The Basics of Bird Anatomy

When it comes to bird anatomy, most pet bird owners have no clue about how the
organs work and how the skeletal system is formed. You might not thing this
topic is interesting, but it is very complex, and if you are going to know
about birds, you are going to have a lot to learn!

First of all, you have the respiratory system of the birds. They have a high
oxygen demand because of the high metabolic rate. This means that they have a
respiratory system that is much more efficient than the one a mammal or reptile
has. They can ventilate their lungs much more easily, and the lungs are the
sites of gas exchange.

When it comes to their circulatory system, birds have a four-chambered heart,
which is the same as most mammals. This means that they can get nutrients to
their body as well as oxygen very easily. The bird's heart is going to beat
much more quickly that the mammals heart, due to what they have to do to
survive.

The digestive system of birds is very interesting. Most of them have a muscular
pouch that is called a crop which is formed along their esophagus. It helps them
to soften food, as well as regulates the flow of that food through the bird's
system, because the food can be stored in this pouch and used as needed.

The Skeletal system of a bird is interesting as well. Because the bird is
intended to fly, the skeleton is adapted for this. It is very lightweight,
which would allow the bird to get off of the ground. On the other hand, it is
very strong, so that it doesn't break when a bird takes off or lands.

Birds also have a wide range of muscles, usually about 175, that are going to
control how the bird moves. Birds also have very sharp eyesight, much better
than that of humans. Birds are able to reproduce by making sperm and
fertilizing eggs in order to breed.

All in all, the anatomy of the bird is very interesting and different from that
of mammals. If you are going to be a bird owner, and if you are going to know
everything there is to know about your pet bird, it is very important that you
do all that you can to make sure you understand how the bird's body works. This
will help you to be a good pet owner, and it will help your bird to live a long
and happy life.

Aspergillosis and Your Bird

We all love to have animals, but sometimes we need to be careful that we aren't
causing ourselves more pain and suffering by having them. No matter what pet you
have, there are risks that are associated with having that pet, and you are
going to want to be sure that you know what they are and that you do everything
you can to make sure that they don't' happen.

First of all, when you have a pet bird or other animals such as birds in your
yard or farm, you might run the risk of developing Aspergillosis. This comes
from a fungus that can be found in compost piles or other areas where bird
waste has collected. With your pet birds, there is little chance of getting
Aspergillosis as long as you keep the cage clean, but if you have larger birds
or if you have many birds on your property, there is a chance that you could
see an outbreak of Aspergillosis if you aren't careful.

There are several signs of Aspergillosis that you should watch out for. Since
it is a general lung infection that comes from fungus, the clearest signs are
going to be wheezing and coughing, as well as coughing up phlegm and an
inability to breathe. You also might find yourself disoriented, and confused,
or with a high fever.

The best way to avoid getting Aspergillosis or any other diseases is always to
make sure that you are running clean and safe establishments. This is both for
the humans as well as for the birds. You want to be sure that your animals are
living in quarters that can be easily cleaned, and that are cleaned often, and
you have to be sure that you dispose of the waste in a way that is not
dangerous. It does no good to clean out the bird waste if it is still going to
be left somewhere that humans might come in contact with it and become sick.

If you think that you or your family members have developed Aspergillosis you
are going to want to be sure that you see a doctor right away. There are
various stages to the illness, and the sooner you catch it the better you are
going to be. You should always be sure that you are notifying your doctor about
what is on your property and what you might have come into contact with as well.

Love Birds? Breeding Pet Birds

Everyone knows that to have a pet, you have to be sure you are following
through with all of the things that you need to do to make your pet happy and
healthy. Some people like to have animals and be involved in the breeding
process, and this is a decision that you might decide to make. However, when
you have pet birds, as when you have other animals, there are several things
that you have to keep in mind before you begin breeding.

You should never get into the business of breeding your pet birds or any other
animal unless you want to do good things for the particular breed. You should
never get into the business of breeding animals for the money, or for the
experience. If you want to be breeding your pet bird, you have to be sure that
you are doing it so that you can help the breed of bird that you have, and that
you can do good things for the birds. You want to be sure that your motives are
completely genuine, because breeding for money always leads to problems.

After you are sure that you are breeding animals for the right reasons, the
next step to take is to make sure that you have all of the knowledge that you
need to be breeding that particular animal. With birds, this means that you
have researched the type of bird you are breeding and that you understand what
this kind of bird needs to thrive and what its breeding and producing of babies
takes from the owner. You have to be sure that you have all of the things that
are necessary, and that you have done all of the research that you have to do
to make sure that the breeding can be successful.

The last thing that you have to be sure that you are doing is being a
responsible breeder. This goes along with breeding of any animal, not just your
birds. Being a responsible breeder means that you are willing to learn about the
birds, and that you are willing to find homes for any offspring that you might
have. Being a breeder that is responsible is something that you have to strive
to be, and there are a lot of things that go along with it. This is why
breeding of animals is something that you have to think about and make wise
decisions about first.

Choosing a Vet for your Bird

Pet birds can be more complicated than you think they'd be. You might believe
that pet birds are easy to handle, easy to train, and easy to own. However, the
reality is that they are actually quite difficult because they take a long time
to get to know and to train, and if you are going to own a bird and do it
properly, you have to be sure that you know all about the bird beforehand, and
that you are willing to take the time that is necessary to do all of the things
that you have to do in order to be a proper bird owner. One of the things that
you have to be sure you do as a good bird owner is to find your bird the right
kind of vet that will help you in your bird ownership. There are several things
that you can do as you search for vets to make sure that the one you choose is
going to be best for you and for your bird.

First of all, most vets will claim to know a little bit about birds, because
most vets are trained in all around animal care, so they have had a small
amount of training when it comes to birds. However, if you are going to be
having birds in your life, this means that you are going to invest in these
birds. Therefore, you want a vet who has also invested a lot of time into
learning about birds. The fact is that all birds are different from all other
animals and all species of birds are different from one another, so you have to
be sure that the vet you are picking knows not only about birds, but about the
type of bird that you have. You want to know that your bird is going to be in
good hands, and so you want to ask some questions of your vet to see if your
vet really understands birds and not only that, but if he or she really
understands your type of bird.

You can ask questions of your vet that you already know the answer to, in order
to see whether or not your vet really knows what he or she is talking about when
it comes to birds. Also, you should ask him or her how many birds he treats on a
regular basis, and where he looks for information if there is something that he
doesn't know about. Remember, your vet will be one of the most important person
in your bird's life, so choose one wisely.

Cleanliness and you Pet Bird's Health

We all want to make sure our animals are healthy, and we especially want to
make sure that any animals we have in our homes are going to be healthy and
therefore are not going to be a danger to anyone living in our house. The fact
remains that many times animals that live in our houses with us cause more
disease and problems than we are aware of. So, it is important that your pet
bird is kept clean, and that he doesn't leave any diseases around for himself,
or for you.

There are several steps that you can follow to make sure that your bird is
clean and healthy. First of all, choose a good spot for his cage. You have to
be sure that this is a place that is away from directly sunlight, but where he
can still see the sun and the changing of the day and night. You also want to
make sure that this place is not going to get too hot or too cold, and that
there won't be any drafts.

The next step is to make sure that the cage has a liner that can be easily
cleaned, and that there is something in the bottom that you can catch all of
the debris in that can also be taken out and cleaned regularly.

Besides for whatever is in the cage, you have to have another layer to keep
your home clean. This can be accomplished by getting a cage net, or hanging
something underneath where the cage is to catch anything that falls out of it.
No matter what, you are going to deal with some stuff on the floor beneath the
cage, so you should have it in an area of the home that has a floor, which is
easy to clean, and preferably not carpet.

It is important to make sure that you clean your bird's cage on a regular basis
because your bird is going to make a mess, and it is much more healthy for the
bird if the cage is cleaned. Also, you are going to find that if you clean the
cage on a regular basis, there is less of a smell, which is going to make your
life better.

The key to keeping a bird healthy and happy is to keep his cage clean. This can
be done by making sure that you empty the bottom of the cage on a regular basis,
and that you are picking up anything that is a mess around the cage. This will
keep your family safe and happy and healthy as well.

Is my Pet Bird Sick?

Having a pet can be a very good thing for you and your family. And pet birds
are often among some of the most popular pets that you can get. They are great
for families with children and lots of responsibilities, because as long as you
do a few things for them, you will find that they demand less of your time than
cats and dogs do. However, like all animals, birds might get sick, and because
they are less common than cats and dogs, and because you are going to interact
with your bird much less than your cat or dog, you might find it difficult to
tell when your bird is sick. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to
make sure you are paying good attention to your pet bird, and to make sure that
you notice when they are sick.

One of the best ways to tell when your pet bird is sick is to listen for
changes in their song. Singing is the way that birds communicate with the
outside world. You might think that they are just chattering, but if you really
pay attention you will begin to notice that your bird has a distinct sound and
makes noises at different times of the day. It will probably have one song that
it has in the morning, and one in the evening. Also, your bird might make noises
when it sees you, or sees other members of the family. There will be noises that
it makes when you change its food or water, or when you put something in the
cage. As a responsible pet owner, you should be aware of these noises. That
way, you can notice when they change. If your bird stops making the noises that
they have always made, or makes new noises you have never heard before, they
might be sick.

Like sounds, your bird will develop movements that you should be able to
recognize. You should be able to see where it likes to perch, and what kind of
movements it likes to do during the day and night. If you see that your bird
isn't moving as much as it usually does, or is sitting on the floor of the cage
instead of on its perch, it might be sick, and you should pay some attention to
it. Also, if it is moving much more than usual, and trying to fly out of the
cage, it also might be sick, and there should be something done about it. Talk
to your vet immediately.

Is Your Pet Bird Losing Feathers?

If your pet bird is losing feathers, you may be concerned, and rightfully so.
Losing feathers could be a sign of serious medical illness or behavior
problems. Birds who are losing their feathers should be of concern, and you
should call your vet immediately to determine the reason your bird is losing
his or her feathers. In the most basic sense, feather loss occurs either
spontaneously or is self-induced, but each behavior can cause real medical
problems.

Molting is generally normal for a bird. As long as you see new feathers growing
and there are no bald spots on your bird, there is usually no reason to worry.
Your bird may pick out some feathers, but this is fine as long as your bird is
generally in good health.

There are many medical conditions that can cause feathers to fall out or can
case your bird to pull out his or her own feathers. Your vet can tell you about
all of these diseases and determine what problems your bird may be having.
Parasites are a common problem. They can cause your bird to pick at his or her
skin and accidentally pull out feathers. They can also damage the follicles,
preventing new feathers from growing.

Inflammation of the follicles themselves can also be a problem. You usually
cannot see this by looking at a bird, but your vet can determine if this is a
problem with your bird by doing a feather follicle and skin biopsy. This kind
of inflammation is commonly cause be yeast and bacteria. If you do see
something wrong with your bird's skin, this could be dermatitis, another cause
of feathers falling out. A bird will pick at this inflamed skin, causing the
feathers to fall out. As the bird plucks the feathers, the condition only
worsens.

Allergies are another common cause of feathers falling out in a bird. In fact,
a number of thing in a bird's environment can cause the feathers to fall out.
If the cage is not clean, your bird may pick at dirty feathers. Zinc in the
cage can also cause a chemical reaction in your bird, which may be a reason for
a bird's feathers falling out.

Feathers falling out can also indicate very serious diseases. Internal tumors
can cause a bird to pick at a certain site, and problems with the thyroid can
cause feathers to fall. In general, if your bird is losing excess feathers, it
is important to call your vet to determine a solution to the problem.

BR>

Good Eats for your Pet Bird

It is hard to be pet owner these days, because you have so many choices of
food, and so little experience to tell you what the right types of foods are.
There is also a lot of information out there, some of which is good, and some
of which is going to lead you in the wrong direction. In order to really be a
good bird owner, and to make sure that you have given yourself every chance to
learn about good bird care, you really need to do your research when it comes
to pet nutrition, to be sure that you are giving your bird the best life that
you can possible give it.

When it comes to bird nutrition, the important thing that you remember is that
there are certain things birds eat, and there are certain things that they
cannot eat. Getting your bird a bird food from a store is going to be generally
good for your bird, as long as you are sure that you are getting the right type.
You need to be sure that you know what kind of bird you have, and that you make
sure the food has your bird's type on it, to provide your bird with the best
nutrition.

Also, you can feed your bird other things as well. There are many things that
are made that are good for birds, including millet sprays and food sticks that
have been fortified so you can put them in the bird cage and therefore make
sure your bird is getting the right nutrition. Another thing that you can do is
make sure that you give your bird plenty of fresh things that they would find
outside, grains and fruits, and other things that are good for your particular
species of bird.

Remember that if you are going to be feeding your bird things that you aren't
buying as bird food, such as fruits or grains, you should research your type of
bird and what you plan on giving it. Most of the fruits you will find are going
to be good for birds, but you have to be sure that you look up your particular
bird first, as there are some birds that cannot handle certain things. Above
all else, you must find information that states that the food you want to give
your bird is good for it. Otherwise, don't give it to your bird. That could be
very dangerous.

Obesity and your Pet Bird

It may not seem like a common problem, but obesity in pet birds can really take
a toll of your pet's health. In reality, many pet birds are obese. When your pet
bird is obese, he or she is at risk for a number of medical conditions and may
be more susceptible to diseases. If your pet bird is obese, it is important to
talk to your vet about how to help your bird lose weight and begin to maintain
a healthy body weight instead.

The first step to treating obesity is, of course, determining if your pet bird
has a problem. Each pet bird species has a different target weight--you
wouldn't expect a macaw to weight the same as a lovebird! There's also a range
for bird weight, just like humans. Birds are typically weighed in grams, and
this can be done at home if your bird is well trained or your bird can be
weighed at the vet's office. Either way, your vet should be able to tell you if
your pet bird is of the right weight.

You can also look for signs of obesity in appearance. Like humans, birds can
get a double chin, which is basically a roll of fat under the beak. Fat also
causes the feathers to fall out, so bald patches indicate large deposits of
fat. You should also be able to see depots of fat on your bird when handling
him or her, and so you should look for yellow or white deposits under the skin,
especially around the thighs and upper breast.

If your bird is obese, it could be because your bird is not getting enough
exercise or is eating a diet that is high in fat. This is really a possibility
if your bird is fed human foods, which are very inappropriate. You can help
your bird with the obesity problem by stopped this kind of feeding, and you can
add toys to the cage and play with your bird often to help him or her be more
active.

You vet can also help you help your bird get back to a normal weight. Certain
medications are possible if you bird is developing other health problems due to
obesity. Low-fat diet food is also available for your bird. When you care about
your bird's health, you give him or her the best care possible. Talk to your
vet about ways to keep your bird from getting obese and prevent disease.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together: Your Pet and Social Needs

Getting a pet bird is something that you might have thought of as a great first
pet, or an easy pet for your family to get. However, you might not know that pet
birds actually require a lot of work, and that in order to have a bird that is
mentally and physically healthy, you not only have to make sure it has a good
vet and a good diet, you also have to make sure that it is properly socialized.

Birds are very social creatures and they get lonely a lot. Most of the birds
that you will find to have as pets are going to need a great deal of
socialization. There are several ways for you to do this. Depending on the kind
of bird you get, a good idea would be to train the bird to be outside of its
cage and interacting with humans at least once every day. However, we all know
that people have very busy lives and that this isn't always an option.

If you cannot spend time with your bird every single day, the alternative is to
make sure that you have two birds that can live together. This is actually the
best way to have pet birds, because that way the bird is never going to be
lonely and will always have something else to interact with. If you are getting
a pet bird, chances are that you need a cage and all of the supplies anyway, so
getting another bird is only a small amount of money more, and it is going to
be the best way to keep your bird healthy.

The fact is that it is not just out of niceness that you should have more than
one bird for yours to interact with. With most birds, if they don't have
interaction with people each day, or with another bird, they can actually go
insane. This is something that is quite troubling, and is going to lead to many
health problems. The best way that you can do it is to make sure you have a big
enough cage and have two birds.

You should also have some mirrors for your birds to look into to make sure that
they are thinking there is more to see. Many brightly colored toys are a must as
well, and if you are going to leave your bird for a period of time it is always
a good idea to leave a radio playing softly in the room that they are in so
that they don't get so lonely.

Toxic Household Items for Birds

If you have a pet of any kind, safety should always be your number one
priority. There are so many things that humans use in their daily lives that
are toxic to the animals we protect. No matter what kind of animal you have as
a pet, you have to be sure that you are never allowing them to be harmed in any
way by something that they might find on the floor or in your home. With birds,
this is especially important.

For most birds, who spend a lot of their time, if not all of their time, in a
cage, most of the items you have in your home won't be able to hurt them.
However, if your bird is allowed to fly around your house (and remember that it
is good for all pet birds to spend some time each day outside of their cages)
you have to be sure that your home is bird proof. All of your household
chemicals and things that they might eat should be put away and put into
cupboards that are shut where the bird can't get. Remember, with birds, high
shelves aren't the option, unless your bird has its wings clipped and cannot
fly. If your bird is allowed out in your house, you have to be sure that there
is nothing that they could get.

On the other hand, you might think if your bird is always in its cage, you have
nothing to worry about. This is true of anything toxic that might be laying
around your house, such as bottles of cleaners or other things that an animal
could get into, but that your bird can't because it is in a cage. However, you
would be wrong to assume that just because your bird can't get out of their
cage, they are safe.

Air fresheners, carpet sprays, and any other cleaner that can get into the air
is going to be possibly toxic to a bird. You should never spray any of these
near your birds cage, and you should take care so that the fumes from any of
these cleaners don't drift into the cage. You have to be sure that you remember
that a bird is very small, and that it will only take a very small amount to
kill a bird. No matter what it is, keep it away from your birds, and your birds
will stay safe and healthy. When in doubt, talk to your vet.

Trimming your Pet Bird's Wings

There are a lot of things that you need to know about your pet before you
become a pet owner. This is true no matter what kind of animal you have, and no
matter what kind of situation you find yourself in what it comes to that animal.
No matter if you have a dog, cat, or a bird, you have to do research before you
make that animal a part of your life, and you have to be sure that you can do
all of the proper things for that animal before you find yourself in a
situation where you have to take care of an animal. If you can't take care of
an animal properly you shouldn't have it, because it is not fair to that animal.

One of the hardest things about owning a pet bird is learning how to deal with
its wings. There is no magic formula for what kind of birds need certain things
done for their wings, and what you should be doing. Most of the time, you should
buy the pet bird in the condition that you want it to stay in, because chances
are that it was done correctly wherever you got the bird from, and it might not
be done correctly if you try to do it yourself.

Trimming a bird's wings is one of these situations. There are so many things
that you have to know about it before you can consider doing it. First of all,
you have to take into account what kind of bird you have, and if trimming their
wings is even something that is good for that bird. Then, you have to see if the
situation you have the bird in even makes it possible to trim their wings.
Lastly, depending on what type of bird you have and what situation you are
putting that bird into, there are certain ways that you have to go about
trimming the wings and there are certain ways that might hurt the bird if you
do them.

Trimming a bird's wings is something that should always be done by a
professional. You should not assume that you can figure out how to do it on
your own, because if you don't do it correctly, you can damage that bird
forever, and might even cause it to die. If you are considering trimming your
bird's wings, be sure that you have talked to the place where you purchased the
bird, as well as to a vet, and that they both agree it is a good idea. Then, be
sure that you find someone who knows how to trim your particular bird's wings.

Great Expectations: What Happens when you Take your Pet Bird to the Vet

Whenever your animal is sick, no matter what kind of animal you have, and you
have to go to the vet, there are going to be lots of things that you are going
to want to keep in mind. Of course, you are going to be taking your pet to the
vet even when they aren't sick, because in order to have a healthy pet you need
to be getting it a check up, just like you would a person. So, no matter what
your reason is for taking your pet bird to vet, there are some things that you
should keep in mind to make sure that it goes the way you'd like it to go.

First of all, you should know your vet, and you should know what their policies
are for taking your animals in. What kind of time frame do you need to make an
appointment, and how long do appointments usually last? These are things that
you can ask your vet before you bring any of your animals in, and these are
things that you should be aware of so that you can plan your day accordingly.

Something else that you should be aware of when you are taking your pet bird to
the vet is that not a lot of vets know a lot about pet birds. In fact, unless
you have spoken to your vet before about your bird, you shouldn't be surprised
if your vet only has a brief knowledge about your pet bird. Therefore, you
should bring in some information about your bird when you first go to the vet,
especially if you have a rare type of pet bird, or one that you don't' think
people around your area would know much about. If your vet says that he doesn't
know much about birds, it is perfectly ok to ask for recommendations of vets
that know more about birds and that can give you more information.

Unless your vet mentions that he doesn't know much about your bird, chances are
that he knows more than you do. So he is probably going to handle your bird and
do things to it that you might not feel comfortable doing. You have to trust
your vet with your bird, just like you trust your vet with your other animals.
Your vet is trained in animal medicine, so he should know all about what to do.
Also, if your vet gives you advice when it comes to taking care of your pet
bird, you need to be sure to follow it!

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