Wednesday, October 6, 2010

An Outing With The Birds

Bird watching in Africa is a great affair. Most tourists come all the way to watch there rarest of birds that they can set their eyes on in their countries. That’s why Africa is touted as one the biggest places where one can enjoy an up close and candid affair with some of the spectacular and big birds like the African Crowned Eagle and the Martial Eagle. However to set your eyes on such birds you need some basic preparations.

Bird watching loves early risers. Some birds are easy to spot early in the morning and at specific locations. Some birds rarely come out of their hide outs or prefer certain regions. That is why you require a guide whom you can ask questions like why you can hardly spot your favorite bird. A guide will offer the best of knowledge on the geographical terrain preferred by some birds. Some birds are under threat from predators. Others are almost extinct, while some might be breeding and it’s hard to spot them such times.

Bird watching gets better if you have a guide book where you can tick the ones you saw and later consult with your guide about the next location to watch others. Make sure you have you binoculars with you. You need them because some birds are usually very deep in the jungle interior. The weather will determine if you will have the best time, since during cold season it will be hard to see even the most common of species. They tend to shy away because the weather gets hard on them just like it does on us.

Ultrasonic Bird Repellent

Birds are a significant part of our natural environment. In world there are more than 10,000 species in this world. Birds are the lovable creatures of this world. Birds are free and they can fly where they want. The world is theirs. Birds can be nice, otherwise why would people keep them as pets or keep birdbaths in their gardens? However, birds can also be pest birds specially when they eat seeds and plants and poop all over the place. When birds cause damage to your home, they leave ugly stains, cause the structure to deteriorate, and may also lessen the value of your property
The USA Bird control has been dedicated to helping home owners find the best product for their pest bird control problems. For bird control on money there are an almost endless number of bird scare products currently on the market. The Ultrasonic Bird Repellent efficiently and effectively repels birds while being silent to humans. A good bird repellent tool which can help us get rid of birds like sparrows and pigeons is the ultrasonic Bird Control device. There are silent bird repellents like Broadband PRO, UltrasonX, Quad blaster & MEGA BLASTER PRO.
The Quad blaster Repel birds up to 6,400 square feet using silent sound waves. Effective against pigeons, sparrows, swallows, starlings, bats, rodents and more. It is Ideal for use in any enclosed or semi-enclosed area, like hangars, warehouses, plants, tunnels, loading docks, railroad sidings, breezeways, boat houses, underpasses, storage sheds, barns, sports arenas, convention centers, parking garages, car washes and more. It is significant to understand that it is not advisable to use any bird control product that has lethal chemicals and violent procedures.
When attempting to get rid of birds on a home there are three basic kinds of deterrents. These include physical, visual, and sound deterrents.

The physical deterrents include by completely blocking off they’re nesting or perching areas. The most common types of physical bird deterrents are bird spikes and bird netting.
Visual bird control devices include scarecrows, reflecting tape, predator decoys, kites, balloons and lights. Whereas the sound deterrents like ultrasonic bird deterrents use audible and silent bird repellents.

The silent bird repellent Blast birds out with ultrasonic sounds that humans can't hear. Birds can't stand these blasts - overlapping fans of ultrasonic sound in all directions - but people can't hear It is effective for pigeons, sparrows, swallows, starlings, bats, rodents and more. The silent bird repellent needs to be mounted at the same level where the birds sit; creates a two-dimensional harassment zone. In silent bird repellent it does not bother animals 5 feet below or above the unit. And needs to be mounted at the same level where the birds sit; creates a two-dimensional harassment zone. It is Programmable repellent can be adjusted for frequency, warble rate and speaker sequencing so birds don't acclimate.

Your Feeder Is Empty, What Happens To The Wild Birds?

Is there evidence that feeding birds in your backyard will lead to bird death? Some think that once birds rely on your feed, they will not be capable of gaining their own food, especially during hard times such as winter.

There are many that think birds will become dependent on the feed you provide resulting in a diminished ability for the birds to find their own food. Other experts think that our feathered friends are much more resilient and will discover new sources of food if the feeder repeatedly is empty and they can't support themselves or their young.

As reported in Bird Watcher's Digest, researchers Margaret Brittingham and Stanley Temple found that black-capped chickadees take, on average, only 20-25% of their winter food requirements from feeders. But, they also demonstrated a significant correlation between an individual bird's ability to survive the winter and the use of bird feeders.

Evidence shows that aves that eat food provided by humans through feeders had an annual (not just winter) survival rate that is 8% higher (up to 95% from 87%) than those birds that don't eat food provided by humans. For winter (as opposed to month-to-month), 69% of the feeder using birds survived the winter where only 37% of wild non-feeder using birds survived the winter.

If more wild birds survive the winter when we feed them, what are the implications? In simple terms, it means that without our help, a higher number of birds fail to survive the winter. If we help, more birds will survive. Interestingly, although our feeding will help more survive the winter, birds do not become dependent on us. If you stop filling your feeders, the birds always immediately move on to find food on their own. You will also notice that in the spring, when food abounds, the birds are not as active at the feeders as they are in the winter when food is harder to find.

We can only suspect that different birds, like people, have different levels of dependence. However, the truth is that our avian friends will adapt. If one fails to continue a consistent feeding program, the birds will adapt and search for food.

I recommend that if you start a bird feeding program, stay consistent. It is best if you fill the feeders at the same time every day or whatever interval you need and ensure that the feeders do not stay empty for extended periods. For really great public information about bird feeding, go to http://www.americanbirding.org/

Also, if you plan to go on vacation or holiday, plan for your absence. If you will be gone for a short time (a few days), overfill your feeder and spread some on the ground around trees or bushes near your feeders. If you are going to be gone for an extended time, ask your friends, neighbors, or relatives to check and fill your feeders on a consistent basis.

As for winter feeding, it is more serious. Some bird populations may not migrate to areas of higher food availability if there is a reliable source near their summer habitats. Thus, if you feed birds on a consistent basis over the spring and summer, it is important that you are extremely consistent in the winter, when some species may rely on your food to survive.

To make a long story short, it is better for survival rates if you feed wild birds in your yard. But if you decide to feed them, it is ideal if you are consistent in your feeding.

Is Bird Repellent The Best Way To Get Rid Of Pigeons?

If you are having trouble with pigeon droppings and you consider this quite embarrassing then you need to take certain decisions and do something about it. It is not that easy as it seems but we are going to rely on things that can help people a lot; by saying that, we mean techniques and methods that will keep pigeons away from landing on your roof for a long time. In this article we are also going to analyze several aspects of pigeon repellents that some people tend to ignore and end up experiencing secondary effects in the long run.

Some people still consider that for any kind of pest there is a good strong repellent that is going to “take care of them” easily. However, most of them are committing a big mistake by taking that approach towards these things. One should pay attention to the whole idea of pest control, especially when dealing with birds. Using a bird repellent to keep pigeons away from landing on your roof is not effective first of all because it dries up extremely fast in a windy weather. Another bad part of it is that most town birds tend to adapt easily to all kind of repellents.

Therefore, it is very important to understand that in order to efficiently get rid of pigeons you have to look for alternatives. Seeking a solution in trying to brutally poison the birds is wrong. There are many other good ways of dealing with this situation. In this article we are going to mention one of them – pigeon spikes.

You have to understand that no matter what kind of birds are landing on your roof you still need to be able to take good mature decisions. Hunting them down won’t bring the desired results. However, spikes will. Bird spikes are easy to install. They form a physical barrier that make it impossible for birds to land on certain flat areas of buildings. We recommend it as being extremely efficient and humane.

Stop using strong repellents purchased at your local hardware store if you want to get rid of pigeons. You are going to experience negative secondary effects if you have any pets near the house. There are some other unpleasant moments related to using a poisonous deterrent but we are not going to mention those in this article. Always seek answers in alternative methods. Do not give up if you can’t find it from your first attempt. This is how it should be done.

Birds You Can See When You Go To Australia

australia is a big country that encompasses a lot of different landscapes, climates and environments. It is home to a host of several wildlife species, most of which are completely unique and are not known somewhere else in the world. However it is not the fascinating and popular marsupial species like the koala, kangaroo and wombat, or the mysterious monotremes like the echidna and the duckbilled platypus that we are going to be searching at, it is most of the Australia’s iconic bird species. Australia’s bird species vary in size from big, flightless emus and cassowaries to the small 9cm long yellowy-green songbird known as Weebill. Australia is home to birds of prey such as kites and falcons, a lot of parrot species, water fowl, song birds, owls and flightless bird.

Emus are large flightless birds that are found across australia in an extremely diverse range of habitats, ranging from hot woodland, upto inland grasslands, and coastal areas, however avoid very arid, desert areas and heavily-populated areas. The emu population is fairly stable and emus are not presently endangered. They are one of the biggest birds in the world, and emus are only somewhat smaller than ostriches. Emus have soft, brown feathers and can stand as high as two meters tall. Emus are a roving species and can travel long distances in search of food. Their diet consists of grains, plants and insects.

It is the male emus who hatch the eggs in the nest and then raise the chicks. They can run at very high speeds of up to thirty miles per hour. If you like to see emus in the wild in Australia, one of the great places is Exmouth in Western australia. In Exmouth, emus wander generously through the streets and even wander in the grounds of hotels and in the gardens. So make sure that you keep hold of your lunch!Sutton Perry

The Co-existence Of Man And Birds Through History

If you listen to the scientists and researchers, birds have existed on the earth for a minimum of one hundred and fifty million years. During that time they have attained uncontested mastery of the skies. They have come a long way from their ancestors, the feathered dinosaurs of the Mesozoic era of 230 million to 63 million years ago.

Even among evolutionists, there is no shortage of theories as to exactly how many of these dinosaurs came to leave the ground, take to the skies, and over the centuries gradually evolve into the creatures that we now know as birds. One theory is that the smaller dinosaurs, in order to protect themselves from the larger predators on the ground, began to look for refuge in the trees. And, once they were in the trees, they gradually evolved better and better ways of moving among the trees, starting with jumping, then gliding, and gradually flying.

In the beginning, man looked upon birds primarily as an excellent source of food and sustenance. It became common practice for early man to set traps to catch birds for their supper. In addition, they would also regularly raid the nests of birds for their eggs which provided them with good protein. Eventually, instead of raiding wild bird's nests, villagers began to raise birds such as hens and chickens on their land. This made the entire process of harvesting eggs so much smoother.

But then, somewhere around four thousand or so years ago, our attitude towards birds began to change. Probably because it was becoming less difficult to find foods. As a result, we started to treat some birds as pets and even as companions. If you look at the ancient Egyptian artifacts reveal pet bird cages used to contain domesticated birds. Mostly, these were birds primarily known for their beauty. It seems as though, at that time, it was considered smoething of a status symbol to have possession of a pet bird.

Over the years, it became popular to breed some bird species specifically to serve as household pets. A perfect example is the canary. Another one is the parakeet. But even as the ownership of birds became more popular, millions more people became interested in how birds lived in the wild. And as a result of that interest, the activity of birding or bird watching has grown to be one of the most popular hobbies in the country and in the world.

Today, birds are among our best friends in the animal kingdom. They do us a great service by helping to control the insect population that would otherwise overrun us or cause us to use millions of tons of pesticides.

In addition, they are critical in the pollination of many plants. And, they helped to spread plant seeds far and wide and are generally responsible for the original creation of many forest areas in the world.

Guided Snow Goose Hunting Booming With Birds In Maryland And Virginia

Take advantage of an action filled guided snow goose hunt with the breathtaking beauty of hunting in the areas of Maryland, Virginia and Delaware on the Delmarva Peninsula, the only place in the world that greater snow geese winter for about 5 months out of the year.

In these areas the following types of game are hunted:

Greater and Lesser Snow Goose Hunting
Ross Geese and Speckle Bellied or White Fronted Geese
Canadian Geese Hunting in Delaware & Maryland
Sea, Diver and Puddle Duck Hunting in Maryland & Virginia
Mourning Dove Hunting
Sea Duck Hunting
Plus other types of waterfowl hunting

No need to wait until spring for guided snow geese hunting as you can greatly extend your snow goose season in these areas. One of the astonishing sights of waterfowl hunting is to witness the thousands of greater snow geese at a size of 7-10lbs coming at daybreak to the goose rig in one of the many fields that hunts are located.

Unlike hunting in the marshes of Virginia, the snow goose hunts are in the fields of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia which are dryer, less muddy and warmer. Hundreds of thousands of snow geese winter here with ample amount of food to support them and a small number of hunters pursuing them.

Using decoys is a great way to get the birds close to your hunting position. They will come in to land and you can take them out as they do. The goose hunting guides and outfitters always include these decoys in the hunts for best results. These decoys are a must for snow goose hunting and they are set out by the hundreds and sometimes thousands. Most shots are 40 yards or less with tolling bird wings cupped coming in to land. So far in 2007-2008 the hunting is the best that it has been in over 15 years. A tremendous hatch has resulted in many grey young birds coming in to the decoys to provide for grand hunts.

Approximately 1.25 million Snow Geese are on the Delmarva Peninsula this winter.

Experience the excitement of lying on your back as the Snow Geese start their infamous white, cyclonic swirl over the rig as they gradually descend into the decoys with a deafening honking roar so loud you can barely hear the guide holler "take’em". The real test begins as you now try to focus and pick out just one snow goose to shoot at instead of emptying your shot gun into a white wall of feathers.

While hunting the Greater Snow Goose we also harvest the Canadian Geese and Puddle ducks are also harvested on almost all the trips. In addition to the fantastic snow goose hunts there is also excellent Sea Duck Hunting & Puddle Duck / Diver Hunts.

Goose calls are always an added benefit as they draw them in close for you to take a good shot. With a wide variety of calls the guides and outfitters have some of the best tools for you to use on your guided hunt.
Know that this type of game bird is bigger than duck and in turn needs a larger shot to take it down. Having the right ammo and enough of it to get the job done is a big key to a successful hunt.

Lovely Bird Feeder Outside Your Window

If you love birds, you are likely to have at least one lovely bird feeder outside your window. It is great to sit and watch the birds feed throughout the day. The entire process is one that can be relaxing and enriching. Sometimes stopping tasks long enough to enjoy simple things like birds can really take the stress out of your day and allow you to live a happier life. Birds are a beautiful part of nature that you can enjoy for free. With everything costing these days, it is a blessing to have wonderful animals at our fingertips. To attract birds to your area however you should set up an environment that they are attracted to. By making interesting bird feeders, you can create art while catering to the birds in your area. Remember, birds enjoy feeders all year long in some areas, so don't forget about them in the winter months. Use these fun ideas to begin making your bird feeders today.

Sometimes the best feeders for birds are made from the simplest items. You can begin by using an empty coffee can. Clean the inside of the can and strip the label from the outside. At this point, you can choose to paint the can if you like, but leave the inside unpainted. Colors of red, yellow, and orange will attract some bird species. Other species may not care what color your bird feeder is, as they have no known color preferences. After the paint dries completely, find a hard plastic plate that will allow the can to fit nicely in its center.

Before attaching the can however, you will need to cut a few holes into it. The first hole should be at the top edge of the can. This will allow the food to spill out when the can is upside down. The next hole should be at the bottom of the can, in the center. This will allow you to fill the can with seed when it is turned upside down. After cutting the holes, turn the can upside down onto the middle of the plate and use super glue or a hot glue gun to glue the two together. There should be a rim of plate around the can to give the birds something to perch upon.

When you are finished, you will need to find a way to attach the feeder to your tree or other area. If the feeder is just sitting on a stump or a porch, then you can skip this step. If you want the feeder to hang from a tree, you will need a small chain and S hook. You can cut another hole in the can to loop the chain through and attach the S hook at the end of the chain. Then attach your feeder to the tree. If your feeder is really light weight, you can also use fishing line to attach it to the tree.

Be sure to clean out the feeder for the birds at least once every two weeks. This will allow the feeder to be fresh and appealing and keep the birds coming to your home. You can refill the feeder as needed. If you fill the feeder and attract no birds, you may want to change the type of seed you filled it with. Some birds prefer specific types of seeds, so you can try this to attract more birds. Just remember to have fun and enjoy the simple things in life that nature has to offer!

Green Ringneck Parrots Are The Happiest Birds In The World

birds are the flying animalsWe have a green ringneck parrot, and Mr. Stan is the happiest bird in the world. If you are feeling down, just walk into the bird room and Mr. Stan will immediately cheer you up.

Lovely  Parrot
There are lots of different parrots breeds, but I’d like to visit with you about the green ringneck parrots. There are actually two types of green ringneck parrots, the African Ringneck and the Indian Ringneck. The African Ringneck is the smaller of the two breeds, but they both have the happiest personalities of any parrot alive. The African Grey may talk better, the Cockatoo might be better at solving puzzles, the Amazons may be larger and more brightly colored, but no other parrot in the world is as happy as the little green ringneck parrot.

All you have to do to get Mr. Stan squawking and singing is just stick your head in the room. If he doesn’t see you because he is playing, just whistle, and the concert begins. He will get all of the other parrots bouncing and squawking within seconds.

We went to Pakistan several years ago for a construction project, and found Mr. Stan in the local bird market. He was so friendly and enthusiastic that we brought him back to America when we came home. Don’t try this yourself, the paperwork and expense of traveling with birds is not something that I recommend.

The Indian Ringneck parrot is native to Pakistan and India, and it is common to see flocks in the hundreds. And the wild parrots are just as happy as Mr. Stan is.

At dusk, all of the birds would flock to the trees for the night, and there would be resounding chorus as all the different breeds of birds would start to bed down. But the loveliest chorus was the song from the little green ringneck parrots.

Parrot breeders have developed some color variations for the ringneck, and you can find them in blue and yellow. They have the same small body and the same enthusiastic personality, just a different color.

So, if you are looking for a parrot to take home, I would encourage you to think about the little green ringneck parrot, the happiest bird in the world