Canaries: These Songbirds are a Top Choice for Bird Owners

Canaries have perhaps the sweetest song of any creature on Earth. These small, puffy birds are welcome tenants at any home, whether you live in a house or an apartment. It will take your canary some time to polish his voice — these birds, like people, get better with practice.

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Tips for Ferrets

We are seeing a large number of ferrets at our hospital, as we have the expertise of Dr. Tracey Ritzman, DABVP. This week’s post will just offer a broad overview of Ferret Ownership.

Background

Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are members of the weasel family that have been domesticated for over two thousand years.

HEALTH

Ferrets have a lifespan between 6 to 8 years. They will require routine visits to your veterinarian for regular vaccinations (including canine distemper and rabies virus) and annual examinations. Ferrets are at risk of heartworms and fleas, so monthly preventative treatments should be used.

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tags

Ferret, Mustela Putorius Furo, Fleas, Litter Box, 

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.

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Pet Travel - Bringing Five or Fewer Pet Birds into the US

The USDA APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) defines a shipment of pet birds as five (5) or fewer birds brought into the United States (U.S.) that are not intended for resale. This does not include birds classified by VS as poultry (chickens, doves, ducks, geese, grouse, guinea fowl, partridges, pea fowl, pheasants, pigeons, quail, swans, and turkeys).

If you are bringing six (6) or more pet birds or any number of birds classified as poultry into the U.S., view the requirements for importing commercial birds and zoological birds and importing live poultry.

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8 Top Friendly Pet Bird Species

It's no surprise that many people want a pet bird that is friendly, gentle, and well-suited to being a companion. These traits are even more important for people with limited pet bird experience. It's easier to bond with and care for an animal that has a naturally friendly disposition, rather than one that tends to be timid or aggressive. Here are eight of the friendliest pet bird species that typically make excellent companions.

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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.

Gorgeous Senior Horses Looking For Their Forever Homes

These gorgeous senior horses are looking for homes! Charlie is a Tennessee Walking Horse with a sweet disposition and Teddy is a favorite of the staff who loves attention. Learn more about adopting or donating to the Equine Rescue League here >>> http://nbc4dc.com/a3JyXes

#ClearTheShelters

Wildlife Photographer, David Weiller, Captures Stunning Footage of a Giant Brahmin Moth with Tiger Eye Wing Pattern

 

Although they are from the same family as butterflies, moths are pesky and annoying insects that are certainly not as cute or light on their wings as their larger counterparts. They get in your face, all over your lights, and are often too tiny to be admired.

Well, if there’s anything special about them, when they are not buzzing about in the air, it’s the incredible patterns on their wings. There are over 160,000 species of moths in the world, many of which are yet to be identified.  The patterns and colors on their wings are formed by thousands of tiny scales, overlapping like tiles on a roof. [1] When they lie still long enough to be observed, especially among the larger species, you’d often be blown away at how artistic Mother Nature truly is. She’s unrivaled, and thanks to wildlife photographers, we get to see all her creative pieces and designs, one species at a time.

Tiger-eye motif

The Brahmaea hearseyi is one such species of moths that got the best of Mother Nature’s wing designs. Also known as the tiger-eye moth, these moths come from the Brahmin family and are one of its largest species. They are particularly identified by the well-developed eyespots on their front wings and a series of black-brown stripes, often giving the striking impression of a tiger’s eye.  The species are found in many places such around Asia such as Northeastern Himalaya, Burma, Western China, Sundaland, and the Philippines.

The moths are diurnal and can only be active during the day. At night, they spread out their large wings (which often have a span of 160–200mm) on the barks of trees and on rocks to rest. They are so inactive at night that when they are disturbed, they cannot fly away to safety. They only shake vigorously to ward off the predator but would remain in their spots. They are found mostly in tropical and temperate forests.

The incredible footage below was captured by wildlife photographer, David Weiller, who visited Borneo in Malaysia for an expedition. Speaking to Bored Panda, Weiller explained that the moth was just recently hatched when he came across it.