Bird Health
The Best Finch and Canary Foods – Commercial Seed and Pellet Diets
Oct 4th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Although we are fortunate to have available a wide variety of commercial finch and canary diets, choosing one can be a difficult task. Once a decision is made as to the basic type – seed or pellet – we must then consider the ingredients, which vary from brand to brand. Today I’ll examine some well-known foods and a few often-neglected dietary supplements.
Basic Guidelines
It’s important to remember that finch species vary in their nutritional needs. While many will thrive on the basic diets described below, to achieve optimal health and color the addition of insects, sprouts, fruit, greens and other supplementary foods will be necessary. Depending upon the species, some of these foods can also be used to bring birds into breeding condition. Please post your questions concerning diets for specific finches below, and I’ll provide some suggestions. More >
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Loading ...Using Flowers as Food for Parrots, Finches and other Birds
Aug 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Sending flowers is a time-honored way of showing affection and concern, but did you know that your parrots and other feathered pets might appreciate a bouquet as well? I’m not suggesting actually having flowers delivered to your parrot (although I know several who have done that!), but rather that you consider edible flowers as a source of bird food and behavioral enrichment.
The Role of Flowers in Bird Diets
Flowers, buds and nectar figure heavily in the natural diets of many parrots, finches and softbills. In fact, lories and lorikeets are actually “floral specialists” (please see drawing of lorikeet tongue, adapted for nectar feeding). However, with the exception of nectar-mixes, flowers have largely been ignored by most pet keepers.
Flowers are also a major food item of several less commonly-kept softbills, including hummingbirds, sunbirds and the aptly-named flower-peckers. Ornithologists speculate that the brilliant colors of some species may have evolved to provide camouflage during feeding sessions in flowering trees.
Behavioral Stimulation
In addition to their nutritional value, flowers can provide important behavioral stimulation for parrots and other birds. Most parrots delight in tearing them to bits, and bud-covered fruit tree branches (apple, pear, plum etc.) will provide hours of entertainment for both pet and pet-owner. Finches, White-Eyes, Pekin Robins and other small birds will also poke about in flowers for insect treats, real or “imagined”, and may consume petals and nectar as well.
Purchasing Flowers
Fortunately, it’s quite simple to incorporate flowers into your birds’ diets. Many bird-safe flowers are relished by people, and are available in food stores. In NYC markets, I’ve come across squash, zucchini, rose and daylily flowers (note: not all daylilies are safe for people or birds, so do not pick your own), as well as a number that I did not recognize. Korean, Chinese and Indian neighborhoods have proven especially rich flower-hunting grounds.
Do not buy edible flowers from garden supply outlets or florists, as these will not have been slated for human consumption and would likely have been exposed to toxic chemicals.
Dried flowers specifically marketed as bird food are also a useful option. Goldenfeast’s Hibiscus and Chamomile
may be offered to a variety of parrots, finches and softbills.
Growing and Collecting Flowers for Your Birds
If the option is available to you, growing your own edible flowers is a great alternative to shopping.
Harvesting wild flowers is also possible, but you must be confident in your ability to identify the various species and have access to a pesticide-free collecting site. A field guide will be useful in this regard.
Common, Easy-to-Grow Edible Flowers
The following common flowers are readily accepted by many birds and can easily be grown or, in some cases, purchased at food markets. Do not buy flowers intended as food anywhere other than at a food market; please see above.
Daisy Marigold
Dandelion Rose
Carnation Sunflower
Violet Zucchini Blossoms
Tulip Squash Blossoms
Elderberry Hibiscus
Impatiens Apple,Plum and Pear Blossoms
Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.
Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Further Reading
Further information on edible and poisonous flowers; written with people in mind but applicable to birds.
Eat Your Roses: a guide to 50+ edible flowers
Lorikeets image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Tatiana Gerus
Plain-Throated Sunbird image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Ltshears
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Heat Stroke in Parrots, Finches and other Birds – Symptoms and Treatment
Aug 3rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In a recent article, I suggested some techniques that can be used to keep your birds cool and safe during hot weather (please see article below). Today I’d like to take a look at recognizing and dealing with heat stress and heat stoke.
Note: the attached photos depict some North American birds that are well-adapted to desert habitats – the Roadrunner, Gila Woodpecker and Elf Owl.
Dangerous Places and Temperatures
Wild birds and pets kept in large outdoor aviaries rarely experience heat-related problems, no matter how high temperatures climb (of course there are limits – don’t try keeping your pet penguin outdoors in Las Vegas!). More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Understanding Parrots – “Bad” Pet Behavior may be Perfectly-Normal
Jul 21st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Parrots are complicated, social animals, and as such can be very confusing to owners. What is perceived as “bad” or “destructive” behavior has roots in millions of years of evolution. Understanding your parrot’s natural history – how it lives in the wild – is key to your pet’s welfare, and a rewarding relationship with it.
Understanding Your Bird’s “Wild Side”
Good parrot care begins with a thorough understanding of parrot natural history. Parrot ancestors arose 100 million years ago…your own intentions, however well-meaning, will never overpower the instincts that have evolved since then. This is a very important point to keep in mind – parrots are wild creatures, driven by instinct, and, even after many generations in captivity, are in no sense domesticated (i.e. as are dogs or sheep). They do have remarkable learning abilities that often enable them to modify their instinctual responses. However, when considering parrot care and training, it is paramount that their true natures be considered. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Hot Weather Parrot Tips – Keeping Your Pet Birds Cool in Summer
Jun 21st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Most parrots, finches and other pet birds are native to tropical habitats, but summer weather can still be a threat to their health. Wild birds have numerous ways to regulate their exposure to extreme temperatures, but caged pets must rely upon us to take action on their behalf.
Heat Metabolism in Birds
A basic understanding of avian heat metabolism will help you to evaluate the risks presented by the local weather conditions. Birds maintain higher internal temperatures than do people – 105 F for most species, and up to 108 F in some. So, if you are uncomfortable with the temperature, your bird will likely will be so as well. More >
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