Cage Vs Aviaries : Which One Should You Choose?

It's aquariums for most but for some, its aviaries. Pet lovers tend to relax more and feel calmer when they watch their pets in action and nothing promises more action than watching colorful birds of different species take flight and belt out a cacophony of sounds in birdsongs.

 

The thing is, people tend to confuse aviaries with bird cages, thinking that they're one and the same thing. For the clueless and for those who want to know the difference between each, aviaries are large enclosures for confining birds but have larger living spaces than cages. Aviaries also allow birds more space to fly and are usually designed to mimic a bird's natural habitat. Because these cages allow birds to fly, they are sometimes referred to as flight cages. Plus, aviaries will also allow you to house a number of bird species.

Bird cages on the other hand, are cages designed to house birds as pets. They are often considered too small to house more than two complimenting species at a time and are more often than not, used more for home décor without live birds in it, unlike aviaries. Cages are also too small for birds to have any flying space and choosing cages also depends on the size and species of birds you want to get.

Whether you prefer to get a bird cage or a bird aviary, there are important things you need to remember if you are to ensure that your birds will live in a safe, healthy and happy environment. For one, your cages or aviaries will depend on the number of bird species you want to breed, the weather conditions where you live and the kind of birds you want to breed. Gardens are usually the best places to build your aviaries in while indoors would be the best place for bird cages.
If you're in a quandary about whether to get a bird cage or an aviary, you need to weigh the pros and cons of each in order to make the best decision. Cages offer you more flexibility and freedom to control your birds, allows you to create specialized diets and monitor them closely for any signs of health problems. However, birds are more prone to escape cages than aviaries so if you want more security and safety aviaries may be your best bet.

Aviaries on the other hand, allow birds to fly and live more happily because it is specifically designed to mimic their natural habitats. Since you can house more birds in them, it also gives them the opportunity to socialize, form their own flocks and choose their mates. Some breeders even attest to the fact that having aviaries actually lets you form a closer bond with your pets and is a constant reminder of why you love birds to begin with.

And lastly, aviculture experts also believe that if you want to concentrate on one or two bird species at a time, then cages would be more practical than aviaries. Unless you have been breeding birds for a while and know each species like the back of your hand, aviaries are best left to the experts and the experienced.

Take your bird-breeding to the next level and get the best aviaries that will suit your needs. Find aviaries at SimplySheds site and ensure you have a healthy and safe environment for your fine, feathered friends.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8171322

Orange Fruit Dove

The Orange Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus victor), also known as Flame Dove, is a small, approximately 20 cm (8 in) long, short-tailed fruit-dove in the family Columbidae. One of the most colorful doves, the male has a golden olive head and elongated bright orange "hair-like" body feathers. The golden-olive remiges are typically covered by the long orange wing coverts when perched. The legs, bill and orbital skin are bluish-green and the iris is whitish. The female is a dark green bird with blackish tail and orange-yellow undertail coverts. The young resembles female.

 

The Orange Dove is endemic to forests of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Rabi, Kioa, Qamea and Laucala islands of Fiji. The diet consists mainly of various small fruits, berries, caterpillars and insects. The female usually lays one white egg.

The Orange Fruit Dove is closely related to the Whistling Fruit Dove and Golden Fruit Dove. These species are allopatric, meaning they do not share the same habitat in any location.

A common species throughout its limited range, the Orange Fruit Dove is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Dove

Jambu Fruit Dove

The Jambu Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus jambu) is a smallish colourful fruit-dove. It is a resident breeding species in southern Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sumatra and Java.
 

The Jambu Fruit Dove inhabits mangrove swamps and lowland rain forests up to 1,500 m and is also found in second growth woodland. The male holds a breeding territory, advertised by raising its wings, bobbing its body and cooing. It will defend its territory with a quick peck if the territorial display fails. The female builds a flimsy nest of twigs, roots and grasses, which are collected by her mate, in a tree and lays one or sometimes two white eggs which are incubated for about 20 days to hatching, with a further 12 or more days to fledging.

The Jambu Fruit Dove is 23–27 cm long and weighs about 42 g. It is a plump small-headed bird with soft feathers and very distinctive colouring including a white eye ring, orange bill and red legs. The call is a soft, low coo.

The adult male has a crimson face with a black chin, unmarked green upperparts and white underparts, with a pink patch on the breast and a chocolate brown undertail. The female differs from the male by having a dull purple face with a dark chin. The underparts are green with a white belly and cinnamon undertail. The immature Jambu Fruit Dove resembles the female but has a green face. The young male acquires its full adult plumage in about 39 weeks from fledging. Immature males are similar in appearance to females.

The Jambu Fruit Dove is a shy and inconspicuous bird, camouflaged against the forest canopy by its green plumage. It is usually seen alone or in pairs, but a sizable flock may gather when feeding at a fruit tree. It eats fruit directly from the tree, or from the ground if items have been dropped by hornbills or monkeys. Like other doves, but unlike most birds, it can drink by sucking.

Extensive deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia means that this dove is now threatened, although its ability to live in second growth and at higher elevation means that its situation is not as critical as that of some forest bird species. The Jambu Fruit Dove is evaluated as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jambu_Fruit_Dove

 

Mariana Fruit Dove

The Mariana Fruit Dove (Ptilinopus roseicapilla), also known locally as Mwee’mwe in the Carolinian language, Totot on Guam or Paluman Totut in Northern Mariana Islands, is a small, up to 24 cm long, green fruit dove native and endemic to Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands in the Pacific. It has a red forehead, greyish head, back and breast, and yellow belly patch and undertail coverts.
 

The female lays a single white egg. The chick and egg are tended to by both parents. Its diet consists mainly of fruits.

Culturally, the Mariana Fruit Dove is a very important symbol of the region. This species is the official bird of the Northern Marianas Islands. In 2005, the Mariana Fruit Dove was originally chosen as the official mascot of the 2006 Micronesian Games in Saipan.However, the official website for the games shows a tropicbird as the official symbol instead of the Mariana Fruit Dove.

The species faces extinction due to habitat loss throughout its range. A larger threat to the Mariana Fruit Dove has been the accidental introduction of the Brown tree snake to Guam during World War II. The snakes decimated the native bird populations of the island, which were unaccustomed to predators. They are extinct on Guam since 1984 and the Mariana Fruit Dove is highly endangered on other islands in its range. The spread of the snakes to other Northern Marianas Islands could be devastating. Several zoos have started captive breeding programs. The St. Louis Zoo, in St. Louis, Missouri, has one of the most successful captive breeding programs. The program began in 1993.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, limited range, small population size and invasive alien species, the Mariana Fruit Dove is evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_Fruit_Dove

Common Diseases in Pet Birds and How to Detect Them

Often we are unable to detect illness in our pet birds because they are genetically programmed to hide them. This is because in jungles and the wild, if they display illness and disease they will be killed at once. It is survival of the fittest in the wild. Some commonly displayed symptoms are listed below and what they mean in terms of bird illness.

Diarrhea- If your bird has infection in the intestinal tract, because of bacteria or virus, there will be additional fluids in the stool. You must take the bird to a vet, because if the food is moving too quickly in the digestive tract, nutrients are not being absorbed. More over if the diarrhea is greenish colored, it is a symptom of metal poisoning or Psittacosis.

 

Eye Discharge- Eye discharge is very dangerous and can lead to death of the bird. This symptom normally occurs in cases of Psittacosis. Psittacosis is highly infectious and can affect human beings too. Rush your bird to the vet and get other pets and members of the family checked too. If caught in time, it can be cured by antibiotics.

Lethargy- Is your bird not eating properly or is inactive? There can be many causes for this and none of them good. The bird might be suffering some serious ailment like infection, heart of kidney disease or even cancer. Get your bird tested and treated at once.

Loss of Appetite- This again is an outward manifestation of some serious internal problem. Birds are fragile and neglect of these symptoms can lead to death. Consult your vet, and follow his advise.

Nasal Discharge- Commonly caused by dust, bacteria and even feather dust. Certain species like Cockatoos, Macaws etc produce a large amount of it. In case the discharge is colored and abnormal it is a normal clearing of respiratory passages. If it is colored, take the bird to a vet.

Puffed Up Feathers- This is a normal reaction of birds when they feel insecure or threatened. But if the feathers are puffed up even when the bird is asleep it is an outward symptom of an internal disease. Take the bird to a vet.

Vomiting- Birds often throw up during the mating season. Even so, check with your vet, just to play safe.

Prevention is better than cure, so clean the cage regularly and monitor the bird's feed and other habits. Use an efficient air purifier. Birds are a pleasure to keep, but as with other pets, they come with a set of responsibilities. Ensure that your pet is healthy and clean. This will prevent infections to the bird and to you and your family.

Become the best bird owner that you can and learn everything that you need to. Visit our site for expert information on all aspects of keeping pet birds and for the best range of all pet bird supplies that you will need to keep happy and healthy birds.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2671071

The Lowdown on Bird Disease

There are a variety of diseases that commonly afflict wild bird species. People that maintain bird-feeding stations in their yards are often the most likely observers to see a bird that appears to be ill. One reason why bird-feeding enthusiasts are most likely to see diseased birds is because sick birds may be more easily attracted to a free meal. When a sick birds' ability to engage in normal foraging behavior is hampered by an abnormal growth or perhaps a bird's energy level is compromised, they may hang out a single feeder for more extended periods of time. People are also more likely see sick birds at feeders because of the super close up views and longer looks to notice oddities that a feeder facilitates.

 

The two most common diseases that an observer may notice because of the obvious outward signals that all is not well include mycoplasmal conjunctivitis and avian pox. The former avian affliction is also known as "House Finch eye disease' because it was first noticed in this particular species in 1994 by people in the Washington, D.C. area observing birds at their feeders. However, the bacterium that causes mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, Mycoplasma gallispectum, has been known as a troublesome pathogen for quite some time in the poultry industry. It has also been documented to afflict a handful of other species, including Purple Finches, American Goldfinches, and Evening Grosbeaks. This disease tends to be progressive, so you can't always know if a bird is sick, particularly if it has recently been exposed to the bacterium, but it is usually pretty obvious when a bird has a bad case of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis. The first sign of a sick bird is in the eyes, which may just appear reddish or a little bit swollen. In more progressive cases, a bird's eye's may look runny or have a significant build up of crusty goop, while in the most extreme situations a bird's eyes may be completely swollen shut.

Afflicted birds also tend to appear rather lethargic, or even totally sedentary if they can no longer see properly, and often engage in extensive bouts of eye scratching. Scientists studying mycoplasmal conjunctivitis have determined that while it is not always fatal, individuals that develop really bad cases and become blind typically die from starvation because they can't feed normally or eventually succumb to exposure or even predation in their weakened state. Avian pox, which can be caused by several different strains of the poxvirus, also produces prominent outward signs of ill health. It has been documented in some 60 odd species and is known to spread quite readily through direct contact with sick birds or contaminated food or water.

The most common type of avian pox results in ugly looking growths on the bare skin around the eyes, at the base of the bill, and also on the legs and feet. Depending on the severity and location of such growths, bird with this strain may live a long time. The less common form causes a sort of film or plaque to develop on the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, as well as in the trachea and even the lungs. Birds with a serious case of this form of avian pox often have a hard time eating and simply breathing, so they usually do not live very long. If you happen to see a bird with either of these diseases there is really not much you can do except be more vigilant about keeping your feeders clean or remove them for a while to help minimize further transmission.

If you're looking for the perfect Birdhouses, Bird feeders, Bird Baths, Birdwatching Binoculars, and More, visit YourBirdOasis.com!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5876186

Golden Pheasant

The Golden Pheasant or "Chinese Pheasant", (Chrysolophus pictus) is a gamebird of the order Galliformes (gallinaceous birds) and the family Phasianidae. It is native to forests in mountainous areas of western China, but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. In England they may be found in East Anglia in the dense forest landscape of the Breckland.

 

The adult male is 90–105 cm in length, its tail accounting for two-thirds of the total length. It is unmistakable with its golden crest and rump and bright red body. The deep orange "cape" can be spread in display, appearing as an alternating black and orange fan that covers all of the face except its bright yellow eye with a pinpoint black pupil.

Males have a golden-yellow crest with a hint of red at the tip. The face, throat, chin, and the sides of neck are rusty tan. The wattles and orbital skin are both yellow in colour, and the ruff or cape is light orange. The upper back is green and the rest of the back and rump is golden-yellow. The tertiaries are blue whereas the scapulars are dark red. Other characteristics of the male plumage are the central tail feathers, black spotted with cinnamon, as well as the tip of the tail being a cinnamon buff. The upper tail coverts are the same colour as the central tail feathers. The male also has a scarlet breast, and scarlet and light chestnut flanks and underparts. Lower legs and feet are a dull yellow.

The female (hen) is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage similar to that of the female Common Pheasant. She is darker and more slender than the hen of that species, with a proportionately longer tail (half her 60–80 cm length). The female's breast and sides are barred buff and blackish brown, and the abdomen is plain buff. She has a buff face and throat. Some abnormal females may later in their lifetime get some male plumage. Lower legs and feet are a dull yellow.

Both males and females have yellow legs and yellow bills.

Despite the male's showy appearance, these hardy birds are very difficult to see in their natural habitat, which is dense, dark young conifer forests with sparse undergrowth. Consequently, little is known about their behaviour in the wild.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and invertebrates, but they roost in trees at night. While they can fly, they prefer to run. If startled, they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed and with a distinctive wing sound.

Although they can fly in short bursts, they are quite clumsy in flight and spend most of their time on the ground. Golden Pheasants lay 8-12 eggs at a time and will then incubate these for around 22–23 days. They tend to eat berries, grubs, seeds and other types of vegetation.

The male has a metallic call in the breeding season.

The Golden Pheasant is commonly found in zoos and aviaries, but often as impure specimens that have the similar Lady Amherst's Pheasant in their lineage.

There are also different mutations of the Golden Pheasant known from birds in captivity, including the Dark-throated, Yellow, Cinnamon, Salmon, Peach, Splash, Mahogony and Silver. In aviculture, the wild type is referred to as "Red Golden" to differentiate it from these mutations.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Pheasant

Bird Watching for Beginners - How To Identify Birds

If you enjoy watching birds, more than likely you are going to want to learn how you can identify them. While it can be exciting to be able to identify birds, it isn't always a simple task; in fact, it can be downright frustrating much of the time. Of course having a good field guide is an excellent idea. However, you'll have to have some knowledge of your own even to be able to accurately use the field guide. So, if you are a beginner at bird watching, the following are a few tips that can help you more accurately identify birds.

 

Tip #1 - The Size of the Bird - One thing that will help you identify birds is to first take a look at the size of the bird you are trying to identify. Is it about the size of a large ostrich, maybe chicken size, about the size of a small sparrow, or perhaps the size of a robin? Also, consider whether the bird is plump, on the skinny side, short, or very long. The entire body should be taken into consideration, including the size of the beak, the size of the tail, and the size and shape of the wings as well.

Tip #2 - Note the Colors - Another tip that will help you to more accurately identify birds is to take note of the colors that are on the bird. As you learn which colors certain birds tend to be you'll soon learn how to identify some birds by color alone. However, colors can trick you from time to time. The lighting may affect the color that the bird appears. Be sure to check the colors that are on each part of the body as well. Are the legs a certain color, the wings a specific color, or does it have any specific markings anywhere on the body?

Tip #3 - Where are You? - Believe it or not, your location can actually help you identify birds as well. Take a look around and figure out where you are. Are you out on the water, deep inside a large forest, or perhaps in your front yard? There are certain birds that live in specific habitats. Is the bird in the water, is it wading or swimming, does it actually climb the tree, how and where does it fly, and does it move its tail? These are all questions to ask that can help you out when identifying the birds that you are watching.

Tip #4 - Listen - One of the most important tips for beginner bird watchers that want to identify birds is to listen. Every single bird has a unique song that they sing and if you listen you may be able to identify the bird just by what you hear. If you are listening closely you may even see some birds that you would have never seen otherwise, and while this won't always help you identify a bird, it can definitely help.

So, next time you go out bird watching, keep all of these tips in mind. They'll help you identify the birds you see and have a more fun and rewarding experience out in the wild.

William Scott contributes bird watching advice to BirdWatchingAdvice.com, a site dedicated to helping people find the best birding binoculars.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/940332

Painted Bunting

The Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) is a species of bird in the Cardinal family, Cardinalidae, that is native to North America.

Painted Buntings are mostly monogamous and are solitary or in pairs during the breeding season, but sometimes exhibit polygyny. The breeding season begins in late April and lasts through to early August, with activity peaking mid-May through to mid-July. The male arrives about a week before the female and starts to establish a small territory. The nest is typically hidden in low, dense vegetation and is built by the females and woven into the surrounding vegetation for strength.[6] Each brood contains 3 or 4 gray-white eggs, often spotted with brown, which are incubated for around 10 days until the altricial young are hatched. The female alone cares for the young. The hatchlings are brooded for approximately 12 to 14 days and then fledge at that time. About 30 days after the first eggs hatch, the female Painted Bunting usually lays a second brood.[6] Nests are often parasitized by cowbirds.Common predators at the nest of eggs, young, and brooding females are large snakes, including Coachwhip Snakes, Eastern Kingsnakes, Eastern Racers, and Black Rat Snakes.[6] Bird-hunting raptors, including Short-tailed Hawks, Accipiter hawks, and even the small passerine the Loggerhead Shrike, may hunt Painted Buntings, including the conspicuous breeding-plumaged male. The Painted Bunting can live to over 10 years of age, though most wild buntings probably live barely half that long.

The male Painted Bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America. Its colors, dark blue head, green back, red rump, and underparts, make it extremely easy to identify, but it can still be difficult to spot since it often skulks in foliage even when it is singing. The plumage of female and juvenile Painted Buntings is green and yellow-green, serving as camouflage. Once seen, the adult female is still distinctive, since it is one of the only truly green birds native to the United States. Adult painted buntings can measure 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in) in length, span 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) across the wings and weigh 13–19 g (0.46–0.67 oz).

Distribution and habitat

The Painted Bunting occupies typical habitat for a member of its family. It is found in thickets, woodland edges with riparian thickets, shrubbery and brushy areas. In the East, the species breeds in maritime hammocks and scrub communities. Today, it is often found along roadsides and in suburban areas, and in gardens with dense, shrubby vegetation. The wintering habitat is typically the shrubby edges along the border of tropical forests or densely-vegetated savanna.The breeding range includes southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southern and eastern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, northern Florida, coastal Georgia, the southern coast of South Carolina, and northern Mexico.They winter in South Florida, Cuba, the Bahamas, along both coasts of Mexico and through much of Central America. Occasionally, they may vagrate further north outside of their normal range, including to New York,Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Painted Buntings often feed by hopping along the ground, cautiously stopping every few moments to look around. The Painted Bunting regularly eats a large quantity of grass seeds, including Panicum, Amaranthus, Oxalis, Euphorbia, and Carex. Seeds are eaten almost exclusively during winter. While breeding, Painted Bunting and nestlings mainly eat small invertebrates, including spiders, snails, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other insects. They have been known to regularly visit spider webs to pick off small insects caught in them.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_Bunting

Red-crowned Amazon

The Red-crowned Amazon, (Amazona viridigenalis) also known as Red-crowned Parrot, Green-cheeked Amazon, or Mexican Red-headed Parrot, is an endangered Amazon parrot native to northeastern Mexico. The current native wild population of between 1,000 and 2,000 is decreasing. The main threats to its survival are the illegal export of trapped birds from Mexico to the United States and the destruction of habitat.

 

Their appearance is generally green with the most notable features being a bright red forehead and crown, dark blue streaks behind the eyes, and light green cheeks.

Their natural range is across the lowlands of northeastern Mexico. Feral birds have bred in urban communities of southern California, southern Florida, and the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Birds in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas may be either feral, descendants of natural vagrants from Mexico, or both.

They gather in large flocks being noisiest in the morning and evening. The characteristic screeching heard of these birds usually occurs when they travel in a large flock to a new feeding area. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, flowers and nectar. Red-crowned Amazons nest in tree cavities, like most other parrots.

This parrot is often kept as a pet and can be very affectionate and playful when given the attention they need from their owners. Although some are excellent talkers and copy voices, they are best at mimicking sounds.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-crowned_Amazon

Bird Watching Tips - Make the Most of Bird Watching Tour

Indulge yourself in the pleasant and adventurous activity of birding by opting for a bird watching holiday this season. Explore the mystery and discover numerous bird species present in India. But before you plan for one such tour, make sure that you are ready for it all in all.

 

Here are some important bird watching tips that you should follow on your bird watching tour to make it a pleasant and adventurous expedition altogether:

1. Learn to make bird calls as this will help you in locating birds easily. While some of the bird species can be easily seen, there are many of them which you will not even get a glimpse of. Thus, to have maximum fun and to get best out of bird watching, develop basic mimicry skills as well as expertise in bird calls and singing. Your mimicry skills not just help you to get a great view but will also provide you an opportunity to get some great shots.

2. Buy yourself a good pair of binoculars as you will be requiring them quite frequently on your tour. You can get good bird views for some common bird species, but when it comes to species flocking around the area; the only way in which you can enjoy birding is using binoculars. Make sure that your binoculars have good magnification flair and excellent field of view.

3. Be a part of bird surveys before planning to go to one of the bird watching tours. This will help you to discover more about species being surveyed. Various bird surveys are organized by conservation bodies; you may even start your individual survey.

4. Get a Good Identification Guide (Naturist) and get the chance to enjoy birding in a right manner. These Naturists not just help you to get best view but also take you to the best spots that will help you get some great shots from your camera.

5. Walk quietly while on a bird watching tour. For this, you should prefer wearing trainers/sneakers rather than boots. Boots do provide protection, but are quite noisy.

Birding in India will let you explore diversified species of migratory birds, along with opportunity to be a distinctive part of nature. Being an enthusiastic bird watcher, you will get an experience that will definitely last for life. Do not forget to bring your camera and capture ultimate clicks of these mesmerizingly beautiful creatures.

Bird watching holidays in India- Are you a professional photographer who wants to get some great shots of birds or just a tourist looking for an adventurous birding experience? Discover the species by booking bird watching tours India at WildlifeToursIndia.co.uk.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6206320

5 Tips for Successful Bird Watching

#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds obvious, but many birders spend the majority of their bird watching time and energy on poor locations. Some folk have the advantage of looking out of their windows into the back yard to observe nature's best. The rest of us need to get moving. I would highly recommend visiting a National Wildlife Refuge. There are over 500 of them across the United States. To find one near you, visit http://refuges.fws.gov/

 

#2. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first. You may find that perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particular area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list of successfully viewed species - we'll call this tip number two and a half.

#3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending time and money to get to the right place can be totally wasted when your binoculars are inadequate. If you have an inexpensive pair of binoculars you are not getting the most out of your viewing. Today's technologies come at a price and they provide crucial benefits in wildlife viewing. For instance, image stabilization will keep your view from shaking-very important when watching from a long distance. Other cool features include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics. Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identify birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a mediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it!

#4. Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, is to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on target. Many people have difficulty finding a full moon in a pair of binoculars-but alas-learning to focus on a bird in a bush or track a bird in flight is easy for someone who has practiced prior to their outing. Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you'll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient.

#5. Take Someone with You. Life is always better when shared. Not only do you get to spend time out of doors with someone you like, but they might alert you to the "Number One Sight of the Day." Share your birding experiences with your friends and family. Pass the birding excitement to a child.

The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer, control almost every aspect of the experience. The more you are prepared, the more rewarding your time in our backcountry will be. Follow these 5 simple tips to get the most out of birding. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald is Owner and President of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online store providing backcountry specialty gear and educational information for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit www.BackCountryToys.com to receive the free newsletter "FreshAir” or call (800) 316-9055.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2804

Birding Binoculars - Top 7 Features To See The Birds You Want

Birding binoculars are the most important piece of equipment in the birder toolbox. A well selected pair of binoculars will give years of service and bird watching pleasure. Here are seven tips that the avid birder can use to select the binoculars that are right for them.

1) Get the instant focus option

When observing birds at long distance, the quicker you can focus your binoculars, the more likely you will make a successful sighting. Be sure to include an instant focus option for your birding binoculars.

2) Make sure the eyepiece is designed for high magnification

The eyepiece is the key to a comfortable viewing experience. Eye relief, the distance between the eyepiece lens and your eye, is critical for reduced eye strain and increased comfort. Make sure the eyepiece you select is designed for high magnification ranges. This will ensure a good match for long range bird watching activity.

3) Use coatings rather than size to achieve desired brightness

In the design of binocular options, coatings on the lenses have a greater effect on brightness than size of the binocular. Since birders tend to hold their binoculars for long periods of time, a lightweight model with fully multi coated lenses will provide a brighter image of the birds being sighted. There are lesser degrees of coatings, but fully multi coated lenses give the best results.

4) Look for the sweet spot for binocular size and daylight observation

For daylight birdwatching, binocular size can improve brightness levels up to a point. The 32mm size is the sweet spot for brightness gains from increase of size. Above 32mm, increases in brightness are minimal. If you do much of your bird watching in daylight, you can save on weight by limiting the binocular size to 32mm.

5) Increase your field of view with lower power settings

Within a given family of binoculars (Nikon, Bushnell, etc), as the size and power of the binoculars increases, there is often a decrease in the field of view. The wider the field of view, the easier it is to point at your intended target and get a fix on the bird you are seeking. Be aware of this characteristic as you look at different models within the same family of binoculars.

6) Waterproofing design is a necessity

Bird watching can take place in a variety of conditions, including fog and rain. You will be making an investment in your binoculars purchase, and you don't want to lose that investment due to bad weather conditions. Look for binoculars that are nitrogen filled or nitrogen purged, this is a dry gas that is unaffected by temperature or moisture. Also, make sure the nitrogen is present for the eyepiece as well as the objective lenses.

7) Use a tripod or lower power binoculars to solve hand movement problems

Long range bird observations can be difficult if there is significant hand motion. The first way to combat this movement is to use a tripod, which provides a fixed base for viewing. The second option is to use a lower setting for magnification (7x-8x) instead of high magnification (10x). These choices will ensure that your viewing opportunities will be rock solid.

I hope that these tips will guide you in your selection of birding binoculars that are right for you!

Andre Sylvester devotes his online resources to reviewing the best products and services available for the community of binocular users at http://www.binoculars-for-you.com/. When you visit the site, you will find information to help you in selecting the binoculars that are right for you. To get more information on resources for binocular users, check out http://www.binoculars-for-you.com/
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Gouldian Finch

The Gouldian Finch, (Erythrura gouldiae), also known as the Lady Gouldian Finch, Gould's Finch or the Rainbow Finch, is a colourful passerine bird endemic to Australia. There is strong evidence of a continuing decline, even at the best-known site near Katherine in the Northern Territory. Large numbers are bred in captivity, particularly in Australia. In the state of South Australia, National Parks & Wildlife Department permit returns in the late 1990s showed that over 13,000 Gouldian Finches were being kept by aviculturists. If extrapolated to an Australia-wide figure this would result in a total of over 100,000 birds. In 1992, it was classified as "Endangered in the wild" under IUCN's criteria C2ai. This was because the viable population size was estimated to be less than 2,500 mature individuals, no permanent subpopulation was known to contain more than 250 mature individuals, and that a continuing decline was observed in the number of mature individuals. It is currently subject to a conservation program.

 

Both sexes are brightly colored with black, green, yellow, and red markings. The females tend to be less brightly colored. One major difference between the sexes is that the male's chest is purple, while the female's is a lighter mauve.
Black headed female Gouldian Finch

Gouldian Finches are about 130–140 mm long. Gouldian Finches' heads may be red, black, or yellow. Formerly considered three different kinds of finches, it is now known that these are colour variants that exist in the wild.Selective breeding has also developed mutations (blue, yellow and silver instead of a green back) in both body and breast color.

Juveniles also have distinctive colors. Their heads, sides and necks are grey, and their backs, wings and tail feathers are olive green. Their undersides are pale brown. Beaks are blackish with a reddish tip. Their legs and feet are light brown. Newly-hatched Gouldian Finches are pink and naked until about 12 days old when the beginnings of feathers start to appear. Very young birds also have blue, phosphorescent beads on the sides of their beaks to help their parents see them in the dark.
Data refer : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gouldian_Finch