Evolution has played a major role in the way the animals developed. And it is especially apparent when you look at the thousands of different species of animals across the globe, and see the many different ways that they have evolved to eat and process foods to sustain their bodies. And the bird is no different.
The digestive system of birds is different from humans and most mammals in a number of ways. For one, birds do not have teeth. This poses a problem for them when it comes to digesting their food. Teeth serve the useful purpose of breaking up the food into smaller particles so that the body can digest them more easily. But, without teeth, how can this be done?
As the bird species evolved throughout millions of years, they managed to come up with their own unique resolution. Instead of breaking up the foods in their mouth, they break it up in their stomachs. In order to do this, the stomach is broken up into two sections, called chambers.
This can be seen by taking the example of a bird consuming a seed. The bird does not chew the seed. It swallows the seed whole. The seed first falls down into the front chamber. This chamber has many chemicals and digestive juices. Their function is to chemically process the food to help break it down. It works much like the saliva does in human mouths. The food is liberally coated with these digestive juices until it is well mixed.
Following that, the food is passed on to chamber number two. This is the chamber that processes the food physically. This is analogous to the way we physically process the foods in our mouth by chewing.
In practice, the process is relatively simple. The seeds and all of the other foods that the bird has eaten have already been softened up by the digestive juices from the first chamber. Thus the second chamber has a much easier time with the food since it is already partially pre-digested. The bird is able to contract and relax the second chamber walls so that they grind up the food mixture between them.
Besides this, however, the bird has an additional trick up its sleeve. And that trick is grit. Grit is simply a collection of rough granules of sand or stone – and it is an essential element in a bird’s digestion process. To help it to digest food in the second chamber, the bird eats grit. As the walls of the chamber open and close to smash into each other, the grit that the bird has swallowed helps it to break up the food much better than if the food was the only thing present.
Grit is so effective because food is susceptible to being broken up a lot easier when it is being smashed by rough pebbles or grit than it can with just smashing against itself. And this is why you will often see birds eating stones or sand. It’s not for nourishment. It’s to help them digest food.
Being a pet bird owner is a huge commitment both financially and emotionally and not something to be taken lightly. After all, some birds, such as, Macaws can live up to 100 years old! However after much soul searching, you have concluded that you do indeed want to take on the responsibility of being a pet bird owner. So what do you do first?
The main thing to resolve is what species of pet bird is best for you and your circumstances. A good preliminary step is scouring the Internet for information in order to narrow down which type of bird seems most suited to you. Afterwards, you may wish to pick up a book on this pet bird species to do more in-depth research to insure you are heading in the right direction. You will also wish to consider whether to purchase a baby bird or an adult bird. Will you get a male or a female? Should you buy an additional bird for companionship for the times you are not around?
Once you have confirmed which type of pet bird to acquire, the next thing to do is find a reputable bird breeder. The best way to locate a breeder is through a referral from someone you trust. This may not be possible because you would have to know someone who has purchased from a breeder of the kind of bird you desire. Therefore, it might be unavoidable that you will need to deal with an unknown source. You should try to limit your chances of having a bad experience by following a few precautions.
It is preferable to try and locate an aviary in your area. That way you are able to visit the location and see how the birds are kept. Is the facility clean? Are the cages uncrowded and maintained? Is there adequate food and fresh water? Do the birds appear to be healthy and alert?
What if you have your heart set on a certain type of bird and there are no aviaries in your area that have them? You are now forced to purchase your pet bird from a distant source and have it shipped. You must be very diligent in your hunt for an ethical breeder so as not to be scammed. Search the Internet to help locate some breeders. Browse pet bird clubs and forums to request information and opinions. Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against them. Ask the seller for pictures with the date written on a piece of paper in the photo to make sure they actually do have the bird. Some warning signals are if the seller tries to pressure you into a quick sale, won’t produce references when asked and the price is way too cheap. Let common sense be your guide.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and request references. Here are some things to inquire whether a local or distant breeder:
1. How long have they been a bird breeder?
2. What type and how many birds do they have?
3. How old is the bird?
4. Has the bird been sexed?
5. How has the bird been reared? Was it handfed and socialized?
6. What type of personality does it have? Is it aggressive or a biter?
7. Is the bird microchipped?
8. What is the leg band ID number?
9. What vaccinations has the bird had so far?
10. What is the bird’s history? Has it had any injuries, diseases or conditions?
11. Is there a veterinarian health certificate? Obtain the vet’s phone number and get in touch with him to verify the bird’s health.
12. Will the seller allow a certain time frame for you to have the bird checked by your vet?
13. Is there a health guarantee and for how long?
14. What is their return policy…money back or another bird?
15. Do they take credit cards? It is a good sign if they do as you can always stop payment if there is a problem.
Get your agreement in writing and copies of all references, records and certificates. Likewise, be prepared to be asked questions from the breeder. Remember that they have put a whole lot of time, effort and money into raising these birds. Most reputable bird breeders want to know their birds are going to a good home where they will be cared for and loved. This may sound like a huge amount of hard work. However, once you get your new feathered friend home, it will all be worth it.
Those who would like a pet but don’t have much room – or the energy for a dog – often consider keeping a bird of some kind. Pet birds can be kept in a cage inside and let out to fly around the room for a little exercise, so long as your remember to close all the doors and windows first.
Birds make great little pets with their pretty colours and cheerful chatter. They are easy to care for, though some breeds may have special needs. The best way to find out all you need to know about keeping birds is to buy bird books or subscribe to bird magazines.
This is particularly true if you intend to keep aviary birds. You will need to know where the best place is to site your aviary and how to set it up to provide a home that is as near to natural as possible for the birds you intend to keep. You might have budgerigars, cockatiels, finches or even beautiful parrots.
Parrot books will tell you all you need to know about the needs of various parrots. It will tell you what kind of grain they need to eat and where to place it so that they can access it in a natural manner. Ground-feeding birds will not want to peck at seed that is hanging from a branch.
You may even decide to go into breeding your birds in which case you will need a great deal more knowledge. What kind of nests these birds make in the wild and where they are placed are just some of the things you will need to find out. This knowledge can be gained from special bird books or parrot magazines.
Once you know all the details, you won’t be likely to make expensive mistakes in raising and keeping birds that could cost them their lives.
Reptiles are another kind of pet that are easy to keep that don’t take up much room. They too have special needs, but you can find out all about them from reptile books.
If you want to know more about how to build a bird cage, then you will want to read this article. Pet birds are wonderful companions. They are naturally born social creatures. With a pet bird comes great responsibility. It is your duty to ensure that your pet bird is safe, healthy and joyful. In order to do so, you will first need to make sure that your pet bird has a good comfortable home. Keeping your pet bird in a bird cage will not only shelter it from harm and keeping it safe, but it will also provide a comfortable resting place.
Therefore, the bird cage that you either purchase or build must be large enough for your companion. Try not to be stingy on bird cages. A small bird cage is detrimental towards its health and well being. Your pet bird might end up in feeling stress. You will notice symptoms like feather plucking, shrieking and etc. Some people might find it troublesome to build a bird cage while the real bird lovers would want to customize their own bird cage to nicely suit their pet. Here are a few tips you can get from this article on how to build a bird cage.
1. Determine the size
o First and foremost, you will need to determine where you are going to put your bird cage. Measure the dimensions of your room and calculate the size of cage you can possibly fit. A large cage will allow your pet bird to fly, exercise or even simply having fun around. However, do not build a very big cage as it might be difficult to do cleaning and space consuming.
2. Determine the style and shape
o There are many types and designs of bird cages. Some are hanging cages while others are standing cages. The shape of the cage can be designed to best suit your room space. You can paint it with a nice color to match with your room theme.
3. Get the right materials and construct
o Shop for the necessary materials such as heavy gauge wires, wood, electrical ties, cage clips and a solid tray to collect all the waste products. Next, you will need to construct the frame first and then wire the cage up using those heavy gauge wires.
These are all the steps you have to follow in building a bird cage. So, start sourcing for materials and sketching your cage design.
If you’ve just adopted a beautiful bird only to find that your are allergies rev up when you come into close contact with the bird for prolonged periods of time, you may be allergic to your bird.
Don’t despair because as scary as this discovery can be, here are 7 things you can do as well as changes you can make to enjoy your bird while keeping your allergies under control.
Keep the Bird’s Room and Cage Clean-This cannot be stressed enough. Keep the cage clear of dropping and feathers, vacuum regularly, mop the floor daily, and change its drinking water as often as needed to keep it fresh. This is of course healthy for your bird, and it also prevents mold growth.
If you feed your bird fresh foods (and it will love you for this), be sure to throw them away after several hours to avoid mold growth.
Shower with Your Bird-This is convenient way to give your bird a bath, and spend time with it in an environment where the dander is low.
Bird perches are relatively inexpensive and are easily installed. Make sure they are placed away from direct spray, and turn the nozzle to a super gentle spray setting.
You’ll know immediately whether your bird likes the water. And if it does, it will do the rest for you. Always check with your vet about what products to use and how often to use them.
Wear a Mask-If you are the one doing the daily cleaning, be sure to wear a mask when you are performing task that are likely stir up dander and feathers. Your local hardware store is sure to carry a variety.
Experiment until you find one that allows you to be most comfortable when cleaning up after your bird.
Wash Your Hands-If you choose not to wear gloves when cleaning, be sure to wash your hands when you’re done cleaning and before you rub your eyes. This will help cut down on direct contact with a number of allergens.
Remove Fabrics and Upholstery-This process may have to be a gradual one, but it is well worth the time, money, and effort in terms of the significant improvement you will see in your allergies.
Draperies, carpet, upholstered furniture make great place for dander to hide, and sitting, dusting, and even vacuuming can send a ton of dander airborne. This makes it easy for it to invade your eyes, nose, and throat triggering the symptoms that can make you so miserable
Change Your House Filters Often-Get the smallest particulate size filter that they make for your central system. Start by changing them once a month. Take note of whether you find less dust on the furniture and floor. If this does decrease the dust, go to 2 months.
Gradually lengthen the frequency of filter changes until you have found the least number of changes that produce the desired result. Mark the dates on you calendar, and stay regular with replacing them.
Use a HEPA Air Purifier-Cleaning the air with a high efficiency particle arresting (abbreviated as HEPA) air purifier assures you that for every 10,000 particulates greater than .3 microns, it will remove 99,997 of them leaving only 3 out of 10,000.
Providing clean, filtered air all day every day is good for both you and your bird. Increase the rate of air exchange when cleaning the room and cage to keep the dander count low and the air quality high. And remember, clean air also cuts down on the spread of airborne disease and infections for both you and your bird.
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philipy
November 24, 2009 06:45 PM
in Pets
I’m looking after someone’s pet for a period, while they’re away. My question is about what kind of sleep birds need, and whether they’d be affected by any of the following, or similar… – Being left in the dark when days are short, and sunset comes early – Being in a room with the lights on late into the night – Being in a room where a TV is on late at night Basically, what sleep do they need, and what disturbs their sleep or helps it?
I have three cockatiels, and they are very sensitive to light and sound. They should be covered with a light blocking cloth when it turns dark if lights are to be on in the house. Do not let them watch t.v.! Their eyes are not like ours, and t.v. is bad for their eyes. Normal noises don’t bother them, but loud, sudden noises can cause them to go into a panic and thrash around in the cage, and harm themselves. Birds can bleed to death in a matter of minutes, and their wings have a large blood supply, so wing injury from thrashing around in a cage can be deadly. If possible, keep them in the bedroom at night, where you know it will be quiet and where you can hear them if they panic and start thrashing. If they do, uncover them, put your arms around the cage, and start saying “Shhhh…it’s o.k.” in a very low, calming voice. They will usually calm down. Wrapping your arms around the cage makes them feel protected. If you have loud kids, it’s best to put the birds in a room where they won’t be around them after they are covered at night. If you have other animals, please lock them into another room at night, because any small noise can panic the birds when it’s dark. Birds sleep off and on all day, but mostly at night. You’ll see them turn their heads into their shoulders to go to sleep. Think about the place these birds are naturally from. It’s very noisy during the day, quiet except for chirping insects and such at night. That’s what they need instinctively. Birds will twitter loudly in the morning and early evening. This is instinctual. They are calling to their flock. If they get into a panic state, they may scream very loudly, trying to find their “flock” people, who aren’t there, of course. You can cover them as long as they are not thrashing around and they will feel safe. If you keep three sides of their cage covered during the day it will make them feel safer, because they only have to watch out for things coming at them from one side. One more very important thing is temperature. Tropical birds like parrots and cockatiels, and even parakeets cannot be kept in temperatures below 50 degrees for long periods. Keep your house at least at 50 degrees or higher at night. The covering will help them stay warm. Hope this helps.
voted helpful: philipy
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dsaldridge
November 30, 2009 09:25 PM
Thanks for picking mine best answer! Good luck with the birds.
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lisak52
November 24, 2009 07:08 PM
Here is some info for you. Looks like what you may need to know. Click the link to read the whole article. http://www.birds.com/blog/your-pet-bird-also-needs-its-beauty-sleep/ Although sleep requirements may vary slightly for different species, most pet birds need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep each night, preferably in a quiet, dark environment. A bird that is sleep-deprived is likely to be cranky and unsociable, and will eventually develop a compromised immune system, leaving it susceptible to a host of health problems. Ideally, birds should be allowed to sleep from sunset through to sunrise as they would in their natural environment. Realistically though, many birds are members of modern households that just don’t run on the old adage of “early to bed, early to rise…”, so what can you as a bird owner do in the best interests of your
voted helpful: philipy
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philipy
November 24, 2009 08:08 PM
Thanks, look like a useful site on the subject of keeping birds.
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victoria_reid
November 25, 2009 12:20 AM
Really it depends on the bird, and partly on the breed and its normal routine…what it’s used to. To put a bird to bed for the night, most owners put a cover over their cage. I’ve known people to do the same thing if the bird gets agitated. Calms them down. That would be the thing to do if you are turning on lights or watching the tube after night-night time. If you have a chance, ask the owner what time the bird usually goes to bed, if it has a consistent bed time. Depending on the bird, I think they react to a combination of negative sound and visual adversely, but not necessarily noise itself. I know a parrot who sings opera – the louder the better. Birds are intelligent – make sure you pay attention to it so it won’t be so lonely while mom and dad are gone. Talking is good. If it’s tame enough, holding also works. Watching TV together might be a thought… Get as much info from the owners as you can – otherwise, wing it! hehe
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tags: care, intelligent, bird, companionship
voted helpful: bunnyphuphu
voted unhelpful: dsaldridge
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dsaldridge
November 25, 2009 04:54 PM
Seriously…don’t let your birds watch t.v. It harms their eyes.
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victoria_reid
November 25, 2009 05:14 PM
Okay, thanks. Just going by what friends did with, say, Amazon Parrots. I don’t think they watched so much as mimicked the sounds, but I’ll take that out of my advice bit. Sorry!
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eatthatpopcorn
November 25, 2009 12:41 AM
If a light is on, they will have a harder time sleeping. You can put a towel over their cage so they can rest better. Also, it is normal for them to nap during the day.
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If you want to know more about how to build a bird cage, then you will want to read this article. Pet birds are wonderful companions. They are naturally born social creatures. With a pet bird comes great responsibility. It is your duty to ensure that your pet bird is safe, healthy and joyful. In order to do so, you will first need to make sure that your pet bird has a good comfortable home. Keeping your pet bird in a bird cage will not only shelter it from harm and keeping it safe, but it will also provide a comfortable resting place. Therefore, the bird cage that you either purchase or build must be large enough for your companion. Try not to be stingy on bird cages. A small bird cage is detrimental towards its health and well being. Your pet bird might end up in feeling stress. You will notice symptoms like feather plucking, shrieking and etc. Some people might find it troublesome to build a bird cage while the real bird lovers would want to customize their own bird cage to nicely suit their pet. Here are a few tips you can get from this article on how to build a bird cage.
1. Determine the size
First and foremost, you will need to determine where you are going to put your bird cage. Measure the dimensions of your room and calculate the size of cage you can possibly fit. A large cage will allow your pet bird to fly, exercise or even simply having fun around. However, do not build a very big cage as it might be difficult to do cleaning and space consuming.
2. Determine the style and shape
There are many types and designs of bird cages. Some are hanging cages while others are standing cages. The shape of the cage can be designed to best suit your room space. You can paint it with a nice color to match with your room theme.
3. Get the right materials and construct
Shop for the necessary materials such as heavy gauge wires, wood, electrical ties, cage clips and a solid tray to collect all the waste products. Next, you will need to construct the frame first and then wire the cage up using those heavy gauge wires.
These are all the steps you have to follow in building a bird cage. So, start sourcing for materials and sketching your cage design.
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By crittercare in Birds on April 6th, 2010
Having a pet bird is gratifying. Pet birds are also a little demanding should you be familiar with a “normal” pet, such as the house cat. As a result, should you be in the market to become a bird owner you will need to select a species that matches your way of life. You must be ready to commit to the responsibilities, allotment of time and resources that will ensure your bird stays healthy, happy and provides you the entertainment and delight you were searching for when you decided to be a bird owner.
The following species of birds are familiar options as pets. Some common traits, life span, and more are supplied for you to be able to select the correct bird for your situation.
1. Canaries and finches. They are small birds that require less room and therefore small to medium bird cages. They are normally about 5 inches in height or even smaller. They are regularly knows as waxbills or softbills and flourish in small flocks. This is important because you probably don’t want to purchase just one. Three or more can make for much happier birds as they enjoy company and congregation. The canary and finch also require much less attention than bigger birds require. This makes them a perfect compliment for the family or individual who does not have large amounts of time to spend socializing and engaging in birds activities. If handled and cared for properly, these birds can live as much as 10 years.
2. Parakeets. The parakeet is perfect for the family with kids. The most common type is the Budgerigar or Bungee. A parakeet is a superb “first time” pet for kids. They are available in various colors, are petite, and are very intelligent for a smaller bird species. The parakeet has the ability for a limited vocabulary and can whistle and sing. They require a bit more consideration than the canary and finch but are not excessively demanding of your time. A healthy and happy parakeet can live up to 14 years.
3. Cockatiels. Cockatiels are extremely popular due to there medium size and friendly disposition. They originated in Australia and are recognized for their singing and whistling skills. They can speak but often choose to whistle. They are excellent mimickers of noise. They can easily emulate the noises of barking dogs and the telephone ringing. Cockatiels are available in many color combos and can live up to 20 years in a healthy environment.
4. Lovebirds. Lovebirds are among the tiniest species of parrot, usually reaching lengths of about 6 inches. They are smart and generally have excellent personalities. They make great pets and are ideal for those who live in apartments and condos since they are usually quieter than other parrot species. They are not time demanding but you will want to spend time with them on account of their enjoyable personalities. Lovebirds are colorful, beautiful birds and, with proper care, can attain and exceed a life expectancy of 20 years.
5. African Greys. If you are not ready to live with a bird for potentially the remainder of your life, you should not have an African Grey. They can survive as long as 70 years and they are ideal if you are looking to buy a companion for life. They’re generally regarded as the most intelligent species of parrot. They can be taught a vocabulary of nearly 2,000 words if trained correctly. They are very smart and also demanding. They do get bored and lonely. Be ready to spend time with them, engage with them and participate in stimulating activities. They are very affectionate and your efforts will be rewarded with all of the attention you will receive.
If you’re looking to purchase a pet bird for you or your family, these shown are some excellent options. Always ask questions to the sales person or breeder before purchasing regarding how to specifically care for your pet. As much as you will benefit from their presence, you need to be able to provide them the time and quality interaction they require from you.
The birdcagestoreandmore.com is a web-based retail store that focuses on bird cages, bird supplies, bird toys, seed and everything in between that your feathered friend my need.
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By Cyndi Loza, cloza@mysuburbanlife.com
Glen Ellyn News
Posted Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:07 PM
Last update Mar 31, 2010 @ 12:12 PM
Glen Ellyn, IL —
A local woman proves the old adage if you love something, set it free.
Neena Lynne McNulty, 47, has trained her blue-throated macaw, Ingrid, to soar through the suburban skies and return back to her on command.
“To let a bird have the use of its wings is like the kindest thing you can do,” McNulty said. “It’s really the most enriching thing you can offer. It’s like the use of our legs, you know, we take (walking) for granted, but once you lose it, it can be the worse thing ever.”
Birds gain a variety of skills by being able to free fly, such as how to judge distances better, how to maneuver for a landing and object preeminence, a skill where “even if (Ingrid) can’t see me, she knows I’m here,” said McNulty, gesturing at Ingrid as she squeaked from above.
Besides the added mental simulation, McNulty said flying also is good for the overall physical health of the bird.
“A skilled and well-trained flighted bird is just a much more happier bird,” said McNulty, who bought Ingrid about two and a half years ago for $2,500 .
She recommends training larger birds, but if smaller birds — who are especially vulnerable to hawks — were to be trained, they would be better off free flying in a small flock where “they kind of keep an eye out for each other.”
The key to training Ingrid was practicing recall and to fly up and down, she said. She explained that a bird can fly up to a tree, but not have the ability to come down.
“If you practice recall, wherever the bird is, it will come to you when you call it,” said McNulty, who added that teaching a bird to fly up and down is not something inherent, but an acquired skill.
Some bird owners fear birds will bump into things if let loose in the house, but “just like a small child, they learn what to do and what not to do when they walk.”
It took McNulty about four months to train Ingrid, but she said it would have taken her less time if she started training at a younger age. Ingrid has become so social that it is not uncommon for her land on a stranger, McNulty said. She wants to break the bird of this bad habit to avoid irritating people and, much worse, prevent Ingrid from being stolen, she said.
Professional bird trainer Chris Biro warns that, just like rock climbing, teaching a bird to free fly is not for everyone.
“Not everyone has the mental framework to take on the free-flight experience,” said Biro, who added it takes ability and willingness from both the person and bird.
When Biro first started training birds for free flight in 1993, he said the relationship between him and the bird changed from jailer to roommate. He got to see a different side of his bird.
“These are animals that are designed to express themselves in an open space,” Biro said. “Their personality blossoms in a way that you wouldn’t know if they didn’t have that freedom.”
Learn more
For more on how to train your bird to free fly, visit professional bird trainer Chris Biro’s Web site at www.wingsatliberty.com.
Copyright 2010 Glen Ellyn News. Some rights reserved
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