 250 grams. This video shows amazing footage of the growth of two cockatiel hatchlings.

The growth these birds go through in 30 days is unbelievable – they go from completely helpless to full grown birds.



FOLLOW US!
/

Monday, June 15, 2015

Did You Know That Lovebirds Are Very Social, Come from the Drier Regions of Africia…and Make Perfect Pets?


Lovebirds are active, cheerful and beautifully decorative. These petite 'pocket' parrots are very intriguing! Lovebirds come from the drier regions of Africa. Because they evolved from a very harsh environment, they are very suited to captivity. Not only do they have a good disposition, these charming, brilliantly colored little pets are very hardy and easy to care for. They can also provide you with a successful breeding experience.

In the wild lovebirds live in flocks. They will often bond with a mate for life and show fierce loyalty and affection to their family. If you can earn their affections as young birds, you will receive that same fierce loyalty from your little friends. They are very social with both their keepers and their mate.

The rewards of keeping a single lovebird can be astonishing. The amazingly determined spirit of a pet lovebird can far surpass other small parrots, both in their ability to learn tricks and to show affection. But because of their strong devotion, a lovebird kept singly will require vast amounts of time and affection in return in order to thrive.

Lovebirds also won't easily switch loyalties from one companion to another, whether it is to another bird or to another human. On the other hand, unless they are very attached to their keeper, lovebirds are not going to learn a lot of tricks or necessarily want to have a lot of handling.

If you simply want to enjoy the antics and chatter of these colorful little birds, get two to keep in an indoor cage. Or you can get more to keep in an aviary. They are very flamboyant, and are wonderful birds to observe and enjoy.

Distribution
Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis. There are nine species of lovebirds and they are all native to Africa except one. The exception is the Grey-headed Lovebird which comes from the island of Madagascar. Most lovebirds live close to the equator where they inhabit dry savannah regions. There is one exception, a forest dwelling lovebird, the Black-collared Lovebird.

Description
The lovebird is a small stocky parrot mostly between 5.1-6.7 inches (13-17 cm). They have a large bill and a tail that is either round or square. Their average life span is between 10-12 years with some living even longer. The lovebird has been recorded at 17 years and several people have reported their birds living even longer than that. We had one person state that their lovebird lived for 25 years!
  
The different species of lovebird are identifiable by their colors and markings. They vary greatly in their coloring, and each species can be viewed for their unique combinations. Younger birds are duller in color and they have black in their beaks. The young birds coloring intensifies as they reach maturity. Regardless of the species, mature lovebirds are gorgeous parrots.

Three of the nine lovebird species are most commonly available lovebirds for pets. The other six are more rare, and in some cases, absent at least in the United States. The three common species are the Peach-faced Lovebirds, the Masked Lovebirds, and the Fischer's Lovebirds, and all three make wonderful pets. There are a variety of color mutations in lovebirds, developed from these three common species. This is especially true for the Peach-faced Lovebird, which can be bred in hundreds of different combinations of mutations. As a result, there are many new lovebird colors available.

A wide variety of lovebirds can be found in the pet industry and from breeders. Some lovebirds and lovebird mutations that are commonly available include:


Care and feeding
In the wild, lovebirds feed on seeds, berries, fruits, grains, grasses, leaf buds, and agricultural crops of corn, maize and figs. Their food and water dishes are best if earthenware or porcelain as they will get gnawed if plastic.

Bird Food
Foods available for Lovebirds include formulated diets, either pelleted or extruded, seed only diets, and small parrot mixes which offer a mixture of both. There are pros and cons to feeding only a formulated diet as well as feeding only a seed diet.

Formulated Diet
A formulated diet provides a good nutritional base so does not require the addition of vitamins. However it does not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help a body to heal itself, and to prevent some diseases. Also, parrots can become bored with formulated diet due to the lack of variety.

Seed Diet
A seed only diet offers much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements. Lovebirds need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment.

A lovebirds's diet will consist of 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (45-60 grams) of feed daily for a single bird. A diet consisting of a small parrot mix along with a variety of supplements and vitamins is generally regarded as suitable. Also a formulated diet along with greens, fruits, and vegetable supplements but without additional vitamins is also regarded as suitable, and is a more current trend.

Supplements
Supplements include fresh vegetables, greens, tree branches for the bark, some fruits, and millet spray. Some of the fruit supplements include berries, apples, grapes, pears, bananas, and kiwi. Some of the greens and vegetable supplements include spinach, endive, watercress, chickweed, radish, parsley, dandelions, carrot tops, corn on the cob, peas, endive, field lettuce, and various garden herbs.

Additional proteins can be offered such as nuts. Try some unshelled peanuts as well as hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, and chestnuts.

A cuttlebone, or gravel and oyster shell in a separate dish can be offered to provide calcium. Do not feed avocado as it can be toxic to birds!

Vitamins can be added to the food or drinking water.

Water
Lovebirds drink a lot of water, so will need fresh drinking water every day.

Bird Baths
Most lovebirds love a bath either in a flat earthenware dish or by spraying them with a light mist of lukewarm water. If you use a bathing dish, you will see the birds perch on the edge and dip their heads and upper bodies in the water and beating their wings. They prefer this kind of bath to getting into the water.

Bird Grooming
Lovebirds generally maintain their nails and beaks on their own through climbing and chewing. Another good use they make of their tree branches.
You can find bird seed, bird cages, and everything you need for your pet here: Bird Supplies

Housing
Lovebirds are very active birds. When housing your lovebird, bird cages or an aviary best suited to them must provide a lot of space.

Bird Cages:    A minimum of 32 x 20 x 20 (81 x 50 x 50 cm) per pair of birds is recommended with about four perches, feed and water dishes and an area for a bath. When you use a small cage, you must let your pet out daily to fly around.

If you are housing pairs of lovebirds here are a few guidelines: Try to house only one species of lovebird as mixing species can cause serious fights. House either one pair of lovebirds or three pairs, never two pairs or there will be fighting. Each pair needs about 35 cubic feet of space.

Bird Perch
Provide one or two perches about 3/4' in diameter and dishes hanging from the side for feed, water, and grit. Try to place the perches away from dishes so the food and water dish do not become soiled with bird droppings.    Do not use plastic because your bird will chew and break the plastic and it can become hazardous. Tree branches of a similar size make good perches and will help to wear the claws down naturally.

Bird Hide / Nest Box
Lovebirds like special resting places. Nest boxes placed up high, all at the same level and all of the same type work well and help prevent fights.

Aviary
A roomy indoor aviary, a bird room, or an outdoor aviary (depending on your area) are all good choices. The aviary needs plenty of light and fresh air. The outdoor aviary needs to have a protected shelter that can be heated and cooled where necessary. Flights are recommended to be a minimum of 6' x 6' x 3' (183 x 183 x 91 cm) with plenty of perches or branches at least 1 1/2" (15 cm) thick.

Maintenance
It is important For the health of your lovebird, it is important to keep bird houses and accessories clean and in good shape. Basic cage care includes daily cleaning of the water and food dishes. Weekly you should clean and disinfect the cage. Wash and completely dry the perches and toys whenever they become soiled. In the aviary, sand floors should be renewed annually.

Social Behaviors
Lovebirds as pets, as well as in the wild, are very social birds. Generally and in most situations, it is thought to be essential for their good health and happiness that they be kept in pairs, not singly. If keeping a single lovebird, you must provide the necessary social interaction that it is missing from another bird. These birds develop fierce loyalties to their keeper or their mate.

Aside from their social nature toward you or their mate, lovebirds can be extremely aggressive towards other birds. You must be certain that all pairs get along together, and that they are true "pairs", not mismatched. Bonded pairs constantly groom each other and will feed each other from the crop during breeding season and all year round.

These little birds will chatter all day long. They will hide in their nest box if they are startled by a sudden noise, if they spot a potential predator, or if it gets cold and windy.

Handling/Training
Lovebird training is best accomplished with a young bird. To have a tame lovebird, its also best to work with a single bird. Young birds have an amazing ability to learn tricks and be affectionate. Adults on the other hand, are very difficult to tame and generally won't learn a lot of tricks or imitate behaviors. Hand-raised youngsters are easiest to work with. They are already quite socialized and tame, but unfortunately they are not always available.

Taming involves acceptance and trust between you and your bird. It means spending a lot of time with your bird daily. Start with talking softly and making slow movements. Once your bird is comfortable with you, then you can begin hand-taming. Use a dowel and push it gently against the bird’s chest while offering a treat to coax it up onto the dowel. This may take many tries. Once it is comfortable with stepping up onto a dowel, substitute your finger for the dowel.

Lovebirds are not considered one of the best talkers, and only some may learn a few words.

Activities
Lovebirds awaken with the dawn, get a drink, eat, and then immediately begin to chirp. They will generally quiet down by mid-morning and resume their chirping in the late afternoon.

These birds are very active, flying and climbing about, gnawing on wood or chew toys, and grooming themselves many times all day. They love toys of all kinds such as seed bells, swings, ladders, mirrors, shiny objects, and wooden gnaws. A lovebird outside of it's cage will not stay on it's playpen, they like to explore. Be sure this room is safe with no open doors or windows, no toxic plants, no open water containers, and no hot stove.

Breeding/Reproduction
One of the pleasures of lovebirds is that they are easy to breed. For breeding lovebirds, each pair of birds will need 2 nest boxes for sleeping and nesting. These boxes need to be of the same type and size, and placed at the same height on the same wall.

Breeding Lovebirds
Lovebirds will breed willingly as single pairs and some species of lovebirds can be bred in a colony setting. Especially suited to a colony are the white eye-ring group of lovebirds.

Breeding Age for Lovebirds
Lovebirds need to be at least 10 months old, though 12 to 13 months is better. Also birds that are 5 to 6 years or older should be retired from breeding.

Sexing Lovebirds
Some visual characteristics that may aid in determining sex are that the female is heavier bodied than the male and will sit more broadly with legs apart, while the males sit more upright. A female’s tail will appear more square while a males will appear more rounded. When observing the nesting behavior, the female will do most of the nest building work.

An anal inspection can be done but takes experience in sexing these birds to make a fair determination. Basically there are two bones called the ossa pubes on the ventral side of the pelvis and the female will be spread wider apart than the male.

The sexing of lovebirds falls into three categories

Dimorphic Types
The first group are different in their outward appearance and can be classified as dimorphic.
This first group consists of:

Abyssinian Lovebird Agapornis toranta
Madagascar Lovebird Agapornis cana
Red-faced Lovebird Agapornis pullaria

Intermediate Types
The second or intermediate group are harder to differentiate by appearance.
This group consists of:

Peach-faced Lovebirds Agapornis reseicollis
Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swinderniana

Monomorphic Types

In the third group, the white eye-ring group, there are no definite differences that can be seen. The sexing of the white eye-ring group must be determined by either a surgical probe, endoscopy, which can be done by many veterinarians or by a DNA testing, usually a blood sample or a few plucked feathers sent to be diagnosed in a lab.

In the white eye-ring group are the:

Masked Lovebirds Agapornis personata personata
Fischer's Lovebirds Agapornis personata fisheri
Nyasa Lovebird Agapornis personata lilianae
Black-cheeked Lovebird Agapornis personata nigrigenis.

Breeding Environment
If you are breeding lovebirds in a colony setting, it is very important to provide many more nest boxes than their are pairs of birds to minimize fighting. The nest boxes should all be the same and mounted at the same height of the enclosure. Also, be diligent in watching for fighting as it can lead to death.

A nest box for a lovebird is 8" x 8" x 8" (20 x 20 x 20 cm) or 10" x 6" x 6" (25 x 15 x 15 cm).

Egg Laying and Hatchlings
The female will lay about 5 eggs, though the clutch could be as few as 3 eggs or as many as 8 eggs. The incubation period is 22 - 25 days, with 75% to 80% of the eggs hatching. The hen will start to brood after the second egg is hatched. Often the male will join the hen in the nest. The chicks will begin to leave the nest in about 38 - 50 days and will be independent about 2 weeks after leaving the nest.

Potential Problems
Lovebird ailments, signs of illness to be aware of, include if a bird seems withdrawn, its feathers are ruffled and the plumage is dull, it sits with its eyes closed, watery or dull eyes, runny nose, it sleeps a lot, it looses interest in its environment, and it stays at its feed cup. The droppings may change color and be loose (if healthy they are grayish white and not to thin). A couple other lovebird ailments to watch for are a lot of tail bobbing, dropping off its perch, odd breathing, sneezing, and excessive scratching.
  
Some of the common lovebird ailments, illnesses your lovebirds could contract, are injuries from fighting, Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, Polyoma Virus Infection, yeast infections (Candidiasis), Avian Pox Virus Infection, bacterial infections, internal parasites, mites, ticks, egg binding, intestinal influenza, coccidiosis, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea. An ailing parrot should be taken to a avian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

Availability
The most available types of lovebirds for sale are the Peach-faced Lovebird, the Masked Lovebird, and the Fischer's Lovebirds. There are many beautiful lovebird mutations developed from these three groups of birds that are also readily available. Many other species of lovebird are available but not be as readily found. Lovebirds are also fairly inexpensive little parrots.

FOLLOW US!
/

Sunday, June 7, 2015

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.
FOLLOW US!
/

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Beautiful Adoptable Birds at The Washington Humane Society - Come Meet, Gorka, Chipper, Houdini, and Green Bird



Bird is the word at our New York Avenue Adoption Center! Gorka, Chipper, Houdini, and Green Bird are chirping away hoping their new families hear their songs and take them home.

Our adoption centers are open today from noon to 7 p.m. and you can see our adoptable online at www.washhumane.org/adopt.








Gorka
Animal ID: 23627936
Species: Bird
Breed: Parakeet (Other)/Parakeet (Other)
Age: 1 year 6 months 14 days
Sex: Male
Size:Small
Color:Blue/White
Declawed: No
Site: Washington Humane Society
Location: Adoptions Lobby

To learn more about Gorka, click HERE!







Chipper
Animal ID: 25051141
Species: Bird
Breed: Parakeet (Other)/Parakeet (Other)
Age: 4 years 8 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: Blue/White
Declawed: No
Site: Washington Humane Society
Location: Adoptions Lobby

To learn more about Chipper, click HERE!








Houdini
Animal ID: 25051161
Species: Bird
Breed: Parakeet (Other)/Parakeet (Other)
Age: 2 years 8 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: Yellow/Green
Declawed: No
Site: Washington Humane Society
Location: Adoptions Lobby

To learn more about Houdini, click HERE!













Green Bird
Animal ID: 25051170
Species: Bird
Breed: Parakeet (Other)/Parakeet (Other)
Age: 2 years 8 days
Sex: Male
Size: Small
Color: Green/Yellow
Declawed: No
Site: Washington Humane Society
Location: Adoptions Lobby


To learn more about Green Bird, click HERE!

Location: 
Washington Humane Society
District of Columbia Animal Care and Control
(New York Avenue Adoption Center - WHS is contracted by the Department of Health to operate this facility)
1201 New York Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202-576-6664

Adoption Center Hours:
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily
Closed for adoptions on Wednesdays



Website: Washington Humane Society



Stray animals are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week







Please share!

FOLLOW US!
/

Thursday, March 5, 2015

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.


FOLLOW US!
/