Thursday, August 23, 2012

PARAKEETS

Parakeets, also known as “Budgerigars” or “Budgies,” are one of the most popular pet birds in the U.S. It’s easy to see why! They are curious, loving, and enjoy every member of the family.
Parakeets are easy to care for, and some can even learn to speak! However they are best known for being excellent whistlers. Parakeets are small parrots that are active and love daily time out of their cage to play with people. Affordable and loaded with personality, Parakeets are highly recommended for first-time bird owners. Male Parakeets—look for the dark blue or purple color of the cere (the area between the beak and the eyes)—may make better pets because they are often calmer than females.
It is important to provide your Parakeet with a cage that is large enough for your pet Parakeet move and play comfortably. When they're not singing and playing with you they'll enjoy toys and other
accessories. In nature, Parakeets eat mostly grass and seeds by foraging on the ground. Your Parakeet will appreciate nutritious pet bird food. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it is a good idea to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.

Parakeets are found throughout the interior of Australia and are naturally green and yellow. Some have been bred to produce other colors. A Parakeet only weighs roughly 2 ounces and is about 7 inches long. They live from 15 to 20 years and are perfect for owners aged 8 and up.



http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/parakeet.htm

LOVEBIRD


Lovebirds live up to their name! They are social and caring small parrots that bond strongly as if they're falling in love.
Lovebirds can be very interactive with family members and require simple bird care. They are curious, energetic, and charming. When comfortable, a Lovebird will happily perch on your finger or sit on your shoulder. Affectionate and fun, these companion birds are often called “pint-sized pranksters” because of their comical behavior.
Very few Lovebirds talk, but they like to whistle and chatter. They have a naturally loud call. Lovebirds appreciate interaction to prevent boredom and will bond closely with their owner or another lovebird
It is important to provide your Lovebird with a habitat that is large enough for your lovebird to comfortably move around and play. When they're not bonding with you, they'll enjoy playing with toys and other accessories. In nature Lovebirds will mostly eat grass seeds, flowers, and fruit by foraging on the ground. Your pet Lovebird will appreciate nutritious pet bird food. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements it is good to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.
Most Lovebirds originate from southwestern Africa, living in small flocks and making their homes in the dry wooded areas. Eight species are native to the African continent while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar.
They are considered the most beautiful of the small parrot family, with a stocky chest, a short tail, and a large beak for their size. Lovebirds are mostly green, having a variety of colors on their upper body depending on the species. Lovebirds only weigh about 2 ounces and are roughly 6 inches long. They live from 10 to 15 years and are perfect for owners aged 8 and up.


 http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/lovebird.htm

COCKTIEL

The Cockatiel is one of the most common companion birds and makes a great choice for a first-time bird owner.

Cockatiels are easy to care for, affectionate and tame. They get along with the whole family and are great around children. Like most pet birds they enjoy activity and exercise every day.
Some Cockatiels can mimic speech (copying what is being said), but they are better at mimicking whistling. These tame, easy-going birds may not be very talkative, but they can make a sharp call to get your attention.
It is important to provide your pet Cockatiel with a cage that is big enough for comfortable movement and activity. They enjoy bird toys and other accessories to prevent boredom and provide enrichment. Be sure to provide your Cockatiel with nutritious pet bird food. In the wild, Cockatiels forage for seeds on the ground and in shrubs. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it's good to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.
Cockatiels are native only to Australia where they spend much of their day climbing, flying, foraging, and interacting with other flock members. The young birds remain in family groups for about one month.
Cockatiels are found in a variety of colors depending on the species, but the wild color is usually gray. Weighing only approximately 3 ounces and being roughly 12 inches long, Cockatiels live from 15 to 20 years and are perfect for owners aged 8 and up.




http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/cockatiel.htm

MECAW

Spending time with a gorgeous Macaw is one of the most exciting pet experiences you can have. You'll love how sweet they can be and how much they can learn!
There are many different types of Macaws. All are smart and like spending time outside of their cage having fun with people. Most speak quite well, mimicking speech (copying what is being said) of family members and visitors alike.
Macaws require specific bird care to remain happy and healthy. They are easy to train and appreciate you spending as much time with them as possible; plan on two hours each day. Macaws like to loudly express themselves, especially at dusk. It also helps Macaws if they receive attention from many people, so they don't bond too closely with only one person.

It is important to provide your pet bird with a cage that is large enough. Macaws need space to stretch their wings, climb, and play with stimulating toys and other accessories. Your Macaw will appreciate nutritious pet bird food. It may even beg, showing off as much as possible! Provide bite-sized fruits and veggies like bananas, oranges, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and shredded carrots every 2-3 days. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it is a good idea to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.
Macaws are native to Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Most species live in forests, especially lowland rainforests. Some like woodland or savanna environments. The Scarlet Macaw is one of the most brightly colored and recognizable parrots. These birds nest in hollows in trees, and the young leave the nest after 90-104 days of care by the parents. Blue and Gold Macaws nest in cavities in palm trees laying 2-3 eggs with both parents taking care of the young. The Yellow-collared Macaw, much smaller than most, travels in small flocks or pairs, except during the dry season when they are seen in huge flocks.
Macaws vary greatly in size; some weighing three-quarters of a pound and some are two and a half pounds. Size ranges from 15 inches long up to 34, depending on species. They live from 25 to 80 years and are perfect for owners aged 16 and up.


 http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/cockatiel.htm

AMAZON PARROTS

The Amazon Parrot is one of the most popular pets around the world. It is easy to see why! This companion bird loves people, talks up a storm, and is beautiful!
Both popular Amazon species—the double yellow-headed and the blue-fronted—are outgoing, playful, and require simple bird care. They are affectionate, smart, and make great pets if you like vocal birds.
Amazons are very good at mimicking speech (copying what is being said) and can have a large vocabulary. Although expressive and talkative, Amazons can display an independent social behavior, like a cat often does. An Amazon can become very attached to one person, wanting him/her to do the hands-on bonding, especially outside of its cage.
It is important to find a cage for your Amazon that allows for comfortable movement and play. Because they are very smat, they enjoy stimulating toys and other accessories. Your Amazon will appreciate nutritious pet bird food, and it may even beg for food and become the center of attention! To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it's good to have many locations for food, water, and treats. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop most cages.
In the wild, some species of Amazon Parrots forage in pairs or small flocks throughout the forested areas of Brazil, Bolivia, and Northern Argentina. While flying they are very vocal, screeching as they go.
Amazon Parrots are mostly green with vivid accent colors depending on the specific species. They weigh between three-quarters of a pound to nearly one pound and are roughly 14 and a half inches long. They live from 50 to 80 years and are perfect for owners aged 14 and up and experienced pet bird owners.


http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/amazon.htm

AFRICAN GREY

You will always be entertained by your African Grey parrot. These stunning birds are handsome, gifted talkers, and very smart.
African Greys are friendly bird companions that often bond closely with their favorite person. They require basic bird care and as much of your attention as you can give. They are gentle, affectionate, and highly intelligent. African Greys, also known as Congo African Greys, love learning tricks and playing games.
What is really special about these birds is their ability to talk. The African Grey is definately the big mouth of the animal kingdom! Widely considered the smartest species of parrot, they are excellent at mimicry (copying what is being said) even changing accents for the person it mimics. African Greys not only mimic human speech but everyday household sounds too.
It is important to find a cage that is large enough for your African Grey to easily move around and play. Because they are so smart, they need stimulating toys or other accessories to keep them busy and engaged. In nature African Greys forage for food in the savannah, but are primarily found in the lowland forests. To simulate natural behavior and nutritional requirements, it's a good idea to have many locations for food, water, and treats within your bird’s home. Put multiple cups within the cage to encourage movement, as the bird explores the contents of each dish. Cage-top activity centers have food and treat cups. You can also hang treats from the activity bar atop the cage.
Perhaps the most researched and studied of all companion birds, the African Grey parrot is the most recognized and desired member of the parrot family. In the wild African Greys live in central West Africa. Large flocks congregate at roosting sites in very tall trees along the edge of the forest.
Your African Grey is likely to have dark grey to silver plumage with a striking red tail. They weigh from just less than a pound to one and a quarter pounds, and are roughly 13 inches long. They live from 50 to 75 years and are perfect for owners aged 14 and up.



 http://www.superpetusa.com/pet-birds/choosing-the-right-bird/african-grey.htm