A ring-necked dove can make a great pet for those looking for a companion bird with an easy-going nature, potential to be hand-tamed and gentleness. If you like the sound of cooing,this might be the bird for you!
Photo by Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
For a dove species, the diamond dove is surprisingly small, but eye catching nevertheless, especially with its prominent red eye ring. Many find its soft cooing a pleasant alternative to a boisterous parrot.
Photo by Jim Bendon from Karratha, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The song canary is one of the most popular in the canary group, and is typically sought out for its beautiful melodic song. As the name implies, song canaries are bred to sing, specifically male canaries. Female canaries vocalize mostly with chirps, while males can develop elaborate songs.
The most popular pet canary in the U.S. is the American singer, which not only can have a beautiful voice but also tends to be easy to keep. As with most bird species, only mature male canaries sing, while females produce only a single “cheep” vocalization
The red-factor canary’s body-type appears to be just like the other canaries, but with one special trait – when fed a special diet, this canary’s coloring can change.
Photo by NEWSchr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The canary has been a favorite among bird keepers for hundreds of years, and has been bred into more than 200 breeds, much like dogs have, each breed prized for a particular skill or appearance.
Photo “Canario silvestre, Serinus canarius(♂)” by Juan Emilio, CC BY-SA 2.0
Finches are the perfect alternative for those wanting a feathered pet but not prepared to take on the challenges of caring for a parrot. Finches don’t talk and are hands-off birds, but they delight their owners with their aerial antics and social interactions with one another.
Photo by Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As their name suggests, owl finches look like little owls with their distinctive markings. These are curious and social little birds.
Photo by Summerdrought, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Gouldian finch is prized primarily for its gorgeous plumage. This small bird is available in a variety of striking, vibrant colors.
Photo by Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zebra finches are the most popular finch species due to its availability and price. This cute, little striped finch has been kept in captivity for more than a 100 years.
Photo by Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you’re considering adding a finch or a canary to your family, you might be surprised to find that a canary is a finch. Zebra finches, society finches, also called Bengalese finches, and canaries actually have a lot in common.
Can you imagine a parrot perched in the White House? It’s probably happened at some point during our country’s history; after all, some of our past presidents had parrot companions during their presidencies. Here is a list of presidents who really did have parrots during their White House days.
I love Thanksgiving, in part because I am an avian vet and this is a bird holiday involving a very special bird – the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Here are some fun turkey facts to pass around your Thanksgiving table.
Nothing charms us as much as birds. They possess the power to profoundly alter our lives and, if we set our egos aside and see and honor them for who they are, they can forever change the very essence of who we are and of how we perceive other species around us.
