Friday, July 13, 2012

A Perfect Guide to Wild Bird Food

There is no better way to start a morning than hear the sounds of the chirping and singing birds. From the House Sparrows to Chaffinches and Greenfinches birds are one of nature's most amazing creatures. But our tryst with modernity has made life difficult for these little creatures and there is shortage of bird food. Earlier feeding wild birds was a winter pastime but these days food can be in short supply for birds even during the breeding season. This is resulted in their population dwindling in many parts of the world. You can give them a helping hand by providing them with ample wild bird food in your yard.

You need to remember that springtime is the breeding time for wild birds so extra food will help can really make a difference to the survival rate of the young. Take care of the basic hygiene just as you would do for other pets in your house and make sure that the feeders and tables are clean as certain types of wild bird food tend to rot very fast in the humid weather. If you really love these creatures giving them some bird seeds won't be enough as you have to offer them nutritious food which fulfils their requirements.

What Birds Eat?

It goes without saying that different types of birds eat different types of food. And thus you should offer a wide range of wild bird food which caters to different species of birds. For example small seeds like millet appeal to House Sparrows, Finches and Reed Buntings while Blackbirds like to eat flaked maize. If you have Tits and Greenfinches in your yard you will notice them go after Peanuts and Sunflower.

There is a huge variety of bird food available including Sunflower seeds, Niger seeds and Peanut granules which offer birds the nutrition they require especially during the breeding season and hard winter months. You can also opt for mixed bird seeds which are extremely popular with bird enthusiasts. Different seeds attract different types of birds a quality seed mix can attract a variety of birds.

Where to Buy Bird Food?

Online stores have emerged as the perfect place to shop for wild bird food as they allow you to shop for these items sitting in the comfort of your homes and offices and take delivery wherever you want. You can choose from a wide variety of bird food including seeds, mealworms, granules etc. available in these online stores. You can research on them and know their actual contents and what kind of birds do they appeal to. Another reason to choose online stores is for the quality of the products which are scientifically produced and packed unlike a local seller who makes these food items on his own. These stores also offer you good discounts on purchase of these items.

Watching birds is a wonderful pastime which reduces the stress in your life and helps you connect with Mother Nature.



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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Reasons to Consider a Bird House and a Bird Feeder in Your Backyard

Are you looking for a way to spruce up your backyard? Are you looking for a reason to spend more time outdoors? Do you want to commune with nature? Have you ever felt like you should give back to the earth and to the animals it provides us with?

If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, then we highly recommend you look into what bird products you can purchase from an online supplier. In particular, bird houses and bird feeders are great ways to accomplish all of these goals. Moreover, there are quite a few advantages associated with purchasing these products and setting them up in your backyard. In the following article, we will discuss three primary reasons why you should take a moment and strongly consider providing shelter and food for birds in your own backyard.

1. They serve as backyard décor. We are always looking for ways to decorate our homes. But what about our backyards? Too often people settle for the standard table and chairs in their backyard, leaving backyard life to not only look dull, but to actually feel that way as well. So why not spruce things up? A well designed bird house or a crafty bird feeder can do wonders for the look of your back yard. And when you have accented your backyard, you then create a feeling of enjoyment outside that is sure to make you and possible guests wish to spend more time in your outdoor space.

2. They attract birds. It sounds simple enough, right? Bird houses beg for birds to take shelter in them. Bird feeders provide food for hungry birds. Bottom line, they are going to bring the birds, correct? But the question here is not whether or not you can attract the birds... it's why should you care? The primary reason you should care about attracting birds is that it just does something inexplicable for your atmosphere.

Suddenly sitting on the back porch in the middle of the city or out in the suburbs is not just you listening to the sounds of vehicles roaring by. Now you are engulfed in the beautiful songs of whatever types of birds you were trying to attract. Meanwhile, you get to watch their different behaviors, and see them raise their young. It really is a sight to behold.

It also presents a great learning opportunity for your kids. Letting them bird watch up close in the privacy of your dwelling is a fantastic opportunity to apply science to real life situations. Not only can they observe the physical properties of the bird, but they will get an up close view of their habitat and behaviors. Watching the way birds interact with one another is a great learning experience for kid of all ages - and even you!

Buy Bird Houses and Bird Feeders Online Today

Want to know where to buy them? Search Google for them and you're sure to find an extensive collection of options.



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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Getting A Pet Bird? 7 Things To Consider Before You Make Your Decision

If you've decided on a bird for a pet, choosing the right one the first time is the best thing that can happen for you and the bird. Here are 7 important things to think about before you bring your feathered friend home.

Life Span---Some parrots have a life expectancy of 70! This is a huge factor when adopting. Your age and general health should be factored into this decision. If you are older, adopting a pet that is expected to have a shorter life expectancy would help insure that you would always be there to take care of it. In matters of the heart, we don't always get to choose who or what we love do we?

Clean Up---All pets are going to create the need for extra cleaning. However, there are some species of birds (powder down) that create a white dust that is a natural part of their growth and development.

Needless to save, this can become overwhelming in terms of trying to literally keep the dust and dander down. These birds include the African Grey, Cockatoo, and Cockatiel. As gorgeous as these birds are, if you want low maintenance, look elsewhere.

Size---Size does matter because it is direct proportion to how much space your pet will need to stay physically and emotionally healthy. The bigger the bird, the larger the cage needs to be.

The ideal cage should allow enough space for it to fly inside both vertically and laterally without damaging its wings. If living space is limited choosing small rather than large is a better choice. If space is not an issue a large bird or two may work for you.

Personality---This is such an important factor to consider before you bring your pet home. Observing and interacting with it at different times during the day will give you a pretty accurate idea of what to expect.

Even though personality traits are generalized by species, each one is different. Taking time to get to know individual traits will make for a happier match and hopefully save the heartbreak of finding out that you are unable to live with issues that were not apparent before you brought it home.

Life Style---Here's where doing a little research about the type of bird you're considering will pay big dividends. If you have plenty to spend then choosing a bird that needs a lot of attention from its human is a great match.

If, however, you travel a lot or work long hours and lack the time and energy necessary to satisfy a more social bird, maybe fish are a better choice, or a pair of birds that can entertain themselves. This is a crucial piece of information to know before you finalize your decision.

Noise Level---Find out what kinds of sounds your avian friend makes, and consider your living conditions. If you live in an apartment, condo, townhouse where walls adjoin, loud and/or continuous shrieks can cause everybody to become unhappy.

Most importantly, remember that regardless of what the general description is of the variety you are looking at, each pet is an individual and you should do everything you can to get to know what that means for the bird you are considering.

Social Graces---As with people, some pets are more able to get along with people, small children, and other pets. Consider who is going to live with you and this pet and do a little homework about what to expect. If the research shows that a particular type of bird is not good with family members that you know it is going to be exposed to, better to know up front than after you have made your decision.



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Saturday, July 7, 2012

Pigeon Coops: Should You Build Your Own or Buy One?

So you decided to get in the exciting world of pigeons. The only question that remains is should you build your own pigeon coop or purchase one? There are pro and cons to both options. If you are anything like me you want to make the right decision. In this article we will discuss both options to narrow down your choices to just one.

Pro's for building your own:

1) By far this option allows your personal style to shine through. You are able to start small and build as you expand your pigeon basis.
2) Your initial cost of building is not fixed at one price point. You can begin building your pigeon coop on a shoe string budget which may be beneficial if you are just starting out.
3) The satisfaction of knowing you did the job yourself.
4) Add on features are easily made and interchangeable as you upgrade to increasing your pigeon loft.
5) Your design for your pigeon coop can reflect many features including many separate rooms and different holding features as you expand into the exciting sport of pigeon racing.

Cons for building your own:

1) Time intensive as you have to meet state guidelines in designing your pigeon coop.
2) Building process may be cumbersome and problematic especially if you live in a community with a home owners association.
3) Can be expensive if you decide to move from hobby of pigeon care to breeding for racing pigeons.

Pros for purchasing:

1) No long start up process you can to begin to enjoy taking care and nurturing your pigeons almost immediately.
2) Most pigeon coops are designed with state guidelines already built into the building structure.
3) One set price for an attractive looking home for your pigeons.
4) Easy to transition to moving into the position of racing and breeding as you can purchase a pigeon dwelling with this in mind initially.

Cons for purchasing:

1) The lost of satisfaction that comes with not building it with your own two hands.
2) Limited to the pre made designs which may not be as stylish as you may have envisioned.
3) Set costs can be a bit out of your price range.
4) Prices may not be suitable or even worth it if you are unsure that this is going to be a long time venture.
5) Add on features may not be possible since design is made one dimensional and set to conceived design restraints.



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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

3 Signs of a Sick Bird

It can be pretty frustrating to deal with a pet being sick. The thing, your pet is of the winged variety. Birds are rather fragile creatures, and they would need a whole lot of attention paid to them in order to make sure that they're well taken care of.

The last thing you want to deal with is a sick pet, which is why you need to be aware of the signs or symptoms that can help you determine if they really are experiencing any illnesses which would require immediate medical attention.

1. Diarrhea is a sign which can be caused by infections, germs or bacteria which may have been introduced to your birds. This would cause all sorts of necessary fluids to be provided to them in order to get them to feel a whole lot better. Sometimes, food can move way too quickly through their intestines, and that is brought about by a certain disruption in their digestive processes. Nutrients aren't properly absorbed due to the rate at which the food is moving in their tiny little tummies, and this can lead to dehydration. If the stool is greenish, there may have been a case of metal poisoning.

2. Another symptom you need to watch out for is eye discharge. This is something which usually suggests Psittacosis. This is a disease which is not limited to affecting other birds, but even bird owners as well, so it is highly essential that you get to your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible, since this is a disease which can result in a quick death for your winged friend. In the event that any other humans or birds have come in contacted with the afflicted pet, it would be wise for you to get them screened just in case they were also infected with the disease. If this condition is discovered in time, you can simply have it treated with just a few antibiotics for a full recovery.

3. One of the most evident signs of your pet bird being sick is lethargy. Of course, this can be amounted to a lot of different causes, and each one of them are not good at all. When your pet bird becomes quite lethargic, it would simply mean that it is ill and should be taken to the avian veterinarian as soon as possible. This can be brought about by some possible infection from viruses, bacteria, germs, or even organ dysfunctions. With the vet's aid, tests can be performed to come up with the best possible treatment.



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Monday, June 18, 2012

Parrots And Air Cleaners - 7 Facts To Understand

Providing fresh clean air for pet parrots is one of the most important things to provide; because if your bird can't breathe not much else will matter. There are many features to consider when deciding on the right purifier for your situation. Here are 7 answers that will help you make the right choice.

How important is 24 hour filtration? In a word it is crucial. The goal is to keep the level of air quality high all the time. And the only way to do this is not to ever allow a build-up of particles.

Having a motor that is able to run safely with high revolutions per minute is essential to constantly minimize pollutants in the air. This type of motor is called a split capacitor and should be listed in the technical specifications of the owner's manual.

What level of ozone is safe? This remains a controversial subject for many. Studies have shown that the level of ozone would have to be so high to effectively clean the air that it would be toxic to humans. Other studies conclude that trace amounts are acceptable.

The one thing that all can agree on is that fresh air is best. So using a technology that only produces fresh air is best for you and your bird. HEPA filtration is safe and is the most efficient at particle elimination.

Which is better, plastic or steel casing? Steel is the best option for a number of reasons. Many parrots have strong beaks and use them to explore things in their environment including the purifier. A unit made of steel is less likely to have pieces break off that cause injury, or worse.

When a unit runs continuously (as it should) the motor heat will cause the casing to get warm. Sometimes when the unit is made of plastic this can cause fumes to be released into the air when the plastic heats up. The last thing you want is to pay for a unit that causes problems rather eliminates them.

What type of filter is best? There should really be a canister of filters that contains multiple filters that are designed to remove various size particles. A HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting filter is designed to remove airborne particles that are .3 microns or greater in size. This filter is cable of removing airborne bacteria and viruses as well as the microscopic pieces of dander that all birds shed continually.

There should also be large and medium size pre-filters that can trap particles that you can see such as bird dust, feathers, and normal household dust. These filters save the more intricate HEPA from filling needlessly with particles that are easily trapped by these bigger and less expensive filters.

A filter for odor is also a good idea. Having a carbon cloth filter gives you 2 advantages. Because it is woven like a cloth it can also trap particles, and the fact that it is made of carbon means that it can remove gases, odors, and airborne chemicals to which birds are so vulnerable.

How big of a space should the unit be able to clean? It should be able to clean the area that is open to it. So if your birds are in a family room, the cleaner should be capable of cleaning not only that room but all the other space open to it. So if you leave all of your doors open and your space is 1500 square feet, that's the space your purifier should be sized to clean.

Where is the best placement for the unit? The cleaner should be placed so that it does not create a draft for the birds. Ideally, a unit should only need about 6 inches of clearance from any surface to function efficiently. This means it can be placed out of the way and in a way that keeps the chord from being a tripping or choking hazard.

What type of maintenance should be expected? Maintenance should be minimal and should be able to be done while the unit is running. Vacuuming the outside occasionally should be the most that is expected.

Clean Lofts - The Key To Racing Pigeon Success

Keeping clean lofts can be one of the most important parts of successful racing pigeons. Often overlooked and time consuming, good husbandry comes down to cleanliness. For your birds to be in top form, they need to be the picture of health. The added bonus is that while you are keeping those lofts clean, you can keep a good eye on your birds, seeing who is in top form, and when.

First and most obvious, clean up that poop! Bird poop is a breeding ground for parasites and bacteria. The lofts should be cleaned daily. This is one of the best ways to keep your birds healthy and in racing form. Moving about the loft while cleaning gets your birds use to you, this is a good time inspect birds. In addition, cleaning poop out of the lofts daily means you will see if something strange is going on. Does somebody's poop look different than usual?

Next, clean those water dishes. Don't just top them off or dump and refill. This is another good place for bacteria and parasites. It is important to rinse them daily, and if you're really strict about cleanliness in your loft you'll wash them with soap and water every day. At minimum, water dishes should be washed once a week. Remember to thoroughly rinse the dishes after you've had soap in them. Don't just keep refilling those yucky water dishes, clean them. Your bird's form depends upon it.

Finally, wash the food dishes! Even though they are dry and don't appear to get dirty as often as water dishes might, they still need regular cleaning. Once weekly is a good rule of thumb for cleaning food dishes. Again you should make sure to wash them completely with soap and water. Allow the dishes to dry thoroughly before you add more food.

Good racing pigeons start with good husbandry. Good husbandry starts with cleanliness. Keeping the lofts clean is the most important thing you can do to ensure your birds are in top racing form. Nobody wants to race a sick bird and tax its weak body further. The three most important things you can do to keep your lofts clean is clean up the poop and wash dirty food and water dishes often. The added benefit of daily cleaning is that you get to spend time observing your birds. Observing your birds means you will get to know each individually and learn when they are race ready.



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