That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds

With very few exceptions, providing one’s birds (or any other animal) with more space is beneficial on many levels.  However, while keeping White-Crested Laughing Jay-Thrushes, Garrulax leucolophus, I learned that nasty surprises may be in store.

White Crested Laughing Jay-Thrushes are among the most amusing and curious birds one can imagine, and they are often star attractions in both private and public collections.  Unfortunately, due to their size (10-12 inches), insatiable curiosity and high level of activity, they are suitable only for an outdoor aviary or room-sized indoor enclosure…but as pets or study subjects they have few rivals. Read More »

I got the idea for this article after reading an interesting note in George Sommers’ wonderful Boston Bird and Fish Examiner column.  I’ve covered, in other blog articles, many of the birds he mentions, and thought I’d take the opportunity to expand a bit on “Christmassy” parrot themes here. Read More »

In the past I have written about the importance of providing wild birds with salt, grit and other essentials that are sometimes over-looked by folks maintaining bird feeders (please see article below).  Today I’d like to highlight high-calorie foods and water, both of which become increasingly important as temperatures drop.

How Do They Cope?

I’ve always wondered how birds, which seem so fragile in some ways, managed to cope with frigid winter temperatures.  The point was brought home to me when I cared for outdoor bird exhibits at the Bronx Zoo. I would arrive at 5 AM, and shuddered to see birds such as Bald Ibis and Indian Peafowl (which I associate with warm climates) sound asleep while covered in snow.  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 »