Bird diet
Winter Bird Feeding – Rare Bird Update and Some Useful Products
Dec 13th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Winter brings with it unique bird-watching opportunities, as cold weather forces otherwise-shy species to visit feeders in search of food. Rare visitors driven south by severe weather and others blown off course during migration also brighten birders’ days. Today I’d like to alert you to several new (and standard) bird feeding products, and highlight some ways to see the unusual avian visitors to your neighborhood.
Birding Surprises
Wherever you are located, winter birding is an exciting prospect. Often, unexpected birds tend to stay put for quite awhile, due to disorientation and the need to remain near a newfound food source. Checking with the many on-line and telephone services (yes, phone-based reports still exist, check here!) is a great way to remain aware of what’s going on nearby; if luck is with you, you can then go out and see the bird that has been reported. More >
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Loading ...European Blackbirds as Pets – Captive Care and Natural History
Dec 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The USA’s native birds are protected by law, and may only be kept in captivity by licensed rehabilitators (European Starlings, may be kept in some states, please see article linked below). However, folks who wish to keep “wild” birds do have another options. Several European species may be legally kept as pets, provided they have been captive-bred. One of my favorites is the beautiful European Blackbird, Turdus merula.
Natural History
With his jet black plumage and bright yellow bill and eye-ring, the male European Blackbird is quite striking. Females, clad in dark brown, have their own subdued beauty. White-splotched individuals appear regularly (please see photo), and albinos have been selectively bred in captivity.
The European Blackbird’s huge range extends from the UK east and southeast to northern Iran and China. Several subspecies have been described, and introduced populations are established in Australia and New Zealand. More >
(+1 rating, 1 votes) Loading ...Illegal Drug Pushes India’s Vultures to the Brink of Extinction
Nov 22nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Vulture welfare tends not to arouse much concern, even from bird enthusiasts. However, several species are now at the center of a growing extinction crisis in south Asia. The story illustrates just how complicated things can become when the needs of livestock, people and wildlife collide, and why we must look below the surface when we consider the conservation of any bird or other animal.
A Double-Edged Sword
Diclofenac, a drug used to treat both people and livestock, is at the heart of the troubles afflicting India’s vultures. Dead cattle and water buffalos, many of which have been medicated with Diclofenac, are a major source of food for at least 3 species of Indian vultures.
Diclofenac is fatal to vultures when consumed, and has been identified as the major reason behind the steep decline in their numbers in India. In the 1980’s, the White Rumped Vulture was considered to be the world’s most abundant large bird of prey. It has now declined by a staggering 99.9%! Populations of Indian and Slender-Billed Vultures are now at 3% of their 1990 levels. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Natural History and Captive Care of the Bronze-Winged Parrot
Nov 15th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Also known as the Bronze-Winged Pionus, Pionus chalcopterus, this delightful little bird has been somewhat ignored by US parrot keepers until recently. However, it has many fine pet qualities and boasts a beautiful “color scheme” that is not common among its relatives.
Description
The 11-inch-long Bronze-Wing’s beauty lies not in bright, “screaming” plumage but rather in a subtle blend of colors. It may at first appear somewhat dull, but closer inspection will reveal that the body plumage is dark purple to navy blue, and overlain with a bronze tint…quite attractive and ever-changing with light levels. The pink eye ring and pink-edged head feathers add to its unique appearance, and red coverlets decorate the tail. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Weaning Canaries – Encouraging Fledglings to Accept the Adult Diet
Nov 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Whether they are hand or parent-reared, young Canaries usually need some encouragement to switch from the nestling to adult diet. This change-over period can be quite stressful, but there are a number of steps you can take to ease the transition.
The Transition Period
Pet Canaries feed their chicks largely upon sprouts, soaked seeds and Egg Food or hard boiled eggs. Once the young fledge, which usually occurs at age 16-20 days, they will be fed by their parents for an additional 2 -3 weeks. During this time, they will also begin to pick at food and eventually learn to eat on their own. Fledglings benefit from watching their parents and siblings…chicks that are hand-reared are at a disadvantage in this respect, but will also respond to the ideas and foods mentioned below.
Hard seeds are a novel food for young Canaries, and acquiring the skill needed to open them takes practice. A high protein diet remains important right through the first molt (which usually begins within 2 months of fledging), but eventually seeds should replace egg-based foods as their staple. More >
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