Galah Cockatoos
Galahs are the commonly kept pets and even Galahs caught in the wild make good pets. They are affectionate and friendly. Galahs are usually pale pink and darkpink. They make good pets. They are independent birds and not needy like other species.
They are happy to play on their own and require less time outside the cage. Galahs make wonderful pets especially when hand-raised. They are extrovert in nature, affectionate, friendly playful and intelligent. And like other Cockatoos need to be kept entertained and occupied at all times.
They are quick learners and can be trained to perform several tricks. Often you see them in bird shows, where they fly through several hoops. Galahs are good talkers and males usually have better talking ability than females.
They talking ability however isn't on par with that of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos or the Corellas. So, if you're a workaholic, then Galahs might be the right choice for you!
Goffin's Cockatoos
The Goffin's Cockatoo is the smallest among the Cockatoo species. Goffin's Cockatoos are gregarious, inquisitive and carefree birds. They are fun-loving and make extremely intelligent pets. Many owners claim that their personality resembles that of dogs. They are active birds that need to be kept occupied at all times.
They are more independent than other Cockatoo species and don't mind spending a little time on their own. They don't spoil easily and if trained properly, they make fabulous
pets.
They love physical contact and love having their heads scratched. You can train them to imitate human speech but they can be very loud and are not recommended as pets for apartment dwellers.
Palm Cockatoos
The Palm Cockatoo is the largest among the different species of Cockatoos. It is a striking black bird with red cheek patches. Palm Cockatoos are gentle, intelligent and love company. They make unique and wonderful pets.
They are not as noisy as some of the other species of Cockatoos. In fact their breeding call is the only loud and noisy sound they make. Palm Cockatoos are much sought after pets, but in reality, kept only in small numbers in mostly private collections.
Moluccan Cockatoos
Contrary to the Little Corellas and Goffins, this species is one of the largest of the Cockatoo family. The birds are pink to salmon pink with an attractive crest of orange. They make wonderful pets because they are normally very intelligent, friendly and affectionate. They are quite adept at talking and performing several tricks.
Little Corellas
As true as the name implies, the Little Corellas are one of the smaller Cockatoos. Little Corellas are playful, intelligent and even-tempered birds. They have been kept as pets for many years. These birds can be trained to talk and perform a variety of tricks. They also love to dance and chew. Like all Cockatoos they become very attached to their owners and need to be kept busy.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are affectionate and friendly. Although they have the tendency to become a one-person pet, they make excellent companions. They are more independent than most Cockatoo species and are very intelligent. They are quite adept at talking and performing tricks. I hope all these information comes handy to you when you select your pet Cockatiel.
Right Bird As Your Pet (part 2)
by alex | 9:06 PM in Galah Cockatoos, Goffin's Cockatoos, independent birds, Moluccan Cockatoos, Palm Cockatoos | comments (0)
People have owned pet birds since time immemorial. And bird owners have usually shared their pet-owning experience so as to benefit others toying with the same idea.
Many pet owners across the world have a common belief, "when choosing a bird, pick a bird that selects you". It is believed that a bird answering to this description will be cheerful, inquisitive and will readily come to you.
And before you buy a Cockatiel, make sure you know what you are getting into. Unlike other pets, "Cockatiels require a lot of time and attention". They will also expect you to interact with them often. Some are known for their ability to get attached to their owners quickly, and to mimic human speech.
Here I have listed different types of Cockatiels (which belong to the Cockatoo species) to make it easier for prospective pet owners to choose:
Cockatiels
The first in the list are the Cockatiels. Cockatiels are considered the most popular pet of the Cockatoo species all over the world. These gentle and friendly birds make great pets. They aren't moody and demanding like other Cockatoo species.
They can therefore be a child's first pet. If brought home when young (8 weeks and above), they can be trained to talk, as well as perform tricks such as backward flips and rolling over. If hand-fed as a chick, they will quickly settle in their new home. They love having an audience and will keep you amused all the time.
These birds are amazing fliers. So make sure you keep their wings well clipped. But at the same time, they should not be confined in the cage all times. Let them out for sometime. Just make sure all windows and doors are shut, fans switched off and electrical appliances like stoves and irons are not running while they are outside the cage.
Umbrella Cockatoos
The Umbrella Cockatoo is a very popular pet. They are gentle, affectionate and will charm you from the moment you set your eyes on them. They get very attached to their owners. They love to please and you can teach your pet many tricks.
Although they aren't good talkers, you can train them to dance to the music. They need a lot of physical attention and like a human baby, they need to be hugged, petted and played with. They aren't noisy birds and can be naughty one minute and quite the next.
Bird House
by alex | 7:51 PM in bird houses, bluebirds, nest shelf, robins, type of bird, wrens | comments (0)
Shelter can be provided in many ways, including bird houses or nest boxes. As winter days grow longer after solstice, birds get ready to mate and nest, so it is time to start thinking about putting up a bird house or nest shelf. Fall is a great time to shop for bird houses, remembering that many people you know would welcome a birdhouse as a Christmas present.
Choosing a bird house will depend on your goal. Do you want a great looking garden ornament or are you looking to attract a certain type of bird? All birds have their own particular preferences. For example, robins will not nest in an enclosed box, while wrens and bluebirds are attracted to single unit, enclosed bird houses. One other way to provide shelter is with the types of trees and shrubs in your yard.
Things to remember about birdhouses:
-- Face the entrance hole to the north or east to prevent the birds from overheating if summers are hot in your area.
-- Mount bird houses on poles or posts rather than nailing them to trees or hanging them from limbs, making them less vulnerable to predators.
-- Don't put bird houses next to bird feeders.
-- Clean your bird house yearly.
Water
While water is the least important of the three requirements, it can make a difference to the number of birds visiting your feeders. If birds must fly long distances to find water in the winter, they may choose to stay near their water source rather than coming back to your feeder.
The easiest way to provide water is by maintaining your bird bath year round. This could mean filling the bird bath several times a day, which is not always practical. The easiest method is to have a heated bird bath. Heaters are completely safe, but make sure they have an automatic shut-off feature if the bath goes dry, which can happen on windy days or if there are too many birds drinking from the bath.
The plug must be attached to a grounded (three pronged) outlet -- preferably a GFI (ground fault interrupt) outlet. This will eliminate the risk of electrical shock. The heating element also should be covered in some way.
If yours is uncovered, it would be good to place a piece of shale over the top to prevent any birds from burning their feet. In addition, birds will enjoy perching on the warm rock, especially the mourning doves.
Winter Birds to Your Garden
by alex | 7:48 PM in bird feeders, food supply for birds, watch birds, watching birds | comments (0)
There's nothing more delightful than watching birds flit from one area of your garden to the next. Attracting birds to your yard is really quite simple: if you supply their three basic needs -- food, shelter and water -- you will have an avian oasis in your own backyard.
Food
As winter approaches and the natural food supply for birds dwindles, birds become dependent on bird feeders for seeds and suet. Although there is debate about whether artificial feeding disrupts the migration urge of some birds, research shows this is not a significant concern.
For birds that are not strong enough to migrate due to injury or illness or because of some undeveloped natural migration cue, your feeder may be what enables them to live through winter. Also, for birds that do not migrate, winter storms can bury their food supply.
When you add to that the natural condition of reduced time for foraging due to shorter days, winter is a real hardship for birds.
There are two ways to provide food: through bird feeders and by growing plants around your yard that offer fruits, seeds and a habitat that birds love. Black oil sunflower seed is the best seed to attract a diverse group of birds to your feeder, including chickadees, nuthatches, finches, cardinals, grosbeaks, sparrows, blackbirds and jays.
To attract insect-eating birds such as woodpeckers, chickadees and nuthatches, offer suet in the wintertime. Ground feeding birds like juncos, sparrows, towhees and mourning doves prefer cracked corn scattered on the ground or placed in an elevated tray.
Plants to add to your landscape include serviceberry, dogwood, fir, hawthorn, sweet gum, crabapple, pine, coralberry and fruit-bearing viburnums. Seed-producing flowers that will attract birds include aster, blanket flower, cone flower, sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, California poppies, goldenrod, marigolds, phlox, salvias and zinnias.
Things to remember about feeders:
-- It's nice if you can place the feeder so you can watch birds from a comfortable location, but also keep in mind their needs. They need an escape route, so make sure you place the feeder near shrubs or evergreen trees so they can make a quick get-away.
Woody plants with thorns, such as roses or hawthorn, are helpful to birds because they provide refuge from predators such as house cats. This can also help keep the feeders out of the rain and food dry.
-- Keep your feeders clean to prevent diseases and deter pests. Disinfect occasionally with one part chlorine bleach and nine parts lukewarm water and dry thoroughly before refilling.
-- Once you start to provide food for birds, continue throughout the cold season. It's best to provide only one type of food per feeder. Birds feeding at feeders with mixed seed discard the seeds they do not want while selecting their favorites.
-- Do not feed birds spoiled leftovers, salty snack foods or sugary cereals.
