Providing Bird Houses for Feathered Friends

Many people enjoy animals of avian nature. There's something about the natural ability to fly that captures the human imagination. Birds come in many colors, arrayed in nature's beautiful, and sometimes extravagant, plumage. Whether you want to provide bird houses for non-domestic birds, or whether you provide bird cages for the accommodation of birds in your home, there are many ways to provide a comfortable place for birds to live or visit.

Different varieties of bird prefer different types of bird houses. Deciding what type of house to place in your yard can impact which species of bird you attract to your backyard. There are plenty of books on the subject of birds, and bird houses. These books can help you understand what certain birds look for in the way of a resting place. Most hobby and craft stores provide kits and patterns to allow those inclined to working with their hands to build their own bird houses. Not only can this be a fun solo activity, but it can also provide a couple of hours of family togetherness.

For those who prefer to have birds in the home, there are many types of bird cages available for purchase. When choosing a bird cage, it is important to ensure that your bird will have enough room. Many companies manufacture luxury bird cages for pampered birds. While a luxury cage isn't necessary, there are a few things a good bird cage should have to allow maximum comfort for the pet. Perches located at various heights inside the cage are necessary, as are a few colorful toys. A bell can also add an element of amusement for the bird.

Birds are beautiful creatures. It can be a very enjoyable experience to observe them, and play with them. Bird houses in the backyard can attract many different species to right outside your window, and you can make your feathered pet more comfortable in a nice bird cage.

Animals As Pets - A Healthy Choice

Animals as pets, seems a silly notion to me. The only animals I've really kept as pets would be fish. And many animal lovers who have pets, would probably disagree with me as to the classification of fish as pets. Whatever. While I enjoy other peoples animal pets, I'm sure none of them would classify me as an animal lover. A recent turn of events may however have a long term effect on my relationship withanimals . Having recently caved to our children's long term lobbying efforts to have a family dog as a pet, it appears that I will be sharing my home with an animal of the non-aquatic variety very soon.

Stress Out The Dogs

The thought of sharing my domicile with an animal has me a little stressed out. However, that should be short lived, as according to many experts living with an animal is supposed to help relieve stress in humans. Not exactly sure why that is. Perhaps having a creature you can speak your mind to, that has no recourse but to agree with you? Sometimes us humananimals just need someone to listen, and agree with everything we say. Maybe the constant reminder of an animal who has no control over what they eat, where they sleep, how they play, and what goofy clothes they wear, makes people realize that maybe things aren't so bad for them. Could be worse, you could be a dog.

First Puppy Wins US Open

Apparently exercise is supposed to be another benefit of keeping an animal in the house. Taking them out for walks, playing catch, and bending over to pick up dogie poo all seem wonderful. Really? I tend to like my exercise to be more of the competitive variety. Any chance rover can learn to pick up a tennis racquet? Animals playing sports? Now that's got potential.

Animals As People Magnets

Need to find some new friends? Get an animal. Your guaranteed to meet other animal lovers, as they all walk their dogs / cats / hamsters through the park. Not so sure these are the best kind of people for me to meet though. Never have been much of an animal lover, so I'm not to sure how I'd fit in with this group. Those people with the big nasty attack dogs always scare me a little. It's not so much the animal I worry about however, it's really the owners that concern me. What would posses someone to want to own an animal that could kill you while you sleep is truly beyond me.

Animal Therapist

Apparently animals make great therapists. Hmm, maybe they meant animals are good therapy. That whole unconditional love and admiration thing. Not like the animals have much choice. Seems like a pretty one sided relationship to me. Well hopefully all the animal experts are right and there is some good (therapeutic or otherwise) to living withanimals. I hope so, otherwise I may soon be the one in need of a therapist. Preferably a human one.

Are You An Animal Lover

Author: jonsav

Some people almost seem to run a veritable zoo from their home. They often have several dogs, a cat or two, perhaps a rabbit, and maybe a guinea pig. Then again, there are those people who would not have an animal in the house. These folks will tell you that they want nothing to do with a pet and that they are not at all interested in adding a non human member to their families.

In reality, all people are probably animal people at some level. There seems to be a natural bond between humans and animals that almost everyone experiences at one time or another. Those who proclaim their distaste for pet ownership are probably not really aversive to animals; they just dont make a great connection with traditional pets. Thats perfectly acceptable, of course.

The dog many be mans best friend, but that does not mean each and every man has to love it! Unfortunately, we often allow our perception of dealing with animals to be governed by a limited perspective regarding pets.

For most people, the term pet means dogs and cats. Those are the two most popular forms of house pets. These animals are perfectly suited as human companions in general, but many people just dont seem to get along with them. Those folks may say they are not animal orientated, but they might not feel that way if they looked into some alternative pets that are available.

The realm of pets is not just a matter of cats and dogs. There are literally hundreds of other great pet options. Many of those who dont feel a connection with the cats and dogs can find a perfect match among the tiny pet alternatives that are available.

So how about a small pet. Many small, easily manageable pets will fit with anyones lifestyle while providing companionship and many enjoyable hours. These small pet friends run the gamut of species and personality, meaning there is probably a great option available for everyone. Even the most hardcore anti animal person is often surprised to discover his or her ability to develop a meaningful kinship with a small pet.

Those who prefer a quiet pet and who do not particularly want to be able to pat an animal may enjoy an aquarium. The soothing powers of keeping fish are well known and many people who have claimed to dislike animals have found themselves active aquarists over time.

Those who might want to explore an underappreciated animal might look toward snakes as an option. Though reviled by many people, snakes can make a wonderful pet and many people enjoy having them around and caring for them. Rodents are also popular among many pet owners, even though the whole of society tends to perceive them as a nuisance.

Not all of the small pet options lack fur, however. There are childhood standbys like hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs. There are also other mammalian options in addition to dogs and cats. From rats to ferrets, there are many possibilities.

Birds. Turtles. Exotic species. Options abound. In addition, believe it or not, some people who had previously expressed their absolute disdain for dogs and cats become completely enamored by miniature breeds and find themselves changing their perspectives after being introduced to the little guys (and gals).

These alternative pet ideas work because they usually overcome the chief objectives non animal people have to keeping a pet. Those with allergies need not worry about fish fur! A person who does not like the idea of taking long walks with a dog or training it appropriately can escape those concerns while enjoying his or her turtles. Those reluctant to add an animal to the family due to space limitations need not be concerned with a teacup cat running the house!

Really, deep down inside, everyone is an animal person. The trick is matching the right animal with the right person! Most of us find comfort with a cat or dog, but others might want to consider some other possible animal friends. For those who are not excited at owning a dog or cat, miniature pet options might make a perfect alternative!

Source: Free Articles

Top Reasons to Visit the Los Angeles Zoo

Author: David Kowalczyk

By 1956, the city of Los Angeles had outgrown the small Griffith Park Zoo. The citizens passed a $6.6 million bond measure to help build a new one and a 113-acre site in Griffith Park was chosen as the new location. In 1964 a private, nonprofit organization was created to support the new facility. The zoo then began raising money and acquiring animals

When the Los Angeles Zoo opened in 1966 it was the 4th zoo to serve the city. The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) had already graduated a class of trained, volunteer docents and had produced several issues of a quarterly magazine called Zoo View. Some 80,000 Angelenos attended the November opening of the Los Angeles Zoo (also in attendance was an alligator named Methuselah, who is still a resident of the zoo today).

In 1967 the zoo acquired 3 endangered Arabian Oryx for $75,000. The Los Angeles Zoo cooperated with the only other American zoo to house Oryx, the Phoenix Zoo, to successfully bred the gazelle-like animals, which were facing extinction in the wild. Today descendants of those animals have been reintroduced to the wild in Israel, and other descendants of that original L.A. Zoo herd live on at the zoo.

The Los Angeles Zoo's 1st Beastly Ball was held in 1970. This safari-themed dinner-dance is an important fundraiser for the Zoo, but only the visitors get to eat; in the interest of health and safety, the L.A. Zoo was the 1st major zoo in the United States to prohibit visitors from feeding the animals, and maintains the policy today.

The Los Angeles Zoo became an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) in 1972. Just 2 years later Dr. Warren D. Thomas became Zoo Director.

Thomas assembled one of the world's most respected animal collections during his 17-year tenure. The zoo acquired rare and endangered species, including the Sumatran Rhino, the Jentink's and Zebra duikers, yellow-footed rock wallabies, giant elands, gerenuks, emperor tamarins, and bongos. The Andrew Norman Education Center, the ZooMobile, Wolf Woods and Monkey Island, were all built in the Thomas-era1970's, as were new exhibits for gorillas, orangutans and flamingos,

In the 1980's the Zoo became part of the new California Condor Recovery Program. In 1982 the Zoo built the extensive "condorminiums," which are still considered among the finest and largest facilities in the condor recovery program. In1982 the Ahmanson Koala House was opened. Currently the Los Angeles Zoo the only zoo in the world to exhibit these nocturnal animals in a darkened setting.

Today Los Angeles Zoo is located in the heart of the 2nd-largest city in the United States. Nearly 11/2 million visitors visit the zoo every year to see one of the country's biggest and best collection of animals. And with your wife and kids accompanying you, it can be an experience of a lifetime as this place provides you with all the fun and frolic you require from a single place. Go ahead! Hav a great time with you family at the LA Zoo.

Source: articlesbase.com

Planning a Meaningful Zoo Trip for Kids

Author: Travel Mum

Going to the zoo can be an enriching experience for your kids. They can learn about how animals behave, where they come from, their eating habits and sounds they make. They can make comparisons between adult and baby animals and animals within the same family. Here are some tips to plan a meaningful zoo trip with your kids :
1. Before visiting the zoo, visit the zoo website with your kids to help create interest. Some zoos may feature on-line activities or printables for kids.
2. Learn about the history of the zoo, its mission, and the direction it is heading.
3. Check the calendar of events for the zoo.
4. Print out zoo newsletters, if any.
5. Print out pictures of the animals and have your kids identify them at the zoo.
6. At the zoo, get your kids to count the animals.
7. Bring along drawing papers and encourage your kids to draw the animals.
8. Learn about the programs which the zoo offers. Some zoos allow you to feed the animals at allocated times.
9. Take your kids for an animal show. Animal shows are always interesting and often include audience participation games, keeper chats and animal demonstrations.
10. Bring a camera to capture shots of animal movements.
11. Encourage your kids to make a scrapbook of the zoo trip.
12. Pick up any worksheets at the zoo, or design some worksheets yourself.
13. Learn about the zoo's conservation projects.
14. Visit the Kid's Zoo. Usually, the Kid's Zoo will have many interactive activities, animals, storyboards, and other opportunities for kids to be creative. Kids can experience touching, creativity, play and fun-filled learning.
15. Some zoos allow kids to be zoo-keepers for a day. This interesting program allows kids to have a close encounter with the animals.
16. Join a zoo camp. Campers can enjoy the tours, animal demonstrations, crafts and activities.
17. Stay overnight at the zoo with the zoo's Snooze Program. Zoo Snooze Programs usually include an up-close animal encounter, craft activities, night tours and games.
18. Compare zoos. Every zoo is different. Get your kids to discover their differences and similarities.
19. Observe zoo manners. Teach your kids what they must not do at the zoo (e.g. no littering, no smoking, do not climb over the fences, do not provoke the animals, etc.).
20. Learn about the zoo's adoption programs.
21. Write suggestions to the zoo on how to provide better facilities and services.
22. Be a zoo volunteer. Sometimes, zoo will advertise the kind of help that they need at different times. Zoo volunteers may assist in animal food preparation, educating visitors and school children during zoo camps, etc.
23. Teach your kids to support the zoo by making a donation. Some zoos have special programs which require funding. You can also help to sponsor an animal.
Have a nice trip at the zoo !

Source: articlesbase.com