That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds

The Yellow-Naped Amazon, Amazona ochrocephala, is considered by many bird enthusiasts to be the ultimate parrot pet.  Details of its care are well known, so I’ll just touch on some important points and then focus on its behavior in the wild.

Pet Qualities

Yellow-Naped Amazon owners invariably describe their pets as outgoing, acrobatic and with an uncanny ability not only to repeat words but to also mimic the pitch of human voices very closely…so much so, that one often questions a bird or person is speaking.  They tend to show affection by speaking or “warbling” (they are fairly “musical) and readily use their beaks in both play and aggression.  Read More »

Please see Part 1 of this article for information on the natural history and captive breeding of the brilliantly-colored Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava).  I relayed there that my first experiences with wild-caught Strawberry Finches left me with the impression that they are among the world’s most spectacularly-colored birds.  However, captive-born individuals, while beautiful, often fall far short of the color standards set by their parents…today we’ll take a closer look at this phenomenon. Read More »

Most Poicephalus Parrots measure a mere 8-10 inches long, but they are “small” only in stature.  These stocky, pint-sized African natives offer some huge advantages over their larger cousins, and are excellent choices for those seeking a small bird with all the personality of an Amazon or African Gray.

General Characteristics

Poicephalus are, as a rule, a bit shy or even timid, especially in new surroundings or around strangers.  “Easy-going” is the description most commonly given by owners.  Acclimated individuals, however, are among the most affectionate of all parrots.   They seem to crave attention but are not prone to screaming– an extended neck or lowered head is a more common way of soliciting a scratch.  Poicephalus are excellent birds for patient folks seeking a companion that can be handled regularly.

Most species are well-suited to medium-sized parrot cages, with larger cages and outdoor aviaries being perfect for pairs or to provide extra room. Read More »

In addition to gorgeous coloration, the Strawberry Finch (Amandava amandava) possesses just about every other quality one could ask for in a finch.  Both males and females sing sweetly year-round, and also amuse keepers with a variety of unique buzzing sounds and low “growls”.  Their courtship and breeding behavior, which is displayed readily, is among the finch world’s most interesting.  Small wonder they are perennial favorites in both the pet and zoo trade.

Range and Habitat

The three subspecies of Strawberry Finch occupy a huge range that extends from southern Nepal and Pakistan through much of Southeast Asia to Indonesia.   It is a bird of marshes, swamps and other habitats near water, but also visits fields, gardens and farms while foraging.

The Strawberry Finch’s popularity has resulted in a number of intentional and accidental introductions.  It is now established in such far-flung locales as Hawaii, Spain, Egypt, Fiji, Singapore and Puerto Rico (I imagine that a diligent search might turn up a few in Florida as well!). Read More »

Right now, as autumn progresses in the north and spring arrives in the south, billions of birds embark on epic migrations that take them to breeding and wintering grounds.  The journeys of many species, such as the pole-to-pole trip of the Arctic Tern, are well-known to bird enthusiasts.  We don’t often think of parrots as migrants, yet many do undertake very impressive seasonal trips.  Today I’ll highlight 2 little-known migratory rarities, the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) and the Orange-Bellied Grass Parakeet (Neophema chrysogaster).

Perilous Travels

The journeys of Australia’s only migratory parrots do not approach in length those of many other birds, but they are fraught with danger for other reasons.  Both species are rare, and rely upon disappearing habitats and very unique foods; like all migrants, protection is needed at both their Australian winter and Tasmanian summer ranges, and along their migration routes.  Read More »