Luvparrots

Dan, thank you for sharing Jake with us! I totally love little Jakie!!! Now that I know he is a Peach Front, I can look into them. When I think back, I remember when Jake went of an adventure, I was so delighted when he came home! Now remember to share Jake with us more. I bet he has lots of stories!

Thanks for the great information on the Caique parrot! We learn something new everyday. Thank you!

Lovebirds are originally from Madagascar and Africa where they live in flocks that vary in size with each species. Lovebirds often pair and mate for life, remaining close to one another and constantly grooming each other. Thence the name “Lovebirds”. This little 5-7 inch popular pet bird is playful and full of affection. Its lifespan is 15-20 years. These stocky little birds are one of the smallest members of the parrot family and although they rarely talk or mimic, they are charming to interact with and watch. With proper socialization and care a lovebird can form a strong bond with its human providers. They do not do well without interaction so if an owner is pressed for time to spend with their feathered friend, it is best to provide a mate for this very social bird who cannot thrive without interaction. Please note that they breed readily so you must be aware of the fact that in some instances a lovebird if removed from its mate has died. There are nine subspecies of lovebirds and each displays a different color and marking. The most popular of which is the Peach-faced Lovebird. Its splashes of peach/apricot on the head and beautiful blue, yellow and green body make it a colorful bundles of feathers. The masked-lovebird and Fischer's lovebird are also quite popular subspecies. To sex lovebirds there are some visual characteristics that might help. The female lovebird is more heavy-bodied than the male and sits more broadly with legs apart and the male sits more upright. The male's tail will appear rounded while a female's tail will appear more square. A typical male/female dilemma; While building a nest, the female appears as doing more work than the male. Lovebirds in the wild feed on seeds, berries, grains, grasses, leaf buds and fruit as well as farm crops of corn, maize and figs. In captivity if a pellet food is used, it should be supplemented with vegetables, grains, seeds and fruit as a formulated diet does not contain the phytonutrients (antioxidant pigments) that are found in fresh fruits and vegetables, including green leafy vegetables, and grains and seeds. Nuts if given should be given sparely. Phytonutrients are believed to boost the immune system, help the body heal and prevent some diseases. Also parrots become bored with the lack of variety in formulated pellets. A cuttle bone or crushed oyster shell in a dish are great for supplying calcium. It should be noted that lovebirds like a lot of drinking water. Also note that dishware for lovebirds should be ceramic as they love to chew plastic. As for housing, the best cage for your lovebirds is as big as you can provide but at least 32” x 20” x 20” for a pair. There should be lots of different perches/branches for our flying friends to climb and chew. As with all parrots, if you have adequate safe space for your feathered friends to fly, out of cage time is a bonus they love. Lovebirds are great water babies as they love to bathe. Sitting on the edge of a shallow bathing dish while dipping their heads and upper bodies as well as beating their wings is a sight to see. They prefer this type of bath rather than getting into the water. These lively little climbers and fliers are enjoyed for their comical actions and antics as well as their show of love for their mates and care providers. http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz176/xubi_photo/New%20parrots/19012010985.jpg"]

This is excellent news Shay!!!! I am delighted for you and your boyfriend and especially for Jager!! Jager is blessed to have such a caring and loving parront! Good going!! Looking forward ot hearing how things continue to grow!

Writing about sweet parakeets reminded me of my childhood growing up on a California farm back in the 1940-60's. I remember as a young farmer's daughter (pick up your minds guys, I was 6). Anyhow, I would go into the feed room that was stacked with oats and grains and seeds for the different animals we had around the farm and I would sit and watch the large aviary full of many different colored parakeets nesting and feeding in this wired in area. I would get all cozy on large burlap feed sacks and watch for hours as the parakeets flinted around their room, fed their babies and chirped and chirped away. It was one of the most peaceful times of the day for me. Certainly as one of the older siblings of seven (7) scruffy kids and I loved it. Unfortunately these memories are tarnished because on one of the many family/community parties my parents had, which in the spring and summertime included large outdoor fire pit barbecues. Our feed shed full of nesting parakeets caught on fire while everyone was inside watching a boxing match on our new television (our first). By the time anyone noticed the burning shed and garage all my father and uncles could do was unlatch the large parakeet indoor aviary and watch my feathered friends fly away. At least this is how my mind wants to remember my birthday... my birdies all free, safe and flying away. Thus my love of parrots began with both the loving and brokenhearted memories of my youth..... My children's first birds were parakeets. Maybe sometime I'll tell you the story of taking one of their parakeet's to the vet to have it's broken leg pinned..... but that's another day..... http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab42/ParakeetPerson/parakeets.jpg

How exciting for you!!!! Enjoy!!

The Eclectus parrot is native to northeastern Australia, Sumba, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and the Maluku Islands. The extreme differences between the plumage colors of the male and female cause them to be extremely sexually dimorphic ( visual physical differences between sexes). They have sleek hairlike feathers which produce a glossy appearance. The male Eclectus has mostly bright florescent green plumage with blue primaries and red flanks and underwing coverts. There is a sprinkling of yellow feathering around the forehead. His tail feathers are green centrally and more blue as they get towards the edges. The male has a candy corn color beak. The female has mostly bright red and purple plumage with a red tail tinged with yellow and a very black beak. Her head is red and her front-side or abdomen is purple. Until the 20th Century this two dimorphically different parrots were believed to be two separate species. The coloring of the plumage varies between the species of eclectus parrots. There is the Eclectus roratus roratus aka Grand Eclectus; Eclectus roratus vosmaeri, aka Vosmaer's Eclectus or Vos Eclectus; Eclectus roratus cornelia, aka Sumba Island Eclectus Parrot; Eclectus roratus riedeli aka Tanimbar Islands Eclectus Parrot; Eclectus roratus polychloros, aka New Guinea Red-sided Eclectus parrot; Eclectus roratus Macgillivrayi, aka Australian Eclectus parrot; and the Eclectus roratus solomonensis, aka Solomon Island Eclectus parrot. The Eclectus requires vegetables high in beta-carotene, such as lightly cooked sweet potato, fresh broccoli and fresh corn on the cob. Fresh figs, mango, apples, and bananas are favorite fruits. Fresh greens such as endive or dandelions are very important to provide calcium and other nutrients. Sprays of millet is one seed source they highly enjoy. Nuts are a good source of vitamin E but should be limited in quantity in order to avoid too much fat in the diet and an obese parrot. An Eclectus has the ability to learn to talk and speaks clearly and has a wide range of sounds including bell and gong tones, coos, whistles, squeals and honks. However they do have the ability to scream and shriek loudly when frightened or excited. On the downside, male Eclectus are quite sensitive and if stressed have been know to pluck their feathers. As a plus, the Eclectus does not create any feather dust as they have oil glands rather than dust glands for preening. This is great news for allergic people. An Eclectus does well in a large cage or aviary, or at least in a cage with plenty of room for extending wings and moving and climbing around unencumbered. Plenty of out of cage time and toys are a must for a happy Eclectus. As for age, the average lifespan can extend over 30 to 45 years. In captivity Eclectus parrots are generally calm birds displaying a pensive nature. They bring to mind both serenity and beauty. They watch people quietly and intensely so as to observe every movement. Their personality is considered extremely endearing.

Parakeet literally means “long tail”. These small to medium-sized birds belong with the parrot family and have long, tapered tail feathers rather than having stockier bodies and more square-shaped tails as found on larger parrots. It can be noted that because of their tapered tails, Alexandrine Parrots, Indian Ringneck Parrots, Sun Conures, and there are others, are also considered parakeets. Being flock creatures these graceful, colorful and full-of vigor birds are very social among themselves and with people. There are over 120 species and subspecies of parakeets, some times called budgies or budgerigars. Over thirty (30) species of some of the most remarkable colored parakeets are found in Australia. Over twenty-seven (27) species are found in the Central and South Americas, as well as many sub-species. The African parakeets, like those in the Americas live in tropical and subtropic regions. New Zealand has several exotic parakeets and some of the most unique characteristics are found in parakeets from Asia. A parakeet is an ideal first bird for children or parrot novices. Parakeets are social and outgoing birds and have a lot of the qualities of the larger parrot and some unique characteristics of their own. They will bond easily with the care provider and if they get use to having a child around, they can successfully mix with a good-natured child. Parakeets love small toys and definitely provide a bell for your little bird. Parakeets also love to climb so provide both vertical and horizontal climbing bars/space. Parakeets love baths so provide your little friend with a cool bathing spot at least twice a week in nice weather. Make sure to bathe your bird early enough so it can be completely dry before evening. Parakeets are easily sexed. Just look at a parakeet's nose, or more accurately at the bump of flesh above its beak, the cere. A male has a bluish cere and the female has a brownish cere. Also males tend to be more talkative and easier to train and females tend to chew objects because of the instinct to carve out a nest for babies. Parakeets in the wild live in colonies and are very sociable. Basically they do best as at least a pair if not a flock. The cage should be large enough for your bird to freely exercise and if possible fly around/flap its wings vigorously. Out of the cage time would be marvelous. Various perches of different shapes/sizes are a necessity. The cage should be covered at night and kept in a draft-free, low traffic atmosphere. Food for your parakeet should consist of a variety of grain and millet seeds, plus some peas, carrots, broccoli, etc., as well as green leafy vegetables. Bean sprouts and alfalfa sprouts are great. A cuttlebone should be available to provide a calcium supplement for your parakeet. Illness in a parakeet can be hard to spot. So watch your bird carefully and contact your avian veterinarian if signs of lack of activity, ruffled plumage, head tucked under a wing or rump, not eating and discharge from the nose/mouth or cloudy eyes appear with your parakeet. As with all birds strong smoke, scents or smells can be deadly to your feathered friend. Housing in a kitchen or bathroom is a definite no-no. The ideal room humidity for a parakeet should be in the 60-70 percentile. Providing, a clean comfortable living space with lots of food, water and toys, and especially topped off with loving care makes for happy and healthy parakeets whose companionship can be enjoyed for 10 years or more.

Excellent read Dee! It's great to hear about the characteristics of sweet Java!!!

Excellent reading Dave. I looked up my state, Washington State, and as of 2011 there are absolutely no restrictions here. Great inform because my neighbor wants a Quaker. And by the way, your Quakers look great, thanks for sharing them with us!!

It all depends on the grey, some talk sooner, some later, some not at all. Both 6 months and over a year and anytime in between can be correct. Talk to Bogey and tell him what you are doing that certainly helps. And by the way if he is saying "uh oh" all ready, he sounds like he is going to be a very quick learner.

Please welcome Captain Caruso aka Cappy to the new Canary Room:

The canary (Serinus canaria) is part of the finch family. This small active bird is native to the Azores, Madeira and The Canary Islands. Canaries normally reside in semi-open areas such as copses or orchards where they nest in trees or bushes. The life expectancy of a canary is around 10-15 years depending upon its genetic make-up and quality of diet. The canary's wingspan is 20-23 cm and weights between 12-29 grams and is between 12.5-13.5 cm long. In its native habitat, the canary is yellow-green with brownish streaking on its back. Many different color variations have been bred in captivity. Canaries come in hundreds of varieties and are divided into three main categories: 1) Colored Canaries: bred for specific colors, i.e. Cinnamon Canaries, Lizard Canaries, Red Canaries, Stafford Canaries; 2) Song Canaries: bred for their ability to sing, i.e. Spanish Timbrado, Roller Canaries, Waterslagger, American Singer; and 3) Type Canaries: bred solely for appearance, physical traits and shape, i.e. Belgium Canaries, Crested Canaries, Gloster Canaries, Frilled Canaries, Scots Fancy Canaries. Although canaries are never going to be considered a cuddly pet, they are very social and friendly. The male canary has a melodious song and although females normally are not singers, they are great chirpers. Canaries are a great choice for persons who enjoy watching birds rather than having a demanding pet that requires a lot of personal attention. Housing for a canary should be as large as possible to give your canary room for flight or at least large enough for full extended wing flapping/exercising. A flight cage would be ideal but the cage at least should not be smaller than 12” wide and 17” long. Canaries also enjoy small toys especially bells they can ring. A canary needs plenty of natural light but do not place the cage near air/heat vents or where it can be exposed to drafts. Be sure to cover your canary's cage at night so the light stops with the sunset and he can stay in tune with the seasons. A proper diet for a canary should be a high-quality seed mix in addition to plenty of fresh food items including green leafy vegetables (fresh dandelions are very good for canaries). Including cooked beans and grains and egg in your canary's diet is also a plus, especially during molting season which occurs once a year usually in the summer time for appropriate 6/8 weeks. Also hemp seeds offer a complete amino acid profile and has an ideal balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as provides an impressive amount of trace minerals. Hemp seeds also have the highest concentration of protein in the plant kingdom. Citrus fruits should not be part of a canary's diet as citrus can easily cause diarrhea. Canaries should never be keep in the kitchen as smoke/cooking fumes/non-stick pots and pans, are dangerous/deadly to them. Also please note that air fresheners, scented candles and aerosol sprays are also hazardous to canaries. Canaries also love bathing and should be able to indulge often. Offer cold water for your canary's bath as cold water improves feather condition. Warm water strips essential oils from the feathers and may encourage picking and itching. You should make sure your canary has plenty of time to bathe especially during molting season. How do you know if a canary is male or female? The sure fire way is to take your canary to a veterinarian with a suitable ultrasound machine and he can tell you within minutes what sex your canary is. Or you can try James Anagnos unusual way of sexing young chicks still in the nest:“sexing canaries is very easy to do when the young birds are still in the nest, when their first feathers come in and their wings still look like straws. Just tap the nest with your finger and the female birds will just stay there looking at you while male birds will all put their heads down and stick their behinds up in the air. This is 100% foolproof. Every bird that puts his head down is a male.” (from Avian Web) How to know if your canary is healthy: Your canary should be active and moving freely around its cage. Your canary's feathers should appear to be bright, clean and colorful. Your canary's eyes should be bright and clear. Your canary if not singing should be chirping and making other happy noises. If your canary is puffed up and sitting motionless, or has watery or red inflamed eyes; or watery discharge from the beak; or its droppings are white and watery, please contact your avian veterinarian. With proper care you will enjoy a healthy canary that will be a pleasurable companion and, if male, sing with heart for you.

Too cute!!! Archimedes is quite handsome all made up!!!

Very nice pictures of Grazy! Welcome to the Grey family!!

Wow that is great. Do you rent your hubby out???? LOL! That stand is great and I am totally jealous! Lucky birdies in your household!!

My Zon doesn't click but my Cag loves to click when he is happy.

My Louie, the zon, is a chewer so I have rawhide bones around the birdroom and perches. He happily chews away whenever the mood strikes!

Then you should have an avian vet check your grey out if this is not caused by music or singing as you first stated.

Sit down/stand near the cage/or wherever she is, and play with a toy and have fun or nibble/eat something you know she likes and see if she will come over to you on her own.

Had to look up the Black-Headed Caique! What a cute little guy! Looking forward to hearing about your new friend!

Gorgeous and fun pictures!!! Thanks for sharing them. Your daughter is certainly a cutie!!!!

I believe your Luna is just enjoying the music. A video would be fun to see!!!!! (hint,hint)

I have three parrots and sometimes take them with me to spend time at my daughter's home. I have three of these large collapsible travel cages that work great for me. http://www.thecountryroost.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=28_29

Personally, I would not take Pancho into the pet store when Raphael is there because it apparently upsets Pancho again and again to see Raphael. Since they cannot be together permanently I would try and help Pancho move on with his new family; you and yours. I have a little story about Sully, the ekkie I "saved" from the local pet store and kept for 2 1/2 years until I found him a new home. Ana Grey my TAG totally hated him and would dive him all the time if they were out of the cage together. I just had to re-home Sully he was so miserable. The first time Sully saw me after his rehoming, he moved quickly up his new owner's arm and cuddled into his new owner's neck. Sully let me know quickly he did not want to be with me. I told him not to worry he was with his new owner forever. After that when I saw Sully I just said hi and moved on. Well one night when the neighbors and I were playing cards Sully climbed up my arm and onto my shoulder and give me a kiss on the cheek then quickly moved back to his new owner's shoulder. That brought tears to my eyes because it let me know that Sully was thanking me for giving him to a person who loved him and he was really happy. When Sully sees me now and I see him we don't converse, he knows where he belongs and so do I.