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Birds, a creature with an extremely long ancestry evolved more than 150 million years ago. They are characterized by the presence of feathers and wings, which they use for flight, insulation, camouflage, and for attracting mates. There are over 9,000 different kinds of birds, with a great diversity of size, form, color, and behavior. Birds contribute to nature in many ways.
When you choose a breed, you should consider the housing requirements, size, noise level, temperament and time commitment you could make and of course, the price you could afford. The nesting or housing requirements depends on the size of the bird. Large birds need a lot of space to roam or fly around and to stretch their wings while some smaller birds need just enough space to climb. Whatever the species, the bird should have enough space to exercise and fly. Another consideration is the bird's care requirements and the time you are willing to spare for them. Smaller birds like Canaries are simple to take care of and take up less of your time in caring and cleaning. A pair of birds may need much lesser attention from you than a single one. Once you decide on the breed that you would like to have, it is always better and safer to get your pet bird from a reliable source. Types of birds: There are over 9,000 species of living birds, with a great diversity of size, form, colour, and behaviour. But their basic structure is so very similar that these show no more differences than there are within the 90 species of known primates. Birds are classified mainly by their external form, although DNA structure and biochemical methods have recently been employed to reassess certain relationships. Bird care:- Diet: Birds need more food than just seeds. They need a proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. Besides seeds; fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and any wholesome nutritious food that we eat is good enough for your birds. Carrots, broccoli, corn, lettuce, spinach, apples, bananas, grapes, pears, melons etc and even meat can be given to birds. Nutritional requirements vary depending on the species of bird you select. But the more varied their diets, the less chance of them having dietary deficiencies. But there are some foods that can cause them harm and should be avoided. Avocados can poison them, hence should be avoided and so also chocolates, caffeine, heavily salted, spiced or greasy food. Ideally, their diet should comprise 15% to 20% of fruits, and the rest should be vegetables, cooked beans, and whole grains (either sprouted or cooked), nuts, seeds, and other healthful whole foods. Further it is important to provide foods in appropriate amounts. In addition to fresh mixes of food twice a day, leave a dish of pellets in its cage for free choice eating. Whenever a new food is introduced, top it off with a little seed to make it desirable to the bird. Bathing: Bathing is not only a natural behavior, but it is an activity that many birds enjoy. Most birds love water and they spread their wings, chirp and sing as they bathe. Give them access to frequent baths in slightly warm or cold water during the day when the temperature is warm. Do not use soap as it removes natural oils from their feathers and dries up the skin. Leave a bowl of water in their cage or use a sprayer or the shower to bathe them. Thoroughly wet the bird. You can help pat them dry by wrapping them in a towel. Cleanliness: A clean cage is a healthy cage. Keeping the cage clean and free of excessive fecal material and food is important in controlling bacterial infections; decaying food and feces that remains in the cage for more than a day can become heavily contaminated with harmful organisms. The material- paper at the bottom should be changed daily to prevent the growth of mold and fungus. Clean all feeders and water containers daily with a mild detergent and water. Soft foods and fruits should be placed in a separate container and should not be left in the cage for more than 2-4 hours. Your bird will need a cage that will give him plenty of room to stretch his wings, move around and leave room enough for the toys and different perches he will need. Proper ventilation is also important in preventing infectious diseases. | |
What
would mankind do without birds? They help to control disease spreading
insect population and help propagation of plants by spreading the seeds
of many plants. Birds and their eggs are also important sources of prey
for several kinds of predators and man. Birds have a close relationship
with humans as pets, as objects of beauty and wonder, as symbols of
peace, wisdom and vanity.
