We’re having a quail of a time (sorry) with the latest additions to our indoor aviary. The introduction of a pair of common quails (Coturnix coturnix) has proved beneficial in several ways. Turns out they’ve got some endearing character traits too!
Ways to weigh your bird
The weight of your bird provides an important insight into its general well being and physical health. Here we look at how to get a bird onto a weighing scale and how you can keep records of your bird’s weight over time using the BirdBuddy app.
Where Art Thou, Pugwash?
It’s been a few months since Pugwash our beloved Congo African Grey parrot decided to make use of a carelessly left open door and go his own way into the wide world. Thinking about him and his story raises questions about the ethics and nature of keeping these beautiful, intelligent birds as a pet.
How’s Your Dinosaur Doing?
Take a look at your pet bird. There it is, eating, pooing, being cute. Those beautiful feathers, that specialized beak, the loping gait as it walks along a perch. They didn’t just appear out of nowhere. Your avian buddy has lineage stretching back over 150 million years. Continue reading “How’s Your Dinosaur Doing?”
Aviary Pitfalls #4 – Pests and Predators
No aviary can be hermetically sealed to keep out every conceivable external threat. At some point something is going to float, crawl or slither in and pose problems for your birds. I didn’t see any of them coming, but they came. And some were deadly. Continue reading “Aviary Pitfalls #4 – Pests and Predators”
Aviary Pitfalls #3 – Mismatched Species
Birds. Awww. Aren’t they cute? They wouldn’t hurt fly, would they? They’d get along just great, wouldn’t they? And surely only large ones would ever think about intimidating smaller ones. Wrong on all counts. Here’s what can happen if you invite the wrong guests to the party. Continue reading “Aviary Pitfalls #3 – Mismatched Species”
Aviary Pitfalls #2 – Plants and Flora
My aviary started out as a lush and verdant tribute to our planet’s rain forests. Now it more closely resembles a tinder dry desert. The plant life had to go. Here’s why. Continue reading “Aviary Pitfalls #2 – Plants and Flora”
Our First Wing Clipping Experience
We let a couple of our larger birds fly freely around the house for over a year. Slightly chewed curtains were acceptable collateral damage but when our beloved African Grey flew out of the front door never to be seen again and towards an uncertain fate, our innate fear of clipping the remaining bird’s wings had to be overcome. Continue reading “Our First Wing Clipping Experience”
Aviary Pitfalls #1 – Water Features
Being highly developed mammals, we humans know that venturing into water without either sight of the bottom or an ability to swim is a recipe for disaster. Well, one of my earliest mistakes was thinking that birds somehow instinctively, surely, must have the same insight. Continue reading “Aviary Pitfalls #1 – Water Features”
How Our Cockatiels Raised Their Chicks
A couple of months ago, we had 3 cockatiels. Two adults – Terry (male) and Busby (female) – and their daughter, just over a year old. Now we’ve got 6. Continue reading “How Our Cockatiels Raised Their Chicks”