Many bird owners have wondered about building their own cage at one time or another. I’m writing this to share the knowledge I’ve gained about zinc and the process of galvanizing. Galvanized means iron (steel) coated with zinc. If it is coated with something else then it is anodized or plated. Galvanized implies zinc. The … Read more

“Let your food be your medicine” said Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, who compiled a list of over four hundred herbs and their uses. Herbs, spices and other nutritional substances are the oldest form of medicine known to man. While modern or “allopathic” medicine is barely a century old, the practice of natural medicine using … Read more

The wild housecat slinks across the living room, eyes bright and tail twitching. Across the room, she sees her prey, a pair of parakeets in a cage. Slowly, she moves into position, raises up to place her paws against a cage, then abruptly jumps away as the parakeet nips her whiskers. She backs away to … Read more

Now that you have found a breeder or pet store to purchase a bird from, your next decision is to find that special bird for you and your family. There are many factors to consider that will help you determine which species of bird is right for you. Your level of experience, budget, time commitments, … Read more

Fast becoming the most widely distributed of all the parakeet species, Ringneck parakeets are well on their way to becoming as popular an avian pet as the budgie. These two different birds share many of the same traits that make either of them desirable as pets — they are both hardy birds, easily tamed, learn … Read more

The most important part of bringing home the new avian family member is the New Bird Exam. This exam is essential to assure the health of the new family member. If health problems are found, this will allow the options of returning the bird to the breeder, getting the seller to cover part of the … Read more

Losing and replacing old feathers is a normal process in birds. However, when new long feathers on a bird’s tail and wings emerge, they continue to receive a supply of blood until they have completed their growth. If you examine the shaft of an emerging feather, you can actually see the blood in it. These … Read more

Summer brings heat, vacations and the desire to spend more time outdoors. It is also the time for vacations. These seasonal changes in our lifestyles also affect our birds. Take a few moments to review some of the hazards which you should remember to watch out for. Clip those wings The best advice anyone can … Read more

Until recently, choosing a Quaker parakeet as an avian pet was given only fleeting consideration by persons interested in sharing their homes with a bird. Most people are instantly captivated by the larger parrots’ beautiful exotic colors, size, and talking ability. But with a personality that has no rival and a life span of approximately … Read more

At one time or another all of us have pondered the question of what is best to use to line the bottom of our bird’s cage. Although there are a variety of products which can be used, some of them are very dangerous for your birds. Learn all you can before making your choice. The … Read more