Umbrella Cockatoos
Umbrella Cockatoos are stunningly attractive white cockatoos native to islands in Indonesia. They have very dark brown or black eyes and gain their name from the plume on the top of their head which they will raise, not unlike an umbrella, if startled. Their plumage is nearly totally white, with just a slight hint of yellow on the underside of their wings. This can be seen only when they are in flight. At around 19 to 24 inches in length, they are quite a good sized bird and those with a slightly wider head and larger beak will probably be males.
As the keeping of parrots and cockatoos increased in popularity, so did the capture and sale of the Umbrella Cockatoo. They do make quite good pets as they are very intelligent and entertaining birds. Also their white plumage makes them extremely attractive and exotic looking. Unfortunately the demand for the birds outgrew the reasonable supply possibilities and not only did they become increasingly expensive, their survival in their indigenous habitat was becoming compromised.
Such was the extent of their capture that they made an appearance on the endangered species list and all capture and trading of the birds became illegal. The problem was at its most severe in the early 1990s and it was in 1994 that they were the most heavily protected. Since then the numbers of Umbrella Cockatoos breeding and living in their native habitat has increased and it is no longer deemed necessary to include them on the CITES 1 endangered species list. They are, however, still listed as a vulnerable species and appear on the Appendix 11 listing. This means that although their numbers are increasing, it is still illegal to trade in, or import and export, birds that have been captured from the wild. The only trade possible is that of birds which have been bred in captivity.
As I have mentioned, Umbrella Cockatoos make good pets for someone who is willing to spend a lot of time entertaining, as well as being entertained by, their bird. Although they are not the best parrot or cockatoo when it comes to mimicking human language, they are certainly able to cover a small vocabulary and are quite happy to show this off to you. Although they are often loving and affectionate pets, they have been known to be noisy and aggressive, particularly the males. They do need a lot of handling and care to keep them happy and are probably a species best left to an experienced carer and handler rather than a first-time keeper.
As with all pets, a good deal of research needs to be done regarding their care. Their diet is all important. Umbrella Cockatoos should be fed food that is specifically produced by specialists for cockatoos along with some fruit and vegetables (but not avocado). Once they are established on a basic diet such as this, you can consider adding to it to supplement their nutritional intake and to offer them a variety.
It is impossible to give all the advice necessary regarding the keeping of an Umbrella Cockatoo in any one article. Much research will need to be done if you decide that you wish to share your home and time with one of the wonderful birds. Do not make the decision lightly. They are beautiful creatures but tend to look best in their natural habitat.
Find all Your Pet Bird Needs
Sun Conure Birds – The Beautiful Exotic Sun Conure Bird
I have always believed that everybody needs a pet in life. Be it a dog, a cat or even a bird, a pet of some sort or another can be a wonderful stress relief. Just sitting and relaxing with your pet can be a nice way to end a really hectic day. A lot of people don’t have the space for a dog or a cat and for them a bird would be a wonderful choice. But to pick just one type of bird is a hard choice. Some are too loud and others too large while others are just too darn messy. A bird that I think isn’t too large or messy is the sun conure birds. Sun conure birds are just the right size to be at home in an apartment or a house without leaving the owner feeling cramped.
Sun conure birds can be found in different parts of the world such as Mexico, South and Central America and even into the West Indies. In these regions the sun conure birds roam freely in large groups that can range from twenty birds on up. The sun conure birds like to live in groups all year long, even during the mating season, and can be found that way in the wild. Sun Conure birds were actually given their name because of their bright colors.
A sun conure possesses a variety of colors ranging from bright shades of green, golden yellow, blue, and orange. Generally a younger bird will have more green feathers than an older bird who has feathers that are bright, iridescent reddish-orange and yellow. A baby sun conure will start off with the feathers that are greener although at about six to eight months of age they begin to molt into the vibrant adult colors. That is a great way to tell if the bird you’re looking at is young or aged a little bit.
Unlike some of the bigger birds, sun conure birds don’t have a wide range of speaking ability. They can speak some words although do better at imitating noises such as a doorbell or a microwave oven. Their voices are more of a screech and very birdlike when compared to some of the other breeds of birds. But they do let you know that they’re happy with the screeching voice of theirs. They aren’t exactly a quiet bird as they screech when they’re happy, when they’re mad or when they’re bored or really excited. Sun conure birds are just a more vocal member of the parrot family.
Sun conure birds would be a great pet as they have a friendly nature that just likes to be around people. And if treated right and well taken care of they can live for about twenty-five to thirty years. That would make the sun conure birds a great lifelong companion.
Sun Conure Basic Care – The Essential Rules of Sun Conure Care
When considering the parrot family, my personal favorite bird happens to be the sun conure.
Sun conures are known for their unique and remarkable colored plumage, their admirable intelligence, and their nature of being playful and loving. A sun conure parrot can make a great pet for your entire family if you take the time to discover and learn the basic sun conure care methods outlined in this article.
Basic Sun Conure Care starts with the knowledge of your bird and some brief sun conure facts.
For starters, the sun conure parrot measures only about a foot long from its head to its tail.
They have a rather large head with a black beak and its plumage is strikingly colorful with lots of yellows, oranges, and greens. It is indeed a very beautiful bird and requires utmost care
and maintenance.
Bathing Sun Conures
Sun conures love bathing and will not hesitate to bathe in their own water bowl if you do not provide them with a bathing dish. Another suggestion for bathing sun conures is to spray them with a water bottle using a soft mist which they will ultimately enjoy!
Sun Conure Cage
Next on our sun conure care list is the sun conure cage requirements. I would suggest a small cage no larger than 20 inches long by 20 inches wide and about 22-24 inches high. Make sure to include some perches inside the cage and plenty of toys. That’s right, sun conure birds love playing with toys so be sure to hang some nooks and chewable toys for your bird to play with.
Sun Conure Diet
One of the most important aspects of basic sun conure care is the sun conure diet. A good base pellet diet is a great way to start. However, they will also enjoy nourishment from fortified parrot seed as well.
A healthy sun conure diet not only consists of pellets and seeds but also includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Just be sure to NEVER feed your sun conure bird avocado, iceburg lettuce, cabbage or parsley. These foods will be harmful to your sun conure bird so please avoid them at all costs.
Training Sun Conures
As I mentioned earlier, sun conure parrots are highly intelligent birds. Words cannot even describe how smart these little birds are. They love playing and being held by their owners and are so open and willing to learn tricks and even how to talk. Though they have a cute squeaky voice, it is amazing how fast a sun conure bird can be taught to speak. They truly enjoy performing their newly acquired tricks for their owners as long as you praise them with a treat every time they correctly perform a trick. Spending about 15 minutes a day with your sun conure bird teaching them words and tricks will surely make your sun conure a happy bird.
Keep in Mind
These are only basic sun conure care tips and while they are the essential methods of keeping a sun conure bird healthy and happy, there are hundreds of tips and tricks that have been developed over the years from expert sun conure parrot owners and trainers whose expertise in sun conure care is top notch.
Encounter The Top Reasons To Opt for Pet Birds
If you happen to visit a pet store, it is very easy to get enamored with pet birds. Once you have fallen in love with them and choose to purchase the kinds that you like the most, you must first think about the decision before you pay for them and take the birds at your home.
Are you sure that they can fit on the kind of lifestyle that you are leading? Look at your space. The size of the birds that you will buy should fit perfectly well to your allotted area. You should also consider your neighbors. There are the kinds that create so much noise which may cause trouble with people living near your house. Especially, if you are living in a condominium or apartments you may like to go for the kinds that are quiet most of the time.
So why should you opt for birds as your pets? Here are some vital reasons that can help you regarding the matter. Take a look at this list that contains the top reasons why people choose birds as their pets than the other kinds of animals.
1. Birds are social creatures. The extremity depends on the species that you choose to acquire. They can be affectionate, a good reward for all your hard work and commitment. You can get the satisfaction that you will also gain from owning a pet dog or cat. Birds can be loving as long as you also show them that you care for them and that you love them. Some of the owners also prefer not to be separated from their pets. They take the birds along with them wherever they go and where birds are allowed.
2. They are intelligent. Birds are known to be smarts. They have the capacity to learn and they are also inquisitive with their surrounding and nature. When you make them your pets, they will learn a lot from you depending on how you treat them and how you interact with them. Your dogs or cats can never learn to say hi or good morning. But your birds surely can, especially if you have allotted enough time and effort to teach them how.
3. Training your birds can be fairly simple. Your birds are eager to learn from you. So if you will be able to teach them what you want them to know, they will easily get what you want them to do. You can start with simple tasks like whistling. Then you can proceed in teaching them few words to start widening their vocabulary. If you want, you can get a trainer for your pets. But it will be best if you can provide such training even if you don’t have much experience about the matter. This is your chance to bond with your pets and to develop nurturing emotions toward each other.
4. They are easy to handle. You don’t have to take your birds with you for a brisk walk in the morning and afternoon. It is not required for you tp bathe them and groom them all the time. If you have to leave your house, all you have to do is keep your birds on their cages and serve them with enough water and food that will suffice until you come back.
You must only make sure that you keep the cages of your pet birds clean all the time to keep them away from sickness and other injuries that they may incur in the process.
Organic Food For Your Pet
Delicious, happy meals, this is what TV commercials try to sell pet owners for their pets. And the commercial further encourages us to trust the brand and feed our four-legged friends and make them just as happy as their famous kin! Pet food is certainly an issue in terms of quality, because there is a large amount of chemicals used in the composition for the only purpose of enhancing taste and making the animal believe it is real food. A recent tendency is to use organic pet food as a substitute, and a much healthier alternative, so that the animal may truly benefit from good nutrients.
You can order organic pet food on the Internet, or purchase it online. Veterinarians recommend this kind of products because due to the absence of artificial compounds, they are really balanced in terms of nutrition. Just as it happens with humans, animals become overweight or come to suffer from various diseases, the causes of poor health are rooted in the intoxication with food chemicals. Statistics indicate a more rapid aging process, lower vitality and a poor immune system in the case of pets that are not fed on organic pet food, but on regular products.
Gas, diarrhea and vomiting represent the main issues of a digestive chronic or acute ailment that may be favored or triggered by regular pet food. The metabolism can improve in time if organic pet food becomes the basis for the animal’s daily meals. Improvements have also been registered with the immune functions of pets fed on organic food, because the higher quantity of nutrients thus available, allows the body to create and support the defensive barrier constantly, with low chances of getting exposed to viruses and bacteria. It goes without saying that your pet will live happily and enjoy your company more if the body comfort level is higher.
You can find organic pet food not only for cats and dogs, but also for parrots, tortoises, fish and canaries. Food prepared according to age demands is also available mainly for cats and dogs. Thus, for young animals, the amount of nutrients needs to be larger and in formulas that correspond to the body demands during the intense growth period. Fresh or dry food is both available, but you need to pay attention to the packaging so that the food may be preserved in optimal conditions.
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When the author isn’t feeding her two dogs with organic pet food, she’s a fan of psychic reviews, the Seattle HCG Diet and Weight Loss Center, and theCadillac XLR windscreen windblocker wind deflector.
