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There are many different types of parrot toys for many different types of parrots. The hard thing is trying to choose the right toys for your parrot. In this article you will learn what toys are safe for each particular breed of parrot as well as learning all the reasons why it's so important to have a few parrot toys inside your cage.

The Amazon Parrot

Amazon parrots are generally very large parrots that tend to be quite inquisitive and unfortunately also aggressive at times. The best type of parrot toys for this particular breed of parrot is are usually made from wood and are generally sturdy. You will find that Amazon's generally like to chew everything they can get their beaks around, therefore buying plastic parrot toys for your Amazon could lead to it choking on a broken piece of plastic. Make sure every parrot toy you by for your Amazon is made from wood.

Parakeets

Parakeets are a much smaller breed of birds and are less likely to destroy any kind of parrot toy you decide to purchase for your cage. One very popular parrot toy that is a must buy for these birds, is a mirror. Parakeets, like Amazons are also very inquisitive and will spend hours marveling at the reflection of themselves in the mirror. If you only own one parakeet, then this is a good way to keep your bird free from boredom as has been the case for many parrots. The mirror is a must for this particular breed of parrot and any other parrot toys you decide to purchase will do wonders for your parrots health and energy exuberance.

Why Is It So Important To Have Parrot Toys Inside Your Cage?

Parrots are creatures that survive purely off attention. The more attention you show your parrot, the happier and healthy he or she is going to be. However you can't always be there to spend time with your parrot and that's why parrot toys can come in nice and handy. Giving your parrot something to do while you are away can help keep your parrot from becoming bored and in fact is proven to increase the life expectancy of your bird. Whether it be a bell, mirror or a ball or wool, any kind of object that your parrot is able to interact with, will do marvels for its overall general health.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:08 AM  0 Comments

The hummingbird fascinates us as we watch it extract nectar from flowers or our brightly colored feeders, because a hummingbirds wings flap at such a high rate of speed they seem to be suspended in air.

Watching and attracting hummingbirds to our flower gardens has become very popular. Therefore, dozens of styles of hummingbird feeders have emerged.

Some of the feeders on the market are very artistic, nothing wrong with a nice design as long as they meet the purpose intended, attracting and feeding hummingbirds.

So how do we know what to look for in a hummingbird feeder?

Even though hummingbirds seem perfectly happy flying while they are feeding, they actually prefer to sit, so a feeder with a built in perch is ideal.

Unless you actually know how populated your garden will be, start out with a smaller feeder.

A clean feeder makes a happy hummingbird. Be sure to purchase a feeder that is easy to clean and maintain. Keep your feeder filled so you will attract more hummingbirds.

Add-on ant moats or built-in ant protective feeders will help control those pesky ants.

Bees and wasps love the color yellow so stay away from hummingbird feeders with yellow features. Consider the shape of your feeder find one that keeps the bees and wasps from reaching and feeding off your nectar mixture.

Hummingbirds are attracted to red, red, red.

Find a wind and rain resisitent hummingbird feeder. Rain water will dilute and contaminate your nectar solution. If your feeder does not have a rain guard, you can purchase metal or plastic disks, designed just for hummingbird feeders. A new pole mounted wind resistant feeder is also now available on the market.

Finally a recipe for that wonderful nectar the hummingbirds love to feed on.

The recipe to keep your hummingbirds happy, healthy and returning to your garden:

It has not been completely proven that red dye is unhealthy for hummingbirds, so why take the chance. Buy feeders that have a red component. That should be sufficient enough to attract the birds.

Pre-mixed hummingbird nectars are very expensive. The extra vitamins and minerals listed on the packages are not a necessity for the hummingbirds, as half of their diet consists of insects they extract from fresh flowers and plants.

One part sugar and four parts warm tap water, never use distilled or water which comes from a water softener. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. If you use boiling water to make your mixture do not add to the bird feeder until it has cooled to the touch.

Most hummingbird feeders hold enough mixture for about three days, if your solution turns cloudy throw it away even if you think it is a fresh batch.

For winter feedings, three parts water and one part sugar it will help the sugar solution become more weather resistant and prevent freezing.

Never use Honey, because it is becomes toxic and deadly once it starts to ferment, which it does very rapidly.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:08 AM  0 Comments

Hopper bird feeders are one of the most versatile and traditional bird feeders for your backyard birding oasis.

A few years ago, my mother-in-law asked me what I would like for a birthday present. I responded with (big surprise) a bird feeder.

On my birthday I received a package with a wooden bird feeder. I was ecstatic; it was a beautiful chalet bird feeder. I immediately began plotting where I would put my new feeder. I finally selected a spot only six feet from the edge of our deck.

Within hours of receiving this great gift it was up and functioning.

Hopper bird feeders are simply a bin to hold seed with a roof and floor. Some are round; others are square or rectangular in shape. The seed slips out at the bottom of the wall where openings allow the birds to pick up the seed.

A chalet feeder is rectangular in shape with solid end walls. The longer two sides are usually clear plastic or glass. (Some chalet bird feeders only offer feeding from one side.)

Mine, that I received as a birthday present, is a chalet cedar bird feeder. It will last for years, as it is treated with a wildlife friendly preservative. The acrylic sides slant inward providing shelter from the elements. This keeps the seed drier, and also shields the wild birds from the elements.

The clear sides make it easy to tell when the feeder needs refilling with wild bird seed. This is done by lifting the roof. The clear sides on my chalet bird feeder also slide out to make cleaning a snap.

My lovely wooden bird feeder has separate perches from the seed trough. This allows the birds to perch away from the seed while they nosh, preventing the spread of disease.

A good mixed blend of seed works well and is often used in this style of feeder. This will encourage the perching birds to come and choose their favorites. However, because the birds can choose, chalet feeders also encourage shoveling.

This is a process where some types of birds, especially Blue Jays, will push unwanted seeds onto the ground in their quest to find their preference, peanuts.

There is an easy solution to this problem, just simply fill your feeder with black oil sunflower seed. A large variety of wild birds will still be attracted to it. This eliminates the need to shovel, as all the seeds are the same.

In the winter, our chalet feeder is one of the central feeding stations in the backyard.

Here is an interesting story: One year, we had a very bad snowstorm. Two male Cardinals seemed to be stranded in our backyard. For two days and nights these two beautiful birds huddled in a cedar tree outside our family room window.

They would fly the six feet to the feeder, back and forth. Because the chalet feeder had a large seed capacity we did not have to go near the feeder to fill it, and risk scaring the Cardinals away. When the storm ended the two Cardinals left their safe haven. But from then on, every day at dawn and again just before nightfall, they would return to the feeder. What a joy it was to watch these stunning wild birds!

# posted by Medical Information : 3:07 AM  0 Comments

One of the great things about having a garden is getting to watch all the birds that flock to it. You'll only be able to see so many types of birds this way though. To get the most out of your bird watching, you need to go where you'll see the most types of birds.

One easy place to find lots of species of birds is your local park or nature reserve. You may also have a bird sanctuary near you - there are roughly 500 National Wildlife Sanctuaries in the US alone.

Another way to see some new varieties of birds is to research the local birds before going on any kind of trip. There are over 900 species of American birds, and they can be found in many different places. If you're going somewhere new, it pays to do a little research first so you'll recognize new birds you might see.

Binoculars are probably the most important piece of equipment for bird watching. You don't have to break the bank buying a pair, but you'll want to get some that can handle the weather and the terrain where you'll be.

Your binoculars should have some kind of stabilization built into them, especially if you'll be bird watching from a distance. They should also be able to work in low lighting, without fogging up.

Tracking birds while they're flying requires skill to locate them and track them quickly. The only way to get good at this is to practice so it's a good idea to do some practicing when you're not in the field. You can use your dog or your kids as a fast-moving practice.

Partnering up with someone else who enjoys bird watching can make it much more interesting. Two sets of eyes are better than one, and they might spot birds that you would have missed, and vice versa. They may also recognize different species than you so you can pool your knowledge.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:08 AM  0 Comments

One of the great things about having a garden is getting to watch all the birds that flock to it. You'll only be able to see so many types of birds this way though. To get the most out of your bird watching, you need to go where you'll see the most types of birds.

One easy place to find lots of species of birds is your local park or nature reserve. You may also have a bird sanctuary near you - there are roughly 500 National Wildlife Sanctuaries in the US alone.

Another way to see some new varieties of birds is to research the local birds before going on any kind of trip. There are over 900 species of American birds, and they can be found in many different places. If you're going somewhere new, it pays to do a little research first so you'll recognize new birds you might see.

Binoculars are probably the most important piece of equipment for bird watching. You don't have to break the bank buying a pair, but you'll want to get some that can handle the weather and the terrain where you'll be.

Your binoculars should have some kind of stabilization built into them, especially if you'll be bird watching from a distance. They should also be able to work in low lighting, without fogging up.

Tracking birds while they're flying requires skill to locate them and track them quickly. The only way to get good at this is to practice so it's a good idea to do some practicing when you're not in the field. You can use your dog or your kids as a fast-moving practice.

Partnering up with someone else who enjoys bird watching can make it much more interesting. Two sets of eyes are better than one, and they might spot birds that you would have missed, and vice versa. They may also recognize different species than you so you can pool your knowledge.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:07 AM  0 Comments

Thanks to hospiterization, my Kozakurainko(love bird) lost his weight constantly,and resulted in good health condition, yes, the result is all right.

But I must keep his weight less than the weight at present.

If he again gained weight, I should take him to the hospital again because of liver dysfunction. How can I keep his weight within 56-57g? After consultation with my bird's home doctor, I made up my mind to keep him moving everyday. Of course, the best training for the bird is to let him fly for a distinct time.

However, my Kozakurainko loves to walk rather fly, and I gave up... Yes, he seemed to be trying to fly, with his wings open wider, wider, wider,....and runs this Kozakura! But if so, I must consider alternative way to spend his fat tissue even with running or walking. So I left him in front of the shoes box and call his name, and walk quickly to the opposite side of my house. Kozakurainko was surprised to start running like small chicken walk behind his hen. Length of the walking space is only 8m, but we did twice in a day. At first a few days, it was quite succesful.

He came with running anytime when I call his name.

However, he suddenly found that there is no pleasant in this unexpected play, no feed, no toys. And he learned that if he did not run, I will come to pick him up.

What a clever bird with this very small brain!!! Then, I tried to pay my effort to let him walk. Keeping the distance 30 cm between Kozakurainko and me, watching his eyes in the same height with him,calling his name, I crawled to back, like a cat walking behind keeping his eyes on enemy big cat coming. "Come on , Piro, Piro, come on!"

What a silly walk was I doing for my bird. It was very hard training for me to do that everyday.

But with our such efforts for moving, he can keep his weight within expected range without controlling any diet intake.

Yes, just the same as human being, it is also necessary to keep your bird moving when he loves you very much and follow you.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:15 AM  0 Comments

There are many different species of parrots, but none so popular as the breeds of the green parrot. There are of course many different subspecies of the green parrot, including the Australian king parrot, the Eastern green parrot, the king lorry and so many more. These particular parrots are mostly native to Australia where they find their homes in the natural rain forests in subtropical climates. The king parrot for one, is one of the most beautiful species of parrots known and are very popular to be kept as pets, however they fetch a high cost that most people cannot afford. Also many of these green parrots are caught illegally in the wild and sold on the black market. Many are killed in the process.

The King Parrot

The king parrot is native to Australia and is commonly known by multiple names including; the Eastern King, Queensland King, King Lorry, Scarlet Parrot and of course most often known as the Green Parrot. They are usually found in humid rainforests when they are able to blend into the surrounding habitat with their naturally green appearance.

Most green parrots stay within small flocks, however is some parts of Australia you might see much larger flocks flying beautifully in the air. One of the most well known facts about the green parrot is that they are said to be one of the most loudest species of parrots and cab be heard from a long distance away screeching like there is no tomorrow!

What About Training Green Parrots?

Most green parrots have a limited training potential. They are often kept as pets in large aviaries and sometimes in the house. They are not known to be great talkers, however they are great company and always friendly, except for the fact that some may bite on the very rare occasion. They are said to be one of the most devoted parrots to their owners out of all the breeds of parrots on Earth and therefore also occasionally protective.

There is a reason why most people keep their green parrots outside and that is because some of these parrots have been known to develop lung diseases due to the reduction of oxygen inside houses. If you do decide to purchase a green parrot, make sure you first have an aviary already built in your backyard. Also as like most parrots, they need a lot of care and attention so you are best buying more than one parrot so that it has company all the time when you are not able to be around.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:14 AM  0 Comments

The same sugar solution that attracts your Hummingbirds will also be attractive to ants, bees and wasps. Not only will they drink, they will also contaminate the nectar and sometimes even keep the Hummingbirds from using the feeder. Ants getting inside the feeder will drown and contaminate the nectar as their bodies decompose.

As for bees and wasps ..... I have seen bees and wasps at my feeder so thick that the Hummingbirds couldn't feed at all. Thumping them with a rolled up newspaper seemed to help a little, but every time I thumped one, it wasn't long before it was replaced by another. Besides being a little too risky .... after a while it begins to take a toll on your feeder! So, let's examine some alternative possibilities to controlling pests at your Hummingbird feeder.

Controlling ants

Keep the ants from finding your Hummingbird feeder ..... Using a drip less feeder is one way to help keep the ants from locating your Hummingbird feeder. Bottle-type feeders have a tendency to drip. When the air that's trapped above the nectar heats up, it expands and forces the nectar out through the feed ports. Basin or saucer type feeders are designed so that they are less likely to drip.

Keep the ants away from the Hummingbird nectar ..... okay, the ants have found your feeder .... go to plan b ..... The best way to keep ants away from the nectar is to use some sort of "ant guard". An ant guard is a barrier that's placed between the ants and the Hummingbird nectar. These aunt guards are built into some feeders in the form of an ant moat that can be filled with water to keep the ants away from the nectar. But they can also be purchase separately and added to a feeder. They usually consist of a plastic cup about 3 inches in diameter that fits tightly around the hanger wire above the feeder. Once the cup is filled with water the ants can't get to the nectar.

You can also make your own ant moat using the plastic cap from a spray can. Punch or drill a hole in the cap to run the feeder hanger wire through, then use hot glue or silicone sealant to seal the hole and make the lid water proof so you can fill it with water.

Controlling bees and wasps

Buy a feeder with bee guards. Some Hummingbird feeders come equipped with plastic mesh bee guards. Unfortunately, a lot of these Hummingbird feeders will also be prone to dripping which will undermine the effectiveness of the bee guards.

Try moving the feeder. Sometimes just moving the Hummingbird feeder a few feet will trick the insects into thinking that it's gone and they won't find it. If your insects happen to be too smart to fall for this one..... try taking the feeder down for a day or two until they quit looking for it. The Hummingbirds won't give up as quick as the insects, so once you hang it back up the Hummingbirds will find it again.

Give the insects their own feeder. Personally, I would rather go back to thumping them with a rolled up newspaper before I conceded and tried this trick, but it's a technique used effectively by lots of people, so I thought it appropriate to mention here. You will need two Hummingbird feeders, one for the bees and wasps and one for the Hummingbirds. Bees and wasps are more attracted to higher concentrations of sugar, so in their feeder use a nectar ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water. In the Hummingbirds feeder, instead of using the standard 1 to 4 ratio, use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 5 parts water. This ratio although not as sweet as the 1 to 4, will still be good enough for the Hummingbirds , but not nearly as attractive to the bees and wasps as the feeder with the 1 to 3 ratio. Give the bees and wasps a few hours to attach themselves to their feeder then move it away from the Hummingbird feeder and hope they follow.

Buy a basin or saucer-type Hummingbird feeder. These type feeders are pretty much drip proof, so they're not as likely to attract insects in the first place. Also, the nectar level will be lower and out of reach to the insects, but not out of reach to the Hummingbirds with their long tongues. My favorite basin-type feeder is the HummZinger, which can be purchased at http://www.hummzinger.biz/hummzinger.htm. It's kind of expensive, but has several features that might warrant a high price. The HummZinger has patented Nectar guard tips which are flexible membranes attached to the feed ports that prohibit entry from flying insects, but allow Hummingbirds to feed as usual. The HummZinger also has a built in ant moat that will stop crawling insects from getting to the nectar. This Hummingbird feeder can solve your ant, bee and wasp problems all at the same time.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:14 AM  0 Comments

Wintertime is very difficult for birds, especially the further north that they live because the weather gets considerably colder and harsher. The ground often freezes preventing them form accessing the nutritious worms. The insects are hibernating and most hedgerows and trees are dormant for the cold winter months. Birds can find it difficult to find enough food or even a drink, especially if the winter has brought snow.

Lots f people help the birds by throwing out stale bread for them to eat. Although this does elevate the birds hunger, bread isn't a very nutritious food source.

Most garden bird’s staple diet is usually, fruit and berries, nuts and seeds, insects, worms and grubs, Very tasty.

To really help the bird out this winter you could string p some monkey nuts. Buy some peanuts in their shells and thread a sharp wool needle with a length of wool with a knot in the end of it. Push the needle through the middle of the peanut shell and out of the other side, it's a bit like threading beads. Thread on more monkey nuts in this way until the wool is almost full. Unthread the needle, make a loop in the wool that is left and tie a knot to keep the nuts and the loop in place. Use the loop to hang the nuts from the bird-table or tree.

You could also make a tasty bird-cake...

Add to a bowl some chopped up bacon rind, leftover chicken bits from Sunday dinner, a few peanuts, a few raisins and frozen peas, some shelled sunflower seeds if you have any, some diced apple and a couple of heaped table spoons of flour and mix well. Add some water and mix to create dough.

Mould into a ball shape and leave it over night on the kitchen windowsill to dry. By morning it will be hard and ready to leave out on a bird table or lawn for the birds to peck at.

It's just as important the water is left out as well as food. In the winter, water turns to ice and the birds do not have access to drinking water. Leave a dish with fresh water in it out in your garden for the birds, and check it on really cold mornings to make sure it hasn't turned to ice.

Some of the UK’s bird population are becoming endangered, this means that their population numbers are falling. Organisations like the RSPB do valuable work to protect and monitor endangered breeds of bird. You could monitor the birds yourself during the winter months, spend an hour each day for a week recording all the birds that visit your garden or bird-table. Bird watching is also known as twitching.

There is a chart on the website, a list of UK winter birds that you may see. Each bird has an illustration to help you to identify which breed it is, and there is some information about each birds preferred habitat. Some birds are residents of the UK, which means they like here all year round, others just visit for the winter.

Some birds on the list are endangered, so some of the birds are rarer than others; but you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. Maybe you could tempt them into your garden with a bit of tasty bird-cake.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:55 AM  0 Comments

Birding enthusiasts find all kinds of ways to attract birds to their gardens and backyards. They often use bird feeders of various sizes and shapes, filled with a variety of food and other things to attract many different species of birds.

A bird bath is another common fixture, providing a place for passing birds to perch and drink in peace.

One of the best ways of attracting birds is to provide them with a place to nest - they will keep returning instead of just stopping on their way past. You can buy pre-made bird houses or kits that you assemble yourself. If you're handy you can even build your own from scratch.

If you're thinking of using a bird house kit the first thing to consider is how it will be used. Is it going to be a permanent fixture in your yard or do you want it to be more portable? And what types of birds are you hoping to attract with it?

Some kits are made for single birds, others for more than one. Some are hung while others can be mounted on a fence or a post of some sort. Taking the time to plan ahead will make your birding experience much more satisfying.

If you're buying a ready-to-assemble kit, the wood will all be pre-measured and cut and all the other hardware will also be included. The entrance holes will be pre-cut and the mounting holes will be prepared for you. These kits are generally made from cedar as it is a good weather-resistant wood.

You may find the surfaces are rough or possibly primed, ready for a finish coat of paint. Painting the bird house is often half the fun. You can go simple, with a color that attracts the type of birds you want or you can go with a fancier paint job, making it a nice addition to your garden.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:55 AM  0 Comments

Many people think that a bird is a fun low maintenance pet that can provide you with good company. While birds are fun, intelligent companions they do require quite a bit of maintenance and care. Some birds require more maintenance than others so here's some guidelines on bird care that might help you pick a bird that's perfect for your lifestyle.

First of all you should be aware that all birds will need to have fresh food and water in a cage change daily. Also, birds are messy with their seeds and you'll soon find seeds all over the floor around the cage that will need to be cleaned each day to. You can buy things to go on the cage so minimize this mess but be prepared to spend at least a half-hour cleaning up and around your birds cage each day. In addition, you want to set aside time each week to wash down the cage as it can get quite messy.

The reason most people get a bird is to obtain friend I can sit in the shoulder and entertain them. But if you want your bird to remain tame and friendly you'll need to spend some time with it particularly at feeding time when you can choose to hand feed him and also you want to set aside time to take them out of the cage just to play.

If you don't have a lot of time to spend with a bird but still like the look of these bright little creatures you may want to think about purchasing a canary or some finches. These birds are pretty self-sufficient and won't pine away if you don't pay a lot of attention to them. Also, if you don't want a loud bird that will wake up all your neighbors these have light pleasant sounding voices. Beware, however, that they're just as messy as other birds so you will need to spend time cleaning up their cage's.

let's say you who do have plenty of time to spend training and playing with your pet bird but you just don't have the room for big giant parrot. For you, the cockatiel parakeet might make the perfect pet. These birds can become very tame and can even be taught to do tricks and in some cases to talk. They are not overly loud so can be good pets for apartment dwellers.

If you want something a little bit bigger, consider midsize parrots like Conures or Senegal parrots. these birds are a bit bigger in size can be fun and entertaining pets but I must warn you they can be very loud. Conyers in particular have an ear piercing shriek that they like to emit first thing in the morning. they're not the talkers that the larger parrots are but some breeds like Quaker parrot and Nanday conure can talk pretty good.

If you do a lot of time and you want a bird that will talk extensively than you want to choose one of the larger parrots like an African gray or maybe even a macaw. The larger parrots theirs is just as smart as a toddler and will probably require almost as much attention. You need to make sure that you keep your bird from getting bored or providing him with interesting toys that you change out every once in awhile and by interacting with them yourself. If you buy a large burden and spend time with it you're just asking for trouble as they can be quite destructive and loud.

No matter what type of bird you choose, you want to make sure you get one that has been hand fed since it was a baby. This bird will already be quite tame and used humans and be ready to adapt to his new home and willing to learn to talk and do tricks from you. It's a bird that is not tame or friendly may have problems and may never learn to trust you, therefore not making a good pet.

It can be exciting to adopt a pet bird but you need to make sure that you make this decision carefully. Buying a bird that you do not have the time for will be a disappointment for both you and the bird and will not work out in the long run. Before you make your purchase, be sure that you will commit to caring for your new feathered friend and you will find that you have a wonderful companion.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:55 AM  0 Comments

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 could outlive you however there are many hidden dangers lurking around that can cut your birds life short. Birds are very fragile and need to be cared for properly in order for them to live a long life.

Here are some things you can do to help keep your bird safe and healthy:

One major danger for birds as fumes from chemical products. Aerosol sprays, Teflon pans and even such things as furniture polish can kill your bird. Keep anything that has a strong odor away from your bird and make sure you use it in a well ventilated area. I suggest you get rid of all your Teflon pants however if you insist on keeping them make sure your bird is nowhere near the kitchen when you’re cooking with them and also be sure not to heat them up without food in them as this will cause the Teflon to emit more odor.

Pet birds love to chew on things and will in fact chew on anything they can find whether it’s good for them or not. It’s important not to let them chew on anything that is welded as they can get lead poisoning from the slaughter in the joints. They also will love your household plants and will nibble on them so you need to be sure that any plants you have are not poisonous to birds.

Birds love to eat fresh fruits and vegetables but you need to take care not to leave the fruits and vegetables out too long or they can start to rot. Just like you wouldn’t feed a piece of pineapple that was sitting on the counter for three hours to your family, you shouldn’t be this to your bird either. Something should never be offered to birds as food such as coffee chocolate and avocado as these are toxic to our feathered friends.

The holidays pose a special threat to birds as they may want to fly into your tree and chew on it. You need to be very careful with this, however as many trees are sprayed with stuff that is toxic to birds. In addition, the ornaments, tinsel and electric lights might seem attractive to your pet bird but, of course, could be very dangerous for him to chew on.

Birds that are allowed to fly around the house can be fun but you need to think of safety first if your bird does not have clipped wings and has free reign to fly wherever he wants. Obviously, you want to make sure your windows are closed so that he cannot get out. In addition, you probably want to pull down the shades or close the curtains when your birds flying around as you don’t want him to fly into the closed window and hurt himself. If you cannot do this, then put some decals on the glass so that your bird will know not to fly into it. The same goes for Mariners or any reflective surface. This is very important as your bird can actually break his neck by flying into them.

Another thing to be careful of is standing water such as water in the sink or toilet you don’t want your bird to get in over his head and drown!

Please refrain from cooking while your bird is flying around as you don’t want him to win on the stove and burn himself.

Finally, make sure that you do not answer the door while your birds perched on your shoulder. Even a bird with clipped wings could get away in an updraft and their many dangers outdoors such as cats and cars that can harm your bird.

Feeding your bird a nutritious diet and keeping him safe may not ensure that he outlives you but it will go a long way to making sure that he has a long healthy and happy life!

# posted by Medical Information : 3:54 AM  0 Comments

Like other pets, your bird can get sick but unlike other pets your birds illness can become serious, even life-threatening, very quickly. If your bird is acting even the slightest bit ill you should get him to your veterinarian right away since birds can go downhill very fast.

Sometimes, however you can get your bird to the veterinarian right away so here are some steps you can take to help care for your sick bird.

first off, you want make sure that you sick bird stays warm. Keep his cage out of many drafts and you might want to try using a grow light ( the same kind you use to grow plants) aimed at the cage but placed in such a way so that your bird can get out of the direct light if he gets too hot.

If you find that your bird is just sitting on the bottom of the cage and is to sick to even sit on his perch, then you might want to move into a hospital cage for better safety. A glass aquarium can make a great hospital cage. Put a towel or some newspaper on the bottom of the cage and put shallow bowls of food and water where your bird can get to it. Newspaper can be kind of slippery so you want to put something that has a little more grit like paper towels on the bottom so that your bird isn't sliding around.

If you can get a freestanding low perch in the aquarium this is perfect in case you bird wants to perch. Position the light so that It shines and to only one side so that the bird can get out of it if he gets too hot.

if you don't have an anti-aquarium readily available than you can make a few changes to your bird's regular cage. Cover most of it with a towel to keep in the heat input the birds food and water dishes on the bottom of the cage where he can get to them. Also, if you have a freestanding parts put this on the bottom two.

You've got to make sure that your bird keeps up his strength as he can easily become weakened by lack of food and water. electrolytes can give your sick bird some quick energy and if he is a hand fed bird then you might see if he'll try taking a few drops of a sports drink from a spoon or eyedropper. If you have a hand feeding formula ready mix that up with some of the sport strength instead of water and see If you'll take that. if you bird is eating on his own make sure that he's getting enough and maybe offer him a tree like a spray millet so that he can get some quick energy. Make sure he also gets enough water.

If you bird is bleeding you need to provide emergency care before you can get them to the vet. Look him over to see where the blood is coming from. While most others do not bleed new feathers that are still growing can bleed. These occult blood feathers and if you do find that the blood is coming from one you'll need to pull the feather out completely. It's a good idea to cover your birds head with a towel while you are doing this. If it's not a feather that's bleeding check his nails and toes and if it's coming from they are applied to styptic powder to the cut. If you don't have styptic powder handy you can use flour In a pinch.

The key to successfully treating your sick bird is getting him to the vet at the first sign of illness. Be sure that you're always watching your bird in checking him for signs of illness. If you notice that your bird Is acting a little different or even look sick it's best to call your bet and get them in right away. It may be that nothing is really wrong with your bird but it's better to be safe than sorry.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:54 AM  0 Comments

One of the unique aspects of having a bird for a pet is that this is one of the few pets that may actually be trained to talk. Many people feel that they'll be able to communicate and have conversations with their pet birds but this may not be true in all cases. Even if a bird can talk fluently you must remember that even the smartest birds only have the intelligence of a toddler and therefore may not be able to tell you how they are feeling.

Whether your bird can talk or not, understanding what your pet is feeling is important to both you and your bird. One way to be able to do this is to be able to interpret his body language as this is a sure giveaway to his state of mind.

One good reason for understanding the body language of birds is that you can often avoid being bitten whether by your own pet or another exotic bird if you know when he is scared and when you should back off. If a bird is very scared, he will often try to make himself as thin as possible you will notice him standing very tall and looking very thin. His eyes may be dilated but they are not moving back and forth at all. In a way the bird is trying to make himself invisible - he thinks that if he makes himself as thin as possible and doesn't move that the creature that is scaring him will overlook him.

If you try to reach into the cage to do pet or pick up a bird that is acting like this he may lash out with you in terror and you may get a nasty peck. The best thing to do is to squat down so that the bird is higher than you and look right at them with your eyes closed. Speak to him in a soft soothing tone and slowly open your eyes. This should help to relax the bird as they feel most comfortable when they higher than anyone else. The closing of your eyes is important because they consider blinking a sign of trust. Once you've got your pet bird into this state it doesn't mean that he's a can automatically let you reach in and pick them up you still want to use caution until you have him fully tamed.

If you bird is angry you will notice that his head is weaving back and forth and his eyes are dilated. He may be squawking loudly and leaning slightly forward for easy attack. His feathers will be puffed up. you might want to try distracting him with a millet sprayers favorite treat but you probably will want to get too close or you may experience a painful bite. When your bird is angry like this it's best to let him come down before you try to approach him. Perhaps you might want to find out what made him angry so you can avoid this next time.

An excited bird might look similar to an angry bird with dilated pupils and he'll be bobbing (not weaving) his head and have ruffled feathers. Depending on how excited he has his whole body to be moving around. He might be squawking and screeching sometimes loudly. An excited bird, even though he is happy, may also bite you because he's too excited. It's best to let him come down a little bit before handling.

A calm content bird will be sitting on his perch with one leg tucked up under him. He'll be easy recognize due to his relaxed posture and he might groom oneself stretch out and even go to sleep. If you don't make any sudden moves that startled her you can probably get them pop up when you finger and let you pet him easily when he is in a state of mind.

Knowing how your bird feels is important for training and ongoing companionship. Once your bird is very tame you probably won't have to worry too much as he'll welcome your attention, but in the beginning knowing whether he is frightened, angry or excited can help you gain his trust for easier training.

# posted by Medical Information : 3:53 AM  0 Comments