In situations where you already have another bird in your home, it would be best to segregate your new arrival for about thirty days. The reason you want to do this is to help ensure that if your new bird has an infectious disease, you won’t infect your original bird. When creating a quarantine for your bird, it would be best to keep him on floor in a completely different room of the house. Also make sure to keep their food and water dishes apart and do not interchange them even after washing. If your home has a central air conditioning system, you may have difficulty being able to ensure a true quarantine. Since these kinds of air conditioning system employ air duct systems which carry the air from one room to other rooms in the house. Regardless it is still a good idea to quarantine the new bird than immediately putting exposing him to your original pet even if you have air ducts.

You should also make sure that any new bird you bring home is in good health. So be sure to take him to your local avian veterinarian for a general check up. Your veterinarian will be able to check and make sure that your new pet bird is free of any contagious diseases, worms or bacterial infections. This is even more important in cases were you have a hand fed baby bird, the reason being is that if the bird wasn’t properly hand fed it is at a higher risk for having a bacterial infection.

When ever you bring a new bird home you should closely monitor their eating habits during their initial adjustment period. If you notice that your bird doesn’t seem to be eating at all during the initial twenty four hours, you should try and offer him some spray millet. Spray millet is pretty much a dessert for birds. Another option is to offer him a whole grain cereal which may coax a frightened bird into eating. If you just brought home a newly weaned baby bird and he is not eating and is also making various squalling noises, your new bird may have regressed some and will need to be hand fed slightly longer. In these situations call your breeder for assistance.

If for some reason you cannot get in contact with your breeder, odds are you can buy some hand feeding formula from your local pet shop. To use the formula simply mix up a tiny quantity of the hand feeding formula until it reaches a consistency close to that of pudding. Then offer some of the mixture to your bird by putting some of the formula on a plastic spoon. If all is well he should eat it right off the spoon.
Lastly, you should not be afraid to interact with your new pet bird, just make sure you don’t get out of hand and overdo it. At first you should only try to work with him for 10 minutes at a time and no more. If he continually flies away and you notice your self having to chase and catch him, Just put him away back in his cage for a bit until he starts to calm down. Every time you chase and catch your bird it cause him some stress, which is something we are trying to minimize for our new friend.

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Jeff Watts from Bird-B-Gone met Rabun at the lifeguard station to help suggest a bird control system that would work.  Watts says, “they have a large infestation of pigeons and seagulls on the roof area, the best solution is some sort of physical deterrent that keeps the birds from landing and roosting on the roof.  I suggested using the Bird Spikes on the roof peaks and edges. This will make it difficult for the birds to land and they will choose another more suitable area. ” Battalion Chief Bauer chose to us the Plastic Bird Spikes from Bird-B-Gone, Inc. .

The plastic spikes are made of a sturdy polycarbonate plastic, they are durable and virtually invisible when installed. The plastic spikes carry a 5-year Guarantee and are the lowest cost bird spike available.
Rabun says “the installation of the Bird Spikes was very easy to do.  In no time we had most of the roof done!”  He used adhesive to adhere the spikes to the roof peaks and edges of the roof.  They used the clear plastic spikes on the roof as it is virtually invisible from a distance, and they used the white spikes on the parapet wall that surrounds the roof access as the white spike matches the white paint.

Along with the Bird Spikes Rabun is installing the Bird Spiders by Bird-B-Gone, Inc. .  The Bird Spiders have eight stainless steel “arms” that move with the breeze discouraging birds from landing. They are installing the Bird Spiders on the open areas of the roof to keep Gulls from landing there. Jeff Watts of Bird-B-Gone, Inc. says “ this is what we call an integrated bird control solution. Sometimes more than on method or product is needed to keep pest birds away. ”

Chief Bauer says, “ we are pleased to finally be rid of the countless pigeons and seagulls from our main life guard facility in Newport Beach.  The building is a big part of the charm of he Newport Beach Pier and surrounding area, it just has much better “eye” appeal without all of the birds and their poop!”
For more information on Bird-B-Gone, Inc. products and pest bird solutions call 1-800-392-6915 or visit www. birdbgone. com.

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The Spanish Pyrenees
From the snow-capped mountains and pine filled rocky hills of the north to the beautiful Aragon Valley of the south, the Spanish Pyrenees will please any avid bird watcher. The area is one of Europe’s best for raptors and is well populated with the following:

* Red and Black Kites
* Griffon
* Egyptian Vultures
* Short-toed Eagles
* Booted Eagles
* Golden Eagles
* Most importantly, the most sought after vulture, the Lammergeir!

In addition, the following birds are often spotted in the high alpine meadows:
* Woodchat Shrike
* Hoopoe
* Spotless Starling
* European Bee-eaters
* Wallcreepers

They are located in the Hecho Valley, high above the town of Jaca, which is in the central Spanish Pyrenees.

Serbia
Serbia is one of the top places to visit for bird watchers looking for the following breeders:
* Pygmy Cormorant
* Ferruginous Duck
* Great Bustard
* Long-legged Buzzard
* Saker Falcon
* Syrian Woodpecker
* Re-rumped Swallow
* Wallcreeper
* Nutcracker
* Black-headed Bunting

Visitors planning to bird watch here can use the Belgrade Airport which connects to most European airports. Most country roads are passable and accessible by bus or hired car.

France
Since France is positioned in Western Europe, a large variety of birds give every birdwatcher an opportunity to find the following birds:
* Black Redstart
* Serin
* Cirl Bunting
* Great Grey
* Red Black shrikes
* Golden Orioles
* Grey-headed Woodpecker
* Black Woodpecker

Many of the above birds can be seen anywhere in France, from the motorway to downtown without having to even venture into the wilderness.   It is however, important for visitors to be aware of numerous amounts of hunters between September and March. They are known to become aggressive with bird watchers and Ecologists in general.

The Canary Islands
The canaries are a group of seven volcanic islands located 100 km off the coast of Morocco in the North Atlantic. Most areas in the canaries provide public transportation along with detailed route maps and schedules. The following species of birds can be seen in the canaries:

Along the Hills:
* Berthelot’s Pipit
* Plain Swift
* Sardinian Warbler
* Whitethroat
* Canarian Chiffchaff
* Canarian Blue Tit
* Great Grey Shrikes
* Kestrel and goldfinch

Along the shores:
* Turnstones
* Curlews
* Lesser Black-backed Gulls
* Yellow-legged Gulls
* Parakeets
* Ringed, Little Ringed, and Kentish Plovers
* Whimbrel
* Lestrel
* Barbary Partridges

Around towns:
* Serins
* Canarian Kinglets (canarian goldcrest)
* Canarian Blue Tit
* Common Chaffinch
* Canaries
* Sparrowhawk
* Buzzards
* Great Spotted Woodpecker
* Laurel Pigeon
* Bolle’s Pigeon

You can book hotel and coach hire and tickets & attraction at the web site  www. mygrouptour and www. in-holidays-europe. co. uk

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Many of us also realize that being interested in the natural world will provide a better appreciation for the environment and the habitat in which birds live. Habitat conservation is going to be key as human populations explode and critical environments disappear.

Before going off on their first birding trips new birders should learn some of the basics for successful bird watching to avoid the potential for disappointment. Having a bird feeder or bird house in the back yard is a great idea, but to see more birds you need to visit their local habitat to find them.

You Must Be There At Dawn To See More Birds!
In order to see the greatest number of birds possible an early start is imperative as this when the birds are most active. Wherever your birding trip takes you, you will always have more success early in the morning even if it is in your yard, in a local park or woods or on a beach.

After a good rest you will need to be prepared to get up very early and be on location at dawn. This will ensure you get to the right place before the birds become active and your arrival will not disturb them. The couple of hours or so after dawn are the busiest time for birds and you will surprised at how many you see. If you arrive late you will see less birds.

Clothes With Bright Colors Must Be Left At Home!
Bright colored clothes will scare the birds as they will see you easier and take avoiding action by diving into the nearest bushes as soon as they detect your movements and because of this you will not see many birds.
As a birder you should try and wear clothing that has a more natural and darker color that fits in with the area and foliage where you will be bird watching.

It is a great idea to wear anything that will camouflage you when in the birds habitat while bird watching. Get the ultimate gear if you want to see the biggest number of birds or when you go into an area where birds are nervous and difficult to see.

Keep The Noise Down Or You Will Scare The Birds!
While you are bird watching always move slowly and above all quietly. If you are with a friend and continuously talking you will never see many birds as the noise you make will scare them off and the fact that you are talking will drown out any noise the birds might make so you will never hear them either.
So if you have to communicate with other birders with you just whisper quietly and when close to birds you are trying to see use hand signals or gestures to indicate where the birds are, but do not move you arms around to point out locations as if the birds see this then they will be gone!

Try and remain behind larger things like tree trunks and bushes so that the birds do not see your silhouette or any movement as this will disturb them and they might leave in a hurry.

Stay On The Trail To Minimize Disturbance
You will avoid disturbing the birds by staying on the trail and by not trying to go through the undergrowth. Also you should never try to flush out a bird or chase them in any way as this could put stress on the birds you are trying to see and force them to flee.

The best way to see birds is to let them come to you and if you find a good location and make yourself comfortable this will happen and can sometimes give the best views. A bird feeder and bird houses in your back yard is also a great idea as again lets the birds come to you and over time they will become less nervous. Do not approach birds too closely especially during the spring and summer breading season and definitely do not go near their nests.

Get Binoculars Or A Scope For Better Birding
It is easy and safer to see birds from a distance and this is why you should invest in a good pair of binoculars and as you get more serious about watching birds you might also want to buy a spotting scope to get the closest views of birds possible.

If you are a lover of nature then bird watching can be extremely enjoyable. It does not have to be expensive and although birding can become a bit of a challenge it always remains great fun.
It is easy to begin by just putting up bird feeders and bird houses for nesting in your yard and get enjoyment from watching the birds as they come and go.

Make Sure You Enjoy The Birds Wherever You Go!
Go on a bird watching trip to find more birds. Find out the best places to go from birding website sand online guides and plan a day out or a weekend away to find more birds and ones that are different to what you see every day.

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In order to attract birds you need to know what they want from life mainly: food, shelter and water. If you can provide their needs they will come. FoodDepending on where you live will depend on the type of birds you are likely to attract.

If you live in Ontario you will be very familiar with the Blue Jay, whereas in British Columbia the Grey Jays and Stellar’s Jay are far more numerous. Like humans, birds have their favorite food types and each species has its own preferences. Some like seeds, some nuts, some like nectar and others like insects or fruit. If you are prepared to offer a wide selection of foods then you will be rewarded with a wider selection of birds. It is also worth knowing what food each species feeds to its young as this can determine if you have nesting birds nearby.

Shrubs and trees: The type of shrubs and trees you have in your garden will have an impact on the species you attract. If you try to plant those which offer berries, fruit, seeds and nuts you will see far more birds than a garden with just one or two tree types. Evergreens are excellent as not only do they offer year round colour for your enjoyment they also offer food sources and shelter to birds all year round. Unless it is unsafe, try to leave any dead wood and trees in your garden as many insects use this as home and thus you will attract more birds.

Woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees love nothing more than hiding their food in tree bark, so by leaving the odd bit of dead wood about you will be providing a larder for them. You might also want to provide an area of dead limbs and leaves such as a compost as this will attract ground-dwelling birds such as towhees and sparrows. These little birds will spend hours rummaging through such areas for insects.

Plants: The type of plants you use are also important. Using wildflowers native to your area is always a good idea as they will in turn attract native birds. Wildflowers will also attract insects so you will then be appealing to insect eating birds. Remember many birds who feed on seeds, nuts etc as adults feed their young on insects, so to have both options in the garden will encourage them to stay nearby and nest. Flowers such as sunflowers, daisies and coneflowers can be left to go to seed as the seeds are very attractive to many bird species such as finches, sparrows etc. Remember too that they are also very attractive to squirrels and chipmunks, so be prepared to be raided!

Note: With all trees, shrubs and plants it is important to get a mix of conifers, grasses, nectar producing plants, fruiting plants, nut producing plants and evergreens.

If you include mulch or bark chips round your plants and trees this will encourage insects too. Birds love to rummage around in this type of surface digging out tasty treats.

Feeders: Another important step to take in attracting birds is to provide feeders in key locations throughout your garden. Bird feeders come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to be squirrel proof if this is an issue to you. You will find that there are different feeders for different types of food. Some hold seeds and nuts, some fruit and some will hold suet bars or nectar, many hold any number of things. Your feeds should be large enough to hold a good amount of food as you don’t want to be running out filling it up every hour. It should also be sturdy to withstand both the weather and the weight of larger birds.

It should keep food dry and clean and should be easy to refill and look after and keep clean. You will want to use several different types of feeder in order to attract the greatest variety of birds. If you have a small garden which does not allow you to landscape for birds then feeders will be your way of attracting birds to your home. Likewise if you live in a property without a garden, you might consider using feeders outside your window or on a balcony to attract as many birds as you can. Tray feeders will appeal to many birds. They are basically a raised, flat surface onto which various foods can be placed. Some have a roof to offer protection from the weather, but many are open.

This type of feeder should have drainage holes to allow water to escape. Hopper feeders are basically a box forming an enclosed food hopper. Some have clear fronts so birds can see inside. Most birds will use a hopper feeder and it will also keep food dry and clean. Window feeders are useful if you want an “up close and personal” view of your birds. They are clear boxes that attach to a window by way of a suction cup to allow you to see the birds. Cylinder feeders are long hollow cylinders which can be filled with food. They can have several feeding holes and perches to allow many birds access at the same time. They can be made from anything from metal, plastic or wood and encourage smaller birds to feed.

These feeders are not good at attracting larger birds as they are space restrictive. Suet feeders can be found as individual items or attached to other feeders. They are a mesh cage or bag which holds suet cakes. Woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees will enjoy this type of feeder. Nectar feeders are plastic containers which hold artificial nectar or sugar solution. They often have red flower like feeding ports to allow hummingbirds to hover and feed.

They should have bee guards to prevent bees from entering the container. This type of container needs to be cleaned frequently, so make sure it is easy to clean. Some nectar feeders are saucer shaped allowing hummingbirds to feed from the top. Nectar feeders should not be placed in direct sunlight as it will cause the nectar to spoil too quickly. ShelterShelter comes in many forms, both natural and artificial. Birds rely on shelter not only to protect them from the elements and predators, but to provide a secure location to nest and bring up their young.

Natural shelter is in trees and shrubs, particularly evergreens that can offer shelter in the winter months. Dense wooded areas are great for birds as it offers protection from both the elements and predators. By providing different types of foliage you will be providing shelter for many types of birds. Artificial shelter comes in the form of nesting boxes which can be placed in strategic locations in your garden encouraging birds to nest. Not all birds will use nest boxes, but species such as chickadees, nuthatches and woodpecker may. The type and location of the nest box is crucial. The entrance size is very important as a bird will obviously want to be able to enter and exit easily, but will not want other birds to get in the box. Other important factors are the actual size of the box, some birds like a lot of room, others want a small cozy space.

The height the box is placed is also a factor to be considered. When buying a nesting box many will have details of the type of bird it is likely to attract an the optimum placement for it. A Chickadee will like a box that has a hole of 3 cm diameter and the hole should be 15 cm above the bottom of the box. The box should be between 2 and 5 metres above the ground. A Hairy Woodpecker will require a hole 4 cm diameter and 25 cm above bottom of the box. This box should be placed 3 to 5 metres above the ground. WaterWater is not only used for drinking, but for bathing. Water can be in the form of a pond, stream or an artificial bird bath. If the source is natural make sure it is easily accessible. This might mean adding some stones or rocks for birds to stand on as water more than a few centimeters deep will be off-putting to smaller birds. The water source should also be close to shelter as this will allow the bird to escape any predators.

Bird baths should have a rough surface with sloping sides and shallow water trough. The bath should be refilled regularly and kept clean. Birds love running water, so a fountain or waterfall will be an added bonus for them. As well as bathing in water birds love to bath in sand or fine soil. If you can provide an area of this type you will find many birds dusting themselves off very happily. Nesting MaterialsAs well as providing the actual nesting boxes for birds it is also worth trying to provide the nesting materials they will need to make a comfy nest. Again this will depend on the type of bird, but things such as twigs, leaves and general garden debris will all be welcomed. We mentioned before the use of an area of dead branches and compost, well this can also be a good source of nesting products for birds. Other things to consider providing are straw, string, yarn, dead twigs, feathers, bark and pine needles.

Don’t let your household waste go unused either. Things such as animal fur and shredded paper will also be used by birds to make their nests. ButterfliesAs well as attracting many types of birds to your garden, you will also be attracting butterflies. Butterflies like many of the plants and flowers you will be planting to attract the birds. They particularly like strong scented plants and brightly colored plants, particularly blue ones.

If you plant your garden with different height border plants butterflies will love to fly between the different blooms. They also need the sun to warm their bodies, so if you place some flat stones in sunny , wind-less spots this will encourage sunbathing butterflies.

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Netting will provide 100% exclusion of pest birds and is a long-term bird control solution.   Bird netting comes in several different mesh sizes ranging from ¾” mesh for use with all types of birds, to 2” mesh to use when larger birds like pest pigeons and seagulls are a problem.   Netting comes in several colors as well; white, stone and black.   Black bird netting is usually preferred because of its natural U. V. protection and lack of discoloration due to dirt and dust.  

When installed properly, the netting will be virtually invisible, not interfering with the architectural features of a building. Choosing the right bird netting: There are several types of bird netting available.   There is knotted polyethylene netting that is considered long lasting and heavy duty.   You would use this type of netting where you want a permanent solution to your bird control issues.   Heavy-duty bird netting is usually manufactured using U. V. treated twine providing long life.

  Strength of these nets can be greater than 40 lbs. burst.   The nets will also have a high melting point and flame resistant.   Heavy-duty bird netting is ideal for use in warehouses, airplane hangars, canopies, overhangs and other large areas where pest birds are to be excluded. Another type of bird netting is Polypropylene extruded plastic netting.   This is a strong plastic bird netting used to exclude pest birds from homes and gardens.  It is strong yet lightweight, easy to use and install.   Plastic bird netting is often used to protect crops and orchards from pest birds.

  It is ideal to protect blueberries, fruit trees and other garden plants.   Hanging plastic bird netting from the eaves of your home can protect it from such pest birds as swallows and woodpeckers. Plastic bird netting is not a long term netting product with about one year of usage. Bird netting comes in different mesh sizes.   Choosing the correct mesh size is important.  You do not want the birds to be able to get into the netted off area and become stuck or trapped.   For larger birds such as pigeons and seagulls you can use a 1-1/8” to 2” mesh size.   For smaller birds such as sparrows and starlings use a ¾” to ½” mesh size.   When using plastic netting to protect berries and grapes, use a ¼” mesh size.

  Installing bird netting: Commercial installations for bird netting can get complicated depending on the size of the area to be protected and the material that the netting will be attached to.   Netting off the infrastructure of an airplane hangar can require thousands of square feet of netting and special equipment such as lifts and power equipment to install the net.   It is often recommended to use a professional bird control installer to get the job done correctly.  

There are bird control installers throughout the country that have experience in installing bird netting in large quantities and complicated jobs. Installations of bird netting on your home or in your garden can easily be done yourself.   For use in the garden you will cover your favorite plants with the plastic bird netting.   Draping the ¼” mesh plastic bird netting over fruit trees will protect the fruit from pest birds.   It may be necessary to hire a professional to hang the netting from the eaves of our home, especially in multi-storied houses.   Fran Prisco lives and writes in Southern California. She has been in the bird control industry for over 8 years. Her areas of interests span from running and bicycling to volunteer work and golfing.

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Heated bird baths are most commonly found on-line. These arecomplete bird baths with the heater built into the bath.When using either of these types, make sure your power source issafe. If you are unsure, hire an electrician to check it out orto install a GFCI outlet on the outside of your house. Thesetypes of outlets provide saftey for outdoor bird baths and anyother electrical tools used in the yard.Place your heated bird bath near your feeders for easierviewing. Even birds that don’t normally visit your feeders willvisit your bird bath.

 All backyard birds need water. Also, whenplacing your bath, make sure there is cover for the birds. Wateron the feathers make birds easy targets for prey.Do not place the bird bath too close to cover, otherwise catscan hide and attack the birds more easily, a few yards will beadequate.The recommended type of bird bath, is the pedestal style.

These give the birds more security by being 2 or more feet above ground. This height allows birds to view their surroundings andany would be predators. Any bird bath can be used.By providing water for birds this winter, you’ll not only beproviding a service to our winter birds, but you’ll have agreater diversity of birds and more of them to watch. And. . .Isn’t that what makes bird watching so much fun.

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If using natural branches make sure they have not been exposed to insecticides. Also, take care to collect branches in areas removed from highways where plant life may have absorbed toxic emissions from cars. Scrub all branches with a non-toxic disinfectant (dilute chlorine bleach), rinse and dry thoroughly. If you need to clean wood toys, don’t soak them. It is best to wipe them clean with a damp cloth or sand the soiled area until clean. If your bird likes to dunk his toys beware that moisture can promote bacterial growth and the toys should either be discarded or thoroughly cleaned and dried in a low temperature oven before returning them to the bird. Birds are able to distinguish colors therefore color makes wood toys more attractive and interesting to birds. Manufacturers usually color wood with food coloring or vegetable dyes. We don’t believe in flavoring wood as the bird should not be encouraged to ingest the wood and, unless properly controlled, the fruit sugars often used provide a perfect medium for bacterial growth. Do not buy toys that have been stained or varnished to add color.

If you are interested in a toy with painted parts (ie, ABC blocks) make sure that only non-toxic, child safe paints were used. ROPE Several kinds of rope are used in bird toys. Only 100% natural fiber ropes such as cotton, hemp (jute), or sisal should be used in bird toys. Nylon blend ropes should never be used as they can result in serious injury and cuts due to the strength of the strands if the birds get caught in it. Ropes can be safe as long as they are maintained properly and the bird’s beak and nails are kept trim. There have been safety problems noted when excessive fraying occurs. Birds have choked and lost circulation to legs by getting tangled in ill maintained ropes. Rope toys have proven very beneficial in solving feather picking problems and therefore we don’t like to discount rope as a viable material. Bird owners have a responsibility to check their bird’s rope toys daily and to cut back or discard rope toys when they become frayed and present a hazard to their bird. CHAIN Chain should have welded not open links. Un-welded chain provides sharp surfaces and narrow openings which have been known to cut toes. Make sure the links are a safe size for your bird, if toes get caught in the links the result can be broken toes or legs.

Chain length is also a consideration as a long length of chain could conceivably end up wrapped around a bird’s neck during a vigorous play session. As the wood components are chewed off, a chain hazard could develop. Owners must monitor the status of toys and ensure that as they physically change safety hazards do not develop. FASTENERS This is a crucial area of concern as good fasteners are expensive and therefore many manufacturers cut corners and use potentially unsafe items such as split key rings or dog leash type snap hooks. Birds have been cut and lost circulation to toes and tongues on toys utilizing split rings and spring type clamps. For conures or larger birds we recommend either Quick-links (also sometimes called C-clamps) or Pear links to attach toys to the bird’s play area. They come in a variety of sizes and can be tightened with a wrench easily to prevent the bird from unhooking his toys. This type of fastener provides the least potential for injury. They are available in a variety of sizes and can be purchased from your local hardware store if needed to replace unsafe fasteners from existing toys. Do not use split key rings, spring loaded clips or metal shower rings to fasten your toys. Small hardware pieces can be ingested accidentally. Birds have cut toes and tongues on split rings and spring type clamps. ZINC A lot has been mentioned recently about zinc toxicity in birds.

Many bird toys are made with zinc coated (galvanized) metal components. Zinc is also commonly found in cage powder coatings. Some avian health specialists have stated that in order for zinc related health problems to result that the parrot must actually swallow the metal components and that “beaking” the parts is insufficient for toxicity to develop unless the galvanized coating is extremely brittle and flaky. If a bird spends a lot of time chewing on toy hardware (i. e. , washers, quick links, wire) then it is possible they will ingest enough zinc to build up toxic levels in their systems over time. Owners who are worried about the possible health effects can often find stainless steel replacement components at their local hardware store. This option is also often much more cost effective to the consumer than buying toys constructed with stainless steel parts. PLASTICS Acrylics are used in many toys today and if sized properly to the bird are virtually indestructible. If purchasing acrylic toys we recommend the acrylic have a minimum thickness of 3/16?. Recently, there has been a shift back towards wood toys because although the acrylics are durable and attractive they are also not as fun for the bird who likes to chew.

We recommend that a few of your birds toys be acrylic or a blend of acrylic and wood, they will be long lasting and the bright colors used are stimulating to your bird. When considering toys with plastic components a bird owner must consider the nature of the plastic component (i. e. , soft vs. brittle) relative to the size of the bird. Brittle plastics should not be given to larger birds because when they break very sharp, cutting edges are formed and if swallowed accidentally could result in ruptured organs. Hard plastic toys specifically designed for parakeets and cockatiels should not be given to larger birds with the beak power to destroy them. LEATHER Leather is a great material for birds to safely play with and chew on. Most birds especially like to spend hours untying knots made in leather strips. Only vegetable tanned leather should be used on bird toys. Do not buy toys with dyed leather or leather tanned with chemicals as most are toxic to birds (i. e. , chromium, formaldehyde). For this reason you should also not retire old shoes, belts and pocketbooks to your birds toy chest. Replace leather if soiled or wet. Bacteria will flourish under these conditions. Many toy companies will sell replacement leather strips. When hanging toys strung on leather (or rope or chain), avoid leaving a long strand between the toy and the cage.

Some birds when rambunctious with their toys can get the leather wrapped around their necks and strangle. It is best to tie the toy close to the bars of the cage. RINGS When choosing toys with rings or large plastic chain links make sure that the rings are of a size that the bird can’t get his head stuck in them and choke. Also beware of toys with multiple rings looped directly together as birds have met similar fates when they have been trapped between the rings. BELLS Birds love to make noise and bells provide a fun source for their merrymaking. If a bird is mechanically inclined and can remove the clapper the potential exists for swallowing/choking. Make sure the bell clapper can not be removed by the bird. If it is not securely fastened either remove it or weld it (we recommend silver solder). Make sure the clapper is not lead (toxic), if it is lead you will be able to dent the clapper with your fingernail.

Do not buy toys that use jingle type bells, toes can become caught and cut in the wide to narrow openings, we recommend the cow or liberty bell design. Appropriately size the bell to the bird so it will be able to withstand the power of the beak. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS Just because the label says the product is safe doesn’t mean that it’s OK for your bird. Any toy has the potential to be unsafe if improperly sized to the bird. Ask your toy vendor or bird store owner for help or advice on choosing a toy appropriate for your bird. As with kids, no toy is 100% safe for all birds. Use common sense and supervise your bird when you first give him a new toy. Observe how he interacts with the toy to determine how best to hang it and where and when to allow him to play with it (some toys are safer outside the cage). Provide a wide variety of toys and rotate them in and out of the cage or play area. Variety will help alleviate boredom and keep your bird more alert and curious. Keep 2-3 toys minimum in the birds cage and don’t overstuff the cage so the bird doesn’t have room to move. Don’t assume that if your bird doesn’t like a toy that it won’t play with any toy.

Try something different and take the time to observe what your bird finds interesting in terms of design, texture or size. Introduce toys to baby birds but make them small. . . don’t intimidate them. Hand toys are some of the safest toys available and they are especially great for young birds as they help to develop hand-eye coordination. Play with your bird. . . most birds think it’s great fun to chase balls across the floor or couch, play “catch” or “pick it up” with mom or dad. This guide is by no means comprehensive but we have tried to address as many issues as possible. When in doubt, ask for help. We sincerely wish you a long, happy and healthy relationship with your bird.

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If you know about the type of bird you are looking for as a pet, then you should have a perception of what to expect from your new pet. This means you will need to do a proper amount of research on the bird before you bring it home. Try to look for a basic bird guide online. When you get this pet, as long as you are ready to take on the responsibility of having a pet, we know you are going to be very happy. This is because birds make great companions. You will find your bird willing to do a lot of the things you do. In fact, when you take a shower, you bird may even want to be there with you! When you’re eating, your bird may wish to watch you, and in many cases, they’ll attempt to eat from your dinner plate.

Can you believe that some birds will repeat everything you say? Some birds are so intelligent that you will fid yourself able to understand complete sentences–which actually make sense! You should make sure you put your bird in a cage that has a lot of room. This is especially important for those birds that spend a great deal of time in their cage. Your bird is going to require plenty of room to move about.

Basically, if your bird is not able to stretch his wings and flap them without hitting the sides of the cage, then the cage is too small and you should get a new one. You might also try to gather information regarding accessories for birds, so that you are better prepared to meet your bird’s needs. Now that you know what to expect when caring for a bird, do you think you’re ready?

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Your pet bird can easily be killed by a jealous cat or dog.   These are some factors you would have to consider. Giving some thought over these questions and still able to identify that you would still like to have a pet bird, then let’s go over to the selection process.   

When choosing the right bird, make sure to do some research about the birds.   There are some birds which are overly demanding in terms of social and physical needs, these birds are better kept in the wild.  Some good bird choices would be canaries, finches, cockatiels, parakeets, and lovebirds. These breeds of birds have long been bred in captivity and have already resulted into some domestic breeds.

  The good thing about these birds is that the supplies they need can readily be purchased.  On the other hand there are some birds which are better left alone in the wild, like some breeds of parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and toucans.   These birds have not undergone the breeding process that the domesticated birds have experienced.   These birds tend to be demanding to live with. When choosing your pet bird, consider the following factors:• Size – the rule is that the bigger the bird the bigger the responsibilities.   If you are just starting to be a bird owner,  then it would be best to start with a smaller up until to medium size.

  The size of your bird will determine how big will the housing and other physical requirements. • Nutrition- a bird fed accordingly can live up to fifty years!  It is important to provide the proper diet to your birds.    Bird not only feed on seeds, they also require fruits and vegetables and lots of water.   Bird seed are not enough for your bird. • Housing -  let us apply the rule again, the larger the bird, the larger the cage it requires.   A proper cage should have the bars spaced closely enough, close enough so that bird heads would not get caught between bars and for small birds to escape the cage.   The cage should be spacious enough so that the bird can move freely and have enough exercise. • Budget and finance – birds, as well as any other pet, can pose some financial obligations.  

For birds, the cage, accessories, maintenance, food and veterinary care can be costly.   When looking for a bird, then you should make yourself familiar with the cost of raising one. You want to have a pet that you can afford. • Time and maintenance- unlike to what other people think, birds are not really low-maintenance pets.   There are some pet birds which would require daily exercise and constant social interaction. Time and  maintenance would include feeding, cleaning the dishes and the cage. Some parrots show some behaviour problems if they do not receive regular attention from pet owners.

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CausesThe virus that causes bird flu appears to be versatile and resilient. Scientists are working on a new vaccine that would be effective against the new strain of the virus that causes Bird flu. There are different subtypes and strains of the virus that causes bird flu, and some cause more severe disease than others. Results of the examinations for the H5N1 virus that causes bird flu are be announced later on Sunday, officials said. Bird flu (or Avian flu) is currently being used to describe the influenza virus, H5N1, which is producing a highly contagious and rapidly fatal disease, leading to severe epidemics in birds. Bird flu is caused by different subtypes of influenza A virus affecting chickens, ducks and other birds Viruses which cause mild disease can mutate into viruses that can cause serious disease (highly pathogenic).

SymptomsDoctor’s offices are flooded with visitors all over the world these days from people wondering if they have a bird flu symptom. We are all so terrified of any kind of bird flu symptom that some people have even stopped going out where there might be other people. This is a little extreme since the bird flu symptom has not yet had many cases of moving from one person to another and most of the world is not even affected with bird flu yet but it is still a good idea to have a good grasp about each bird flu symptom and what you can expect from them.

Each flu will have symptoms and a bird flu symptom is not really any different, they can just get worse. If you have the bird flu you will be looking at the same types of symptoms, there will be the sore throat, a cough, perhaps some sneezing, a fever but you may also suffer from a more serious bird flu symptom like respiratory distress or even failure. This type of bird flu symptom could cause death.

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  Most bird watchers choose a 7 or 8 power magnification and a 32 to 42 objective lens.   These numbers will read 8 x 32 and is usually recommended for the beginning birder.   Birders that wear glasses should look for binoculars that have a long eye relief. A long eye relief will provide an unrestricted view.   An 8 x 32 binocular will give a wider view and are easier to hold steady.   There are a number of other pieces of equipment that you can buy, but with these listed here you can easily get started with your new hobby.
Where, oh where are all of the birds?

You have your tools and are ready to get started bird watching.   Where do you start first?  There are a number of great ways to find the right spot to start bird watching the first of which being your backyard.   This helps you to learn to use your references, what you want to document, and getting the feel for using your binoculars.   Besides, the backyard can provide a wide range of birds that are fascinating to watch and identify. Some of the factors that you should consider are the time of year, time of day, and the habitat in which you live.   This helps you to learn what birds live in your area and gives you a starting point.
 
Exploring the Bird Watchers World

Once you feel comfortable with the basic tools and observe a few birds you will want to spread your wings.   There is a whole world to explore and groups to join if you so choose.   Resources for groups, trips, vacations and specific species of birds can easily be found by doing a little research.   The Audubon Society is a great place to start.   Visit your local library for current birding magazines. Searching the Internet can also help you to find what you are looking for.
 
Bird watching, or birding, is a wonderful hobby for anyone that loves our fine-feathered friends.   By yourself in the backyard or on an exotic vacation, you will always have a wonderful time with this hobby.   The main thing to remember is to have fun!
 
 

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First of all try to observe birds in forest. There are two least methods to approach.
1. Whenever see any bird, walk along slowly and quietly, before the bird sense your presence.
2. Second method of watching the bird is to sit and wait patiently in a concealed position for birds to appear.

How to start Bird Watching
First of all it is better to know about the birds. You must have some knowledge about the birds and their species. It will help you during your tour to recognize the birds. It is very difficult to catch the birds as they disappear very quickly whenever they hear any sound around them. There are some tips, which I want to share with you which will help you during your bird watching tour.

The best way to start your bird watching tour with a person who knows better about birds and their species, as he can help you by providing the information about the bird.

If you don’t have any friend or person who is familiar with birds then don’t worry there are many good bookshops having a selection of books, magazines and tapes on bird watching. These can help you out.
If you can explore on net then you can also have lots of information about the birds and their species. Learn to identify common local species using your field guide.

Choosing a Bird Guide
Try to choose a good bird guide, which can provide exact knowledge about the birds. The guide includes information about habitats, maps showing range of different birds. It must also provide the knowledge about the birds that where and when they migrate and what their song or call sounds like. These guides also give information about the various birding sites. Bird guides will be useful to provide the knowledge about the water birds, birds of prey, and perching birds.

Checklist
A list of birds in any one particular area is called a Checklist. This checklist is found in most of the national parks and bird sanctuaries. These checklists tell about the bird species, which is found in that particular area. This is also very helpful resource to know about the birds and their species. Some of the websites on net also provide this type of checklists.

Equipment for Bird Watching
It is better to bring your binoculars with you to watch the birds from very close. Bird watching is not a simple game. Sometimes it is possible that you will walk for a long time and you will not see a single bird. And sometimes, unexpectedly you will see hundreds of birds. You should also put a cassette recorder with you which will be helpful to record the voice of the birds. If you have any pre-recorded cassette of bird voice with you then it may help you to attract the birds.

Clothing during Bird Watching
Whenever you go for Bird Watching, you must wear light in weight and dark in color clothes. Wear a hat of similar color so that your head is not so obvious when looking at a bird. Try to wear long trousers for some protection against thorns, insects, leeches and snakes. Jungle boots are ideal for protection and they can dry quickly after getting wet.

Birding Ethics
Ø      During bird watching, you must be quiet, avoid harassment and don’t disturb the birds.
Ø      You must be little bit of extra careful during the breeding season of the birds as it may disturb them.
Ø      First of all do not handle eggs or young birds in your hand and if you do this don’t do it too long at nests.
Ø      Try to follow all the rules of every national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Ø      Try not to go in large groups for bird watching. If you have a large group then divide larger groups of people into smaller.

Don’t leave any garbage or trash behind you, as if any bird eats it then it may be harmful.
To know more about Bird Watching in India, click Bird Watching in India

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We realized the need for a Canadian source for pet products, and decided to fill that need.  No longer are you required to shop online from sources outside Canada.  You can find what you need right here.

Look out for Customs & Brokerage Fees, Duty and Taxes, as well as Handling Fees.

Created for the Pet Lover in all of us!

Bringing together the highest quality pet products available in one convenient place.

Due to the size and weight of some items, they will be assessed as oversized and be subject to extra shipping charges.

Loving and caring for your pets has just become easier!  Now you can shop for the best quality products all in one convenient place!  We have gathered products for all your pets together to make shopping from your own home even more convenient and
affordable.

Certain items are prone to damage in shipping, customer must be willing to accept this responsibility and be charged extra for shipping and insurance.

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