Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birds. Show all posts

Monday, February 14, 2011

Get To Know about Finches

Finches have been kept as pets for hundreds of years. And because of its popularity among bird lovers, they have been cross-bred many times that you could actually now enjoy different types of finches. An amazing thing about finches is that they are completely sociable and are at home in aviaries and cages. In fact, it is said that there are more finches being domesticated than being set free in the wild. With proper guidance and rearing, your finches can thrive in a man-made ecosystem and can live for several years.

There are about 145 species of these birds around the world. About 16 varieties of finches live and thrive in the United States. Although it is a small percentage compared to the actual number of finch species, it is enough for many pet lovers to enjoy different types of birds in their homes. Among the characteristics common to all finches are their conical bills and colorful, vibrant plumage.

Lawrence's Goldfinch - Abundance of seeds and water attracts the Lawrence's Goldfinch. According to published studies, they stay in one place for one year and then migrate to another the following year. The Lawrence's Goldfinch differ from the American Goldfinch in that it has less yellow plumage compared to the latter. Their movement is usually east to west rather than northwards or southwards. They settle on fields with plenty of weeds and in areas where there are many seeds and grasses. The Lawrence Goldfinch is one of the popular types of finches that are considered as hobby birds.

Zebra finches - This type of finch is definitely a popular choice by bird enthusiasts. One thing that stands out about them is their zebra strips on the tail, which is alternatively black and white. They are also among the most colorful of the types of finches and are really attractive when placed in a garden. Because they don't require too much maintenance, Zebra finches are also recommended for beginners. If you want to learn how to raise birds, start with this breed because they are easy to keep and maintain.

Red Crossbill - The Crossbill is found mostly in coniferous forests in the continental United States as well as Canada. They have the ability to breed during winter seasons, which is uncommon among the several types of finches. They can survive well in fluctuating seasons, but make sure that you keep the temperature of the cage just about right to ensure their safety and health. The way they extract seeds from coniferous trees is that they bite the cones down using their crossed beak until the scales begin to open.

Pine Grosbeak - The Pine Grosbeak is among the largest types of finches. They can grow up to 10 inches in length and can survive in the wild in different weathers. One peculiar characteristics of the Pine Grosbeak is that they their somewhat slow movements especially when looking for food. They can mostly be found in Canada and northern United States. They usually come in large groups and forage for food in groups.

How to Buy Suitable Bird Cage Covers

Everyone loves keeping pets; the most lovable ones are dogs and birds. People like to hear their birds chirping as they find it very soothing. But you may not want to listen to the voice of your feathered friend first thing in the morning. They have a habit of getting up at the crack of dawn and humans need their rest or else they are irritable throughout the day. So in order to avoid this you should consider buying bird cage covers. They are usually dark and your pet wont realize when it is day, so they will sleep till you let the daylight in. this will also help you get your rest. They can be used for various other purposes other than keeping them in the dark.

A bird cage cover blocks all the cool air so this will help to keep your bird warm during the winter. It will also help to block some sound so the bird can rest easier. You bird will be able to rest and sleep till you are ready to get up. You can use any kind of cloth to cover the cage but you need to find a dark cloth to block all the light. This is why it is essential to buy a cover from a store.

You can buy one from a pet supply store and if you don't get these there you can buy one on the internet. you can choose something that suits your home, so this way everything can be happy.