How To Make Parrot Toys
September 13, 2009 by fts
Filed under Keeping Pet Birds
This post is about how to make parrot toys for beginners. Making parrot toys is both a fun exercise as well as being able to save you money from buying commercial parrot toys. A parrot can go through parrot toys like a hot knife through butter. If you need to keep on buying the toys as replacement, you are going to spend quite a large sum of money. So, instead of doing that, here are some tips of how to make parrot toys for beginners.
Before making a parrot toy, you must first know the characteristic of your parrot. Size is one consideration. Big birds tend to have stronger beaks so you need to make parrot toys that are stronger and more resistant. Also, do consider the size of your parrot cage. Don’t make a parrot toy that is too big to fit into your cage.
Below are four materials suitable to make parrot toys
Rope is quite critical for making parrot toys. They are useful material to hang stuff and you will probably need a few of these to help you make some good parrot toys. When buying the materials for making parrot toys, you can choose from several different types of rope, of which solid braided rope and twisted rope are the most popular. One important point to highlight is that you should choose a 100% cotton rope as it is safe for parrots when they incidentally digest it. Any alternatives are not considered bird safe. Also, make sure that all the frayed ends of your parrot toys are trimmed to avoid your parrots from being caught by the fringes.
Wood is another material that will be popular with your pet. When buying wooden materials to make your parrot toys, ensure that you buy bird safe products. This is because your parrots may ingest some the wood that it is chewing on. The important point is never to buy painted or lacquered wood parts (certain paints/lacquers contain zinc and other harmful chemicals/additives) as the chemicals can be deadly to your birds.
Paper is a relatively easy and abundant material to work with. In fact, using paper to make parrot toys is the most easy way for beginners. First , you will need paper towel rolls. They are the easiest to work with. Then, punch a hole into the slides so that they can be string together with a rope. The great thing about this parrot toy is that you can have the option of putting lots of interesting materials between the paper towels to create variety for your parrot toys.
Finally, you can also use leather as another candidate for making parrot toys. Leather is not as common as the other materials so you might need to shop around and find a place that has the right type of leather. There are various widths and thickness of vegetable tanned leather strips. Be sure to purchase what is most suitable for your bird and the size of the hole that is drilled. The important thing is to ensure the leather has not been treated with any chemicals or dyes to prevent poisoning if you parrot accidentally swollen it.
These are all I have for you. Now, it is your turn to go and have fun making parrot toys.
Five Different Types Of Canaries
July 23, 2009 by fts
Filed under Keeping Pet Birds
There are many different types of canaries. Some of these include American Singer, German Roller, and Cinnamon. Keep reading to learn a little about these common types of canaries.
American Singer
The American Singer is by far the most popular choice to keep as a pet. This is thanks to a combination of ease of care and wide variety of songs. You should also be aware that some of these birds can be aggressive. You may have problems keeping multiple canaries in one cage because of this.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon canaries are bred more for their color than for their song. They also have very fine feathers. Most people say that they have the finest feathers of any type of canary. Other breeds are commonly bred with cinnamon canaries.
Waterslagger
Waterslagger canaries are also common. These light yellow birds have dark spots. Since they usually sing with their beaks closed, they only provide up to medium voume. They can make sounds that mimic running water.
German Roller
The German Roller canary is also a common breed. German Rollers sing even less loudly than Waterslaggers. More so that American Singers, German Roller males can be very aggressive. Therefore, you should avoid putting two males together in a cage.
Spanish Timbrado
The Spanish Timbrado is also a popular breed. Spanish Timbrados are available in a wide array of colors. They can also sing many different songs. Spanish Timbrados are also very loud singers. If it’s warm enough outdoors, you can also keep them outside.
Hopefully, you now know the most common types of canaries. New owners should definitely click here to learn more about care of canary birds. Come learn how to keep your little bird as healthy as possible.
Find realistic info for house training dogs – this is your individual tips store.
Building An Aviary For Your Birds
May 27, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Supplies, Keeping Pet Birds
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Before you begin any building work, make sure you know exactly where the electricity cables and water and sewage pipes are, so that you do not dig through any of them. If in doubt, go over the plans of your house and garden. If the aviary is to stand on the edge of your lawn or garden, lay down some planks or boards to protect the ground during the building process.
Never rush the building of the aviary, as this can cause you to make expensive mistakes. Examine other aviary designs and plan carefully. If you do not feel confident to do the job yourself, employ a good carpenter or buy a ready-built aviary in kit form and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for assembling it.
Always decide what species of bird you are going to keep before you construct your aviary, as different species have different requirements. Generally
speaking, a wooden aviary is more attractive than a metal one and quite suitable for, say, softbills. Wood is also acceptable for small parrots, although if they do start to attack the frame, try covering it with thin sheet metal or very fine wire. Provide plenty of perches for small parrots and parakeets to encourage them to chew the perches and not the surrounding frame.
If you intend to keep large parrots, such as Amazons, cockatoos or macaws, you will have to build the frame out of metal, as these birds will destroy any wood in sight. Even if the wood is on the outside of the mesh rather than on the inside, they will still manage to poke their beaks through the wire and demolish it. Only by lining the aviary with a thick layer of sheet metal can you stop large parrots from destroying wooden frames.
If you live in an area where heavy falls of snow are possible, you need to reinforce the aviary framework. Even 5cm(2in) of snow on top of an aviary is a considerable burden that can cause a weak structure to collapse. You may try to overcome the problem by knocking the snow off the aviary every morning, but beware, overnight snow can really build up. Be sure to include a good drainage system in the aviary because after a rainstorm; a sanded floor will rapidly become flooded.
Choosing The Perfect Bird Cage
May 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Supplies
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Choosing a cage for your bird is not an easy thing to do. There are many types of various sizes. But if you take into consideration the characteristics of your birds, you could find the perfect cage for your bird: safe, comfortable and beautiful.
One of the most important aspects of a bird cage is the size. The cage should fit the bird and leave it enough room to stretch the wings and feel comfortable. Choosing the minimum size is not recommended. Take your bird
Breeding Pet Birds – Canaries
May 2, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breeding Pet Birds
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Incubation
A canary had a time of incubation of about 13
Sun Conures
April 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Breeds
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The Sun Conure can be found in countries from South America, like Venezuela or Brazil. Their length can get to 30 cm (12 inches) from the tail to the beak. Their life expectancy is around 30 years.
With the right amount of attention, Sun Conures can become loving birds. They are very easy to handle and they love human companionship. They have quite a personality and if you don
Blue and Gold Macaws
April 18, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Breeds
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Known under the scientific name of Ara ararauna, the Gold and Blue Macaws are also known as Blue and Gold or Blue and Yellow Macaw. They can usually be found in forest or swamp areas from South America. They can reach a length of 80cm (33 inches), from the tail to the beak. Their lifespan can reach 60 years.
These large birds are very intelligent and sociable but very capable of extremely loud vocalizations. This is why the owners must be well informed, dedicated, and very responsible. Breeders don
Hyacinth Macaw Parrot
April 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Breeds
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The Hyacinth Macaw is also known under the name Blue Parrot and they can be found in South America. Hyacinths typically grow to around 40 inches in length from the beak to the tip of the tail. Usually, they weigh in at 2 to 3 pounds.
In captivity they live beyond the age of 60 years depending on the quality of care they get.
In contrast to their physically appearance, the Hyacinths are quite affectionate by nature and they are known as “gentle giants”. This type of bird can be trained easily, and it has a tendency to connect strongly with their human owners.
Their feathers are colored blue, with patches that are bright yellow around the beak and the eyes.
In the wild, these loving birds mostly eat nuts, fruit, and clay. In captivity, they do well on a diet of fruit, vegetables, and plenty of nuts. Give them nuts because they must eat a high quantity of carbohydrates. Also, there are on the market different supplements with specially formulated pellets that are very good for the Hyacinths.
Hyacinth Macaws have a wingspan of 4 feet so give them the adequate time and space to exercise. They love a big room where they can have a good stretch. It is a good idea to give a Hyacinth a minimum of 1-2 hours of time on a play gym or other safe area per day. Besides that, they require toys to chew on and maintain their beaks and jaws strength.
These big beautiful birds require a little bit more time and attention than other birds. Even if they allure, intelligence and sociability is tempting, they are not just for anybody. Resist the temptation to get a Hyacinth home without thinking it through!
Keep in mind that its beak can snap through metal, so they should be taught at an early age not to “mouth” their human owners. It doesn
Electus Parrot
April 17, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Breeds
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Their scientific name is Eclectus roratus and their name depends on the subspecies. They can be called Vosmaeri or Yellow Sided, Blue Bellied or Dusky, or Red Sided, or Solomon Island Eclectus.
They can be found in Australia, Solomon Islands and New Guinea. This bird species can grow between 40 and 50 cm (17 to 20 inches) from the tail feathers to the beak and they live up between 30 and 50 years.
This species is a highly intelligent one that likes to spend time with the owners and they are very friendly. They get sad if for some reason they are left alone and socialization is not part of their daily routine. They have no problem interacting with both human and other types of bird and they are perfect for multiple birds household. Sometimes, they can show some jealousy tendencies and this is why you have to give him the proper amount of time and affection when you bring him home and introduce him into the aviary.
Eclectus are sexually dimorphic so the color of the feathers reveals the sex of the bird. The male Eclectus is green colored, with beaks that are orange and bits of blue and red under their wings. In contrast, the females Eclectus are mostly red, with beaks that are black and markings that are purple on their tails and chests.
The Eclectus has a digestive tract that is specialized, different from a lot of other bird species. That’s why their nutrition has to contain both fibers but also vegetables, fresh fruits, and carbohydrates from pasta that is cooked. Be careful about giving seeds and pellets. Do that with moderation because of the mixes which contain artificial dyes and other artificial substances. By giving the Eclectus the wrong type of food you could cause him to loose its beautiful color!
These birds need a lot of space to exercise. These birds should have enough room to a big play stand if it’s possible, and an area that is safe for birds. They love to explore and climb and you will be amazed of how active they can be. The exercise will help the Eclectus keep its mental and physical health. Allow him the time to exercise and you will have a happy pet.
An Eclectus is all the time impressive. Its color is eye-catching, and they are intelligent and sociable. The Eclectus birds are captivating that make for great pets. Their talking ability, beautiful colors, and great personalities have made them win a lot of points in the heart of the owners and breeders and they are very popular.
They appreciate companionship, especially human and a person who wants to adopt an Eclectus needs to think if they have the needed time to spend with the pet. Because these birds are so clever, they are extremely sensitive, so they can become stressed easily if they begin to feel unwanted or neglected.
Some breeders even say that the boys Eclectus are a bit more agreeable and trainable than the girls. But this could be an advantage for people who don
Parakeets (Budgies)
April 14, 2009 by admin
Filed under Bird Breeds
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Parakeets vary in size quite dramatically, ranging from 14 to 40cm (12-16in), and the choice of species is equally wide.
Housing parakeets should present no major problems – the majority of species will thrive outdoors in the fresh air, although you must make sure that the aviary provides ample room for flight and exercise and a sturdy shelter to protect the birds from frost, wind and rain. It is also a good idea to cover a third of the aviary roof with plastic sheeting or similar material, as this enables the birds to shelter from any bad weather conditions but still remain outdoors. Almost all species of parakeets will survive typical winter conditions in a temperate climate, although you should lock them in at night during particularly severe conditions.
As for all parrots, an aviary housing parakeets must be able to withstand the attentions of their powerful beaks. If the aviary is made of wood, for example, it is vital to protect the exposed areas so that they are not destroyed. Even though you may not consider your birds to have powerful beaks because they are relatively small, they are very capable of gnawing the same area for a long period of time and causing extensive damage. This is why you should supply your parakeets with plenty of chewing materials, such as wooden perches, and replace these every two months.
A suitable diet for parakeets varies slightly according to the birds’ size. The basic diet for a small parakeet, for example, should consist of mixed millet, canary seed, hemp and sunflower seeds, with additional fruit and vegetables. Larger species will need more sunflower seeds and perhaps some small peanuts and pine nuts.
One advantage of keeping parakeets rather than the larger parrot species is that they make considerably less noise. Obviously they do still chatter, but this can prove to be pleasant rather than annoying. However, it is not necessarily a good idea to locate the aviary too close to your house, as they pick up the habit of chattering rather too early in the morning! Although it is possible to house some of the smaller parakeets in a mixed aviary, where they will happily live with even smaller birds, such as finches, they are happier housed on their own and this will also enhance their breeding prospects.

