Why Your African Grey Parrot Needs Calcium Supplements

Your parrot doesn't seem to want to eat any of these calcium based food, try giving them calcium supplements three times a week, mixed into their food bowl....

Why Your African Grey Parrot
Needs Calcium Supplements

Feeding the right food is the most important aspect of owning an African Grey parrot. The right diet will determine the health and stress level of your parrot and its ability to be trained to talk. Unlike other birds, different African Greys eat different kinds of food. Don't make the mistake of thinking that they all have the same diet patterns. If you own more than one African Grey parrot, feeding them can prove a challenge. Just like humans, they have their own preferences. But if you acquire your bird from young, say twelve weeks old, getting them used to feeding a certain kind of food can be fairly advantageous.

Some African Greys will eat soft fruit and others will only eat hard fruits. Some will eat vegetables and others will not. Try giving your parrots a variety of fruits and vegetables and see what they like best, and stick to it. But do give them a good balance of calcium because a lot of African Greys who fell sick seem to lack calcium in their diet. You can get calcium from from hard boiled eggs, watercress, spinach, blackberries or natural yogurt.

If your parrot doesn't seem to want to eat any of these calcium based food, try giving them calcium supplements three times a week, mixed into their food bowl. Do not mix the calcium supplements into the water bowl because some greys may not drink water in a twenty-four hour period because they already had their water intake from eating fruits. A good calcium diet will ensure that your parrots have fine feather and are stress free. For breeding African Greys, calcium is good for producing healthy eggs.

A healthy diet is important for an African Grey because it will minimise feather plucking and squeaking, both symptoms of stress in a bird. A healthy diet produces a healthy mind and your parrot will respond well to speech training.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
By Azmi Adnan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azmi_Adnan

Guide to Hatching Eggs - How to Hatch Fertile Hatching Eggs

Care needs to be given to ventilation, temperature and humidity. You must remember that the growing chicks are living organism that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide through the shell during the incubation process....

Guide to Hatching Eggs
How to Hatch Fertile Hatching Eggs

Hatching eggs can be a rewarding experience for poultry hobbyists, science classes and 4-H club members. Most eggs hatched today are artificially incubated, requiring a person to monitor the environment inside an incubator to ensure that eggs receive the correct heat, air and moisture to hatch successfully. Keep in mind that no incubator is 100 percent effective. Plan for a 5-10 percent post-hatch loss for your flock as it grows to maturity and order a few extra eggs. An incubator that employs good management of the temperature, humidity, egg turning, and ventilation can expect a 50 percent (very low) to 85 percent (high) hatching rate.

Before handling hatching eggs, it is a good practice to wash and thoroughly dry your hands to prevent the spread of bacteria. For disease prevention and health reasons, it's best to get all the eggs from one source. If you get your eggs locally but cannot get the number you want in one day, try to not hold the eggs longer than three days prior to setting to hatch.

Bring the incubator up to a working temperature check your owner's manual. Once the temperature has stabilized, allow any stored hatching eggs to warm gradually to room temperature before putting them in the incubator.

Care needs to be given to ventilation, temperature and humidity. You must remember that the growing chicks are living organism that exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide through the shell during the incubation process. To help the incubator control the egg environment, keep it in a room free from drafts, where the room temperature remains constant. Humidity is monitored and aided by the addition of water to the incubator depending on the species hatching.

Hatching eggs must be turned while in the incubator to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. If your incubator is not equipped with the optional mechanical turner, you must turn them by hand.

Each species of poultry need different incubation times. Quail take a shorter time than ducks and geese.

Once the eggs begin to hatch the baby chicks will need to have a place to go for their care - this should be set-up ahead of time.

Find out more and buy hatching eggs at http://www.HatchingEggs.net
By Darren Davis
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Davis

Parrot Owners - Materials Commonly Used in Bird Toys

Parrot Owners - Materials Commonly Used in Bird Toys,WOOD,ROPE,CHAIN,FASTENERS,ZINC,PLASTICS,LEATHER,RINGS,BELLS...

Parrot Owners - Materials Commonly Used in Bird Toys

WOOD

Birds need to chew, wood is an excellent material to satisfy this natural urge. Birds play most often with wood toys. Wooden toys are meant to be destroyed. Some bird owners may be frustrated by the destructive nature of their parrots. However, chewing is a natural instinct and vital to birds mental and physical well-being. If you provide only acrylic toys they will often find other, more expensive ways to satisfy their chewing needs (i.e., molding, furniture). It is important to know what woods are safe for your bird. Both soft and hardwoods are commonly used in toys.

Safe Woods (not a complete list):

Pine, Balsa, Birch, Basswood, Poplar, Maple, Walnut, Ash, Apple, Elm, Cactus (Cholla) and Manzanita

Unsafe Woods (not a complete list):

Cedar, Red Cherry, Plywood. Oak

If you like to make your own toys NEVER use pressure treated wood, it is treated with arsenic and will poison your bird. If using natural branches make sure they have not been exposed to insecticides. Also, take care to collect branches in areas removed from highways where plant life may have absorbed toxic emissions from cars. Scrub all branches with a non-toxic disinfectant (dilute chlorine bleach), rinse and dry thoroughly.

If you need to clean wood toys, don't soak them. It is best to wipe them clean with a damp cloth or sand the soiled area until clean. If your bird likes to dunk his toys beware that moisture can promote bacterial growth and the toys should either be discarded or thoroughly cleaned and dried in a low temperature oven before returning them to the bird.

Birds are able to distinguish colors therefore color makes wood toys more attractive and interesting to birds. Manufacturers usually color wood with food coloring or vegetable dyes. We don't believe in flavoring wood as the bird should not be encouraged to ingest the wood and, unless properly controlled, the fruit sugars often used provide a perfect medium for bacterial growth. Do not buy toys that have been stained or varnished to add color. If you are interested in a toy with painted parts (ie, ABC blocks) make sure that only non-toxic, child safe paints were used.

ROPE

Several kinds of rope are used in bird toys. Only 100% natural fiber ropes such as cotton, hemp (jute), or sisal should be used in bird toys. Nylon blend ropes should never be used as they can result in serious injury and cuts due to the strength of the strands if the birds get caught in it. Ropes can be safe as long as they are maintained properly and the bird's beak and nails are kept trim. There have been safety problems noted when excessive fraying occurs. Birds have choked and lost circulation to legs by getting tangled in ill maintained ropes. Rope toys have proven very beneficial in solving feather picking problems and therefore we don't like to discount rope as a viable material. Bird owners have a responsibility to check their bird's rope toys daily and to cut back or discard rope toys when they become frayed and present a hazard to their bird.

CHAIN

Chain should have welded not open links. Un-welded chain provides sharp surfaces and narrow openings which have been known to cut toes. Make sure the links are a safe size for your bird, if toes get caught in the links the result can be broken toes or legs. Chain length is also a consideration as a long length of chain could conceivably end up wrapped around a bird's neck during a vigorous play session. As the wood components are chewed off, a chain hazard could develop. Owners must monitor the status of toys and ensure that as they physically change safety hazards do not develop.

FASTENERS

This is a crucial area of concern as good fasteners are expensive and therefore many manufacturers cut corners and use potentially unsafe items such as split key rings or dog leash type snap hooks. Birds have been cut and lost circulation to toes and tongues on toys utilizing split rings and spring type clamps. For conures or larger birds we recommend either Quick-links (also sometimes called C-clamps) or Pear links to attach toys to the bird's play area. They come in a variety of sizes and can be tightened with a wrench easily to prevent the bird from unhooking his toys. This type of fastener provides the least potential for injury. They are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased from your local hardware store if needed to replace unsafe fasteners from existing toys.

Do not use split key rings, spring loaded clips or metal shower rings to fasten your toys. Small hardware pieces can be ingested accidentally. Birds have cut toes and tongues on split rings and spring type clamps.

ZINC

A lot has been mentioned recently about zinc toxicity in birds. Many bird toys are made with zinc coated (galvanized) metal components. Zinc is also commonly found in cage powder coatings. Some avian health specialists have stated that in order for zinc related health problems to result that the parrot must actually swallow the metal components and that "beaking" the parts is insufficient for toxicity to develop unless the galvanized coating is extremely brittle and flaky. If a bird spends a lot of time chewing on toy hardware (i.e., washers, quick links, wire) then it is possible they will ingest enough zinc to build up toxic levels in their systems over time. Owners who are worried about the possible health effects can often find stainless steel replacement components at their local hardware store. This option is also often much more cost effective to the consumer than buying toys constructed with stainless steel parts.

PLASTICS

Acrylics are used in many toys today and if sized properly to the bird are virtually indestructible. If purchasing acrylic toys we recommend the acrylic have a minimum thickness of 3/16?. Recently, there has been a shift back towards wood toys because although the acrylics are durable and attractive they are also not as fun for the bird who likes to chew. We recommend that a few of your birds toys be acrylic or a blend of acrylic and wood, they will be long lasting and the bright colors used are stimulating to your bird.

When considering toys with plastic components a bird owner must consider the nature of the plastic component (i.e., soft vs. brittle) relative to the size of the bird. Brittle plastics should not be given to larger birds because when they break very sharp, cutting edges are formed and if swallowed accidentally could result in ruptured organs. Hard plastic toys specifically designed for parakeets and cockatiels should not be given to larger birds with the beak power to destroy them.

LEATHER

Leather is a great material for birds to safely play with and chew on. Most birds especially like to spend hours untying knots made in leather strips.

Only vegetable tanned leather should be used on bird toys. Do not buy toys with dyed leather or leather tanned with chemicals as most are toxic to birds (i.e., chromium, formaldehyde). For this reason you should also not retire old shoes, belts and pocketbooks to your birds toy chest.

Replace leather if soiled or wet. Bacteria will flourish under these conditions. Many toy companies will sell replacement leather strips.

When hanging toys strung on leather (or rope or chain), avoid leaving a long strand between the toy and the cage. Some birds when rambunctious with their toys can get the leather wrapped around their necks and strangle. It is best to tie the toy close to the bars of the cage.

RINGS

When choosing toys with rings or large plastic chain links make sure that the rings are of a size that the bird can't get his head stuck in them and choke. Also beware of toys with multiple rings looped directly together as birds have met similar fates when they have been trapped between the rings.

BELLS

Birds love to make noise and bells provide a fun source for their merrymaking. If a bird is mechanically inclined and can remove the clapper the potential exists for swallowing/choking. Make sure the bell clapper can not be removed by the bird. If it is not securely fastened either remove it or weld it (we recommend silver solder). Make sure the clapper is not lead (toxic), if it is lead you will be able to dent the clapper with your fingernail. Do not buys toys that use jingle type bells, toes can become caught and cut in the wide to narrow openings, we recommend the cow or liberty bell design. Appropriately size the bell to the bird so it will be able to withstand the power of the beak.

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

Just because the label says the product is safe doesn't mean that it's OK for your bird. Any toy has the potential to be unsafe if improperly sized to the bird. Ask your toy vendor or bird store owner for help or advice on choosing a toy appropriate for your bird.

As with kids, no toy is 100% safe for all birds. Use common sense and supervise your bird when you first give him a new toy. Observe how he interacts with the toy to determine how best to hang it and where and when to allow him to play with it (some toys are safer outside the cage).

Provide a wide variety of toys and rotate them in and out of the cage or play area. Variety will help alleviate boredom and keep your bird more alert and curious. Keep 2-3 toys minimum in the birds cage and don't overstuff the cage so the bird doesn't have room to move.

Don't assume that if your bird doesn't like a toy that it won't play with any toy. Try something different and take the time to observe what your bird finds interesting in terms of design, texture or size.

Introduce toys to baby birds but make them small...don't intimidate them. Hand toys are some of the safest toys available and they are especially great for young birds as they help to develop hand-eye coordination.

Play with your bird...most birds think it's great fun to chase balls across the floor or couch, play "catch" or "pick it up" with mom or dad.

This guide is by no means comprehensive but we have tried to address as many issues as possible. When in doubt, ask for help. We sincerely wish you a long, happy and healthy relationship with your bird.

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website http://www.BirdToys.com
You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.
By Kelli L
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The Canary in the Mine

The Canary in the Mine

Back in the olden days before we had electronic sensing devices, canaries were used in mine shafts to detect poisonous fumes that might kill the miners. Because canaries are so small, it doesn't take much of a dose of toxic fumes to make them ill or kill them. When a canary keeled over, the miners would rush out of the mine shaft to safety. This system worked great for the miners. Not so great for the canaries.

Your pets are the modern day version of the canaries in the mine. Cats, dogs, gerbils, birds, and the like are all MUCH smaller than you. A small dose of a toxic chemical may not affect you, but it could make them ill or even kill them. If your pets are in your house all day they're exposed to household chemicals three to four times longer than are you. As you go to work, the store, run errands, etc. you get relief from the toxins in your home. (The Environmental Protection Agency states that the air inside our homes is two to five times more toxic than air outside!)

Certain chemicals in cleaning supplies and aerosols are potential sources of danger to the health of your pets... and you.

Here's some examples:

* Chlorine products may make your fabrics white, but chlorine is a highly toxic poison. It was first used in chemical warfare. Chlorine fumes are fatal in high doses.
* Carpet cleaners include a known carcinogen that damages liver, kidney, and nervous systems.
* Antibacterial cleansers often contain Triclosan, which has been tied to liver damage.

What to do?

* Alternative cleaning products without harsh chemicals are readily available in most grocery stores as well as online.
* Use natural products, such as baking soda to eliminate odors in sinks, litter boxes, and clothing.
* Dry your clothes outdoors on a clothes line. The sun will brighten your whites (no need for bleach) and the air will make your clothes, bedding, and towels smell wonderful (no need for chemically dryer sheets or fabric softners).

Additionally, clean spills and stains immediately, remove food waste promptly, and use entry way mats at all entrances. Keeping your home clean will eliminate the need for chemical aerosols.

Less use of chemicals in your home means a healthier home for you... and your pets.

Kathy Wilson helps people get their life unstuck using a multi-faceted approach. She and her clients utilize life coaching, spiritual consulting, NLP, vibrational healing, and teaching, whatever if in her client's highest and best interests. She's a Certified Professional Coach, spiritual teacher, Reiki master, vibrational healer, and author of An Inner Journey: Living Your Life Purpose. For information about her products, services, and classes, visit her website: http://www.under-one-roof.net

If you're ready NOW to begin getting unstuck and living your life of purpose, email her at kwilson@under-one-roof.net
By Kathy Wilson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Wilson

Training an African Grey

The African Grey can learn very quickly, Use food as a reward for good training and your bird will learn to behave fast...your African Grey will feel itself as part of the family and you will have a lot of fun living with it...

Training an African Grey

The African Grey is the most popular talking parrot for owners because it is well known for its clear pronunciation of words and sounds. How many words can an African Grey keep in its vocabulary? Well, about 2000. How intelligent is this parrot? It has the intelligence equal to a 5 year old child.


This, in the world of birds, is considered extremely intelligent.

The bird is very sociable and a very curious pet. It needs plenty of attention and training if you want it to become an adorable talking bird. But training can be challenging for the owner, especially if you are new to keeping birds. If you decide to get one you must be willing to stick with a training plan to fully develop its full potential.

The African Grey can learn very quickly, so it is important to only say things you want your bird to mimic. They can copy sounds around the house, like the phone or microwave beeping. If you have a unique cell phone ring tone, be prepared to handle false rings because your pet bird will be able to duplicate that sound pretty quickly.

The bird is also shy especially in the presence of strangers. Gradually introduce your bird to the rest of the family and to people who visit you often for the bird to get used to. Once they are comfortable with the rest of the family, they can be quite an adoring pet and family member.

The African Grey loves to play with toys. But don't overwhelm them with too many toys all at once. Introduce a toy gradually and let the bird get used to the feel of the toy. If the bird is playful, use training methods with positive reinforcement for better behavior. Use food as a reward for good training and your bird will learn to behave fast. Find out what your bird likes to eat first by watching its food tray. Use that favorite food as your reward for the bird.

You need to spend time with your bird everyday. Talk to your bird and let it get used to hearing your voice. Let your bird out of its cage and socialize with it. Feeding time is a great time to do this. If your bird feels uncomfortable, give it some time by itself to build its confidence.

Consistency and patience will pay off. Over time, your African Grey will feel itself as part of the family and you will have a lot of fun living with it.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
By Azmi Adnan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Tips For Clipping Your Bird's Wings

a good idea to explore the pros and cons of wing clipping.--Benefits of Wing Clipping-Drawbacks of Wing Clipping-Clipping Your Bird's Wings...

Tips For Clipping Your Bird's Wings

Do you have a pet bird? If so, you might be considering the possibility of clipping your pet's wings. Within the world of pet bird owners, the subject of wing clipping is a bit controversial. While many specialists recommend clipping the wings of captive birds, some believe it is the wrong thing to do. Therefore, before you learn how to clip your bird's wings, it is a good idea to explore the pros and cons of wing clipping.

Benefits of Wing Clipping

One of the obvious benefits to wing clipping is the fact that clipping your bird's wings makes it difficult for it to fly away. As such, clipping is a good way to keep your pet bird safe from accidentally flying away and being lost forever. Clipping your bird's wings also helps to keep your pet bird safe, as flying around indoors can be dangerous. It is important to note, however, that a bird with clipped wings is still capable of flying. Basically, clipping slows the bird down and causes it to fly in a clumsier manner. Therefore, clipping should not be considered a foolproof method of preventing flight.

Some bird owners support wing clipping because they feel it helps them bond with their pet. After all, when your bird's wings are clipped, it becomes more dependent upon its owner to take care of it. There is no true evidence, however, to support this theory.

Drawbacks of Wing Clipping

Although clipping your bird's wings can prevent it from flying away, some bird lovers are afraid that clipping a bird's wings causes psychological as well as physical damage to the bird. In addition, after clipping a bird's wings, the bird is no longer able to get a good workout. Therefore, those that are against wing clipping feel that the lack of exercise is more detrimental to the bird than the potential dangers associated with being able to fly freely. Of course, clipping the wings of a bird can also detract from the pet's physical beauty because of the feathers it is missing.

Clipping Your Bird's Wings

When clipping your pet bird's wings, it is best to wrap the bird in a towel and to have one person hold the bird while another person clips the wings. The scissors used to clip the wings should be nice and sharp in order to create a smooth cut.

The only feathers that need to be cut are the outer six or seven on the bird's wings, as these are referred to as the "flight feathers." It is, however, ok to clip back more than just these few feathers.

You should check your bird's feathers about once per month to see if they need to be trimmed again, as they do grow back rather quickly. Once the bird is able to fly more than a few feet, it is a good sign that the feathers should be clipped again.

Before you clip your bird's wings for the first time, it is a good idea to have your vet perform the clipping while you watch. This way, you will have a clear idea about how far you should clip the feathers and which feathers need to be clipped and your pet bird can be safe and healthy.

CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065

For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at http://www.findapetonline.com

Research bird breeds at http://www.findapetonline.com/bird_breeds_a_z.html
By CS Swarens
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Training Your Pet Parrot

Training your pet parrot ***The best period to teach a parrot to talk is between 4 to 6 months of age...Whenever you need to discipline a bird, look at it straight in the eye and say 'No' with a stern voice....

Training Your Pet Parrot

Training your pet parrot can be a rewarding experience, just as training a dog or cat would. The difference with your pet parrot is that it can talk, or actually repeat the words that you taught the bird to speak. It will be much easier if your pet parrot was hand raised prior to its purchase, as compared to the bird being raised by its own parents.

Earning your bird's trust is the first step. Once that is established, work hard to keep it. Do not ever discipline your bird using force, because it will take a long time, if ever, for the bird to trust you again. Whenever you need to discipline a bird, look at it straight in the eye and say 'No' with a stern voice. If it continues to misbehave and start to make loud screams, cover its cage for a while.

Uncover the cage and watch your bird's behavior. Approach your bird slowly while looking straight at the bird's eyes. Slowly slip your hand into the cage and leave it there and watch the bird's reaction. If your parrot attacks you, keep doing this for the next few days. Before long, your parrot will calm down and start to accept you again. You may use a perch or stick, or even a toy, if you do not want to get yourself injured. As you approach the bird with your hand, caress its belly with gentle strokes. Once the bird has gained your trust, it will hop onto your fingers. Use words like 'up' to get your bird perched on your hands.

Once your bird has gained your trust, you are in a great position to start training your bird to talk. Start with simple words like 'hello' or the bird's own name like 'polly'. Slowly use easy to pronounce words and repeat frequently. You can also use training tapes to teach your bird to talk. Cover the cage and play the tape on your recorder or CD player. You can even teach the bird to sing if you repeatedly play a music tape or CD. The best time to do this is early in the morning.

The best period to teach a parrot to talk is between 4 to 6 months of age. Older parrots may take a slightly longer time to master the words. But one thing is for sure, you'll have loads of fun and satisfaction doing it.

Azmi Adnan is a writer and a bird enthusiast. Subscribe to his newsletter for fresh video clips on parrots and other bird species, ezines and interesting bird stories at his website http://www.power-to-live.com/parrot.html
By Azmi Adnan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Parrots - Travel Carriers Solve Your Vacation Worries by Making it Easy to Bring Your Pet Bird Along

For a longer trip that the bird will spend one or more days in,Types of Carriers,Setting up the Travel Carrier,Getting Ready to Go,....

Parrots - Travel Carriers Solve Your Vacation Worries byMaking it Easy to Bring Your Pet Bird Along

This past year, I packed up and moved across country with a flock of five parrots. It was a three thousand mile trip, and a very eye opening experience! I learned the importance of a good travel carrier, and realized how many questions there are about appropriate carriers, so I decided to write a short article detailing the important aspects of a good carrier.

A travel carrier is an essential accessory for a bird owner. Whether it be car trips, road trips, or traveling by plane, your bird will need a comfortable and safe way to travel with you. Travel carriers do not need to be as big as your birds regular cage, but should be large enough for the bird to fit comfortably and move around a bit. Keep in mind the duration your bird will be in the carrier- for a shorter day trip, a smaller carrier is fine. For a longer trip that the bird will spend one or more days in, a larger carrier is recommended.

Types of Carriers

Depending on what type of travel you plan, there are many types of carriers available for your use. Airline approved carriers are a must for flight. Commonly used carriers include cat and dog carriers, modified to hold a perch and food dishes. There are bird specific carriers available, including collapsible wire carriers with grates and locking trays, or heavy duty stainless steel carriers available for those with big beaks. For shorter travels, there are hand held carriers that have a mesh front, suitable for smaller birds going on short trips that aren't apt to chew. Whatever your desire, there is a model available that will suit you and your bird. I personally chose a wire knockdown model, that allowed the carriers to be stored easily when not in use. A great space saver!

Setting up the Travel Carrier

Choose a perch that will provide firm footing for your bird. Stay away from slick woods like manzanita, and go more towards perches such as rope. I recommend perches like grapevine, cholla, or rope that will allow your bird to have a good grip. A perch should be installed towards the front of the carrier, to accommodate the birds tail and in case of a sudden stop, the bird will not be thrown forward, but will be able to lean forward and grab the front of the carrier. When choosing a toy for the carrier, choose one made out of soft material, or preferably a side mount toy so that it does not move when the vehicle is in motion.

Getting Ready to Go

Your bird should be comfortable and used to his carrier before any long trip. Putting his favorite toy and treats in the carrier will help put him at ease. Once he is used to his carrier, it's advisable to take the bird on several short trips, prior to the real trip. This will let you see how the bird reacts to the carrier, and also to the trip. It is not uncommon for some parrots to experience car sickness, like my greencheek conure. If your bird does exhibit car sickness, there are several things you can do to help ease the effects including: covering the carrier, trying the carrier in both the back and front (safely buckled in) seats of the car, and if all else fails, shredded ginger root prior to the trip will help ease any stomach upset

Be sure to always secure your birds carrier with a seatbelt or other device Like little children, a bird in a front seat could be vulnerable to injury if there was an accident and air bags were deployed.

Also be sure to bring adequate food and water for your feathered companion. It is recommended that juicy fruit, or an ice cube, takes the place of water on a short journey, as the bird will still receive necessary liquids without worry of water spilling. On extended travels, your bird will need out of cage time, so a portable play gym or T-stand is recommended. There are several models available that break down, making it easy for you to carry.

Before vacation day, it is recommended that you make sure your bird has been properly groomed. While articles say that your bird requires a health certificate before any travel, this is largely untrue. If you are driving with your pet, you will not need to provide proof of health inside the US. If you are flying or traveling by other means, it is required that you have a recent (within 30 day) health certificate for all animals. If your bird is fully flighted, a harness for the journey is necessary to ensure your bird will not escape. I personally chose to clip all my birds prior to travel, as I wanted to be able to grab them quickly without worrying about putting on a harness in an emergency.

Always keep safety in mind while traveling. Keep your bird in the carrier while the vehicle is in motion. Climate and altitude changes can affect your pet, so be sure to have weather conditions checked ahead of time. It's best to avoid crowds, and never let your bird out of your site. It is also advised to reserve your hotel ahead of time, so that you can be sure the place you rest is pet friendly. I found that Drury Suites Hotels were very accommodating and pet friendly.

It is also recommended that you bring along emergency contact numbers of both pet sitters and your avian vet. Carry your avian first aid kit, in case of an accident. Documents such as proof of ownership, breeders name/address, medical records, and a recent photo of your bird is recommended. Some owners have taken a further step and also micro chipped their avian companions. If you have done this, be sure to have the chips information in a safe place, and take it on your travels. The chance that you will need all this documentation and information is slim, however, the information would prove invaluable in case of an emergency.

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.
By Kelli L
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelli_L

Just Hangin' Around Puerto Vallarta

Just Hangin' Around Puerto Vallarta

With the hustle and bustle of today's life, many of us never have the time or take the time to stop and smell the flowers, let alone closely observe the wildlife around us. However, for those of us retired geezers fortunate enough to be living in Paradise, where the tropical flora and fauna abound, the beautiful flowers and birds are literally everywhere; so conspicuous that you'd have to be blind to miss them!

During the eleven years that we've lived on the Sierra Madre hillside overlooking Banderas Bay and the city of Puerto Vallarta, there have been a number of generations of tropical birds that have chosen trees on our property to build their nests. Some of the nests are built in the forks of the trees, others are located in the fans of palms, and still others are precariously hanging from the very end of branches. A couple such hanging nests are currently "front and center" in our picturesque view.

Invariably, when friends visit our house, they will inquire about those large nests hanging from the tree. Our response has always been that they are just some kind of local birds that like to build their nests in our trees; not a very precise answer! Being retired and on Mexican time, we did not exactly rush into determining the correct answer to their question; however, after eleven years, we decided to research the subject and learn what kind of bird builds the hanging nests.

When we first asked the local natives of the area, we were informed with authority, that Calandrias build the hanging nests. Having never heard of such a bird, we then went to our translating dictionary and found that Calandria is Spanish for Oriole. Okay, now that we have a suspicion that the hanging nests were built by orioles and not claiming to be professional bird watchers (the only orioles that we're familiar with are from Baltimore), we decided to look a little further. We brought out the digital camera and started watching and waiting for the perfect moment to capture the builders in action.

To our astonishment, there are over 400 species of tropical birds in the area and we had no idea how to even begin our classification process. We see the flocks of green parrots and a myriad of colorful song birds every day in the Banderas Bay region, however all that we knew for sure was that the builders in question were yellow and black; therefore birds of that color combination became our focus of attention. To our dismay, there are a half dozen or more different species of yellow and black birds in this area of Mexico. After researching the yellow and black birds that build hanging nests, it was determined that the nests could be the handy work of either orioles or caciques; both residing in the Vallarta hillsides and both species of the Icteridae family of birds, sometimes referred to as Troupials.

Most of the yellow and black orioles found around Vallarta are Hooded, Scott, Black Vented or Wagler, and Bullock Orioles, all of which build their pendulous nests at the end of branches. The Yellow Winged Caciques, quite similar in appearance to the orioles with very similar hanging nests, are also often seen around Vallarta and are easily confused with orioles by amateur bird watchers such as us.

Now, armed with just enough information to be dangerous and our digital camera in hand, we set out to photograph these beautiful nest builders. After just missing a hundred great "photo ops", we finally got a close up picture of one of these beautiful birds on our terrace. We studied the photo closely and compared the yellow and black bird in the photo to the various orioles and caciques under consideration and finally determined that it was of neither species and not even of the Icteridae family of birds!

Although Yellow Breasted Chats of the Parulidae family are numerous in the area, this was definitely not one. This was a Great Kiskadee, a strikingly beautiful bird that appeared to be borrowing the hanging nests on a temporary basis; perhaps even stealing straw from the hanging nests to build their own side entry nest in a large fork of the tree! The Great Kiskadees are of the Tyrannidae family, have bright yellow breasts, dark olive-brown backs, and very distinguished and unmistakable black and white heads. They are quite aggressive and were seen defending their territory in the tree from much larger birds. Our initial thought was that these Kiskadees were defending the hanging nests, but after discovering that they don't build hanging nests, it was concluded that they were defending the nest in the fork of the tree that was probably built partially from twigs and straw stolen from the abandoned pendulous nests.

Now we're back to square one; who built those abandoned hanging nests? Since we weren't paying attention when they were being built and there are so many magnificent yellow and black birds in the area, we'll probably never know for sure who built them! Although we see many of the beautiful Yellow Winged Caciques in the neighborhood and they do build the hanging pendulous nests, we should probably just accept the local knowledge and assume these particular nests were built by some kind of oriole or calandria. The seasoned bird watching veterans would probably tell us that those nests hanging around Vallarta were built by Troupials of the Icteridae family; thereby sounding intellectually brilliant while covering all their bases by including all orioles and caciques!

If nothing else, the research associated with this exercise sure did make us much more aware of the beauty around us. There are literally hundreds of different species of tropical birds in the Vallarta area that we can enjoy year round and therefore it's no wonder that this region in Paradise is a virtual playground for the professional bird watchers. On the other hand, with the perfect climate, incredible scenery, and fun to be had, perhaps bird watching is just a good excuse for scheduling their next field trip to Vallarta!

Jim Scherrer is a retired entrepreneur from Houston, has owned property in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for 24 years, and has made Vallarta his permanent residence for the past ten years. He founded Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Buyers' Agents (PVREBA), whose mission is to reveal all the recent changes that have occurred in Vallarta while dispelling the misconceptions about living in Mexico. PVREBA acts exclusively as buyers' agents by introducing North Americans to Vallarta, showing them properties that meet their needs and budgets, and assisting them through the foreign buying process, with all payments made by the listing agents. For the full series of 40 articles regarding Retirement in Puerto Vallarta as well as pertinent Puerto Vallarta links, please visit us at http://www.pvreba.com/ and click on ARTICLES.
By James Scherrer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Scherrer

Parrots - Why Every Parrot Owner Needs Be a Member of an Online Message Board

There is information in the forums on the health, nutrition and safety of your birds as well as training techniques that other parrot owners have been successful with....

Parrots - Why Every Parrot Owner Needs Be a Member of an Online Message Board

Are you a parrot enthusiast? Do you currently own parrots or plan on getting some in the near future? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to get involved online! There are a couple websites full of useful information for parrot owners. Bird Board is one of many that features that are beneficial and useful to both current parrot owners and individuals who are planning on purchasing or adopting a parrot in the future.

Membership to these message boards are completely free, so there is no risk for you to join. With just a short registration process, you will quickly be on your way to interacting with thousands of other parrot owners from around the world. As a matter of fact, Some are available to users in a variety of languages! At a Bird Board you will also have access to a fountain of information that can be helpful in the everyday care of your beloved parrot.

Bird board includes areas for general discussion on birds, do it yourself projects for birds and instructions for making your own homemade bird toys and bird treats. There is information in the forums on the health, nutrition and safety of your birds as well as training techniques that other parrot owners have been successful with. If you are looking to purchase or adopt a parrot, there is a classified section available, as well as information on various bird clubs and bird shows from around the world. Any bit of information you could possibly be looking for, can be found in the many forums on various message boards.

Most have a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section, that lists the most frequently asked issues parrot owners come across. There are news articles available for the latest news on parrots and parrot issues, as well as general articles that cover everything from the care of your bird to how to build your own bird toys. With your free membership to a BirdBoard, you will have access to member maps so that you can find other members that are in your area as well as, photo and video albums that show other members with their pet parrots. You can also find species specific boards, with discussions and information on the specific breed parrot that you own.

Navigating the these website is easy, so you will have no problem finding the information you are looking for. In fact, there is so much useful and interesting information on a bird board, I'd wager that before you know it, hours will have passed with you browsing the site and you'll wonder where the time has gone! If you love your parrot and want to learn all you can about your feathered friend, becoming a member of a bird board is absolutely essential. Even if you have owned parrots for years, it is still in your best interest to join. Not only may you learn something new, but you will be able to interact with other parrot lovers from all around the world. After all, no one can understand a parrot lover like another parrot lover can!

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback.
By Kelli L
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/