People have loved feeding birds almost since the beginning of time, but for most of those years there wasn’t much nutritional science involved. We just put bread crumbs or bird seed in the yard and took what we could get. Luckily for wild birds (and those who love to feed them), times have changed.

Not only have feeders come a long way, but food itself has evolved as well. No longer is bulk seed the best way to feed birds. Instead, premium foods have turned wild birds into outdoor pets, providing them with superior nutrition and tempting ingredients. Not only has this resulted in crowded feeders, it’s allowed wild bird enthusiasts to offer specific foods in hopes of attracting specific birds.

What are the most popular wild birds to attract (and how do you attract them)? Trends indicate that these birds are the magnificent seven: northern cardinals, chickadees, downy woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, finches, grosbeaks and indigo buntings. What follows is a list of these birds, where they live in the United States, what feeders they prefer and the foods they love. Look for premium outdoor pet mixes that include these ingredients, and you’ll be on your way toward a new flock of outdoor pets.

Northern Cardinal

This bright-red visitor is one of the most beloved of all wild birds. One of the most visually stunning birds in the world, cardinals make great outdoor pets. Cardinals live mainly in the eastern United States, from Canada all the way to the Gulf states. They will eat on hopper feeders, tube feeders (with large holes) and even platform feeders. They love seeds, but also fruit and berries, as well as nuts. Choose a high-quality wild bird food with these ingredients and cardinals will take notice. Cardinal-specific foods (such as Wild Delight Cardinal Food) are a great bet, as long as they are clean and include real fruits and nuts, not just flavoring.

Black-Capped Chickadee

These friendly birds are popular partially because they are widespread (virtually all of the northern states) and partially because they are cheerful and active. Chickadees enjoy sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet, as well as berries in winter. These clinging birds will eat on hopper feeders, tube feeders and platform feeders. Most premium outdoor pet foods will attract chickadees. Try Wild Delight Nut N’ Berry or Wild Delight Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Chickadee Food for a great start.

Downy Woodpecker

Often forgotten because of their names, woodpeckers actually love to eat on feeders as well as on trees. Downy woodpeckers range across most of the U.S. (excluding the far southwest) and will eat on hopper feeders, platform feeders and wire mesh feeders. Downy woodpeckers love sunflower seeds, corn, tree nuts, suet and fruit (especially in winter). Premium foods with these ingredients (preferably containing real fruit and nuts) are excellent ways to attract these unique visitors. Wild Delight Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Chickadee Food is a great way to feed these birds.

Eastern Bluebird

An American icon, this wild bird is somewhat widespread east of the Rocky Mountains. These attractive birds will eat on platform feeders as well as on the ground. They will also eat suet. They love fruits and berries, and are particularly attracted to the Virginia Creeper, a woody vine that produces berries (which are poisonous to mammals but fine for birds). Try Wild Delight Total Cuisine in your feeder to attract bluebirds.

Finches

There are many types of finches, and they are all well-loved. From the handsome house finch to the arresting goldfinch, there is almost certainly a member of the finch family who will visit your backyard. These friendly birds will eat from hopper feeders, tube feeders (with small holes) and special finch “sock feeders.” These wild birds love thistle, seeds, fruit and suet. Specifically formulated foods such as Wild Delight Special Finch food are an excellent way to satisfy these popular outdoor pets.

Grosbeaks

Rose-breasted grosbeaks, blue grosbeaks and especially evening grosbeaks spread across much of the U.S. While not all grosbeaks are technically “related,” they do share some similarities. Most will feed on hopper feeders, platform feeders and tube feeders (with large holes). They like to eat seeds (sunflower, in particular) as well as some fruits (cherries are a favorite) and corn. Put foods that include real fruit into your feeder. Wild Delight Fruit & Berry is a solid choice.

Indigo Bunting

A cousin of the cardinal, the male indigo bunting is deep, iridescent blue. These are some of the most stunningly beautiful birds in the wild. They eat on hopper feeders and platform feeders. Attract them to your yard by offering outdoor pet foods with mixed seeds and real nuts. A good food to start with is Wild Delight Gourmet Wild Bird Food.

There are many more wild birds to feed, of course. In fact, discovering new visitors on your backyard feeders is one of the great joys of being a wild bird enthusiast.

Find out for yourself how exciting it can be to have outdoor pets flocking to your feeders. With the right mix of foods and feeders, you can make your yard into a popular destination for wild birds. Soon you’ll be counting the number of outdoor pets that you call your own. – ARA

Source: http://www.animalpetsandfriends.com/Article/How-To-Attract-the-Seven-Most-Desired-Wild-Birds/12

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The truth of the matter is that birds need at least 10 to 14 toys in their cage at one time. The reason for so many toys is simple. Imagine for a moment that you were trapped in your house with nothing but some food, water and only one book to read. How fast would you finish that book? How bored would you be after you finished reading that one book? What would you do next?

The answer is simple, nothing. Now look at it from your bird’s perspective. They have one or two bird toys in the cage and some food and water. After they play with the one or two toys, what can they do next? The answer is the same as for you, nothing.

When I bought my first bird 20 years ago I did not know that she needed so many toys. I did the usual 3 to 5 toys at one time. What I noticed was that my Umbrella Cockatoo was bored. She would often scream for my attention. After researching about birds and bird toys, I realized I had not provided her with enough stimulation to make her a happy and healthy bird. I then started providing her with more and more toys and she became a more playful and happy bird.

Now I am sure after reading this you are asking yourself, where am I going to put all these toys and how will my bird be able to move around in their cage with so many toys? The answer is simple you can place several bird toys along the back wall of the cage. You can also place the toys on the left or right side of the cage as well as hanging a few from the top of the cage. Remember to provide a perch near the area where the toys are so your bird can easily reach the toys. Another interesting spot to put some toys is hanging from the outside of the cage. Your bird can grab the toy from inside and this will become a whole new way to play for him. My mom actually does this a lot with her Cockatiel and he just loves to tug at the toy outside the cage and try to pull it into the cage.

Remember that birds are a lot like kids. They get bored very easily and need a lot of stimulation. In the wild they would spend most of their days foraging and running from danger. In our homes they have nothing to do but sit in their cage. This is why it is essential to provide our beloved birds with as much stimulation in the form of bird toys as possible.

Source: http://www.animalpetsandfriends.com/Article/How-Many-Bird-Toys-Should-My-Parrot-Have-in-His-Bird-Cage-/7566

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Hybrid macaws are produce for their amazing coloring. They can be very attractive but keep in mind, they are still macaws. As a macaw owner you will reap many fine benefits. All macaws are extremely beautiful, but temperaments and behavior will vary from one bird to the next, and they do require good socialization.

Sometimes macaw hybrids are touted as being exceptional parrots because of their appearance. However the same considerations apply when obtaining one of these beauties as applies when obtaining any macaw. Macaws are a long lived pet birds that have particular requirements and need a dedicated keeper.

Being a mixture of more than one type of macaw, the temperament and behavior of each hybrid will be uncertain. A hybrid will be influenced by both of its parent’s traits, but will often be more like one parent than the other. You will want to learn about the characteristics of both its parents to understand what type of behaviors and temperament your pet may demonstrate. Be sure you are comfortable with keeping and handling either type of the parent macaws, so that you will be competent and comfortable handling the offspring.

Click here to see more pictures and information

Fuente: http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/macaws/HybridMacaws.php

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Whether you simply want to upgrade the birdcage that you now have for your beautiful bird, or you intend to buy a new feathered friend, there are a few things one should take into consideration when buying a bird cage for your prestigious home. Never be tempted to drive off to your nearest bird cage store and buy the first one you see because it’s really not the best solution.

Irrespective of what friends wants to tell you, birds know that they like to have plenty of space. They are from the wild, remember. understandably, there is simply no way for you to provide your bird the amount of space it would like to have, but you can certainly try and make sure that the cage you have chosen provides your bird with as much space as possible. Please be aware that many big bird cages compromise in quality to stay competitive!

Not only should you prefer bird cages that look as though they are an absolute piece of luxury, but you need to make sure that the materials from which it has been made are durable, long lasting and beautiful. Moreover, a high-end birdcage should always provide your bird with plenty of space for move about, eating and relaxing . This will further ensure your pet’s good health.

Of course, there is another important consideration in addition to the space, your luxury home and your decor. After all, who on earth would want an old low quality looking birdcage standing in your living room between all your luxurious furnishings. This will without any doubt reduce the quality-look of your house.

Do not forget that a high-end birdcage can in fact be an extremely decorative item in the home. Regardless of whether you choose to place the cage in your living room, dining room, or even in a bedroom, it needs to blend in with the plush of that room. The bottom line is; a birdcage can really be a centerpiece of a room especially if your feathered friend is a good looking one that invites on-lookers.

high quality craftsmanship and high quality materials are two things that you should insist on when buying bird cages. Additionally, bearing in mind the fact that birdcages no longer come with a cheap price tag, you should always be assured that you are getting a great value for your pet and cajole the plush of your home.

You would not want to find yourself spending hundreds of dollars on a luxury bird cage just to have it fall apart soon after the bird moves in. Shopping for a bird cage is about finding one that will last you for many years to come. It is also important that you get the well crafted bird cage in order to protect the bird especially the active ones. If the bars break, rust, or are easily bendable your bird can get out or get hurt from direct contact with the bird cage. More thought go into luxury bird cages. Nothing is sacrificed.

Regardless of whether you’re shopping around between neighborhood street stores, or you intend getting your birdcage online, you need to ensure that you buy the best bird cage with quality, room and prestige. You can be rest assured that at the end; you’ll be happy with your prestigious cage in your plush home.

Fuente: http://www.animalpetsandfriends.com/Article/Bird-Cages–The–Factors-You-

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Only veterinarians or federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators can legally treat wild birds. Therefore, if you find a diseased bird, it’s best to report it to your state or local wildlife agency. If you are advised to take the bird in for an examination, try to catch the bird by throwing a light towel over it and placing it in a box with airholes. If you find a dead bird, place it in a double plastic bag and into the garbage (wear gloves).

If a sick bird comes to your feeder, minimize the risk of infecting other birds by cleaning your feeder area thoroughly. If you see several diseased birds, take down all your feeders for at least a week to give the birds a chance to disperse. Keep the feeders down until you no longer see diseased individuals. And remember that prevention is the key to avoiding the spread of disease. Regularly clean your feeders even when there are no signs of disease and prevent overcrowding by adding more feeders or setting up different types of feeders that allow only a few birds to visit at one time.

To report sick birds and to learn more about these diseases contact the National Wildlife Health Center.

Source: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/schoolyard/

Chickens seem so fragile. They seem without any survival characteristics. But that is not true 100%. They have some characteristics that allow them to pull it through and survive in harsh weather conditions. Of course, those traits depend on the chicken species.

Some chicken can withstand the harsh conditions of winter and other may like to do sunbaths. It depends on the type of chicken and on the weather he is accustomed with. So don’t waste your money and your precious time with a type of chicken that likes a different weather than the one you have. It may be very hard to raise chicken under difficult conditions.

The winter time

In this cold weather, many people try to heat the chickens. They think that they will do them good. But don’t try that if you want alive and healthy chickens.

They can catch a cold or even freeze. You may leave them healthy and safe and in the morning you can find them dead. For your information, keep in mind that chicken can adapt to difficult weather conditions. Their body has a changing metabolism that helps them survive during cold temperatures.

If the place where you live has a cold weather with harsh temperatures, you may want to take some precautions before bringing the chicken in. In this way, you will be ready for them and you will not put their lives in any danger.

Some of these actions are:

1. Sometimes, the low temperatures cause the comb or the wattle to have frostbites. If you want to prevent this from happening, you can rub a petroleum jelly or another kind of moisturizer on that place from time to time.

2. Make sure the water supply is not frozen. Depriving the chicken of water can seriously damage their health. If the water is frozen, the chickens will not get near eat and they can die without water. Also, make sure the water reserve has no impurities. The chicken can get diseases from those impurities. If there is a danger or freezing, get a heater and warm up the water. Make sure the water stays warm at all times. If you don’t posses a water heater, get the water inside your house and bring it to the chicken in the morning.

Summer time

If you have a house located in a place where there is summer all the time, the chicken can suffer form being exposed to heat all day long. They could be dehydrated and that is not good. The one thing and very important thing you need to do during summer is to make sure they have water all the time. Make sure the water is fresh and pure. Refill the supply whenever it is possible. Also, don’t let the chickens run around without providing them some shade. Also, you can provide some ventilation in their pen.

Another important thing is that when heat waves occur, the hens can lay excessive eggs. This is not a good sign. It means the hen is very stressed because of the heat. If the heat stops or the temperatures goes back to normal, the laying process will resume to normal.

Also, during extreme weather conditions it is good to observe the chickens for any abnormal behavior. Notice the way they walk, what they eat, how often they eat etc.

If you see one of them isolated in a corner or acting a bit strange, it means they have caught a disease. Get the chicken and put it in quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading.

The isolated animal also needs water, food and treatment. After he has recuperated, the sick chicken can return to the others.

Some symptoms of chicken sickness include: depression, sneezing, teary eyes, loss of appetite, mites, abnormal stools and the tendency to become isolated.

If you notice any of these signs, talk to the vet and get treatment for the chicken.

Fuente: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/precautions-when-raising-chickens-during-summer-and-winter-952008.html

Having problems with Pigeons? Try Bird Barrier Coil.

An extendible coil specially designed to stretch over long areas such as ledges, parapets, ridges, girders and signs. The unique shape and instability of the coil prevents birds from landing on or in between the coils. There is no risk of hurting the birds.

Having problems with Pigeons & Seagulls? Try the Springwire-Avistrand.

The Avistrand sprung system prevents birds perching on the exterior of buildings. This can be suitable for ledges, parapets, sills, cornices and other level roosting points. This system consists of stainless steel posts and spring tensioned plastic coated wire in one or more rows.

Avistrand is unobtrusive and does not mar the appearance of the building. It is one of the few systems which can be used against seagulls, but generally in light pressure situations. This system is harmless to birds.

Having problems with Starlings? Try Sonic Scaring.

A bio acoustic dispersal system with a mixture of alarm and distress calls over a carefully scheduled time programme to break the roosting habits of the birds and move flocks of starlings from buildings or locations and away to less sensitive areas. These devices are generally more effective in agricultural situations and very few appear to have any effect on urban bird pests.

Having problems with Pigeons & Starlings? Try Repellent Gel.

Applied in strips to horizontal ledges, parapets, signs, beams, etc. The gel is a non-viscous compound that depresses under a birds weight to create discomfort and to encourage them to move to a better perch elsewhere. The gel is sealed to prevent the adhesion of airborne pollutants and to prevent entanglement of bird’s flight feathers.

Having problems with Pigeons, Seagulls and Sparrows? Try Perching Deterrents – Point Systems.

A range of propriety systems, featuring stainless steel rods in single or multiple spring configurations mounted on polycarbonate bases. They are generally flexible enough for installation on most surfaces, even roof ridges, light fittings and signs. The tips of the wires in the systems supplied are all cut square, so that the birds will not injure themselves.

Though similar, there are in fact many significant differences between the point systems supplied. Pigeon systems have spikes which are 100-120mm long. Seagull systems have spikes which are at least 150mm long.

Wires are set at an angle from the base and are more difficult for birds to penetrate than vertical ones. Like most bird proofing products, point systems are unobtrusive and difficult to see once they are installed.

Having problems with Pigeons, Seagulls, Sparrows & Starlings? Try Netting.

A fine mesh UV resistant polythene netting is used to screen areas completely, so denying birds access to areas such as light wells, the undersides of canopies and porticos, roof areas and other nesting and roosting points. This is used in heavy pressure situations and where there will be lots of fouling and maybe nesting materials or even eggs and chicks.

Bird netting is held tightly in place on a building, by attaching it to a tensioned wire which runs around the periphery of the area being netted. Nets supplied are made from durable and long lasting materials which will not absorb water, are virtually unaffected by extremes of temperature, are chemically inert and have outstanding electrical insulating properties.

Fuente: http://www.chronicillnessarticles.com/index.php?cid=96&id=570

Bird watching is a past time which may not be as popular as playing video games, going hunting or even playing chess, but you better believe it, bird watching can be fun.

Bird watching is a past time which may not be as popular as playing video games, going hunting or even playing chess, but you better believe it, bird watching can be fun. Now bird watching may not be something you have ever thought of doing but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing for you to try, it just means no one has every told you about until now!

What type of person likes to watch birds? Just like most hobbies, bird watching can be enjoyed by anyone young or old.

Essentially if you have an appreciation for nature, more specifically sitting outside watching the trees sway, the birds chirping etc, you may enjoy bird watching too.

A few other reasons why people like to watch birds are:

It’s relaxing

You can get closer to nature

It’s challenging

It’s invigorating

It’s good exercise

An excellent social activity

Now bird watching isn’t for everyone but you will never know if you don’t give it a go. The great thing about bird watching is that it’s not an expensive hobby. All you really need is a pair of binoculars and a few other items.

Binoculars.

The main item all bird watchers need is their own pair of binoculars. Sure you can share with a friend but you’ll get much more out of the experience if you have your own. Binoculars are very useful in that they allow you to see better angles of a bird, they provide excellent clarity and will make it easier for you to identify a bird and take notes if needed.

As for which type of binoculars you should use, any pair is better than nothing. However if you want to get serious and get the full enjoyment out of bird watching, than having a good pair of binoculars is essential. A couple of reputable brands are Eagle Optics and Audubon Equinox.

If the thought of having a pair of “mini binoculars” which you can carry in your pocket and take everywhere you go sounds good, than you are in luck! Smaller sized binoculars are available which are called pocket binoculars. Pocket binoculars have a sharp and clear image, so don’t let their small size.

Field Guide.

A field guide is essentially a book which is packed with bird information and is the ideal resource for your bird watching expeditions. Some of the information provided is general knowledge on each bird, interesting facts and they’re useful as they make it easy for bird watchers to identify a particular bird.

Notebook

Having a notebook with you while bird watching is handy as it allows you to take notes on the birds you have seen. It’s up to you what you decide to take note of, however most people take note of special details of the birds they have seen, the area which they were spotted and any other important details.

Attire

There are 2 main types of apparel bird watchers can invest in. First is a hat (any hat will do) The hat is mainly to do with protecting yourself from the sun, but believe me when I tell you that you wont be complaining if a bird decides to poo on your hat instead of your head!

The other item which is optional but very handy is a birding vest. You can place your binoculars and other equipment in the pockets.

The popularity of bird watching continues to rise and is definitely something worthwhile pursuing even if you have the smallest hint of interest. It’s inexpensive, interesting, good for your health and you don’t need to know anything about birds, so why not give it a go.

By: Darrell Knox

Source: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/30303/pets/the_many_pleasures_of_bird_watching.html

Parrots are just about one of the most charming species of animals on the planet. You can actually talk to them. Who cares if they are programmed to speak certain words?

Parrots are just about one of the most charming species of animals on the planet. You can actually talk to them. Who cares if they are programmed to speak certain words? At least it is much more amusing to spend time watching TV alone at home with a cheery and chirping voice to startle you out of your boredom from time to time. Parrots are really unique, and so are the mechanisms of caring and adopting them as your own.

Parrot adoption is one of the popular hobbies of the rich and famous. But you don’t really have to be filthy rich to be able to decently care for one. Not one too many a Hollywood film has depicted the presence of these charming parrots under the tutelage of famous stars and added to the visual appeal of the movies. However, there is more to parrot rearing than the stuff we see those actors do on screen. For all we know, they don’t even know how to care for parrots the moment the camera stops rolling!

There are already some organizations which capitalize on the endeavor of parrot adoption. Not every Joe and Jane is qualified to adopt a parrot. These organizations all have standards, depending on the breed of the parrot to be cared for and the policies which govern their mission and vision statement.

Some training will be required for one to become eligible for parrot adoption. Parrots are unique, as I have said earlier, and they require a special level of care and attention. They have different behavioral patterns in addition to the basics of caring for birds, in general. Not knowing about these behavioral patterns is a no-no for every soon-to-be parrot guardian. To know as much as possible about the parrot to be adopted is by far one of the things the parrot adoption organizations never fail to emphasize to every budding owner.

Caring for a parrot can even be more of a collaborative effort. The parrot adoption organization will not allow you to adopt their parrots if they don’t find your residence conducive enough for the parrot. For example, a certain person in your house may not necessarily share your passion for parrots and be potentially harmful to the parrot if ever it gets deployed in your home. The organization not only screens the potential owner’s capability to take care and train on basic concepts in caring for parrots, but also the overall environment from which the parrot will be made to grow.

Prices for adoption vary according to size and in line with this, every parrot owner wannabe must be ready for the extra budget that caring for a parrot will require. The parrot adoption organizations available in the country often make use of contracts to secure the safety of the parrot. These may include mandatory regular veterinarian checkups and all those maintenance stuff they don’t really show you in the movies. Some organizations may even request refunds for earlier maintenance. To reduce nervous breakdowns and misunderstandings over payments, learn as much about the organization’s policies before deciding to start applying for eligibility for parrot guardianship.

Aside from the mere enthusiasm of talking to a bird, more serious motivations for parrot adoption (such as the desire to preserve natural life) are also becoming more rampant these days. The more passionate individuals who labored on rescuing the more extinct of these parrot breeds are more than willing to share the rewarding load to people who have a heart for the same cause.

Adults who are often dealt with psychological depressions are often advised to keep a pet. Parrots may be a good choice, since their cheery quips can definitely jolt any person out of his misery. When well-trained, parrots can even help out in their own small ways, i.e. welcoming guests in the home or entertaining them.

Having a pet parrot can also do wonders to kids. However, they need to be well-guided by parents as they do so. If done the right way, parrot adoption for kids may serve to be one of their most rewarding childhood memories. Being responsible for menial tasks such as feeding and training the parrot to speak certain words not only makes any kid happy, but it builds a sense of responsibility which will benefit him or her in the long run and beyond the life span of the parrot itself.

Source: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/30332/pets/the_basics_of_parrot_adoption.html