Birds possess a very unique and efficient respiratory system. They lack a diaphragm, have nonexpandable lungs and a system of air sacs which extend into many of their bones. Vocalization is by means of a syrinx, not a larynx as in mammals. This column will describe the structure of the avian respiratory system. The following article will … Read more
On the seventh of December, 1997 Venus came into my life. I’d never received such a precious gift from anyone. I spent my whole day bubbling over with anticipation. I could hardly sit still due to the excitement. Today, we were adding a new member to our “family”!My little angel arrived after dinner that evening. … Read more
If you breed budgies, lovebirds or cockatiels, you know the excitement of working with color mutations. Studying the intricacies of genetics can give a whole new meaning to breeding birds. It is also difficult to describe the thrill of looking in a nest box and discovering a new color no one else has bred.Right now … Read more
I am the owner of a 1 year old African Grey. I have had “Sera” since she was first weaned.My time is very limited as I work many hours. After having difficulty finding the time to prepare an adequate breakfast/dinner for Sera, I came up with a method of feeding her which she loves and … Read more
When a distressed bird is taken to an avian veterinarian, respiratory disease is often found to be the cause. Frequent sneezing, nasal discharge, periocular swelling, coughing, wheezing, and a voice change may be evident. Dyspnea, or labored breathing, may be seen at rest or after the bird flies a short distance. “Tail bobbing” or a … Read more
Parrots are fun-loving. When you interact with them one-on-one each day you can expect a happier, better-adjusted companion parrot. One of the ways to have a parrot bond to you is to play interactively with the parrot.You can help keep a mature parrot more mentally and physically active as they get older by playing fun … Read more
There are as many light-colored mutations of the zebra finch as there are dark. Most of these birds are some shade of white, light tan, or cream, lacking some of the vibrant markings of the darker zebra finch mutations. I enjoy the light mutations of the zebra finch, for a light bird with an orange … Read more
Starting a bird club in your area can be a very rewarding project. Making new friends, learning about birds and sharing experiences are just a few of the benefits a club can provide. For those of you thinking of starting a bird club, here are some of the things we had to do and some … Read more
I have not been a bird owner and breeder for a large number of years, but I discovered early on that giving my birds a good diet could be expensive. By taking advantage of nature’s bounty, I have found that there are many ways to reduce my bird food bill without sacrificing the quality of … Read more
Do you avoid feeding nuts to your birds because they are nothing more than fat-laden treats? If so, it is time to rethink this popular myth. Because of the recent trend toward fat-free diets, nuts have gotten a bad reputation which is both undeserved and inaccurate. Recently, two major scientific conferences have extolled the virtue … Read more