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Domesticated Birds. Small Animal Care . Parrot family. Contains some of the smartest birds Many species can be taught to talk, are affectionate, and make excellent pets Members of the parrot family are known for their large beaks, especially the Macaws. Parrot family.
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Domesticated Birds Small Animal Care
Parrot family • Contains some of the smartest birds • Many species can be taught to talk, are affectionate, and make excellent pets • Members of the parrot family are known for their large beaks, especially the Macaws
Parrot family • Include Cockatoos, Cockatiels, Conures, Macaws, Parrots, Parakeets, Lovebirds, Hanging Parakeets http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10022000/10022337.jpg
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Lories and Lorikeets have brush-like tongues used to lap up nectar and pollen from flowers http://www.birdcrazy.com/newsite/images/birds/lories/2swainsons_lories_small.jpg http://www.birdcrazy.com/newsite/images/birds/lories/streak-blu_small.jpg http://www.orchidlady.com/personal/sunbirds/lorikeet.jpg
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Cockatoos- Known for crest or tuft of feathers on the top of the head and its ability to mimic words and sounds. Cockatoos are considered intelligent birds that range in length from 13-30”, are most popular birds that make excellent pets that tame easily http://www.avesinternational.com/cockatoos.html
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Cockatiel- One of the most popular pet birds, cockatiels are about 12” long (the size of a small cockatoo). Cockatiels are commonly found in pet stores at a reasonable price. The gray color Cockatiel is the most available. Cockatiels are ideal birds for beginners and youngsters, easy to raise and affectionate pets
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Blue and Gold Macaw- Up to 30’ long, this is most alert and intelligent of all Macaws. These birds are very curious and mischievous. Prices usually range from $600 to $1,000. This species is one of the more popular Macaws and most commonly seen
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Petz’ Conure- Sold as a dwarf parrot in the US. The primary color is green, this birds becomes very tame and is an excellent pet http://www.conure.org/Album/ICA%20Birds/halfmoons/halfmoon200.JPG
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • African Gray Parrot- 13” long, primary color is gray. This bird is a very alert, intelligent, and affectionate pet. It is considered to be the Best talker of all birds, its voice closely resembles a human voice http://www.african-gray-parrots.com/pictures-images-gallery/african-gray-parrots-01.jpg
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Budgerigar- Budgie- Most popular pet bird in the world. This bird is often sold as a parakeet. This Australian bird gets its name from the Aborigines, which means good bird or good food. http://www.iransava.com/IMAGES/budgerigar.jpg
Budgie • The Budgerigar is about 7” long with a primary color of yellowish green. If trained correctly, the Budgerigar can be taught to talk. This bird is an excellent pet, easy to care for, and fairly inexpensive. It eats feed from the floor of its cage http://home.primus.com.au/kellykk/p08a.JPG
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Indian Ringneck Parakeet- 17” long with tapering tail making up about half its length. The bird is a pastel green color that makes an excellent pet and a good talker. It ranges in price from $150 to $500 http://parrottrainingcenter.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/blueindianringneckedparakeet.jpg.w300h340.jpg
Examples of more popular Parrot Family species • Lovebirds- Hardy and long-lived birds that make excellent pets if obtained while they are still very young. Lovebirds sometimes have a harsh voice. The most common species kept for pets is the Peach Faced Lovebird (Rosy-faced Lovebird) http://www.maars.org/images/birdssmall/lovebirdmomanddad01.jpg
Toucans (Woodpecker Family) • Fairly rare as pets and may cost $2500 or more. Toucans are very noisy birds. They are about the size of a Macaw. Toucans are known for their extremely large bill, which can be almost as long as the bird’s body
Perching Birds • Largest family of birds, almost 60% of all birds (5,100 of 9,000 bird species. Perching birds are such good singers they are also known as song birds.
Perching Birds • Starlings- Talking Mynah bird is in this group. It is a black bird with an orange bill that has the ability to mimic the human voice and other sounds. Mynah birds require lots of care. Cages must be cleaned daily because Mynah birds have a diet of fruit. Prices range from $300 to $500 http://www.eeb.yale.edu/ugrad/images/mynah-2-copy.jpg
Perching Birds • Common Canary- Very important pet. Some are bred for their color, others are bred for their singing ability, and some are bred to have a crested top (feathering on the top of the head) http://www.birdinghawaii.co.uk/Images/JJCANARY.jpg
Perching Birds • Whydah birds (Widow birds) have bright colors for 6-8 months and then fade to dull colors http://animal-world.com/encyclo/birds/finches/images/PintailWhydahWBF_U47.jpg
Perching Birds • Finches- Small birds that are social in nature. The Bengalese Finch is the most social of all birds. The Zebra Finch is the most widely kept and bred finch in captivity. http://calvin.st-andrews.ac.uk/external_relations/down_loads/zebra_finches_small.jpg http://www.nature-world.com/images/finches.jpg
Housing and Equipment • Varies for the size and nature of the bird • Cages • For large parrot type birds must be made of heavy-gauge metal • Size range from 26” x 20” x 20” for a single cockatiel to 6’ x 3’ x 3’ for a mynah bird http://www.birddepot.com/images/one1half/999.gif
Housing and Equipment • Cages-large parrot type • Larger parrot type birds require larger cages • Cockatoos, Conures, Macaws, and Parrots need large cages in the size range from cockatiels to Mynah birds
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Housing and Equipment • Cages • Canaries, lovebirds, and budgerigars like the company of other birds and should not be caged singly. Cage size is usually smaller for these smaller birds, but does vary according to species
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Housing and Equipment • Cages-small parrot type • Cage size ranges from 18” x 10” x 10” for a pair of canaries • 24” x 14” x 48” for a pair of budgerigars • 4’ x 4’ x 4’ for a pair of lovebirds http://www.petsownus.com/user_images/thumbnails/604Lovebird_Cage.jpg
Housing and Equipment • Cages • Finches need a rectangular cage to allow long horizontal flight to imitate their natural flight and reduce stress from circular flight. Finches need a cage larger than canaries and budgerigars http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00008JOL7.01-A16MZ6IWWRWUP5.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
Housing and Equipment • Cages • Macaws need a cage 3’ x 2’ x 3 ½’. A cage for Macaws can be constructed using 12 to 14 gauge wire with a 1/2’” x 3” wire mesh. Smaller wire mesh is needed for outside cages to prevent mice, rats, and other birds from being a problem
Housing and Equipment • Perches-Size and style depends on the bird • Most store bought cages come with hard plastic perches which may be uncomfortable for birds. If birds refuse to perch, replace plastic perches with wood perches that are more natural for birds
Housing and Equipment • Perches • Larger birds like larger perches, smaller birds like smaller perches • Finches/canaries- ½” round perch • Budgerigars- ½” oval perch • Parrots- 1” square perch
Housing and Equipment • Perches • The perch for large parrot-type birds must be replaced as these birds destroy wood perches. However, the bird exercises its beak and stays busy in the process
Housing and Equipment • Perches • Limbs and tree branches make natural perches, but care must be taken to insure they are free of mold and pesticide residue • Tapered perches work well because they give the bird a choice of the most comfortable perching spot
Housing and Equipment • Water and feed containers • Water containers need to be hard and easy to clean materials like glass, ceramic, or stainless steel • Gravity-type waterers that hang outside the cage with a metal spout/tube extending into the cage work excellent
Housing and Equipment • Water and feed containers • Feed containers may be plastic for smaller birds, but parrot-type birds need the same kind of material used for watering containers http://www.petsmart.com/media/ps/images/articles/details/Bird/Food/a141bird_bowls_23db7.jpg
Housing and Equipment • Toys prevent boredom • Large parrot-type birds need stainless steel chains with bells • Smaller birds like canaries and finches can have mirrors, chains with bells, and ladders
Housing and Equipment • Location of cage must be out of direct sunlight, free from drafts, in a place of constant temperature, and protected from hazards like poisonous plants and pets
Feeding • Most birds eat one of three things- seed, fruit, and/or nectar • The vast majority of birds have a diet of seeds http://www.birdsupplies.com/ProductImages/food/GFClose.jpg
Feeding • Consist mostly of one of two types of seeds: • Cereal seeds-higher content of carbohydrates compared to oil. Examples: canary seed, millet, corn, and dehusked oat kernels http://www.allproducts.com/manufacture98/hebeifoods/product1-s.jpg
Feeding • Seeds • Oil seeds-higher in fat content than cereal seed and lower in carbohydrates. Examples: sunflower, peanuts, safflower, pine nuts, rape, maw niger, and linseed http://www.feed-store.com/graphics/ssun1.jpg