That Bird Blog » Bird Species Profiles

Wild and Pet Conures – Natural History and Captive Care – Part 1

findiviglio — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:29:14 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The term “conure” includes a number of small to medium-sized parrots (i.e. genera Aratinga, Pyrrhura, Cyanoliseus and Nandayus) found from Mexico to southern South America. While not necessarily closely related, aviculturists lump them together for convenience sake. North America’s Carolina parakeet, closely related to Aratinga, would likely have been considered a [...]

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Wild and Pet Conures – Natural History and Captive Care – Part 1

Introducing Estrildid Finches – the Waxbills, Munias, Nuns and Grass Finches

findiviglio — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:42:54 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Among the130+ species of the family Estrildidae we find popular cage birds and highly endangered species. Some, such as the gorgeously colored Gouldian Finch, are both - at once rare in the wild yet abundant in the pet trade. Waxbills and their relatives are often the first finches aviculturists obtain after having [...]

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Introducing Estrildid Finches – the Waxbills, Munias, Nuns and Grass Finches

The English Budgerigar – Calmer and Quieter than its American Cousin?

findiviglio — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:04:22 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Recently, a bird owner confided to me that, although pets were prohibited in her tiny Manhattan apartment, she was able to keep an English budgerigar because it was very quiet and also a good deal less active than the American budgies which she had kept. Thinking back, I realized that English [...]

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The English Budgerigar – Calmer and Quieter than its American Cousin?

Eclectus Parrots in the Wild and Captivity – Part 2

findiviglio — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:07:20 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article we discussed eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) behavior in the wild and captivity. Today I would like to focus on one of the more unusual facets Eclectus Parrot natural history – how a unique reproductive strategy has fostered a degree of sexual dimorphism (difference in [...]

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Eclectus Parrots in the Wild and Captivity – Part 2

Eclectus Parrots in the Wild and Captivity – Part 1

findiviglio — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:30:10 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. One day, while working in Bronx Zoo’s eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) exhibit, a visitor asked me what sort of food additives I used to keep the bird’s colors so brilliant and silky. Another, upon viewing a pair of eclectus preening, inquired how I had managed to get the two different species [...]

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Eclectus Parrots in the Wild and Captivity – Part 1

Finches – Sampling the Incredible Diversity of Species Available

findiviglio — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:29:16 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Finch enthusiasts are in the enviable position of being able to easily obtain a wide range of interesting, colorful and unusual species. Among no other group of cage birds do we find such a variety of captive-bred specimens. Although some are quite delicate, even those relatively new to the hobby can [...]

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Finches – Sampling the Incredible Diversity of Species Available

The Eurasian Bullfinch – Tropical Colors in a Northern Bird

findiviglio — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:46:51 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Most of us associate brightly colored finches with warm climates, and indeed the vast majority of popular cage birds do hail from the tropical and sub-tropical regions. However, one of the most beautiful of all finches is native to temperate and downright cold areas of the world. Ranging across most of [...]

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The Eurasian Bullfinch – Tropical Colors in a Northern Bird

The Golden Pheasant – a Gorgeous yet Hardy Aviary Bird

findiviglio — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:16:59 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. As a small boy leafing through books on exotic birds from faraway lands, I recall being awe-stuck by a bird that, to me, symbolized all that was wild, foreign, beautiful and unknown – the golden pheasant (Chrysolphus pictus). The long-tailed males, which display gold, deep red, rust, blue, tan, orange, [...]

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The Golden Pheasant – a Gorgeous yet Hardy Aviary Bird

Popular and Rare Lories and Lorikeets as Pets

findiviglio — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:27:22 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Lories (parrot subfamily Lorinae) have long attracted aviculturists, yet there are many factors that weigh against their choice as pets. Noisy and aggressive towards other birds, all species feed on nectar and fruit, which, along with watery feces, they fling about their cages…keeping their living quarters clean is quite a chore. Why [...]

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Popular and Rare Lories and Lorikeets as Pets

Finch Profiles – The Common or St. Helena Waxbill

findiviglio — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:00:26 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The minute (4.5 inch) common waxbill, Estrilida astrilid, possesses a rare combination of subtle and conspicuous beauty. Overall, it is quietly colored, being clad above in muted brown with darker bars and with cream breast feathers just barely washed with pink. In stark contrast, the beak and eye band are a [...]

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Finch Profiles – The Common or St. Helena Waxbill