Did you know that the fourth most popular pet in America is the bird? Dogs and cats of course are first and second, with fish coming in third. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that there are more than 7.5 million pet birds in the United States. Continue reading to learn more about Man’s Fourth Best Friend from a local Las Vegas, NV veterinarian.
Pigeons are often regarded as a nuisance these days. However, these lovely birds are pretty exceptional. Not only can they find their way home from great distances, but they also have a number of other astonishing abilities.
You may already know that the hummingbird is the tiniest bird. These small, adorable little fellas can fly backwards and even hover in place. Their eggs are also quite tiny: they are just about the size of a jellybean.
On the other end of the scale, we have the Kakapo parrot of New Zealand, a bright bird with a sweet, slightly bewildered expression. These pretty birds can weigh upwards of seven pounds. Like many other of New Zealand’s native birds, The Kakapo cannot fly. This made them extremely vulnerable to habitat loss and other hazards, such as predators. Though they were once abundant in New Zealand, the flightless birds were decimated by cats, weasels, and other animals that were introduced by merchants. The Kakapo was formerly considered endangered, but appears to be on the verge of a recovery. Fingers crossed!
As to the biggest bird? As you may have guessed, that would be the ostrich. With a weight of about 220–350 pounds (100–160 kg), ostriches can reach a height of up to 9 feet (2.7 meters).A
To be fair, all of our animal pals have devoted followers. Bird owners, however, are known for their unwavering devotion to their pets.
Have you ever witnessed a flock of swallows moving in unison, twisting and swirling as if in a dance? This is known as a murmuration. Scientists believe that birds do this to confuse predators, making it difficult for them to identify any specific birds. Even more astonishing? Birds may be responding to biological radio waves, which may be what causes them to form patterns. Each bird interacts with the birds nearest them. Those ‘signals’ reach the entire flock, allowing the birds to move together.
While all birds are remarkable in their own way, parrots are particularly fascinating. For thousands of years, these charming birds have held a special place in our hearts and shoulders. In fact, Alexander the Great brought some back from the Indian subcontinent. A few hundred years later, the ancient Romans began teaching Polly Latin.
Here are some facts about these lovely, colorful birds:
While we specialize in domestic birds, we are also fascinated by wild birds. Corvids are really fascinating. These guys may be among the world’s brightest animals! They mate for life and perform funerals for their deceased. They’ve also been known to decide that specific people are either their pals or adversaries … and then inform all of their friends!
Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Blue jays have a tendency to collect paint chips. They favor softer tones. This is not a random behavior; they are drawn by the calcium in the paint. Paint frequently contains limestone, which is an excellent source of calcium.
Ever wondered what the world’s largest bird is? That would be a white bellbird. This beautiful bird lives in the Amazon rainforest and attracts mates by, well, sounding like a feathered fire alarm. However, many pet birds are quite loud. For example, the Moluccan Cockatoo can reach 135 decibels. That’s comparable to an ordinary rock concert.
Birds are the only animals with feathers. However, not every bird has feathers on its head. Vultures, ostriches, and marabou storks are all bald.
Have you ever seen recordings of pet birds cheerfully dancing to their favorite songs? Some of our feathered buddies really enjoy boogieing down! Cockatoos, for example, are known for getting their groove on.
Do you have any queries concerning bird care? Contact us, your local Las Vegas, NV pet hospital, at any time!