Hand Care Tips and Advice

Water, cold, household …. our hands are particularly exposed to weather and other external aggressions. Result: they become brittle and dry. To avoid redness, chapping and irritation, here are some hand care tips to consider to keep pretty hands all year. Read More

Apple Cider Vinegar your Health Beauty Ally

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Oil massage: a Constant Health and Beauty Companion

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Why Did My Bird Bite Me?

The typical scenario is this. You’ve owned your bird for a year or so. It has been your darling, adoring pet, never balking at cuddling and kisses. Then one day with no warning, your bird strikes out and bites.  Most owners express shock and disappointment when their beloved pet shows such unexpected aggressive behavior. But how unexpected should this behavior really be?
Most parrots cannot be considered domesticated pets. With the exception of budgerigars and cockatiels, most species are only a few generations removed from their wild ancestors.  Some birds sold as pets today may have had wild-caught parents.  What does this mean?  It means that instincts rule.  If bird owners keep this in mind when training their pets, they will have a healthier relationship with their bird and there will be far fewer painful nips.
Keep in mind that in the wild birds can fly high in the trees to avoid danger.  A bird with clipped wings obviously cannot do this. Some will fly in a panic to the floor, thrashing about. This can be a very frightening and unsettling experience for both the bird and the owner.  It is best to get down low to where the bird is and not “swoop” down on it the way a predator might in the wild.  Talk in a calm voice and ease the bird’s panic.  The other protection your bird has is to bite.  In almost all cases, you will get warning signals. The trick is to learn how to recognize them before the beak comes down on your finger (or worse, a lip or ear).
I have discovered a whole repertoire of behaviors with my senegal parrot. I have learned to pay close attention to them.  When Maxwell reached sexual maturity at around four years of age, his personality changed. I had to rebuild our relationship on different terms.  I had to learn to recognize when he was overstimulated (it is often called “overload” in amazons) and likely to snap.  Mainly I was the cause of the overstimulation. We often played a game called “The Tail Thief”, which he loved as a young bird, but at age four he would become very aggressive if I played the game. I’ve relegated the game to memory lane now.  Many owners of pet birds become disappointed when they cannot play with their bird in the same manner as they mature.  It is very important to accept your bird as an individual and not try to force behaviors just because you enjoy them.  I have found that once owners try to understand their bird’s moods rather than trying to change their moods, the relationship blossoms again.
There are some pretty universal signs when a bird is saying, “Back off”.  Your relationship will be the most healthy when it involves reciprocal “respect”.  If my senegal puffs himself up and his eyes start to flash, I don’t reach in saying, “Oh it’s sooo cute!” I calm him down first using a soothing voice.   Max  is very well trained for stepping up on command, but there are times when I can tell by his body posture–feathers out a bit (almost arched), individual feathers a bit on end, some extra loud clicking of the beak, eyes flashing–that he might just be too stimulated and could bite.  I really don’t believe these bites mean he’s angry at me, just that he very excited and can’t quite control himself .   Sometimes these signs are subtle, sometimes they’re done in an outright “flash” dance. Above is a series of photos, from a content bird to a visibly agitated bird. While I can usually calm Max down from this “stance,” I don’t just reach in fast with my hand if he begins to show these signals.

The foundation you build with a young bird will make all the difference in how you can handle him when he reaches maturity.  Books on parrot behavior may help you, but the best way to learn the signs is to watch your bird and make a note of specific reactions. For example, “When I move quickly like that he spins around. This means I’ve startled him and an instinctive response has kicked in. I need to talk to him first.”   One special thing to look for is when your bird seems to be in a trance-like state.  This is a natural protective behavior.  In the wild parrots “take turns” standing watch for the flock for any danger. They are in a hyperalert state at that time, blocking out all extraneous (i.e., nondangerous) stimuli.  A sudden movement or threatening approach during that “trance” can make them lunge instinctively.
It is important to note that birds that have shown aggressive behavior should NOT be allowed to sit on your shoulder. A startled bird can bite your face and do serious injury.  Certain species, such as amazon parrots, should be trained to sit on your hand or wrist, never on your shoulder. While re-training a bird used to sitting on your shoulder can be challenging, it is not impossible.
All of your bird’s seemingly unpredictable behaviors can be largely predictable if you accept that they are part of a whole repertoire of natural instincts.  Unfortunately, most people give up after the first few bites and don’t understand why their sweet baby has become a piranha.  By establishing a few basic rules early on in your relationship with your bird, you can work through these behavioral issues, and your pet does not have to end up on the adoption merry-go-round.



Source : http://www.parrotparrot.com

Macaws: 8 Things You Should Know

Their large beaks and almost fairy-tale appearance may elicit trepidation or varying degrees of curiosity, but, rarely, indifference. Noisy and vivid, the larger macaw species seem to scream, “Look at me!” Because of their flashiness, it is hard to believe that macaws are prey (food) animals in the wild. Unless you’ve lived with a macaw, there are things about macaws you just wouldn’t guess.

Here are 8:

1) What Macaw Behavioral Problems?
In casual conversations with other behavior consultants throughout the years, the consensus is that macaws present problems less frequently than most other pet birds. In general, macaws have stable temperaments and are less inclined to exhibit neurotic behaviors seen in some other species.

The hyacinth macaw is the largest macaw.

Even the smallest macaws have a wonderful sense of “bigness” that seems to negate the tendency, seen in some smaller hookbill species, to overreact to unfamiliar objects or perceived threats. This increases their ability to focus on what they are being taught, enabling them to alter their behavior within a relatively short period.
2) Big Beak, Big Chew
Although macaws possess large beaks and need to chew, most engage in destructive chewing considerably less than might be expected. This surprises those who keep smaller-beaked birds, such as cockatoos. However, I have seen unruly hyacinths practically take houses apart if given no other chewing outlet. On the bright side, if provided wood to chew and taught some simple behavioral rules and guidelines, most macaws confine chewing to acceptable objects or toys, leaving large pieces of expensive furniture alone.
3) Hear All About It
Indeed, macaws can be noisy. Many years ago, two clients of mine were filling the gas tank of their automobile at a local station when they recognized the happy squawks of their own hyacinth macaw playing in its outdoor flight cage at home — a half mile away.
Although all macaws have the ability to be extremely loud, they can also learn to tone down their vocalizations and to be quiet most of the time. Macaw noise is often a result of a very noisy household. Since it is common for macaws to meet the decibel level of their environment, it is unrealistic to expect a macaw to be quieter than its surroundings. On the other hand, macaws that live in quiet households are usually quiet birds — especially, if they understand that this pleases their people.

4) Got To Cuddle?
Most macaws do not need to constantly, physically touch their people or stare lovingly into their eyes. (Although they do invite that kind of interaction with their favorites.) If raised properly, most macaws easily entertain themselves while their people are away from home or are occupied in some other activity — a characteristic loved by those drawn to them as companions. Like all birds, however, they can become demanding, but their behavior can be easily corrected if properly worked with.

5) Sexual Behavior

In a domestic environment, sexually mature macaws exhibit less sexually differentiated behavior than many other species. During breeding season, both mature males and females may be a bit less patient and somewhat noisier. Females may become hormonal and begin nesting in their cages regardless of whether a male is available. The greatest behavior changes are usually seen most strongly in scarlet macaws; however, all species can manifest some hormonally influenced behaviors. In general, the manifestation of sexual behavior in macaws is less pronounced than that seen in Amazon parrots and cockatoos.

6) One Of The Gang
Macaws enjoy being an integral part of their human and animal family, eagerly fitting in with their activities and lifestyle.  Flexible and extremely easy to live with, they are not exempt from becoming spoiled, which may lead to squawking or biting for attention or anger. However, their behavior quickly calibrates if the situation is worked with appropriately.
7) Adolescent Macaw Behavior
Young macaws are disarming — their large size is at odds with their babyish behavior. They signal their vulnerability and trust by staring at their people with dark eyes, bobbing their heads slowly, crown feathers standing erect. Combined with the act of flipping one wing and vocalizing in a little, helpless cross between a squeal and a honk, they are utterly enchanting.
During their adolescence, most macaws go through a rough-and-tumble phase, wrestling like dogs or kittens. Young blue & golds and hyacinths are especially prone to this behavior and may look a bit disheveled as a result. Scarlet macaws usually exhibit a more dignified countenance, fitting to their sensitive nature. 
In adolescence, it is common for macaws to test their limits and abilities, with behaviors ranging from squawking to some biting. Once they understand, however, that those behaviors are not allowed, they tend to calm down and enjoy being part of the family. Hyacinth macaws, especially, can become rowdy and strong willed during this time, and they may go through a stage of bullying the people and animals around them. If their behavior is worked with appropriately, the macaw nature takes over, and they become enjoyable, affectionate and beloved family members.
8) Floor Time
Most large macaws enjoy padding around on the floor at all stages of life. They need a place to do this that is safe from injury by other inhabitants, as well as from bacterial contamination tracked in from outside sources.
Ideal Macaw Owner
Macaws are versatile and easy to get along with. They do well in a home with human adults, children and well-behaved pets. They usually entertain themselves well; however, they eagerly join in human activities when invited.

Best Bird Toys For Macaws
Many like large toys with wooden chew blocks and strong cord. A large, wire spring toy covered with cloth is also popular. Macaws are intelligent and active, so a variety of things they can play with or tear up contribute to a healthy attitude and decrease the chance of behavior problems.
With Other Macaws
When properly introduced, macaws often get along well with each other. Great care must be taken during introductions and subsequent interactions. Be cautious in situations where one bird is significantly smaller than the other. In those cases, it is best if the smaller bird is older and the macaw is a baby when first introduced. Never leave the birds unsupervised, and separate them forever if any kind of bullying takes place.
Biggest Macaw Challenge
A macaw should be a true member of the family — not a secondary pet. They need plenty of room for a large cage and playgym. Macaws are long-lived, so a will should be made out bequeathing the bird to someone you trust implicitly.

Source : www.birdchannel.com

One Phrase Leads to Another

The video :

I have been training birds for years, but this talking parakeet left me speechless