Parrot that plays golf, basketball and does many other tricks!
]]> http://www.pleasureislandonline.com/2007/04/15/golf-playing-parrot/feed/ 0 http://www.pleasureislandonline.com/2006/12/22/how-to-choose-the-right-bird-toys-to-keep-your-pet-bird-from-getting-bored/ http://www.pleasureislandonline.com/2006/12/22/how-to-choose-the-right-bird-toys-to-keep-your-pet-bird-from-getting-bored/#comments Fri, 22 Dec 2006 06:40:24 +0000 Christine http://www.pleasureislandonline.com/2006/12/22/how-to-choose-the-right-bird-toys-to-keep-your-pet-bird-from-getting-bored/

By: Lee Dobbins

Birds are intelligent creatures with active minds and they can soon become bored if they had not kept entertained. Birds that are bored and start to exhibit a desirable behavior such as squawking a lot and pulling out all the feathers. One way to keep your bird amused even when you’re not around is to make sure that you provide him with a variety of bird toys.

One thing to think about when picking out toys for your bird is whether or not the toys match with your bird size. Toys designed for small bird like a parakeet might not be safe for a large parrot because the powerful beaks of the bigger birds can easily break the toys into pieces which can be dangerous for your pet.

Different sized birds do seem to enjoy different types of toys but one toy that all birds seem to like is the ladder. you want to be careful, however, that you choose the right side letter for your bird obviously smaller birds will meet once with wrongs that are closer together.

Swings and hanging ring seemed to be a bit more popular for the smaller pet birds. That’s not to say that larger birds don’t enjoy them as some do but in general the smaller birds seem to have a lot more fun. Hang a couple in your pets cage and you soon see him swinging around and hanging from them and just having a heck of a time.

The bigger birds seem to like maize toys and puzzles especially if you can put some of their favorite treats inside the toy. They also like ropes that have leather knots which they can unknot with their beaks. This gives them something to work out of their mind instead of hanging around doing nothing.

Birds have the mentality of small child and just like children birds can really get enjoyment out of a play gym. you can find these In all shapes and sizes, but typically they either sit on a table on top of the birds cage and when he is out of the cage they provide him with a variety of interesting things to play on including ladders seesaws and swings. Not only will your bird entertain himself on these though probably entertain you as well!

When you are shopping for bird toys there are some you might want to think twice about buying. Although most birds love mirrors and love to look at themselves, it does might not serve the purpose you want if they actually think it’s another bird they may bond with their own reflection and not care so much about bonding with people.

Always evaluated toy for safety purposes toys that are not well made and can come apart and harm your bird should be avoided. Also toys that have little areas that might pinch your bird’s toes or that he can get his head caught and should be avoided. Remember, your bird can get his little beak into just about anything so you want and make sure the toys are tough enough so that he can’t break anything off and swallow it which could be disastrous and possibly even fatal.

Your pet bird doesn’t necessarily need expensive toys to play with, many birds love things like paper towel tubes and tongue depressors. Just be sure that if you do you keep your bird toy like that that you make sure he doesn’t rip apart and start eating it – it might not be a bad idea to stay around and watch them whenever you give him any new toy.

Because your pet bird gets bored easily you want to rotate his toys. Put a few toys in his cage and then hide the others away where he can’t see them. After a week or two remove the toys that are in his cage and replace them with the ones you hid away. You can take this opportunity to clean the toys that he has already played with, then hide them away for a week or two. When you bring them out again he’ll think he’s got new toys to play with!

About the AuthorLee Dobbins writes for http://pet-birds.pet-breeds.com where you can learn more about caring for your pet bird.

By Joshua Stanton

There are many different types of species of parrots and many of them live in the jungle, these are known as jungle parrots. Some particular species of jungle parrots include, Amazon parrots, African grey parrots and Quaker parrots and are commonly kept as household pets in today’s modern society. There is however a concern that many parrots are being taken from their natural habitat and sold on the black market for vast sums of money to hungry customers in the Western world. The jungle parrot population in African jungles, especially in the Congo is dropping at an alarming rate and many species are on the brink of extinction. Something needs to be done to stop this from occurring.

What Are Some Prevention Methods?

Several countries are realizing this important fact and are actually doing things to prevent poachers and hunters from capturing jungle parrots and taking them out of their natural habitats. There are organizations within certain governments who’s sole task is to stop hunters and poachers from capturing native parrots. They have only been going on for a few years now but are already beginning to show results. Population numbers are rising among certain parrot species, however there are still many parrots being captured all around the world. The sad thing is that only a certain percentage of parrots actually survive the trauma they are put through after being incarcerated for extended amounts of time. When these jungle parrots are sent overseas to be sold on the blackmarket, they are squeezed into a thin cylindrical tube about the width of a tennis ball and sent off for usually a two or three day journey before they are released. Most don’t make it.

What About Education?

There is of course light at the end of the tunnel. Many reserves are being created that are tightly secured to stop poachers from getting in and capturing many of the jungle parrots that call these habitats home. Because of these newly created reserves, the parrot numbers have begun to climb and are finally showing results. Breeding centers are also helping to increase parrot numbers by introducing new parrots in to the wild that have been bred in captivity. Probably the most important scheme taking place is the education of children in schools throughout Africa and South America. These schools are designed to teach children to care for the wildlife and to show them how important it is that parrots in the jungles are kept alive and in the wild. Our children will of course be the driving force in the next generation and if they have a sense of pride and respect for the wildlife, then we can say that all the jungle parrots have a fighting chance at a future.

By Low Jeremy

The African Gray parrot originated from the wilds of Western and Central Africa. Their existence dates back history 4,000 years ago, seen in Egyptian hieroglyphics depicting parrot pets of ancient pharaohs. Royalties and affluent Roman families kept parrots in ornate cage, so, with the Portuguese sailors who have African Gray pet parrots when the travel on their colonial conquest voyages.

African Gray has two sub-species; the (1) Congo African Gray (Scientific name – P. e. enthacus), and (2) Timneh African Gray Parrot (P. e. timneh). Both sub-species of the African Gray resemble in color, the difference is that the Congo African Gray color shades are deeper than that of the Timneh African Gray.

Obviously, dominant plume hue defines its descriptive-name “Gray;” full tail is red (crimson), bills are charcoal gray, and white background surrounding its eyes. It’s a bit smaller than the Blue and Gold Macaw, and measures 13 inches (33 cm) in size. Weight ranges from 380 to 550 grams.

Acknowledged among the most intelligent birds on earth, it is reputed to excel in talking abilities. It has a life expectancy of 50 to 60 years; twice or thrice compared to any other animal pet, favorable to pet selection for one who desires to get life-long pet companion. Sex is indistinguishable among its kind except if it under goes surgery, or thru DNA tests.

Birds are on sale for so many reasons. There is a great demand for any kind of pet in the entire world. Rich nations whose citizens are not endowed with big families resort to pets for companions. In cases like it, birds who have extended life span comes first in the list of relevant life-time companions to ease pain and loneliness of being alone.

Reasons for Patronizing Sales of the African Gray Parrot

1. This parrot is best in mimicry, regarded most intelligent of all birds.

2. The lengthiest life span among birds; some only last up to 30 years, maximum life of African Gray is 60 years old.

3. Could adapt easily on common fruits, vegetables and nuts as in the wilds, in its human captivity environment.

4. Capable in associating human words with their meanings to certain degree.

5. Claimed by long-time owners as comparable to having a 5-year old child as a companion.

6. Very faithful and devoted for its tendency to bond to only one person, when there were no chances of intermingling with different peoples.

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species announced that sale of all parrot “catch,” direct from the forests, are illegal.

Breeders of the African Gray parrots in captivity hand-rear them for the benefit of pet traders. Hybrid African Gray parrots are promoted on pet shops, on the websites and seldom by individuals who incidentally are forced to part with their bird due to unavoidable reasons in their lives.

By Low Jeremy

Bird trainers have developed skills or techniques, and become experts in understanding the behavioral nature of the parrot. Several books, manuscript, and guidelines in promoting the positive angles to be on the win side in behavioral conquest of the bird have helped a lot of amateurs and pet owners.

Parrots are the most misunderstood birds in existence. It’s up for you to get thru better relationships with your bird, for it is, what you make it so. Before knowing it, at a slightest trait overlook, this bird in your cage could create havocs of anxiety and frustrations in your life. Basically, parrots need real training, otherwise, you will one day find out, it becomes an undesirable annoying character stealing away every bit of your peaceful, chaos-free moments.

Basics in training start with the bird’s character traits and instincts. Your first approach is to notice its biting habits and screaming. These are inherent to parrots especially if it seemed likely to be ignored. Like humans they develop into emotional outburst, and their tendency is to find an object to threw out their fits.

Instinctive biting and screaming loudly distract. Try to find out what causes such behavior. Every bit of undesirable action could be a reaction that actually comes from its surrounding environment, either from your very self, or from anyone among your companions inside the house.

Behavioral Aspects in Training

1. Let us deal into terms similar to psychology in humans.

*Operant conditioning, situation in training, on other domestics or your bird pet; reacting well in order to gain something positive, or to evade from something negative. Example: Directing your bird to whistle, if it mimics the action, you hand in its food. Next time, instinct to eat allows impulsive choice to obey, whatever you want it to do, a whip of your finger, or cue from your mouth.

*Bridging stimulus set an example, when a hand is raised to command the bird to perch in one corner of the cage, the demonstrative actions serve a bridge for the parrot to choose in abeyance following the hand cuing, because a toy is ready at reach.

2. Do not punish pets for any negative attitude or actions done previously.

Example: When it unties cage’s knots (birds do kept biting and untying); long time before you discovered it, don’t whip or deprive it of meals. Birds or animals do not know of past and future. Bird’s instinct is to live or act “here” and “now,” and never aware of anything done ostentatiously. Turn to let a parrot obey you on what it does at the moment.

A large scale of parrot species need to be captivated to insure you with one of the best pet favored by many households. Research where your pet originated in order to pursue utmost care in mutual relationships between humans and birds.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Pet Parrots, please visit http://pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy

By: Dane Stanton

Is it not the dream of a parrot owner to each one of his or her peers that they have a talking parrot? I know that was my goal. I always wanted to have a parrot that would greet every new guest that entered my house. It took a lot of training but in the end I finally achieved this goal and was able to tell everyone about it. What are some of the best things about having a talking parrot?

The first great thing about having a talking parrot is that you can teach them to answer every question you ask them with either a yes or no. How many other types of pets are there that can actually tell you if they have done something bad? After a great deal of practice a parrot can have the ability to understand every question it has been taught. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

Another great thing about having a talking parrot is that you can have your own greeting butler if you like at your front door saying hello or good evening or even have a great day and don’t trip over as you walk out the door! Its amazing to see the looks on people faces when they hear something shout out, how are you without knowing that its actually the parrot sitting on its perch right in front of them saying it.

The last great thing about owning a talking parrot is that you can teach them to say anything you want it to say. You can teach it to be polite or you can teach it to be rude, polite is recommended of course. This means that you can teach them to ask any question, reply to any comment or just randomly say anything you want. This of course will take a lot of training but in the end it is definitely worth it. Think about when you are sitting at home all alone because no one loves you and all you want to do is have someone to talk to. I know this has happened to me on a few occasions that I do not wish to repeat! If or when this happens you can always just sit down and have a good old chat with your parrot and the best thing is, he or she will only say exactly what it has been taught to say, by you. This means no back chatting or unnecessary arguments. You can have a nice pleasant conversation with a polite, caring and most importantly funny parrot.

So there it is the three best things about having your own talking parrot. Remember teaching a parrot how to talk takes a lot of time and some serious hard work. It will not happen overnight but it will happen. So if you do decide that you want to have your own talking parrot be ready for a hard road ahead, but also a great end to your journey!

About the Author:

If you want to know more about everything parrots including free information, course reviews and much, much more, then please visit ParrotTrainingReview.com (Reccommended) or for more free articles all about parrots visit www.ParrotTrainingReview.com/ParrotTraining

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