How to Tame Your Cockatiel

This is a question I am sure a lot of birds owners ask. When it comes to taming cockatiels, it is helpful to know the history of your bird. If you purchased your cockatiel from another private owner, it is a good thing to know what kind of relationship or living conditions your cockatiel had in his previous home. The reason this is important is because your cockatiel could bring some baggage along to his new home if he was neglected or ignored in his previous home. All of these factors are good to know when it comes to taming your cockatiel and understanding why he acts the way he does as you tame him.

If you purchased your cockatiel from a pet store, it would be helpful to know how long the store had your cockatiel, did he get social time with the pet store employees, was he handled regularly? Also it is good to know how old your cockatiel is. All of these help you understand your cockatiel a little more and ease the taming process.

If you purchased your cockatiel from a reputable breeder who hand raised your cockatiel, you job is going to be much easier. Cockatiels raised by breeders are typically already tame because they have been handled and trained every day. They will be easier to work with for you because you will just be focusing on getting to know each other etc.

The main thing to remember when you are working with your cockatiel is to respect his space and what he is feeling. If he is uncomfortable when you get too close to him, back away and try again later and until he is comfortable with you being close to him. If you force your intentions on him, you will be conditioning him to be afraid of you. This is called unintentional conditioning.

Taming your cockatiel may take some patience on your part, but if you use the proper training method it can be easier than you thought possible. And you and your cockatiel will bond and form a close companionship that will last for many years.

Stainless-Steel Enclosures

A common misconception seems to be that a stainless-steel bird enclosure is only necessary and/or appropriate within a commercial facility such as a pet hospital, pet store, or even a professional breeding operation. Still others may have the impression that a habitat assembled from this durable substance would be most appropriate in a contemporary setting; the implication being that it would tend to clash with the decor of some traditionally decorated homes.

There is certainly enough evidence to confirm the accuracy of those statements. Where such philosophies arguably miss the point are the additional motives that would drive a bird owner, or potential bird owners, to opt for habitats for their pets that are fabricated from stainless steel.

A steel cage would necessarily be somewhat heavier and considerably more durable than a typical cage. Furthermore, one could quite naturally conclude that a heavier and sturdier habitat would also be more stable. The implication here is that such a cage is less likely to tip over given its weight, and less likely to become damaged given its strength. The major component utilized in such cages is actually medical-instrument rated stainless-steel. This is important as it relates to its longevity and utility. In basic terms, stainless-steel won't oxidize meaning that it won't rust, nor will it tarnish, thus helping it to last longer and retain its look much better than a standard enclosure would. Moreover, maintaining a steel cage is a much simpler task. Its smooth surfaces don't allow dander and excrement to adhere to its parts. In addition, being made of steel these domiciles actually offer some protection for your pet given their tendency to chew; choking or poison deaths are virtually non-existent.

Stainless-steel enclosures are considerably more expensive than a typical cage is; and rightfully so given the materials used in their construction. However, if you consider their strength, durability, ease of care, appearance, the benefit to your pet, and the fact that they will typically last nearly three times as long as a standard cage the sticker shock becomes much more manageable. Simply stated, for the reasons cited above stainless steel enclosures are the very best option to properly house your pet bird.

More Information about Finches

Finches are colorful, energetic birds that can be found in many parts of the world. There are different species of finches and about sixteen of them are found in North America. Finches are small birds and their sizes range from 4 inches to 9 inches. Science journals and nature magazines will describe them as having bright feathers and a conical bill.

Colors and Determining Sex

What attracts many pet lovers to finches are their bright colors. Different species of finches have different colors. The American Goldfinch, for example, has predominantly golden feathers, as its name implies. The purple finch has a somewhat purple, reddish color with streaks of black on their wings. According to official finches information, most finches come in brown and green plumage, and you will notice a general lack of white colors. Some breeds of finches are dichromatic, which means you can distinguish the gender by studying their colors. The males usually have bright markings as opposed to the paler colors of the females.

Location

While finches are mostly native to the southern hemisphere, there are plenty of breeds that can be found in North America. In fact, there is a family called the American Rose finches, which includes the purple finch, Cassin's finch, and the House finch. There are finches that migrate to the continental United States at specific periods of the year because of food scarcity and extreme winters. These include the Redpoll and the Pine Grosbeak. You can check more finches information and geography on many authority sites on the internet.

Feeding

Most finches feed on seeds, particularly the American Goldfinch. They love eating thistle seeds as well as the seeds of spruce and pine. Many aviary journals have complete finches information on specific diets for particular specie of finches. Dandelion and chickweed make an excellent meal for tiny birds. You can also feed them eggshells and cuttlefish bone to increase their calcium intake. Make sure to heat the eggshells in order to kill fungi and bacteria. In most cases, your pet finches would be delighted on a simple meal of fruits and vegetables.

Health

Finches have a life span of 4 to 8 years. The best way to maximize their life span is by giving them the best possible care. It is important to spot signs of illness early on so that you can treat them accordingly. Finches information shows that common illnesses include, swollen eyes, fluffed out feathers, loss of appetite, general lack of energy, etc. Bring the birds to a veterinarian for proper care and attention.

Basic care of your finches includes giving them food and fresh water on a daily basis. It is also important to sanitize the cage at least once a week to avoid the birds catching diseases. You must also place a water bath inside the cage because these birds love dipping in water every now and then as a form of their bathing ritual. Breeding finches is an exciting endeavor but you must have complete finches information to do it successfully. All in all, finches are enjoyable creatures that can brighten up your home life.

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.