Exotic Birds Make Great Pets

You've guess it. These birds come from Africa and are very popular and intelligent. If you want a real talker, this bird is a good choice. Their colors range from grey to light grey to dark grey to silver grey with the beautiful bright red tail feathers. This bird grows to about 13 inches with a thick stocky body. The lifespan averages about 50 years. PJ eats fruits and alot of vegetables with her seed. Her favorites are pizza, buffalo wings and hot peppers of any kind. (But beware of your bird giving you a kiss after eating hot peppers), yes, it really burns!

PJ is quite the little talker. She says far too many words for me to put them all down here. I will give just a few of the things she says. Hi, how are you? Here kitty, kitty, kitty. She rings the phone and then anwsers it. Sings a good morning song. Whistles the Andy Griffith Show theme song. Says I'm hungry when she wants more seed. Calls me Grandma now after hearing my grandson call me that. And a whole lot more.

These birds are really terrific talkers. They are very intelligent also. You can teach them to do many tricks with some patience and know how. They pick up on things pretty quickly with repeated practice. I have taught PJ to dance with a "let's dance" command and it didn't take too long at all. You just watch some of their natural actions, start associating words with them, and pretty soon, they learn to do that particular action upon you saying the associated words. Then you reward them with a goodie.

2-3 weeks old 5 months

This is our newest addition to our pets. Scooter is a male Rouen duck. He is an ancestor of the Mallard duck. The male Rouen ducks have the markings like the male Mallards...the pretty green head and neck with the white ring around the neck. You can see Scooter is getting his green in now. It is very bright and brilliant in the sunlight as is part of his wing feathers which are a rainbow of teal green, blue, and violet. As you can see from the two pictures, they look alot different as babies, don't they? He was fed chick-start growth crumble as a baby and now is on a mixture of the growth crumble and scratch feed. At about 6 months or so, he will be fully on the scratch feed. He also gets some fruit and vegetable to eat along with it and alot of fresh water.

Scooter is a very good and fun pet to have. He is very friendly and loving. He lets my grandson and his friends hold and hug him. He even plays a little head bobbing game with us all. He likes to follow you where ever you go. He loves to be hand fed. He has his own 5 foot pool to swim in and is great fun to watch as he is swimming and diving and splashing around. He likes to get into Jr's pool and swim with him also. As a special treat we feed him feeder goldfish. He is hilarious to watch as he jumps and runs around catching them out of his feeding bowl. I wondered at first about having a duck as a pet.....but I'm sure glad we got him now. He is so much fun and brings so much enjoyment to the kids (and me too) !

The average length of these birds is 15 inches. The average lifespan is 40 years. Scientific sexing is required for these birds. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 65 days later. On young birds, the plumage is duller and the irises are brown.

You cannot rely soley on the blue facial patch to identify this species. Other Amazons have a simular blue marking. Each bird developes an individual pattern of markings. It is the red shoulder markings that identify this bird as a Blue-fronted Amazon. In some cases though, the red may be absent. These parrots have moderately long and broad tail feathers.

Provide these parrots with a good quality parrot mix, a daily supply of of fruit and greenfood.

This bird reaches an average length of 14 inches. The average lifespan is 30 years. The males are green and the females are reddish in color. Incubation lasts 30 days and feldging occures 75 days later.

Eclectus parrots have a broad, rounded head and a curved bill. The bluish coloration of the collar is also present over much of the females abdomen. Coloration of the plumage on females is reddish with variations depending on each race. The male's is mainly a bright, emerald green. The males bill does not turn completely orange until three years of age. The male also has red markings that extend down the sides of his body and under his wings.

You should provide generous amounts of greenfood, fruit, corn-on-the-cob and carrots each day. These parrots have a long digestive tract, so they need a high amount of dietary fiber.

The average length of these birds are 14 inches and they have a thick stout body. The average lifespan is about 40 years. Mature males have darker eyes while mature females have reddish brown irises. Young birds have dark grey irises. Incubation lasts 25 days and fledging occurs 50 days later.

The whitish crest is broad and quite short. The depth of gray coloration on the wings varies from bird to bird. In some cases it can be almost white. The breast has pinkish red plumage and is sometimes flecked with gray feathering.

Diet is very important with these birds. Offer them a low-fat diet, concentrating on cereal seeds, augmented with some sunflower, as well as fruit and greenfood.

These very large birds grow to an average length of 36 inches. The average lifespan is 50 years. Scientific sexing is required to determine the males from the females. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 90 days later. They young birds irises are darker than in adults; some of the feathers running across the bare face are maroon rather than red.

While macaws' bills are particularly strong, they are gentle birds by nature. The feathering on the face varies greatly from one individual to the other. The body plumage is a rich crimson red in both adults and younger birds. The green coloration on the wings distinguishes these macaws from the Scarlet Macaw, which has a noticeable area of yellow plumage on the wings.

Provide these birds with a diet of parrot food, greenfood, fruit and a regular supply of a variety of nuts. Also give them a supply of branches to gnaw on.

The average length of these birds is 12 inches. The average lifespan is 18 years. Females have barring on the undersides of thier tails. Incubation lasts about 18 days and fledging occurs 28 days later. Younger birds are simular to the adult females but recognizable by their shorter tails. The Cockatiel can raise and lower it's crest at will. The depth of coloration on the body varies, depending on the strain. The darker lutino birds are sometimes described as "golden" or "buttercup." A diet of smaller cereal seed augmented with sunflower, greenfood, and fruit suits lutino's well.

The average length of a male peacock is about 7 feet or so. This is approximate sizes: 18 inches in body size, 18 inches in the length of the tail feathers and the coverts about 4 feet. The average lifespan is 20 to 30 years.

The male peacock is distinguished by its crested head, brilliant blue or green feathers, and long tail feathers that are marked with eyelike, iridescent spots, that can be spread in a fanlike form.

My friend's pet peacock was a very loving and peacable bird. He just showed up on her property one day and stayed for 21 years. He was very protective of my friend and the birds she had in her aviary. He had a girlfriend who came every other year to mate with him. Sadly, he died two years ago. His girlfriend came back a year after he had died, and has never left my friends house since. I find this rather amazing, so I thought I'd share this with you.

These birds grow to an average length of 16 inches. The average lifespan is 15 years. Females lack the nuchal collar of the males. Incubation lasts 24 days and fledging occurs in 50 days. The young birds, simular to the females, may have shorter tails.

The red upper bill makes an amazing contrast to the blue body color. The male has a collar, which appears when the bird is three years old. The plumage of males and females are identical with the exception of the female, which has no collar. The depth of blue coloration, an autosomal recessive mutation, varies little.

Provide these birds with parrot food, cereal seeds including groats, fruit and greenfood.

This bird grows to an average length of 12 inches. The average lifespan is 40 years. Males invariably have darker eyes than the females. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 70 days later. On young birds, simular to adults, the lores are pink.

When resting, the crests are laid back. They only raise their crests when they are excited. Depending on the race of the Sulfer Crested bird, the crest and the ear covers can be orange or yellow.

Provide these birds with parrot food, pellets, fruit, and greenfood.These birds a very hardy birds.

Umbrellas grow to an average of 12 inches in length. The average lifespan is 40 years. The eye coloration of the females is reddish brown. The incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 80 days later. The young birds are simular to adults, but the eyes are grayer and the bill is whitish.

The crest is white like the rest od the body, but broad in shape, giving rise to the name of Umbrella Cockatoo. The eye ring is a bare area of white skin. The body is completely white, with slight traces of yellow only apparent on the lower surfaces of the flight and tail feathers. The grayish coloration of the feet and bill contrasts notably with the plumage.

Offer the Cockatoos a diet of good quality parrot mixture, fruit, greenfood and invertebrates, such as mealworms.

These macaws reach an average length of 33 inches. Their average lifespan is 50 years. Scientific sexing is required; hens may have narrower heads. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 90 days later. Young birds are similar to adults except the irises are dark instead of light.

Blue and Gold Macaws always have a patch of green plumage on the head. There are usually three rows of darl feathers below the eyes. The bill may show signs of wear, but this is not a cause for concern. The scaly marks usually disappear as the new tissue replaces the old. The body coloration has led this species to be also called the Blue and Yellow Macaw.

Offer these birds a diet of a good quality seed mixture, large nuts, parrot pellets, fruit, and greenfood. They can be persuaded to sample a wide range of foods.

Their average length is 11 inches and the average lifespan is 25 years. Scientific sexing is required with these birds. Incubation lasts 26 days and fledging occurs 70 days later. The young birds are not as blue as adults.

The rich blue coloration on the head indicates that it is a mature bird. Watch for swelling of the eye-ring, as this is often linked to nasal blockage. The bill varies in color, and may be flaky through wear, though this need not be a cause for concern. Blue- headed Parrots have vivid contrasting coloration on the body.

A standard parrot mix, with fruit and greenfood, keep these birds in good health. Also provide these birds with grit and cuttlefish bone.

This birds average length is 12 inches. The average lifespan is 25 years. Scientific sexing is required. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 80 days later. The young birds are similar to adults; bills and irises are dark.

The bill is mainly orange in adults, but the young birds have dark markings extending down to the tip of the bill. A bare area of grayish-white skin surrounds the eyes, but is seperated from the cere by feathering. The yellow patch on the back indentifies the bird as belonging to the Yellow-backed race. The green coloration on the wing has a slight iridescence. The feet and claws are gray in Chattering Lories.

These birds need a fresh solution of nectar once or twice a day, always in an enclosed drinker, along with fruit, greenfood, and a little seed. They may sample mealworms. Also provide grit.

This birds average length is 12 1/2 inches. The average lifespan is 20 years. Scientific sexing is required. Incubation lasts 24 days and fledging occurs 80 days later. The young birds plumage is duller than adults' plumage, and white skin encircles the eyes.

The color of the face can vary between individuals. The feathers on the neck taper to points, which the bird can raise slightly, like hackles, when displaying, or showing agression. Grasping with its feet, this species hops and struts along its purch. The tail is yellow.

These Lories need nectar, fruit, greenfood, and a limited amount of seed.

These cockatoos reach an average length of 12 inches. The average lifespan is 40 years. In sexing these birds, the cocks have darker irises. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 70 days later. The young birds lack the salmon-pink lores.

The white crest is relatively small and unconspicuous in this particular species. Sexing these cockatoos on their iris coloration is difficult; the cock's is black, and the hen's a dark reddish brown. The pink of the lores varies in depth between birds. It is not an indication of gender. These birds should have dense, sleek white plumage. Check for any signs of PBFD prior to purchase.

A standard parrot mixture, with added fruit and greenfood suits these birds well. Encourage them to take a varied diet and use a supplement to augment their food intake.

The average length of this bird is 8 inches. The average lifespan is 24 years. Scientific sexing is required. Incubation lasts 25 days and fledging occurs 70 days later. The young birds are similar to the adults, but they can usually be identified by their darker bills.

The green area of plumage at the side of the neck is a characteristic of this species. The barring pattern on the body varies according to the race. The subtly colored abdomen contrasts well with the brighter coloration of the breast. The tail is long and the feathers are pointed, a characteristic of lorikeets.

Offer these birds a nectar solution or dry nectar diet. Also offer them fruit, such as diced apple and grapes, plus some greenfood and seed, such as soaked millet sprays. If you adjust their diet, do so slowly, to minimize disturbances to their digestive tract.

The average length of this bird is 18 inches with an average lifespan of 20 years. Scientific sexing is required with these birds. Incubation lasts 25 days and fledging occurs 56 days later. In young birds, the upper bill is white.

Above the bill, the head coloring is brownish, but becomes more olive on the sides of the head and down over the wings. The white, unfeathered eye-ring is more prominent in birds that are in breeding condition. The extent of white feathering on the breast is more pronounced in some birds than others. The flight feathers are tinged with blue coloring along their length.

Offer conures a diet of parrot food and cereal seeds, especially maize, sweet apple, and spinach beet, which are particular favorites. They prefer the stems of spinach and comsume large quantities of cuttlefish bone.

Quakers grow to an average lenght of 11 inches. The everage lifespan is 15 years. Scientific sexing is required in these birds. Incubation lasts 25 days and fledging occurs 50 days later. The foreheads of the young birds have a green tinge.

The forehead is gray, and has a pattern of barring, which is also present over the breast. The gray feathering on the neck extends only to behind the eyes. Traces of blue coloring are apparent on the wings, as is the case with other parakeet varieties. The upper parts of the body are a light green. The underparts are paler. The tail feathers are a similar green to those of the upper parts, although paler underneath.

Offer these birds parrot food, cereal seeds, fruit, and greenfood.

These birds grow to an average length of 18 inches. Their average lifespan is 10 years. Sexing these birds is visually difficult; hens may have smaller bills than the cock birds. Incubation lasts 19 days and fledging occurs 50 days later. The young birds have duller plumage than adults.

Massive and colorful, the toucan's bill is a distinguishing feature of this species. It may be blunted if the bird hammers with it. The blue coloration that surrounds the eyes extends down and onto the bill itself. The light breast is a characteristic of the ramphastos toucans. Apart from the breast and rump, the rest of the plumage on the body is a glossy black. Toucans usually sleep with their tails held vertically so that, in the wild, they can fit into small tree holes for safety from predators.

Offer Red-Billed Toucans a diet of diced fruit with softbill food, and pellets. Supplement this with a regular offering of large invertebrates, such as mealworms, locusts, or even pinkies.

The average length of a Senegal is 10 inches. The average lifespan is 30 years. Scientific sexing is required in this bird. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 85 days later. The young birds have dark irises.

The brigh yellow eyes provide an easy means of indentifying adult birds. The extent of green plumage on the breast varies from bird to bird. The dark feet have sharp claws. As a result, their grip is quite painful.

Offer Senegal Parrots a mixture of parrot food, small cereal seeds, greenfood, and fruit. Peanuts are a favorite with these birds.

The average length for this Macaw is 16 inches and the average lifespan is 30 years. Scientific sexing is required. Incubation lasts 25 days and fledging occurs 60 days later. The irises are dark on the young birds.

The bare areas of skin on the mask are a characteristic of ara macaws. The coloration of the body is a dark shade of green. Watch for any bald patches, as this could indicate feather plucking. The edges of the wings are a prominent red. This color is most obvious when the bird is in flight. The tail is long and composite in color, like that of other dwarf macaws.

Provide Severe Macaws with a good quality parrot food, cereal seeds, fruit, and greenfood, such as spinach beet.

The average length of this bird is 14 inches with a lifespan of 40 years. Scientific sexing is required with this bird. Incubation lasts 28 days and fledging occurs 65 days later. In young birds, the irises are brown.

The extent of yellow coloration on the head varies, depending on the race and age of the bird. In adults, the iris is orange. The body coloration is mainly green, like other Amazon parrots.

Give these birds parrot food, fruit, and greenfood each day. Also offer them parrot pellets and sprinkle a food supplement over the fruit occassionally to keep them in top condition.