Showing posts with label species. Show all posts
Showing posts with label species. Show all posts
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Staring at Birds - Indian Ringneck FAQ
Some questions I've received regarding Indian Ringnecks:
3. How long is their expected lifespan? Apprx. 25 years
5. You mentoned that he's very tame.... would he adapt to the attention of both my husband and me, or do they tend to bond with just one perferred person?
6. Does he squak loudly and what are his normal range of noises/chatter?
Noise is a personal consideration. Ringnecks are known to be one of the "quieter" types of birds. But I don't know what your tolerance for noise is. Birds vocalize every single day. Some info on noise:
http://staringatbirdsandgoats.blogspot.com/2011/01/bird-tip-teach-independence-to-reduce.html
9. You mentioned that you take him on outings, can you elaborate?
10. Does he always stay close to you and not fly off (are his wings clipped?)
13. Is he potentially a talker?
14. That's very cool that you are a certified aviculturist. How long have you been working with birds?
15. Are Indian Ringnecks a good choice as a pet bird?
Depends on your personality. I don't know you so I can't comment on whether it's a good pet for you.
16. Why you chose to breed this type of bird?
Primarily for the colors they come in. Also, they're "low maintenance" as far as birds go, so I like the balance of their independence with the "needier" types of birds I keep. I've kept a lot of different types of birds over the years. Each has their own qualities that recommend them.
1. Is it male or female? Unknown. DNA sexing is an additional $25. Males do not get their rings until about two years of age. Prior to that time if you want to know the sex it needs to be DNA or surgically sexed.
2. How old he would be at the time he's ready for his new home? Average weaning age is apprx. 10-12 weeks. I don't force wean so the wean date is an estimate and can be about 2 weeks in either direction.
3. How long is their expected lifespan? Apprx. 25 years
4. Any special requirements in terms of care of such a young bird, special food, for how long, long term diet plan/health/happiness -etc.
No special requirement for a young bird. It will be fully weaned and eating on its own before it goes home. Birds should be fed a varied diet. I have some information and links on feeding at my blog: http://staringatbirdsandgoats.blogspot.com/2011/04/bird-thought-there-are-no-human-pellets.html
5. You mentoned that he's very tame.... would he adapt to the attention of both my husband and me, or do they tend to bond with just one perferred person?
All parrots may tend to favor a special person. If raised well and you continue to socialize and not let it overbond to one person, everyone in the family should be able to handle the bird. My experience has been that if a bird will only be with one person, that bird was encouraged by the human to be that way.
Noise is a personal consideration. Ringnecks are known to be one of the "quieter" types of birds. But I don't know what your tolerance for noise is. Birds vocalize every single day. Some info on noise:
http://staringatbirdsandgoats.blogspot.com/2011/01/bird-tip-teach-independence-to-reduce.html
7. Is he good about staying quiet through the night?
Most birds don't vocalize after dark unless you're keeping them up.
8. Do you cover his cage at night?
No. That needs to be your decision and preference. I've never covered any of my birds.
9. You mentioned that you take him on outings, can you elaborate?
I take my babies on car rides and errands for socialization purposes.
10. Does he always stay close to you and not fly off (are his wings clipped?)
Prior to clipping babies are taken out in carriers to observe the world. After clipping they travel in carriers and then get to come out to look around. Being tame, they don't usually try to get away from people and are very calm.
11. When at home, do you let him roam free outside the cage?
I have playstands all over. Birds are out several hours a day. Some days they stay in their cages so they're used to being both out and locked up.
12. Is he affectionate?
More about ringnecks: http://staringatbirdsandgoats.blogspot.com/p/staring-at-birds-indian-ringneck.html
13. Is he potentially a talker?
IRNs can be very good mimics. But don't get a bird expecting it to talk. Some never do.
14. That's very cool that you are a certified aviculturist. How long have you been working with birds?
I've been keeping them as a hobby for over 20 years.
Depends on your personality. I don't know you so I can't comment on whether it's a good pet for you.
16. Why you chose to breed this type of bird?
Primarily for the colors they come in. Also, they're "low maintenance" as far as birds go, so I like the balance of their independence with the "needier" types of birds I keep. I've kept a lot of different types of birds over the years. Each has their own qualities that recommend them.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Bird Thought - Don't take your "common" bird for granted.
I always thought sun conures were one of the rats of the avian world. I mean, they're so common . . . aren't they?
I just learned yesterday that the sun conure is common in US aviculture, but upgraded to endangered status in 2008 in the wild.
Endangered Species List - Sun Conures: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/142601/0
Estimated Wild Population
And the cape parrot is uncommon in US aviculture, but not considered endangered in the wild.
Endangered Species List - Cape Parrot: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/142531/0
Estimated Wild Population
Makes me curious to search other species that we think of as "common" and how common they truly are in the wild.
Just soze y'all know - wild caught parrots have not been legally imported into the United States since 1992. So, don't feel bad about getting a sun conure! Cherish your little baby for the special creature it is. US captive breeding does not negatively impact the wild population. I feel privileged to be breeding the endangered sun conure.
Learn something new every day.
I just learned yesterday that the sun conure is common in US aviculture, but upgraded to endangered status in 2008 in the wild.
Endangered Species List - Sun Conures: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/142601/0
Estimated Wild Population
And the cape parrot is uncommon in US aviculture, but not considered endangered in the wild.
Endangered Species List - Cape Parrot: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/142531/0
Estimated Wild Population
Makes me curious to search other species that we think of as "common" and how common they truly are in the wild.
Just soze y'all know - wild caught parrots have not been legally imported into the United States since 1992. So, don't feel bad about getting a sun conure! Cherish your little baby for the special creature it is. US captive breeding does not negatively impact the wild population. I feel privileged to be breeding the endangered sun conure.
Learn something new every day.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Bird Tip - Join Me!
Learn more about birds. Join me in taking this course:
 Fundamentals of Aviculture is written for: pet bird owners, bird breeders, veterinarians and their staff, zoo employees, bird-related commercial establishments and everyone associated with birds. The course provides a foundation for the emerging science of aviculture.The Fundamentals of Aviculture, Level 1, must be completed before enrollment in Level 2. The Level 2 course, Intermediate Aviculture, is presented in 15 chapters covering conservation, avian genetics, color mutations, nesting, courtship, incubation, hand-rearing, basic microbiology, disease, emergency care, enrichment and much more. |
Visit the Fundamentals of Aviculture for more information. |
Status of the Organization:The American Federation of Aviculture, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit Corporation, established in 1974. Supporters:Development of Fundamentals of Aviculture is made possible by a grant from Pet Care Trust, and by funding and other support from the Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center, and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University. |
Enroll today to take Intermediate Aviculture at the introductory rate of $75. |
©2011 American Federation of Aviculture, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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