That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds

Please see Part I of this article for more information on caring for California Quail (Callipepla californica).  I’ll continue here with breeding and introduce the closely related Gambel’s or Desert Quail (C. gambelii).

Breeding

California Quails breed readily when housed in a tranquil, well-planted aviary (only one pair per aviary may be kept) that allows for nesting below shrubs or among tall grass clumps.  Hens in peak condition may produce clutches of up to 20 eggs, with a second likely if the first is pulled for artificial incubation (for a possible total of 40 eggs per season!).  Read More »

Also known as Chlamydiosis, Chlamydophilosis and Psittacosis, Chlamydia infection presents little danger to most bird owners, but is a real concern for others.  Today we’ll take a look at this much-discussed and often misunderstood condition.

Infection and Immunity

Many parrots, most pigeons and certain other birds (chickens) carry the single-celled bacterium that causes Psittacosis yet remain in good health.  Read More »

Canaries (Serinus canarius) have been captive bred for hundreds of years and in that time have come to thrive upon the rather simple seed-based diets that many owners provide to them.  However, for optimum health, vibrant color, enhanced singing abilities and successful reproduction, your birds will require additional dietary variety.  Today I’d like to highlight some often over-looked Canary foods.  The diet described here is also suitable for the Canary’s close relative, the Green Singing Finch (C. mozambicus). Read More »

Most folks find that the broad, black feathers sticking straight up from the head of the California Quail (Callipepla californica) lend it a somewhat comical appearance, and few forget their first view of this unique bird. Also possessed of beautiful white-rimmed, blue-gray feathers and a hardy constitution, this North American native is likely the world’s most commonly-kept quail.

The California Quail ranges along the Western edge of North America, from Oregon to Northwestern Mexico. It reaches 10 inches in length but, like all quails, appears larger due to its stocky build. Captive bred birds are readily available. Read More »

Those of us who own birds usually feed and observe wild birds as well, and friends and neighbors invariably come to regard us as the “go to” people for bird questions.  One very common and troubling problem is the question of Pigeon control.  Also known as Rock Doves (Columba livia) they are, to be sure, interesting (I’ve always wanted to look into when the night-active pigeons in Times Square sleep!) but still…

Do’s and Don’ts

The key to long-term pigeon control is to remove whatever is attracting the birds – usually roosting sites or food. Read More »