Did you know that birds are America’s fourth most popular pet? Fido and Fluffy earn the top two spots, with fish coming in third. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports 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 Clermont County veterinarian.

A Truly Exceptional Tale

A bird named Charlie has become a local legend at Heathfield Nurseries in Surrey, England. According to reports, the blue-and-gold Macaw hatched in 1899. Rumor has it that Charlie was originally owned by Winston Churchill. He allegedly taught her to curse Nazis, particularly Hitler. Churchill’s relatives deny this assertion, and Charlie hasn’t clarified it. Regardless, the bird is happy, healthy, and properly cared for.

A Very Smart Bird

Puck, a Budgie, surprised people with her intelligence. The small ball of feathers learned 1728 words, earning herself a perch in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Polly Became Popular Throughout The Pandemic

There was some good news about the pandemic, at least for pets. Many people adopted pets throughout the quarantine. Many of our animal buddies were also overjoyed to have their people home more. Both pet and poultry birds’ popularity grew during the lockdowns.

They Vary Drastically In Size

As you may be aware, hummingbirds are the world’s smallest birds. These adorable little creatures can fly backward and hover in situ. Their eggs are only about the size of a jellybean.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is New Zealand’s Kakapo parrot, a pretty green bird with a lovely, slightly bewildered appearance. These enormous birds can weigh over seven pounds. The Kakapo cannot fly, which makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and other hazards such as predators. Many flightless birds used to live in New Zealand, but they became easy prey for cats, weasels, and other creatures imported by traders. Although once endangered, the Kakapo appears to be on the verge of a return. Keep your fingers crossed!

The kakapo isn’t the world’s biggest bird: that would be the ostrich. These massive birds can reach 9 feet (2.7 meters) in height and weigh between 220-350 pounds (100-160 kilograms).

Don’t Get Pigeonholed

Pigeons are frequently considered a nuisance these days. However, these gentle birds are extremely remarkable. They are not only capable of finding their way home from great distances, but they also possess a number of other extraordinary qualities.

• Baby pigeons can remain in the nest for up to six weeks, much longer than most baby birds.
• Pigeons do well in cities because they prefer concrete and stone.
• There could be more than 1 million pigeons in New York City alone.
• Pigeons could have been the first birds humanity domesticated. There is evidence of them in Mesopotamian art that dates back to 4500 BCE.
• They were particularly useful in wartime. Pigeons were frequently utilized to relay messages. 
• They’ve been credited for saving thousands of lives with their messages.
• They were used to send out SOS signals from sinking vessels. 
• They have exceptional vision. They can also see ultraviolet light, which has helped them locate survivors of wrecked or sinking ships.
• Pigeon racing is actually a thing. These birds are quick enough to make races enjoyable for spectators.

They Have Very Devoted Fans

Bird owners are known for their great attention and devotion to their pets.

• The average number of birds per home is 2.46.
• Nearly 60 percent of bird owners said they had spent more money on Polly in the last year.
• One-fifth of bird owners reported that their pets were on special diets. In comparison, one out of every ten pet dogs and cats is. Bird owners were also more inclined to provide nutrients for their pets.

Music In The Sky

Have you ever witnessed a flock of swallows move in unison, twisting and spinning as if in a dance? This is referred to as a murmuration. Scientists believe birds do this to baffle predators, making it difficult for them to identify specific birds. Even more astounding, the birds may be responding to a type of biological radio that enables them to establish patterns. Each bird interacts with the birds around it, allowing the flock to move together.

Polly Want A Cracker

For thousands of years, parrots have held a place in our hearts and on our shoulders. These colorful creatures vary significantly in size, color, and lifespan. In fact, Alexander the Great brought some back from the Indian subcontinent. A few hundred years later, the ancient Romans were teaching Polly Latin.

Here are some facts about Polly.

• Parrots are members of the psittacine order. They are also known as hookbills because of their curved beaks.
• They’re quite bright. One African grey parrot named Alex was said to have an intelligence comparable to that of a 5-year-old human child. His final words to his owner were: “Be good. I love you.”
• Some parrots utilize tools. The University of York and the University of St. Andrews conducted studies on Greater Vasa parrots that crushed cockleshells with pit dates and pebbles.
• They’re zygodactylous. Most birds have four toes on each foot. However, parrots’ feet differ in that they have two forward-pointing toes and two backward-pointing ones.
• Their beaks can crack the world’s hardest nuts.
• The tiniest parrot is the itty-bitty Pygmy. The Pygmy is only 3 inches long and, unlike other parrots, eats mushrooms rather than insects.
• Almost one-third of all parrot species are on the verge of extinction.
• Logging has devastated up to 99 percent of Ghana’s natural African grey parrot population.
• Several types of parrots can talk.
• In one interesting experiment, scientists from MIT, Northeastern University, and the University of Glasgow taught parrots how to live chat with each other. The majority of the birds appreciated their adventure!
• They can outlive people. Smaller parrots, such as parakeets, may only survive ten to twenty years, whereas larger ones, such as Macaws, might live for 100 years or more. (This is definitely something to consider before adopting one.)

Crow Bros

While we primarily focus on domestic birds, we are equally captivated by wild birds. Corvids are especially fascinating. These animals may be among the smartest in the world! They mate for life and hold funerals for their departed. They’ve also been known to decide if some people are buddies or adversaries, and then tell all their friends!

An Interesting Diet

Here’s something you probably did not know: Blue jays have a tendency of gathering paint chips. They favor lighter tones. This is not random behavior; they are looking for the calcium concentration in the paint. Paint frequently contains limestone, a valuable source of calcium.

Turn Up The Volume 

Have you ever wondered what the world’s largest bird is? That’d be the white bellbird. The Amazon is home to this lovely bird, which woos potential mates with an ear splitting song.

Our Only Feathered Friends

Birds are the only animals with feathers. However, not all birds have feathered heads. Vultures, marabou storks, and ostriches are all bald.

Polly Is A Dancer

Have you ever seen videos of pet birds cheerfully dancing to their favorite songs? Some birds enjoy getting down. Cockatoos, for example, are well-known for their dancing abilities. This just makes sense. After all, bird songs are nature’s original melody!

Do you have any questions concerning bird care? Contact your nearest pet Clermont County hospital at any time!