Canadian Geese Begin Migrating For The Winter

The Canada Goose is recognizable by its distinctive colourings. The species is characterized by its greyish coloured body combined with a solid black head and neck with white cheek patches. Canada Geese appear to all look the same. The species may appear relatively uniform; however, there are many different species of Canada Geese. The species are distinguished mostly by size as some smaller varieties weigh as little as 1.1 kilograms with a wingspan of 90 centimetres, while at the other end of the spectrum a Canada Goose can weigh up to 8 kilograms and have a wingspan of 2 metres.

Migration

The Canada Goose like most birds migrates every year. Canada Geese begin to prepare to migrate in the late Fall when the ground in the North begins to freeze. In an effort to prepare for the travelling of migration Canada Geese eat more prior to making the trip. The Canada Goose migrates from its Northern locations, including Greenland, to the Southern United States or even Mexico as Winter in the Northern hemisphere approaches. The Canada Goose migrates a considerable distance; however, the migration period is not long as the birds can travel more than 1000 miles per day. When migrating the Canada Goose is easily recognized as the flock flies in a V-shaped pattern.

Habitat

The Canada Goose may be named after the country of Canada but the species can be found all over North America depending on the time of year. Canada Goose adapt well their environments, although ideally they like to live in low areas with lots of open waters. The Canada Goose when nesting will often make its nest on an island in an effort to provide increased protection from predators.

Interesting Facts

The Canada Goose is also an interesting bird as it has many unique characteristics. One interesting fact is that the species mates for life usually in the second year of life. It may be true that the species mate for life; however, it is also a fact that if one of the mates die, the remaining goose will take another mate. Another fact about the Canada Goose is that many of the species use not only the same nest each year but also build their nests in the same area that their parents did. The Canada Goose also spends a large amount of time eating grasses, roots and leaves as up to 12 hours per day can be spent foraging for food. Canada Geese as a flock also fly in a V formation the reason behind this is the fact that the formation makes it easier to fly and assists with communication. The Canada Goose has also successfully adapted to urban life as the population in urban centres is expanding. The adaptability of the Canada Goose is lastly proven by the fact that the average lifespan in the wild is 24 years.

Article courtesy of kwintessential.co.uk



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Bird Feeders and More for Loyal Bird Watchers

Bird watching is a lot more than just a hobby. Many loyal bird watchers team up with naturalists to understand more about the habits of birds, migration, increases and declines in populations, and mating rituals carried out by birds. A bird watcher who has several bird feeders in his yard not only enjoys the birds that frequent his feeders he also is taking detailed notes about the species, sex, and many different details to send the report to naturalists who study avian habits.



You could actually call these people professional bird watchers because they perform a service that is extremely important in nature. They, the bird watchers, will employ many different items to help lure more birds to their property. Some of the items bird watchers will use are:



* Bird baths: These will generally be placed near feeding areas and are placed in a purposeful line of view of the bird watcher. Birds will often do mating dances and such while using the birdbath.



* Bird houses: Different species of birds will nest completely different than others. Specialized houses that are built for certain bird species, such as purple martin houses, lure this breed of bird to the bird watchers location.



* Hummingbird bird feeders: These feeders don't hold seeds; they hold nectar or sugar water. Hummingbirds are very well known for returning to the same feeding grounds every season. Hummingbird feeders that are kept clean and full of fresh nectar will attract up to twenty hummingbirds at a time. Most bird watchers have at least four hummingbird feeders around their property.



* Window bird feeders: Bird watchers will use these types of feeders to try to get a closer look at the birds coming to feed. This is especially helpful if the watcher is trying to get a picture of a particular bird.



* Butterfly houses: Most avid bird watchers who have bird feeders and bird houses almost always have butterfly houses as well. These are set out to attract butterflies and just add to the beauty of the yard.



* Wind chimes: Bird watchers will have wind chimes of different styles with different tones, which are said to help calm the birds.



* Bat houses: These are not extremely common for most bird watchers but some will install bat houses to lure the bats in. The significance in having bats around is because one small brown bat can eat thousands of mosquitoes in an hour. If the bird watcher lives near a body of water such as a small pond, having bat houses around helps cut down on the mosquito population.



* Bird watching binoculars: These are an important tool to the bird watcher because some birds look a great deal alike with very subtle differences. The bird watcher needs the use of the binoculars in order to tell the difference between the two species of birds. Some binoculars come with a built in digital camera that comes in very handy for up close shots.



The valuable service that professional bird watcher perform is extremely important to the study of migration. If science can understand why and when birds migrate and to where they migrate this can give science a lot of useful information that can be used to determine weather patterns and other important data.



Whether a bird watcher is making detailed reports for naturalists or just watching birds for the beauty of it, one thing's for sure: a bird watcher loves birds. Blue birds to black birds, bird feeders to birdhouses; a bird watcher is a bird's best friend.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies.
For tips/information, click here: bird feeders
Visit Majon's recreation-nature-outdoors directory.

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Bird Cages

Bird lovers should know understand how important it is to have the proper bird cage for their bird. Bird cages vary not only in their size, but also in a variety of other ways that should be considered while shopping for your pet bird.

For the bird, this cage will be its home where it will spend most of its time. As a bird owner it is your duty to provide your bird with a cage that will be comfortable for the bird, safe, and have a positive impact on the bird's mental health. Size of cage, appropriate spacing and thickness of the bird cage bars, and the structural material of the cage are all important factors that you need to consider.

The rule of thumb for bird cage sizes is bigger is better. The larger the cage, the more space, and freedom the bird has. Obviously not everyone has the budget or the space for a huge bird cage. However, a cage should be purchased that will be appropriate for the bird's size. For example a very small bird like a finch can have a significantly smaller cage than a large bird like a Macaw.

Once you have decided upon the bird cages size, the correct spacing between the bars as well as their thickness must be determined. Again, the size of the bird is what determines the appropriate spacing and thickness of bars in bird cages. If the spacing is too wide the risk of escape or getting the bird's head trapped in between the bars is greater. Spacing that is too small between the bars can lead to wings, beaks, or feet getting stuck and the bird being injured. Since the bars of bird cages are bitten by the birds, the larger the bird the thicker the bars. If the bars are not thick or strong enough, a larger bird is capable of bending the bars, which is a potential safety concern.

The material from which the cage is constructed is important. You want a bird cage that is going to last a long time. Mild steel powder coated cages can last between five and seven years with proper care. Stainless steel powder coated bird cages can last three times as long, but are more costly. Since it won't chip or break easily, 100% stainless steel is preferred by many folks. In addition, look for bird cages that have anti-rust properties. Some powder coated bird cages may have toxic levels of lead or zinc in the powder coating, so it is important to buy your cage from a reputable manufacturer.

You will need to clean our bird's cage frequently so you should consider before purchasing a bird cage the assembly of the cage and its bars. Drilled-through bars are sturdier and stronger than welded bars but are more difficult when cleaning the cage. A cage that is composed of many nuts and bolts may be more affordable, but is much harder to clean and assemble. You want to look for a birdcage that you can easily break down to cleaned.

As you search for the perfect bird cage you will see descriptions regarding dome bird cages and play top bird cages. Consider your lifestyle when deciding between "dome top" bird cages and "play top" bird cages. Although owners are advised to give their birds time out of their cage every day, it is not always possible. Dome bird cages offer additional space within the bird cage, without taking up more space in your home. Dome top bird cages are better for owners who do not let their bird(s) out to play everyday. Play top bird cages are popular with owners who give playtime to their birds outside the cage. Play top bird cages will allow your pet to perch, play, and stretch their wings on the cage's highest point where they feel safer. The external play areas offer various "play" features depending upon the model.

Now that you know what to look for when searching for bird cages go to americas-pet-store.com where you will find a large selection of a variety of bird cages made by the top bird cages manufacturers. In addition, you can use their chart to match your bird type to the recommended bar spacing, bar thickness and cage size minimums for your bird, making your shopping experience a whole lot easier. And, every item americas-pet-store.com sells includes free shipping.

At americas-pet-store.com you will find a huge selection of bird cages for every kind of bird and every kind of owner.

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Digital Binoculars – The Wave of The Future

There are so many different applications one can think of for a digital camera. Who doesn’t like to take pictures? Family events, sporting events and nature trail hikes are all great places to snap that perfect picture and to preserve that special memory for all time.
The regular camera - which uses film instead of digital technology - are often bulky and an annoying contraptions. The changing of the film and making sure it doesn’t get wet or exposed to the elements once taken from the camera is enough to irritate most people.

With a digital camera, you have none of these problems. They are smaller than their film camera counterparts and less heavy. They can also hold many more pictures and instead of paying twenty dollars to have your film developed, you can do it yourself in the comfort of your home.

What more could you ask for, right?

For starters, how about binoculars with a digital camera. That’s right, no more fiddling around in your pouch or your backpack to find the digital camera, in order to take a picture of something you’ve been viewing through your binoculars. Now you can just push a button, and take that picture easily with your brand new digital camera binoculars.

Sounds like paradise, doesn’t it?

It does to any outdoor enthusiast who has ever tried to take a picture of something they were viewing through their binoculars.

Digital binoculars used to be very expensive when they first came out. But now, thanks to the advent of the latest technology, that is no longer the case. Today you can buy a perfectly good pair of digital binoculars for about two hundred and fifty dollars. Of course, there is a lot of junk on the market today. You can buy much cheaper digital binoculars, but they are likely to break more easily, and are a waste of money in the long run.

If you are going to take the time and effort into buying something—including digital camera binoculars—you might as well do it right and safe yourself the aggravation that would result in the long run if you buy garbage.

The first thing you should do, is check out some of the reviews that are available on the Internet and in some sporting goods magazines. That way, you can get an unbiased view of the different products and make a wise, informed decision.

The second thing you should consider doing is looking at some of the more popular and reputable binocular companies, such as Bushnell, Nikon and Zeiss. These companies (as well as a few others) are the tops in their field for a reason.

Next you should make sure you understand all the fancy talk you are sure to be exposed to by the people who are knowledgeable about digital binoculars. Terms like Mega pixels and video slots can quickly frustrate those of us who prefer English. By learning the terms and being aware of their meaning, you will be harder to con, and also you will be able to make a more informed buying decision.

Digital binoculars are heavier than regular binoculars (those that don’t have a camera of any kind) but technology advances have made them smaller than they used to be, and they aren’t too much of a burden to carry around. After all, you would have been carrying a digital camera and a binocular in any case, so if they are all in one, it makes little difference to the weight you would have been carrying.

If you plan on taking a lot of pictures and using binoculars at the same time, there is no wiser investment you could make than picking up digital camera binoculars for yourself.

Article courtesy of wild-bird-watching.com



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