I flip upside down in a frenzy of play, Then call to you in my avian way. Nothing can be more important than me! So drop what you’re doing, and come here and see!For what I’ve done now is sure to impress, I’m chewing your plant and making a mess! I’m only asking for all … Read more
The avian beak is a complex, remarkable organ composed of bone, vascular layers, keratin, dermis and a germinative layer. It continues to grow throughout the bird’s life and is constantly worn down by feeding, grooming, climbing, chewing and rubbing. The rate of keratin replacement depends upon the use of the beak.The beak is also known … Read more
Parrots have their own unique way of playing and behaving. They amuse us, give us pleasure and sometimes cause great damage. Why they do the things they do are often hard to understand, but they are based upon behaviors in the wild. Here is a humorous look at some of their methods. Perhaps your bird … Read more
Tucker Farms is a small aviary. By a small aviary I mean that our family does all the work that needs to be done without outside help. My husband Ron builds equipment and cages and does most of the heavy cleaning. I handfeed babies, prepare food and feed breeder birds. I try to educate people … Read more
Calcium is essential for bone formation, muscle contraction, proper functioning of the nervous system and egg shell formation.Phosphorus is also essential for bone formation, metabolism of carbohydrates and fat, and calcium transport in egg formation. The diet provided to keep a bird healthy must contain adequate calcium and phosphorus and they must be present in … Read more
West Nile encephalitis is an infection of the brain caused by the West Nile virus (WNV), a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States. This virus is of special concern to bird lovers because birds are not … Read more
It didn’t start out as an addiction, but then, addicts are never addicts at the outset. No, addictions creep up on you, a little at a time, through curtains of self-denial. Part of overcoming an addiction is acknowledging and confessing it, so this is the story of my addiction to parrots…It started innocently enough. Wally … Read more
Weaning is an exciting but stressful time in a baby birds life. They are learning to explore and do things on their own at this age. They are also having to take in a lot of changes in a very short period of time. They’ve gone from you feeding them to having to eat on … Read more
Wild parrots spend their lives in the greenery of the rain forest canopy. Not only do they use green trees and plants for camouflage and bathing, their colorful, lofty home contains a huge variety of edible green plants. Greenery provides leaves, buds, sprouts, shoots, blossoms, and stems, as well as nuts, seeds, fruits and berries. … Read more
There are a number of diseases and disorders which can affect birds skin and feathers. Some may be inherited, while others, such as parasites, can be contracted. Knowing which are serious and what to do if they occur can greatly improve a bird’s comfort and even save its life. Some of the more common skin … Read more