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Bird Behavior

Breeding and Keeping the Nonpareil Finch or Pin-Tailed Parrot Finch

When translated to English, the French language name for this little finch – Nonpareil – means “without equal”.  The name suits the gorgeous bird perfectly…so much so that aviculturists of all nationalities have adopted it.  Also known as the Pin-Tailed Parrot Finch (Erythrura prasina), the brilliantly-colored Nonpareil has long been among the most desired of all Southeast Asian finches. My first experience with these beauties came while working for a […]

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Meyer’s Lorikeet – Natural History and Captive Care

Most parrot aficionados know of the Meyer’s Parrot, however the lovely inexperienced lorikeet bearing the identical “first name” is comparatively unstudied within the wild, and not generally saved right here within the USA. The Meyer’s Lorikeet (Trichoglossus flavoviridus mayeri), a subspecies of the Yellow-and-Green Lorikeet, differs from many associated species in each coloration and social habits.  A forest-dweller confined to a single island, this distinctive bird deserves the eye of

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Winter Bird Feeding – Some Useful Products

Winter brings with it distinctive bird-watching alternatives, as chilly climate forces otherwise-shy species to go to feeders in the hunt for meals.  Uncommon guests pushed south by extreme climate and others blown off target throughout migration additionally brighten birders’ days.  Immediately I’d wish to warn you to a number of new (and customary) fowl feeding merchandise, and spotlight some methods to see the weird avian guests to your neighborhood. Table

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Echo Parakeet Conservation – World’s Rarest Parrot, Back from the Brink

The Echo or Mauritius Parakeet (Psittacula eques) population was reduced to 10-12 individuals by the late 1970’s, and remained at similar levels into the next decade.   Thus, it had the dubious distinction of being the world’s rarest parrot.  Thanks to the efforts of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, the World Parrot Trust, and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, its future is now somewhat brighter.  However, the Echo Parakeet is still one

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green cheek conure

Green Cheek Conures – Captive Care and Natural History

The choice to buy or undertake a parrot requires cautious consideration. For all their great qualities, these clever, social birds are very demanding of 1’s time and funds, and never suited to all houses. One species, nonetheless, stands out as an “nearly” secure wager.  The Inexperienced-Cheeked Conure (Pyrrhura molinae) adapts nicely to many various conditions, and is much less prone to show the behaviors that frustrate so many parrot house

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Pygmy Parrots – Thumb-Sized Lichen-Eaters that move like Woodpeckers

I lately attended an enchanting lecture on Island Chicken Range on the American Museum of Pure Historical past.  Two Pygmy Parrot species – the Purple-Breasted (Micropsitta bruijni) and the Finsch’s (M. finschii) – drew the speaker to the Solomon Islands. In reflecting again on the discuss afterwards, I spotted that, regardless of my curiosity, I had but to look at a reside Pygmy Parrot. They’ve by no means been within the

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which is the Best Cage for Canaries, Finches and other Small Birds

Whereas working as a fowl keeper on the Bronx Zoo, I cared for quite a few finches which are generally stored as pets.  Early on, I used to be struck by the superb variations within the conduct of the identical species when stored in giant displays versus small cages.  Together with elevated exercise and attention-grabbing behaviors got here good well being and wonderful breeding outcomes.  Whereas few pet house owners

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Smart Birds: Cockatoos Solve a Complex Five-Step Puzzle

Suppose you’ve a sensible parrot? Which may be, however a Goffin’s Cockatoo has just lately set a brand new customary by which hen – and certainly animal – intelligence might be measured. Pipin, because the avian genius is understood, demonstrated a ability beforehand recognized to exist solely in chimpanzees. Utilizing sequential drawback fixing skills, Pipin (and, after a time, a number of of his “lab companions”) found out the right

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Parakeets, Cockatiels, Parrots and Cockatoos – Feather Plucking

Feather plucking (and other forms of self-mutation) is one of the most common concerns raised by parrot owners.  I’ve encountered the problem among zoo birds as well.  Despite being well-studied, feather plucking remains difficult to both prevent and cure.  Our understanding is complicated by the fact that feather plucking can be caused by widely-differing physical or emotional ailments.  But some general rules and patterns have emerged.  I’ll review these below…please

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Goffin’s Cockatoo Invents and Modifies a Tool – a Parrot “First”

A Goffin’s Cockatoo residing on the Vienna University surprised researchers by exhibiting behaviors by no means earlier than seen in any parrot species.  The bird, often called Figaro, went far past “mere” instrument use.  When confronted with an out-of-reach deal with, he first looked for a stick to make use of, and then modified the stick in order to higher go well with it for his functions.  Figaro’s accomplishments are

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