american robin

The American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is a migratory songbird of the thrush family. The American Robin is a common occupant of residential areas during the breeding season. In Fall and Winter, it can be found in large, somewhat nomadic flocks in areas with lots of fruiting trees. The length of the full grown Robin is approximately 8.5-9.5 inches from its beak to its tail. The male has a brownish orange-red breast, brownish gray upper parts, blackish head, and a broken eye ring around the eyeball. The female Robin is usually smaller then the male and has a more paler color. Robins live in North America from Georgia to Alaska and in the winter some fly as far south as Mexico. When the Robin migrates to the south in the winter it is one of the first birds to migrate to the north in the spring. The Robin often sings very early in the morning. The Robin is one of the first bird species to lay eggs, and begins to breed shortly after returning to its summer home from its winter home. Robins like to return to the same nesting places each year. Its nest consists of long strands of grass, stems, paper, and feathers, and is smeared with mud and often cushioned with grass or other soft materials. The female usually lays three to six blue eggs and sits on the nest while the male helps feed them once they are hatched. Robins like to eat fruit, berries, and insects. The Robin is from the Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae, Genus: Turdus, Species: T. migratorius.

bluebird

The bluebird is one of the best loved songbirds of North America. The bluebird is approximately 7-8 inches long from the tip of it's beak to the end of it's tail. Bluebirds are attractive birds with blue, or blue and red, plumage. The female of the species is paler in color. Bluebirds migrate to the south in the winter and migrate back north in early spring. The bluebird usually builds it's nest in farmyards, gardens, and open grassland areas with scattered trees. But bluebirds also like to leave near human dwellings. The male bluebird attracts the female by singing and flapping it's wings. The female bluebird is the nest builder while the male at times will bring her insects while she is sitting on the eggs or caring for the young. The female usually lays approximately three to six pale blue or white eggs. The bluebird lives on insects and wild berries. The bluebird belongs to the Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Turdidae, Genus: Sialia.

pet parrot

When children hear about pet parrots, the first thing that comes to mind is that this bird is usually on the shoulder of a pirate and it can talk.

Though this creature has a habit of wanting and eating a cracker, studies have shown that this magnificent and colorful animal needs more than that in order to maintain a healthy diet.

By following these simple tips, the person can find other things, which are also essential to the parrot’s diet.

1. Parrots should have also have some vegetables, cooked meats and grains just like humans. This is because these creatures need the same nutrients that people get from eating such produce.

2. A healthy diet also means giving the parrot the right portions in each meal. If the owner gives too much, this should be reduced. This will take some time to get it right so the individual should just monitor the volume each time this is given to the animal.

3. Parrots get sick very easily. If there is excess food in the plate, this should be removed because this becomes the breeding ground for bacteria and molds.

4. Aside from food, the parrot must also be given a fresh supply of water daily. This will avoid making the bird dehydrated, which can also cause it to get sick.

5. Many people see pet owners giving seeds and nuts frequently to the parrot. Studies have shown this should be done sparingly because it does not provide that much nutrients, which are needed for the bird’s diet.

6. Though parrots may eat almost anything that humans eat, these following should never be given. These are chocolates, avocados, caffeine, alcohol, kidney and lima beans.

7. Parrots should be fed twice day and enjoy it if the food is mixed in water in the bowl. It is advisable for the pet owner to wash the dish first before and after each meal to make sure it is free from bacteria and other germs that could endanger the life of the bird.

These are just a few tips in feeding the parrot. The owner can read up more by buying a book or doing some research on the Internet.

Before buying any food for the parrot, it will also be a good idea to seek the advice of a veterinarian. This specialist can check on the bird and recommend the proper items to be bought from the pet store.

pet bird toys

Birds are intelligent creatures with active minds and they can soon become bored if they had not kept entertained. Birds that are bored and start to exhibit a desirable behavior such as squawking a lot and pulling out all the feathers.

One way to keep your bird amused even when you're not around is to make sure that you provide him with a variety of bird toys. One thing to think about when picking out toys for your bird is whether or not the toys match with your bird size. Toys designed for small bird like a parakeet might not be safe for a large parrot because the powerful beaks of the bigger birds can easily break the toys into pieces which can be dangerous for your pet. Different sized birds do seem to enjoy different types of toys but one toy that all birds seem to like is the ladder. You want to be careful, however, that you choose the right side letter for your bird obviously smaller birds will meet once with wrongs that are closer together. Swings and hanging ring seemed to be a bit more popular for the smaller pet birds. That's not to say that larger birds don't enjoy them as some do but in general the smaller birds seem to have a lot more fun. Hang a couple in your pets cage and you soon see him swinging around and hanging from them and just having a heck of a time. The bigger birds seem to like maize toys and puzzles especially if you can put some of their favorite treats inside the toy. They also like ropes that have leather knots which they can unknot with their beaks. This gives them something to work out of their mind instead of hanging around doing nothing. Birds have the mentality of small child and just like children birds can really get enjoyment out of a play gym. You can find these In all shapes and sizes, but typically they either sit on a table on top of the birds cage and when he is out of the cage they provide him with a variety of interesting things to play on including ladders seesaws and swings. Not only will your bird entertain himself on these though probably entertain you as well! When you are shopping for bird toys there are some you might want to think twice about buying. Although most birds love mirrors and love to look at themselves, it does might not serve the purpose you want if they actually think it's another bird they may bond with their own reflection and not care so much about bonding with people. Always evaluated toy for safety purposes toys that are not well made and can come apart and harm your bird should be avoided. Also toys that have little areas that might pinch your bird's toes or that he can get his head caught and should be avoided. Remember, your bird can get his little beak into just about anything so you want and make sure the toys are tough enough so that he can't break anything off and swallow it which could be disastrous and possibly even fatal.

Your pet bird doesn't necessarily need expensive toys to play with, many birds love things like paper towel tubes and tongue depressors. Just be sure that if you do you keep your bird toy like that that you make sure he doesn't rip apart and start eating it - it might not be a bad idea to stay around and watch them whenever you give him any new toy. Because your pet bird gets bored easily you want to rotate his toys. Put a few toys in his cage and then hide the others away where he can't see them. After a week or two remove the toys that are in his cage and replace them with the ones you hid away. You can take this opportunity to clean the toys that he has already played with, then hide them away for a week or two. When you bring them out again he'll think he's got new toys to play with!

Shirdi Temple

The Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba.

Sai Baba Temple is a holy shrine that is attracting millions of devotees from many years. Located at Shirdi in Maharashtra, Sai Baba Mandir is easily accessible from anywhere in India. Shirdi is a small town in the state ofMaharashtra. The nearest railway station to this temple is sited at Manmad. From Manmad, regular services of buses and Taxis are available for Shirdi. The nearest airport to Shirdi is positioned at Nasik. The city of Nasik lies at a distance of 90 kms from Shirdi and one can hire taxis to reach Shirdi.

The mystic Sai arrived at Shirdi in his childhood. Nobody knew his origin or his purpose of visit. The legend remained at Shirdi till his last breath and made a kind of bondage with the place. Sai Baba came on this earth with a mission to spread love and happiness amongst the people. He never made any differences with people regarding their caste, color, creed or religion. He left this corporeal world in late 1920's. Sai Baba is commemorated in the form of his shrine at Shirdi.

Sai Baba Temple is open to the people from all religions, castes and creeds. The main shrine is known the Samadhi Temple. Here, the mortal body of Sai Baba was actually buried and later, a 'Samadhi' was built on the spot. Besides the Samadhi, there is a marble image of Sai Baba in a sitting position. This beautiful image cannot be described in words. It appears, as if, Sai is sitting alive and would utter a word at this instant. This image was sculpted by Sri Talini, a well-known sculptor from Mumbai.

In 1954, the temple got the idol of Sai Baba and the image is visible from the main entrance of the hall. In order to get the close glimpse of Sai Baba, one has to cross the hall, where pictures and photos of Sai and his devotees are installed. On the left side of this hall, there is room where several objects are displayed that used to be the part of Sai Baba's routine. Apart from this main shrine, there are numerous places that are recognized with the life of Sai Baba.

One such place is 'Dwarkamayee Masjid' and this place was really adorable to Sai. He used to sit here all day, on a big stone that is conserved till date. Here, a portrait of Sai Baba adorns the site and this portrait was painted during the lifetime of the great soul. Just before the portrait, the holy dhuni can be found burning. This was started by Sai himself and ever since, the fire is set alive. From this dhuni, vibhuti (sacred ash) is taken out and distributed as 'prasad' of the Lord.

The vibhuti is said to possess the healing powers and people take this to their homes. This place also possess a chakki (grinding stone), a bathing stone, a wooden pillar, chulha (stove), padukas (slippers) and a plant of Tulsi. These things were part of Sai's daily life. Today, these articles are in the same position, as they were positioned by Sai.

Another place to visit is Chavadi, where Sai used to take rest every alternate night. Besides Chavadi, 'Gurusthan' is one more place where Sai used to sit under a Neem (margosa) tree. As a matter of fact, the leaves of this tree are sweet and it is believed that with the divinity of Baba, they have lost their bitterness.

Besides all these places, Lendi Nall and Nandadeep are two other destinations that have marks of the holy man. The big temple complex comprises all these places and numerous gardens in it. The divine aura of Sai Baba is enchanting and it attracts millions of people every year. One, who comes to this temple for once, gets a celestial contentment that lasts for the entire life.