Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Parrots aren't known for their peace and quiet, so expect to live with some level of squawking if you have one of these birds. Close listening and observance of your bird's behavior can help you determine why she is squawking and what you can do to help quiet her. In the meantime, purchase some earplugs to drown out the volume.
Since your parakeet is going to spend most of his time inside his cage, you must be sure he has enough room -- you wouldn't want to be confined to a space that was too small, either. Despite their small size, parakeets need room to spread their wings and enjoy a little freedom, even within the confines of their cages.
Owning a budgie, which is short for "budgerigar" (Melopsittacus undulatus) can be a fulfilling and fun experience -- at least when the birdie is behaving. Although budgies often possess amiable and pleasant general temperaments, some of them can display aggressive behavioral patterns too, just as all other types of pet birds.
Some domesticated pets have comparatively short life spans, such as golden hamsters, who often live for no longer than 2 years. Others, however, usually have much longer life expectancies, such as the cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), a jovial Australian parrot.
The sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) will most likely attract hummingbirds to your garden. These flowers can be grown from seed outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, or started inside and then transplanted outside. Sweet pea colors include pink, purple, salmon, blue, red and white. Add this easy, attractive flower to your garden, and hummingbirds are likely to visit.
If you've taken a trip to a tropical locale -- or if you live in one -- you've probably seen wild parrots flying free. For such birds whose homelands are warm, living outdoors in any colder climate would probably be a hardship. Captive birds are indoor birds. Occasionally a domesticated parrot escapes captivity, though. If he's in a region whose climate is unlike his natural one, a heartbroken human is left to wonder if the bird will be able to live outside.
Cockatiels act from generations of instinctive behavior. When they are happy, you see one behavior; if they get scared, you’ll see a different behavior. When you see your little bird fluffing her feathers during the day, it should be for only a short period, for relaxation or after she preens her feathers. Fluffed sleeping at night, however, probably just means she's cold.
Cockatiels, or Nymphicus hollandicus as they are scientifically known, are crested parrots belonging to the cockatoo family. These Australian natives are entirely diurnal and rely on sight as their primary sense for finding food, evading predators and communicating with one another. They are active exclusively during the day, and in the wild they spend their nights concealed in tree trunks and other cavities. They are unable to see in the dark.
Cockatiels in the wild live in flocks, and use a wide variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other and with other birds. Your pet cockatiel communicates with you, his adopted flock member, the same way. Learning the meanings of your cockatiel's most frequent sounds will help you form a happy, interactive bond with your avian pal.
Scarlet macaws (Ara macao) are parrots with a long domestication history -- starting with the Pueblo peoples of at least a millennium ago. Scarlet macaws often live alongside people in homes, but many still inhabit their natural settings of South America, Central America and the southern part of Mexico.
Lineolated parakeets (Bolborhynchus lineola) are sprightly pet birds that come from Mexico, Central America and South America -- think Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia and Panama, for example. These wee parrots have several other common handles, including barred parakeet and Catherine parakeet. As household pets, they are especially prevalent throughout Europe.
In providing your delightful pet cockatiel with a safe living environment that is conducive to his health and contentment for years to come, there are many considerations to keep in mind. Not only is cage size a vital concern, the spacing between the bars is also something to take seriously.
The Moluccan cockatoo, also known as the salmon-crested cockatoo, is a highly emotional bird whose behaviors reflect that fact. Fulfill his needs and you've got a happy camper with lot of love to share. If you fail to do that, serious behavioral problems can ensue. Owning a Moluccan cockatoo comes with great responsibility.
Zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) are small pet birds that are big in popularity, finding their way to many homes all over the planet. These Australian finches are companionable creatures that tend to be rather silent, and talking isn't part of their repertoires. However, they often acknowledge the voices of familiar people.
The word "budgie" is short for budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus), a type of wee parrot that comes from Australia. These well-known pet birds are also frequently referred to simply as parakeets. Budgies are fixtures in households all over the world for an array of reasons, including their vivid coloration and vibrant temperaments.
You got a new cockatiel and a colorful arsenal of toys that could fill a preschool's toybox. If your feathered friend is just sitting peacefully on a perch instead of gleefully attacking that multi-tiered pouf of popsicle sticks and shiny beads, you may be wondering if these Australian parrots like to play. You should be in for lots of fun and mischief with this playful, comical bird.
Owning a parakeet -- or any other pet bird, for that matter -- is a big deal. From dietary arrangements to living environment, a lot goes into ensuring that your birdie stays healthy, active and happy. Covering a parakeet's cage overnight is a good way to encourage his restful sleep.
Senegal parrots (Poicephalus senegalus) are smallish African birds also known as yellow-vented parrots. These relatively common pet birds hail from the west-central region of Africa -- think Senegal, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Mali and Ghana, among other nations. Physique-wise, Senegal parrots are dense and sturdy.
They might never be cuddly pets, but canaries, with their bright yellow plumage and melodious voices, make for a colorful aviary filled with beautiful singing. With a proper diet, in fact, canaries will fill your home with a sweet soundtrack for years.
Pairing animals can be a tricky and stressful situation, whether it comes to dogs, gerbils or parakeets. After all, so many different factors can potentially come into play, whether same-gender disputes or the chance of mating. A duo of female parakeets may not be the most successful or peaceful of unions.
Originating in Africa, the beautiful canary has been a household pet in the West for centuries. While yellow is their most common shade, these little birds also come in white, red and tan, along with brown patterns. While friendly, the canary isn't usually the type to perch on your finger. With good care, your little friend can live 10 years or more.
The cuddly cockatiel is as beloved for its good nature as it is for its punk-rocker haircut. But though cockatiels come in a wide range of colors, or "mutations," there actually is only one type of cockatiel. Whatever the mutation, cockatiels are popular pets and treasured companions around the world.
Pet stores sell plenty of perches for use in aviaries, wooden and otherwise, but you can fit your pet's cage with branches you've gathered, under the right circumstances. Many trees' wood makes safe bird perches, but oak is not among them. Avoid exposing your pet to oak.
A cup, a saucer and a few other key tools can help you make a terrific bird feeder right in the comfort of your very own home. Find out about craft projects using a cup and saucer as a bird feeder with help from a longtime and distinguished crafts expert in this free video clip.
A jade and peacock feather theme is a great way to have a little fun with your big event. Learn about the types of flowers that you can use for a jade and peacock feather theme with help from an event planner and designer in this free video clip.
Parrots will only eat certain types of foods, so you need to make sure these foods are ready. Find out about what kinds of fresh and prepared foods you can feed a parrot with help from a dynamic, holistic and conventional veterinarian in this free video clip.
Zebra finches are generally low maintenance pets in terms of the amount of veterinary care you need to provide for them. However, if your zebra finch is puffy and acting abnormally, there is a fair chance that your bird has become ill and is in need of medical treatment and additional care. Evaluate your finch's behavior and appearance to determine if the puffy appearance is indicative of a larger problem.
Native to Australia, budgies are technically parakeets. Parakeets are small parrots with long tails. American and English budgies belong to a single genus. These budgies have 28 independent color mutations and life spans of 7 to 15 years. Budgies are smart, social and friendly, and they are lovely pets for first-time bird owners. If your budgie is trembling, this could indicates a change in mood or an anxiety, or it could be normal grooming behavior or a little bit of showing off.
Parakeets, more properly called budgerigars or budgies, are a small species of parrot that lay clutches averaging five eggs. The chicks, which hatch after 18 days, are blind, featherless and helpless at birth. Both the male and female parent budgerigars care for the young until they are fully feathered and ready to leave the nest.
In biology, an adaptation is a genetic trait that has evolved over thousands of years. Adaptations give animals a distinct advantage over competitors -- both of the same and different species -- in their environment. When biologists talk about adaptations, they are typically talking about traits that all members of a species currently have, but may not have always had. Some members of the species may have more of the adaptation than others. For example, an animal who is thoroughly camouflaged is more adapted to his environment than an animal who is mostly camouflaged with a few random spots. Most…
Cockatiels are among the most popular birds to keep in a home because of their friendly disposition and their relative trainability. In the wild, these birds live in pairs, and cockatiels in captivity similarly tend to be happier with a companion. Owning multiple cockatiels poses some unique challenges, though, and requires extra work. But the companionship the birds provide each other can reduce behavioral problems and make the birds more social with humans, and less destructive.
While some exotic birds may require a bit more help from their owners, all varieties of finches are fastidious self-groomers that enjoy a clean cage and a simple daily bath. Though owners need to be vigilant to look for signs of illness or pests, finches make bird ownership easy -- provided the right tools, they will happily take over their grooming tasks.
Mourning doves in the United States typically stay in one area during the winter. Dove habitats consist of nests, feeding spots and roosts that protect them from harsh weather. They use their simple nests for only a couple of weeks until their young have hatched and are ready to live on their own. Then, adult doves move on to build another nest and hatch another brood of babies. Roosts are typically more sturdy than doves' nests. While holes in trees and clumps of brush can serve as safe, natural roosts for mourning doves, you can provide one or more roosts…
The family Cichlidae is the largest group of freshwater fishes, and it contains some of the most recognizable species in the aquarium hobby including discus fish, angelfish and parrot cichlids.There are two natural species of parrot cichlid that can be found in South America and Central America, but more common in the aquarium hobby is the man-made hybrid known as the blood parrot cichlid. Parrot cichlids can add a bright splash of color to your tank and, if you care for them properly, they will live long, healthy lives.
Moluccan cockatoos, popular among bird hobbyists, make a good choice for a family pet. As with any pet you are considering, you should learn as much as possible about the care of Moluccan cockatoos beforehand. Grooming a Moluccan cockatoo, for instance, includes bathing it to remove dirt and dander, keeping the feathers and skin clean and healthy. The best place to bathe your bird is in a shower stall. Because it is enclosed, your cockatoo won’t be able to fly away, and it won’t matter if the walls and floor get wet because of the bird flapping her wings.
Even though lovebirds are known to be playful, intelligent and energetic, they're also known for their high-pitched shrieks, which are often referred to as noise. Lovebirds make noise to communicate and express themselves. To keep your feathery friend from becoming a nuisance, learn various ways you can keep him quiet.
Many people enjoy parakeets for their colorful appearance and song. However, if your pet companion prefers to show off his singing talent during the night, it may affect your sleep. To correct this behavior or prevent it from happening, adjust your parakeet's sleep schedule so that it matches yours.
Letting your budgie out of its cage to exercise, for at least one hour per day, is essential to its health. However, catching your budgie and placing it back in its cage can be challenging. If you don't know how to properly recapture your pet budgie, the bird can end up hurting itself. Before releasing your budgie, learn how to catch it both indoors and outdoors.
Binocular retailer Eagle Optics, the diverse optical manufacturers at Nikon and the optic outfitters at Vortex all offer distinct lineups of binoculars. Though the companies make no bones about the focus and purpose of their optics, every consumer ultimately must make the choice based on her own needs, budget and preferences – going into the decision with a well-informed overview of each company's offerings helps ease the choice.
Standard bird feeders enable many different types of birds and animals to eat the seeds and dried fruit inside. But if you are trying to feed a particular type of bird and sparrows and other creatures keep eating the food, a different style of feeder might be in order. For example, vertical tubular bird feeders will allow smaller song birds to eat the seeds but will prevent larger sparrows from devouring all of the food before the smaller birds can get to it.
The color blue has so many shades and variations that calling something blue could mean just about anything. Peacock blue and cobalt blue are two common shades of blue. While they are distinct from one another, they also have some similarities. Still, the definition of the colors can vary depending on the manufacturer of the goods they appear on.
Double and parrot tulips produce larger flowers and more interesting forms than single tulips. Doubles have six or more petals instead of the usual three, and are classed as double-early or double-late tulips based on their bloom times. They look best planted in large groups or drifts of a single color. Parrot tulips are singles with three large, exotic-looking petals. Plant parrot tulips in small groups. Decide which types to plant based on your preferences and how you intend to use them.
Dripping water is a natural feature that attracts hummingbirds to a safe area of your lawn or garden. A gently controlled drip will provide a water source for drinking and bathing for the tiny birds. Add the drip feature to a birdbath or a simple basin that is securely attached to a metal or PVC pole. The water will run slowly through a common garden hose, on into spaghetti or micro-tubing to drip into the basin.
If you're a bird lover, you probably really enjoy hummingbird season. Looking out your window to see a red hummingbird flying around is a beautiful sight. To attract hummingbirds to your yard, you need to know what they eat and how much food they need each day so that you can adequately provide for them.
Owl’s clover (Castilleja exserta) is a desert wildflower native to the southwestern United States. Its spring-blooming flowers attract bees and butterflies. Novice gardeners should be able to grow and maintain the plants, especially in their natural environment. Start owl’s clover from seed in the fall, and it will bloom the first spring. In general, approximately 1/2 ounce of seed covers 25 square feet of space.
Budgies, or parakeets, are a common household pet. They're well-liked because they are inexpensive, low-maintenance, have lots to say and are genuinely interesting. While wild budgies originated from Australia, they are now housed in suitable cages as pets throughout the world. Budgies can be housed alone or with other budgies and entertain their owners with a range of vocal sounds and are visually appealing thanks to their colorful feathers. Keep the cage clean and provide plenty of furniture and toys.
Keeping parakeets in your backyard has many advantages, not least a reduction of noise and mess in your home. The parakeets will also enjoy the extra space to stretch their wings provided by an outdoor aviary. If you live in a chilly climate, include a heated shelter in your aviary or your birds could suffer from the cold. Include feeding stations, access to fresh water and, if the aviary is large enough, a place to sit and watch your parakeets.
Conures are sociable members of the parrot family that enjoy interacting with their owner. Most conures are socialized and tame when they come from a reputable bird breeder. However, abused birds and birds living in poor conditions develop behavior problems that need to be addressed for training to be effective. Interacting with your bird daily, providing social and dietary needs of your conure and providing a safe, clean and calm environment can reduce and flighty and nervous behavior.
Whether you wish to save money on food for your pet bird or on your outdoor wild bird feeder, homemade birdseed blends are a simple and effective way to trim your budget. However, like people, birds have different preferences for food. While most birds will happily eat black-oil sunflower seeds, some will only eat nectar, fruit, cracked corn or suet. By determining what food your pet bird can eat or by researching the types of birds that frequent your yard, you can create a birdseed blend that will please a variety of palates.
With its distinctive markings and features, the owl is a bird that lends itself to a myriad of creative craft ideas using Styrofoam, felt and paper among many other materials that adults and children alike can build together. Young kids love to paint their faces, so using a few colors of face makeup can even transform them into this unique bird.
