Does this hypothetical advertisement interest you as a parrot owner?”Wanted: Live, organic, taste-tempting food crop for parrots; must cost no more than twenty to forty cents per pound and must grow in a very limited space without soil, sunlight, or fertilizer; must be ready to harvest in less than a week; must contain abundant natural … Read more
Of all the birds kept as pets, none are so widely diversified as the finch. As members of the genus Poephilia, finches range across nearly every corner of the globe. They live on all the continents, ranging as far north as the Arctic in Canada. Their size varies from a couple of inches to over … Read more
The juice of fresh fruits and vegetables is the richest available food source of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. There is a miracle of energy supplied by live plants that comes from nothing else on our planet. Parrots are biologically adapted to assimilate their vitamins, minerals, and enzymes from live plants. The juice of these plants … Read more
A happy, well-adjusted and trusting Grey is the product of a breeder or handfeeder who understands Greys; who provides a calm and reassuring environment; who is willing to take the time to guide this young life along the path to acceptance and understanding of the idea that humans are kind, gentle and loving. Socialization starts … Read more
Greys grow up. They don’t stay docile accepting babies. Most importantly, they must be allowed to grow up. Think of your maturing Grey as a teenager. They can be rebellious. They may refuse to conform to formerly accepted standards of behavior. This is only a phase. It is not meant as rejection. A life and … Read more
The avian female reproductive tract has evolved over time into a complex structure, unique to birds. The process of forming and laying an egg is one of nature’s many wonders.Just like many other female animals, the avian female begins life with two ovaries and oviducts. However, in most species of birds, the left ovary and … Read more
Canaries can be the easiest pet birds to have. Even the smallest apartment has room for one. They are simple to care for and do not require much attention. Canaries are solitary in nature, so a lone male is perfectly content by himself and will sing whether you are there or not. It can be … Read more
Long before my husband Ken and I started Birds n Ways, we were pet owners. Over a period of seven years we had added two conures and four umbrella cockatoos to our family. We owned a book or two about birds and subscribed to a popular bird magazine, but we really knew very little about … Read more
Last month in Part I, I discussed some emergencies that may arise with your bird. This month’s column covers additional ones. Some emergencies such as landing on a hot stove or eating lead solder from a planter can be prevented, but many cannot and occur at the worst possible time. Here are some of the … Read more
When I first became interested in birds, my idea of the perfect bird was a gleaming white cockatoo or a brilliant blue and gold macaw. The romantic images of these birds lingered in my mind. Despite the fact that my “little birds” (parakeets and later, a parrotlet) kept me entertained for hours, I longed for … Read more