Pat, Cat & Dog

Archive for the ‘Pet Cats’ Category

A pet and the owner relationship does not just evolve around feeding and cleaning the cage, it is companionship and friendship which is based on loyalty and trust.  How can you build this kind of relationship, with your pet bird in this case, if your pet keeps on biting you? 

The key here is to understand your pet bird’s behaviourand body language.  Since we cannot understand what their vocalizations mean, we can understand what they want and they are feeling through their movements.   Ability to communicate between owners and pets enable the owners to train, tame and care for them adequately.

Here are some bird movements and how we can interpret them:

• Flashing or dilating pupils can either mean aggression or excitement and pleasure.  When pupils are dilated pay attention to other movements like tail fanning or raised feathers and some growling, these are aggressive signs.  So beware of contact, you may get bitten.

• Purring, on the other hand, along with relaxed and puffed up feathers means that your bird is in a good mood.

The sign of good feeling and contentment is grinding of its beak whereas when it feels some kind of threat it clicks the beak.

• Biting reasons depend on the age.Its the tendency of a young bird to bite anything especially during its “teething age”.  An older bird biting is a sign of displeasure or aggression.

• Birds sneeze the same reasons human do, like exposure to dust, irritation, small bug and feathers on the nasal cavity.  An abnormal sneeze, which typically includes nasal discharge should be consulted immediately to a vet. 
• Head shaking is not associated with disbelief in cases of birds.  This means excitement or just seeking out attention.

• Quivering wings would should fear or being nervous.  Assurance is needed when talking to these kind of birds.There is no reason for them to get nervous with you, this you got to convince.

• Tail bobbing sometimes can be a sign of sickness or just singing. When the tail bobs while the bird breathes, then that could be a sign of sickness and should be taken to the vet. 

There would be instances when pet owners would be exasperated with their pets because of their bad behaviour.  There are many reasons why birds would act the way they are.  Hormones can be responsible if your bird is displaying negative characteristics. 

Birds mature too! Just like people, they would undergo a stage where they would sexually mature.  During the stage where they begin to be sexually mature, birds begin to be very sensitive.  This stage differs on the bird size.Mostly, on their fourth year big birds would have this.  While, smaller birds would experience this on their twelfth month.

Also, observe your pet birds if something is bothering them.  If there are some items in the house that are starting to bother them then remove it from the space. Birds are sensitive to routine, some changes on it can be stressful for them. Also, paying enough attention to your pet and letting them stretch their wings more through exercise are great ways of improving bird behaviour.

Pet birds are extremely rewarding and wonderful companion, it is important to display or show the understanding and patience.  In every relationship, understanding is the key.  So does in animal and human relationship.

If you are contemplating buying a new aviary cage, you are possibly asking yourself a few questions. This concise article will supply you with 5 fast and easy answers to five commonly asked questions with reference to the aviary cages that are currently available for purchase.  

What is an aviary cage utilized purchased?
An aviary cage is utilized to house domestic birds. Although many folks try making use of modified rodent cages or tanks, the appropriate shelter would be an aviary. If you supply your bird with an proper sized aviary you can usually see an boost in vitality as a result of its new found space.

Just how easy is it to wash an aviary cage?
An aviary cage is manufactured with small bars covering the outside. The lower is also detachable, making it simple to empty any waste. The sides can be scrubbed down as well as cleaned of whatever mess quickly and simply.

What types of aviary cages can be found?
You will find a big variety of products and sizes of aviary cages available. The best method to look through the cages is to search on the internet for a sort you like. Purchasing an aviary online also stops you from being ripped off at a pet store.

What kinds of birds should be retained in aviary cages?
Aviaries are able house a diverse assortment of birds. Generally, an owner can get an aviary fitting to how many birds and their sizes. However, some owners like owning plenty of space for their birds to fly around inside and enjoy. Parrots, cockatiels, quakers, pionus, finches, canaries, parakeets and lovebirds all take pleasure in living in an aviary.

I would like an additional question on aviary cages answered. What other discussion group should I check into?  
Web forums on aviary cages are very scarce.  There is one resource that I do suggest, nevertheless. That is the aviary cage forum at http://aviary-cage.bidandblog.com .  It’s likely the net’s most popular forum where you will probably find almost any answer that you might imagine regarding aviary cages, plus the site is free of charge.  The forum also has realtime auctions for aviary cages and a free of charge email service that will email you each time a new aviary cage auction is posted.  And, there is practically always a visitor in the forum that is able answer any aviary cage related question.  

Hummingbirds are found all through the Americas including the Caribbean. Famous for their ability to hover and their skill at backward flying, hummingbirds can hover by continuously flapping their wings up to 85 times a second.

The smallest bird in the world is the Bee Hummingbird at only two inches long and weighing around 2 grams. The largest hummingbird is the Giant Hummingbird at twenty four grams in weight and eight inches long. All the hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of any birds and to maintain this they must consume their own weight and more in food daily. So that they can do this they have to visit many hundreds of flowers daily to harvest the nectar. They possess extended beaks and tongues which allows them to reach right into the blooms. They have the ability reduce their metabolisms when at rest, in contrast to the majority of other high metabolism animals. This increases their lifespan, which may be up to 18 years.

Planting A Hummingbird Friendly Garden

To draw hummingbirds to your garden you could plant brilliantly colored flowers and shrubs. Hummingbirds have very little sense of smell but they are attracted to bright colours. Placing a feeder specially made for humming birds in your garden or on your deck will catch the attention of these pretty birds. Plant annuals include petunia, salvia, beard tongue, jacobinia, firespike and impatiens. Perennial plants include bee balm, costa, yucca, canna, lupine, cardinal flower and foxglove. For trees and shrubs pick weigela, mimosa, red buckeye, buddleia, lantana and acanthus.

Don’t use any insecticides in your garden as you will eradicate bugs and insects that hummingbirds eat. They also leave deposits on the flowers which the hummingbirds could swallow. Also supply lots of places to rest as hummingbirds will spend in the region of 80% of the time sitting on twigs, clothes lines etc. Supply plants that will provide nesting materials to catch the attention of the females. They prefer downy nesting material from trees like eucalyptus and willow and from mosses and ferns.

Placing vibrantly coloured, speciality feeders in your backyard will exert a pull on the hummingbirds. An excellent plan is to fasten red ribbons that blow all around the feeder. It is also a great idea to put out feeders at assorted heights as hummingbird species all have different preferences. Species that prefer plants that are low growing will visit a feeder placed lower whilst species that feed on taller plants and shrubs will choose to visit a feeder positioned in a higher position. Hummingbirds are also very territorial and an individual hummingbird could defend a particular feeder and prevent others from feeding. Space a minimum of three feeders at assorted heights all around your backyard.

Hummingbirds enjoy bathing in the mist on plants so you could position a mister near to some broadleaved shrubbery to give them a place to bathe.

Making Hummingbird Nectar

A sweet nectar can be made by mixing together a cup of sugar with 4 cups of pre-boiled water. Cool down then store in the fridge. Unused nectar can safely be kept for about seven days. Scrupulously clean hummingbird feeders once a week by rinsing with a mixture of one cup of vinegar in 4 cups of water and then rinsing with clean water. Fill with the nectar solution and hang up out of the sun. Do not use food coloring or sweeteners. Also do not use honey as it may ferment and create a a harmful fungus. Change the solution in the feeder every 3 days or more often in hot, summer weather.

Conclusion

It’s not hard to make a garden that will appeal to these attractive birds. Give them the food they like and a comfortable setting and hummingbirds will pay a visit your garden often.

See more about feeding wild birds and some cheap bird feeders to buy at Garden Bird Feeders or Garden Garden Bird Feeders UK

Your birds not only served as feathered companions, for years they have played a great role in inspiring some of the most popular songs, movies, and even fashion.  Pet birds do not just display their feathers for their owners and family but are also muses for works of art.

In the music industry, here are some popular songs about birds and what they were about:

• Three Little Birds -  this song was by Bob Marley and is a very upbeat tune that you would surely love listening to.

• Blackbird – the song popularized by Beatles defeated the usual misconception about blackbirds.  Blackbirds are usually taken in a bad way but was used as a symbol of hope in this song.

• Rockin’ Robin – who would not know this song by Bobby Day?This popular song is such that you and your feathered friend both can enjoy it together.

• Free as a Bird – another Beatles song which refers to bird’s freedom.

• Yellow Bird – this song by Chris Isaak is full of emotions and is about being free and flying away from problems.

It seems that people cannot get enough out of birds, unsatisfied with songs about their flying ability and other characteristics, birds became subject of movies and documentaries. 

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill was released in 2003.  This movie directed by Judy Irving was a touching documentary of a rock musician who turned into a conure caretaker in San Francisco.   This movie is great for bird and non-bird enthusiasts.  In the documentary, not only did Mark Bittner help in preserving the flock of birds, these birds also helped him find his personal and professional path.

In 2005, the March of the Penguins guided us to a wonderful and educational world of emperor penguins.  This documentary won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.  In the original French version of the documentary, the penguins were dubbed as if they were talking themselves.  In the American version, it was narrated by Morgan Freeman.  The documentary revolves around the survival in extremely hard conditions of the emperor penguins. 

Fictional bird movies would include Paulie (1998) and The Real Macaw (1997).  Most of these fictional movies would be about the adventures and misadventures of birds and their pet owners, who are usually children.

Our birds not only graced the silver screen, they featured for some most beautiful photographs. Bird photography is one of the most popular kinds of nature photography.  Bird photography, especially taking pictures of birds in the wild is very challenging.Bird photographers, besides knowing the technical aspect of taking pictures should also have the knowledge and understanding of the birds behaviour. 

But domesticated birds can also post as models.  You just have to know how to set up your background and engage your bird so you can easily them pictures.  Just make sure when taking pictures to take several snap shots so that you can choose the best one.

Speaking of bird models, our avian friends have also served inspiration for some interesting fashion.   Designer Caroline Baker has shown bird- inspired clothing in the Charleston Fashion Week last March 2009.   She have referred to her fashion line, the Plumage Collection,  as “eco couture.”  The collection was consisted of 14  bird inspired outfits. 

It looks like of feathered friends are not only pets after all.  The next time we look at our pet bird, maybe they could serve as inspiration for us to make a work of art.

Pet birds are very sensitive in moving or changing locations.  Small changes in the rooms can make a big impact on birds and can even stress them out.  But sometimes moving is inevitable and travelling is unavoidable.  There would be times when you cannot afford not to move.  How can you make moving and travelling easy on your pet birds?

To make changing addresses easier on your pets, here are some tips to lessen stress:

• Moving is extremely stressful not just for pet owners but also for the pets as well.  The birds will sense that something is going on just by seeing you packing and getting busy.  This would already start the stress, so you can talk to your bird and explain things.  Seeing your assuring face will somehow ease the stress.  Your pets may not understand you, but they can read and understand your body movements.Once you remain calm they also calm down.  It would be better to move your bird in a quiet and secure place while finishing the rest of the packing.

• Your companionship with your bird will give you hints if your pet bird is more sensitive than other birds.  You can identify if your bird is a nervous traveller.  There are also some birds who find riding a vehicle very enjoyable.
 
• Once the movers are already in your house and picking up your things, put the bird away in a quiet and calm place.  Your pet bird should be the last to leave and should be in travel bird cages.  Upon arriving in the new home, put the bird in a quiet place first before bringing the boxes and the things inside your home.  To relax and calm the bird, you can play some music.  This would also lessen the sounds coming from the unpacking.

• If moving to a new place requires a long drive, the stops should be kept to minimum.  You can just buy food at a drive-thru.  If you prefer eating in a restaurant, consider the weather conditions when leaving your pet in the car.Never forget to leave them inside since It may get too cold or too hot for them.

It would require a very long move, when you are moving from one state to another state.  You also have to check the state regulations about your pets.  Sometimes, a certain state might have laws that could prohibit your bird, especially if you are taking care of an exotic bird.

Check hotels or motels you would be sleeping in if they have pet regulations, when you go for a long distance.  They can charge additional for bringing pets.  You do not want to leave your pet outside in the car at the mercy of predators.

• Also when moving, whether it s state to state or just to another city, make sure to have a health certificate from your veterinarian.  You would find this handy when getting a new vet in the new location you have moved to. 

When travelling with your pets, preparation is an important factor.It will need you to prepare well, if you want to go for flying.   Make sure that the airlines you are flying with allow birds, if it is international flight birds are mostly placed in cargo area.  You have to make sure that the birds are comfortable throughout the flight.

Actually, you can help your pet get used to travelling, you can take it out in short day trips.   Just remember that when taking your bird out for a drive, do not put him in the front seat.  If the air bag suddenly opens, the impact could result to severe, even fatal, injuries.

When taking your pet bird out in car, be sensitive.  There are some birds who prefer to have the cage covered, while there are some birds who would like to know what is happening around him.  Be careful with the noise inside the car like the music and also be careful of the fumes they can inhale like air fresheners or cigarette smoke.  

When travelling or moving, it is important to make sure that your pet birds are comfortable throughout the travelling period.