Start Early Seeking a Reliable Pet Bird Supply Outlet
Start Early Seeking a Reliable Pet Bird Supply Outlet
So, you finally have your pet bird safely in its cage hanging or standing in your home or apartment. Its healthy and happy. Your healthy and happy, so all is good for now. Of course you are going to need the proper food for your new found feathered friend, but thats no problem, because the place that sold you your pet bird also hooked you up with a huge sack of their special blend.
Do You Have All that You Need ?
Have you stopped to consider for a moment that there may be something missing from your picture? Is there anything that your bird can use to more effectively maintain its health and happiness? The fact is that being that you are
Will Your Pet Bird Outlive You?
One common misconception about pet birds is that they live for hundreds of years and need to be willed to someone in order to ensure their care after you're gone. While birds do live for quite a long time in the wild, their lifespan in captivity is actually much shorter. Below are some common pet birds and their average life span in captivity given that they receive superior care and a proper diet.
Macaw – 50 years
Cockatoo – 40 years
African Grey – 25 years
Amazon Parrot – 50 years
Conure – 15 years
Parakeet – 15 years
Parrotlet – 15 years
Lovebird – 10 years
Canary – 15 years
Finch – 5 years
Certainly with a lifespan of 50 years, a bird
Choosing The Right Toys To Keep Your Pet Bird Happy And Healthy
Many birds become very unhappy rather quickly due to the boredom of sitting in an empty cage. Birds have very active minds and strong beaks they need to work out in order to help keep them occupied and happy. Boredom is one of the reasons why many birds become pluckers and pull out their own feathers. This is why it is important to choose the right toys for your new pet bird.
When choosing a toy for your pet bird it is important to make sure that you choose a toy that is the right size. Some toys are specifically designed for smaller birds and are not always safe if you have a large pet bird. Larger birds have much stronger beaks and can easily break apart toys that were designed for smaller birds. This can be a potential choking hazard.
An extremely popular toy for many smaller birds are swing sets and Olympic rings. Many birds get so much enjoyment out of
Pet Bird Safety at Home – Things you Ought to Know
One only needs to consider the past practices of how miners used canaries as a gauge for unhealthy air levels in the mines to sense how keen birds are to their surroundings. Should canaries expire while in the mines, it would alert the miners that the air was at an unhealthy level with abundant time for the miners to leave. While birds are sensitive creatures, they are also known to outlast some owners.
Just like birds found in the wild, pet birds are susceptible to unhealthy odors as well. Common household appliances and items such as
What To Expect When Caring For A Bird – The Best Kind of Pet!
If you believe birds are captivating creatures, then we have something in common! There are many birds that make terrific pets, while some of them just need to be left out in their natural environment. There is a pet bird out there for every bird lover. There are some individuals that enjoy large birds, while other people just enjoy little canaries that sit in their cage singing pretty tunes all day. Whatever you do, you should make sure you are completely prepared to take on the responsibility of a pet. If you have any doubts about taking in a pet or you are away from your home for long periods of time, then you may want to reconsider your plans of getting a bird--or any other pet. As you read this article, you will earn what to expect when caring for a bird.
Some of those wonderful creatures are very colorful, while the others are almost humorous. If you know about the type of bird you are looking for as a pet, then you should have a perception of what to expect from your new pet. This means you will need to do a proper amount of research on the bird before you bring it home. Try to look for a basic bird guide online.
When you get this pet, as long as you are ready to take on the responsibility of having a pet, we know you are going to be very happy. This is because birds make great companions. You will find your bird willing to do a lot of the things you do. In fact, when you take a shower, you bird may even want to be there with you!
When you're eating, your bird may wish to watch you, and in many cases, they'll attempt to eat from your dinner plate. Can you believe that some birds will repeat everything you say? Some birds are so intelligent that you will fid yourself able to understand complete sentences--which actually make sense!
You should make sure you put your bird in a cage that has a lot of room. This is especially important for those birds that spend a great deal of time in their cage. Your bird is going to require plenty of room to move about. Basically, if your bird is not able to stretch his wings and flap them without hitting the sides of the cage, then the cage is too small and you should get a new one. You might also try to gather information regarding accessories for birds, so that you are better prepared to meet your bird's needs. Now that you know what to expect when caring for a bird, do you think you're ready?
Choosing The Right Pet Bird
Having a pet companion at home can certainly be rewarding. Having pet birds can be both a rewarding and challenging experience. Birds are intelligent and fascinating to look at. But it is important to choose the right bird for you and at the same time prepare yourself for the responsibilities. Birds when properly cared for can live for a long time.
Before getting yourself a feathered friend, there are some things you need to answer first
• Can you still care for a bird? Birds are social creatures, they also need time. So make sure that you or your family still have the time to care for a bird.
• Is your home and your neighbours okay with some bird noise? Birds can be extremely noisy in several occasions. And can disrupt some neighbours. But you can pick a smaller bird which can still make some noise inside the house but not disrupt the neighbourhood.
• Do you have other pets? Some pets interact with each other easily posing no problems at all. But also there are some pets who may harm the new pet due to jealousy. Your pet bird can easily be killed by a jealous cat or dog. These are some factors you would have to consider.
Giving some thought over these questions and still able to identify that you would still like to have a pet bird, then let’s go over to the selection process. When choosing the right bird, make sure to do some research about the birds. There are some birds which are overly demanding in terms of social and physical needs, these birds are better kept in the wild.
Some good bird choices would be canaries, finches, cockatiels, parakeets, and lovebirds. These breeds of birds have long been bred in captivity and have already resulted into some domestic breeds. The good thing about these birds is that the supplies they need can readily be purchased.
On the other hand there are some birds which are better left alone in the wild, like some breeds of parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and toucans. These birds have not undergone the breeding process that the domesticated birds have experienced. These birds tend to be demanding to live with.
When choosing your pet bird, consider the following factors:
• Size – the rule is that the bigger the bird the bigger the responsibilities. If you are just starting to be a bird owner, then it would be best to start with a smaller up until to medium size. The size of your bird will determine how big will the housing and other physical requirements.
• Nutrition- a bird fed accordingly can live up to fifty years! It is important to provide the proper diet to your birds. Bird not only feed on seeds, they also require fruits and vegetables and lots of water. Bird seed are not enough for your bird.
• Housing - let us apply the rule again, the larger the bird, the larger the cage it requires. A proper cage should have the bars spaced closely enough, close enough so that bird heads would not get caught between bars and for small birds to escape the cage. The cage should be spacious enough so that the bird can move freely and have enough exercise.
• Budget and finance – birds, as well as any other pet, can pose some financial obligations. For birds, the cage, accessories, maintenance, food and veterinary care can be costly. When looking for a bird, then you should make yourself familiar with the cost of raising one. You want to have a pet that you can afford.
• Time and maintenance- unlike to what other people think, birds are not really low-maintenance pets. There are some pet birds which would require daily exercise and constant social interaction. Time and maintenance would include feeding, cleaning the dishes and the cage. Some parrots show some behaviour problems if they do not receive regular attention from pet owners.
More Information About The Right Pet Bird - Click Pet Birds Here
How To Keep Your Pet Bird Safe In A World Of Hidden Dangers
Regardless of the fact that many birds can potentially outlive their owners, We need to remember just how fragile birds are when compared to many of the other types of pets we could own. An interesting fact that demonstrates the fragility level of birds is how miners used to actually exploit this weakness in order to insure their safety while underground. They would often bring a canary down into the mines with them since they knew that the birds were extremely sensitive to potential dangers and the canary would die if the air in the tunnel was becoming toxic.
Most pet birds also have this same sensitivity to toxic fumes. Even common every day items such as aerosol sprays, Teflon pans and even household furniture polish can be potentially lethal to most birds. It's highly advisable that when you use anything that has a strong odor or gives off fumes that you do so in a well ventilated area that is a good distance away from where your birds are kept.
Another dangerous hazard for your new pet bird is their natural attraction to chew on objects. Many birds like to bite and chew on items that are welded which may cause them to develop lead poisoning from the soldered joints on the object they were chewing. Birds also enjoy nibbling on potted plants and flowers. Make sure that if you keep any plants close to your birds cage that they are edible or at the very least non toxic. In cases were you are not really sure, it would be best to keep them safe distance away just to be on the safe side. Despite all the stories regarding poinsettia plants being poisonous, in reality they are pretty harmless. Another good idea would be to provide an alternative that is inherently safe, such as a small pot of an herb like parsley which may help your birds avoid the temptation to nibble in the first place.
If you tend to feed your birds different kinds of fresh foods, you are doing a good service for your birds health in most cases. However, it is very important to note that there are indeed some things you should never feed your birds. For example, items like avocado, coffee and chocolate are natural toxins to many birds.
When the holiday season begins to approach, chances are you will want to bring a tree into your home. A common misconception many people have when they bring a tree home is the assumption that their birds can make good use and get enjoyment out of climbing it. In reality many types of Christmas trees are pretty toxic to birds. Many times they have been treated with some form of chemical preservative to help them last longer during the holidays. In addition, many of the ornaments and the electric lights that we traditionally hang on our trees can also pose a safety hazard.
If your bird does not have it's wings clipped, there are additional safety concerns you should prepare for. First, you need to make sure that all of the windows in your home have shades or curtains so that if you let your bird fly around abit you can cover them while your bird is out so he wont just fly through any old opening. If your home also has glass doors, you should cover them as well. If you decide not to use any curtains or shades, in the very least you should attach some form of safety decals on the glass itself so that your bird can tell the glass is there. It is not unheard of to hear stories where a bird has flown into a glass window it could not see and broken it's neck. Any type of mirror or other reflective surfaces pose the same type of problem.
You should also be sure you don't have any kind of standing water that is easily accessible when your bird is out of it's cage. It's very easy for a bird to drown in a toilet or the kitchen sink in just a few seconds. Cooking while allowing your bird to fly around the house is also not the best idea, especially if you have any pots on your stove uncovered.
Lastly, more than one bird owner has over looked the fact that his bird was perched on their shoulder just as he rushed to answer the front door. You should never carry your bird with you to an open door, regardless wither or not their wings are clipped. Even a bird with clipped wings will still be able to glide fairly far if they happen to catch an updraft.
Some of these things may seem highly unlikely to occur but when you love your pet, any potential danger is worth being prepared for.
Brief Overview of Popular Pet Birds Species
Deciding to acquire pet birds require many factors that you have to accommodate when you choose to become a pet owner. You must be able to commit to the responsibilities and allot the right time and money to make sure that your pets will always be at the top of their game. You can choose from the following popular species of birds.
1. Cockatiels. Aside from having a medium built that makes it easier for you to care and entertain them, you will have fun when you have this kind. They are known to be delightful. These are part of the family of parrots and hailed in Australia. They are known for their singing and whistling abilities. They can also learn how to talk, but they often prefer to whistle. They also tend to mimic the usual sounds that they hear making them appear quirky and fun. They can easily get sounds like the barking of dogs or the telephone ringing. You can get these types in various color combinations. The life expectancy of cockatiels can be up to 20 years.
2. Lovebirds. They are among the smallest kinds in the species of parrots. They have the personality as well as intelligence. That is why most owners will not trade these kinds to the larger kinds. Aside from such aspects, they are not that demanding and they are beautiful to look at. These are ideal for people who live in apartments and condominiums because they are fairly quiet. The size can be around six inches when it comes to length and their life expectancy can be about 20 years.
3. Parakeets. The most common of this kind, known as the Budgerigar, is perfect for kids. This is especially true if it is the first time for the child to own a pet, specifically a bird. You can make them choose among various pretty colors. These will only require less amount of space so you don't have to mind much about the matter. They are small and yet intelligent. They can whistle as well as sing and they can also learn few words. They can live up to 14 years.
4. Canaries and finches. They will require less space because of size. These types can measure 5 inches or even smaller. They are known as waxbills or softbills. They thrive in small kinds of flocks. They also require little attention making them perfect companion for those who cannot afford to allot lots of time in engaging their birds in activities. These do not care much about the attention that they get from humans. Their lifespan can reach up to 10 years if you have cared and treated them well.
5. African Greys. These are ideal to be a lifetime companion because they can live up to 70 years. They are known as the most intelligent kinds. They can even learn around 2,000 words if trained well. They are smart but they also tend to be demanding. They will get bored and lonely if you will not take time to engage them in stimulating activities. Your efforts will surely be rewarded because these are affectionate in nature.
So choose from the list what you want to acquire as pet birds. Make sure that as much as you will enjoy their presence, you will also be able to give them what they require from you.
More Information About The Right Pet Bird - Click Pet Birds Here
Tips for Your Pet Birds First Month Home
For any new pet moving to a new home can be a very traumatic experience and in some cases even more so for a pet bird. Many times if bird was hand fed as a baby it may have stronger attachments then other birds. However if you take the time setting up your birds new environment properly with some extra care, it will a bit easier for your pet bird to make the adjustment to it's new home.
One of the most important things you should first do when you bring your new bird home is to place its cage in an area that does not have an over abundance of activity or confusion. Even though we are trying to make sure our new friend doesn't feel like he is caught up in the middle of all the household action. We also want to make sure that he does not feel all alone by putting him in some unused room by him self. Ideally you want to find a spot in your home where he can still interact with you, but there won't be constant loud noises or lots of sudden movements that can continually startle him.
In situations where you already have another bird in your home, it would be best to segregate your new arrival for about thirty days. The reason you want to do this is to help ensure that if your new bird has an infectious disease, you won't infect your original bird. When creating a quarantine for your bird, it would be best to keep him on floor in a completely different room of the house. Also make sure to keep their food and water dishes apart and do not interchange them even after washing. If your home has a central air conditioning system, you may have difficulty being able to ensure a true quarantine. Since these kinds of air conditioning system employ air duct systems which carry the air from one room to other rooms in the house. Regardless it is still a good idea to quarantine the new bird than immediately putting exposing him to your original pet even if you have air ducts.
You should also make sure that any new bird you bring home is in good health. So be sure to take him to your local avian veterinarian for a general check up. Your veterinarian will be able to check and make sure that your new pet bird is free of any contagious diseases, worms or bacterial infections. This is even more important in cases were you have a hand fed baby bird, the reason being is that if the bird wasn't properly hand fed it is at a higher risk for having a bacterial infection.
When ever you bring a new bird home you should closely monitor their eating habits during their initial adjustment period. If you notice that your bird doesn't seem to be eating at all during the initial twenty four hours, you should try and offer him some spray millet. Spray millet is pretty much a dessert for birds. Another option is to offer him a whole grain cereal which may coax a frightened bird into eating. If you just brought home a newly weaned baby bird and he is not eating and is also making various squalling noises, your new bird may have regressed some and will need to be hand fed slightly longer. In these situations call your breeder for assistance.
If for some reason you cannot get in contact with your breeder, odds are you can buy some hand feeding formula from your local pet shop. To use the formula simply mix up a tiny quantity of the hand feeding formula until it reaches a consistency close to that of pudding. Then offer some of the mixture to your bird by putting some of the formula on a plastic spoon. If all is well he should eat it right off the spoon.
Lastly, you should not be afraid to interact with your new pet bird, just make sure you don't get out of hand and overdo it. At first you should only try to work with him for 10 minutes at a time and no more. If he continually flies away and you notice your self having to chase and catch him, Just put him away back in his cage for a bit until he starts to calm down. Every time you chase and catch your bird it cause him some stress, which is something we are trying to minimize for our new friend.
