Aliyu and Birds

13/06/2024

The speed at which a bird sings can be influenced by various factors, including species, age, and individual characteristics. Younger birds may sing at a faster pace as they are more energetic, while older birds might sing more slowly. Additionally, the purpose of the singing can also affect its speed, such as during courtship or territorial displays.

10/06/2024

Fun Facts about Martial Eagle

1. The Martial eagle is one of the world's most powerful avian predators. Due to both its underside spotting and ferocious efficiency as a predator, it is sometimes nicknamed “the leopard of the air”.

2. In its common, scientific, and most regional African names, this species name means “war-like” and indicates the force, brashness, and indefatigable nature of their hunting habits.

3. Martial eagles are also one of the strongest eagles in Africa; they are able to knock an adult man off his feet.

4. Martial eagles have very sharp eyesight that is almost four times better than that of a human.

Photo Credit: Nik Borrow

06/06/2024

Hawks can learn a variety of behaviors and tricks with proper training and patience. Here are a few additional tricks and skills you can train your hawk:

1. **Recall Training**: Teaching your hawk to return to you on command, often using a whistle or call.
2. **Perch Training**: Training your hawk to move between different perches on command.
3. **Hovering**: Encouraging your hawk to hover in place for short periods.
4. **Retrieve Objects**: Teaching your hawk to pick up and bring small objects back to you.
5. **Hunting Skills**: Enhancing natural hunting instincts and techniques for capturing prey.
6. **Flight Commands**: Training your hawk to fly in specific patterns or directions on command.

Each trick requires time, patience, and positive reinforcement, such as food rewards. Building a strong bond and trust with your hawk is essential for successful training.

26/05/2024

https://youtube.com/?si=fJilfA_KOZtO_iu4

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I'm Aliyu, a bird enthusiast from Nigeria. I'm an aspiring wildlife photographer sharing bird contents on my YouTube channel, 'Aliyu & Birds.' Excited to tra...

14/05/2024

It's actually beneficial for finches and other birds to have access to grit or sand. They use it to help with digestion, as birds don't have teeth to grind their food. The grit stays in the bird's gizzard and helps break down the seeds and grains they eat. However, make sure the grit or sand is specifically formulated for birds and free from chemicals or contaminants.

30/04/2024

Echoes of the African thrush, sung by my talented Yellow-fronted Canary. 🌿🎶

28/04/2024

Real Eagle is coming very soon!😂😂

15/04/2024

Common waxbill❤️❤️

03/04/2024

Join me on a mesmerizing journey into the enchanting world of birds! Subscribe to my YouTube channel, where every video is a symphony of winged wonders. Let's explore and learn together!

Training songbirds to sing a very unique songs is my goal

02/04/2024

Chasing dreams with my feathered friends.

15/03/2024

In Nigeria, we don't keep or train Insect-eating birds because we don't have time for finding Insects and worms for them. But did you know that Insect-eating songbirds are the best mimickers and singers some of them have the ability to mimic a human speech just like parrots.
Examples of these birds are; Starlings, Thrushes, Sunbirds, Catbirds, Skylarks, Swallows and many more.

13/03/2024

https://www.youtube.com/

Training songbirds to sing a very unique songs is my goal

05/03/2024

Of course we're Singing birds trainers and everytime our birds start singing at night, we wake up and start listening to them.

Of course we are Canary trainers and everytime our young canaries stopped practicing for some days, we start doubting if they're really a males or females.

05/03/2024

Happy Wildlife Day!

28/02/2024

This is beautiful!

23/02/2024

Yellow is beautiful💛💛

16/02/2024

Sunflower seeds are very good source of protein for Finches!
Please be providing your birds with a balanced diets.

16/02/2024

When you train your young Yellows or Whites with Gabanis, there draws will be unique and strong!
Thanks to this active bird called Masked Weaver (Gabanis🇳🇬)

15/02/2024

Training a baby African Grey Parrot can be a rewarding experience, but it requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Here are some tips for training your parrot:

1. **Start Early**: Begin training as soon as you bring your baby parrot home. Young parrots are more receptive to learning and can form strong bonds with their owners.

2. **Socialization**: Handle your parrot gently and frequently to help them become comfortable with human interaction. This will also help prevent fearfulness and aggression as they grow older.

3. **Positive Reinforcement**: Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as offering treats, praise, or favorite toys, to reward good behavior. This will encourage your parrot to repeat the desired behavior.

4. **Consistency**: Be consistent with your training methods and cues. This will help your parrot understand what is expected of them.

5. **Patience**: Training takes time, so be patient with your parrot. Avoid punishments or negative reinforcement, as this can lead to fear and distrust.

6. **Teaching Words and Tricks**: African Grey Parrots are known for their ability to mimic speech. Start by teaching simple words or phrases and gradually increase the complexity. You can also teach them tricks, such as stepping up onto your hand or playing with toys.

7. **Environmental Enrichment**: Provide plenty of toys, perches, and other enriching activities to keep your parrot mentally stimulated and prevent boredom.

8. **Regular Training Sessions**: Keep training sessions short and frequent to maintain your parrot's interest and prevent them from becoming bored.

9. **Health and Safety**: Ensure your parrot's health and safety are a top priority. Provide a balanced diet, regular veterinary check-ups, and a safe environment free from hazards.

10. **Seek Professional Advice**: Consider seeking advice from a professional bird trainer or behaviorist if you encounter any challenges or need guidance on training techniques.

By followi

13/02/2024

This is Brown-rumped seedeater, we call it Afro Canary in Nigeria🇳🇬
This Canary never stops learning new songs no matter how old it gets.
Training young birds with Afro is difficult because sometimes the Afro would learn the songs of the young birds and add the songs to its repertoire when the young birds start to practice. The brain of this big Canary is very active and sensitive.

12/02/2024

The White-rumped Seedeater, scientifically known as Crithagra leucopygia, is a fascinating bird found in sub-Saharan Africa. Here are some amazing facts about them:

1. **Distinctive Plumage**: As their name suggests, White-rumped Seedeaters have a distinguishing white patch on their rump, which contrasts with their otherwise grayish-brown plumage. They also have streaked underparts and a conical bill adapted for seed-eating.

2. **Habitat Preferences**: These birds inhabit a range of habitats, including grasslands, shrublands, savannas, and agricultural areas. They are often found in areas with abundant grass seeds and other food sources.

3. **Seed-Eating Specialists**: White-rumped Seedeaters primarily feed on seeds, especially grass seeds, but they may also consume small insects and fruits opportunistically. Their specialized bill allows them to efficiently extract seeds from grass heads and other plant parts.

4. **Breeding Behavior**: During the breeding season, male White-rumped Seedeaters perform courtship displays to attract females. These displays may include singing from prominent perches, puffing up their plumage, and chasing other males away from their territory.

5. **Nesting Habits**: The female builds a cup-shaped nest using grass, leaves, and other plant materials, typically hidden within dense vegetation. She lays a clutch of eggs, usually around 2-4, which she incubates for about two weeks.

6. **Distribution**: White-rumped Seedeaters are found across parts of eastern and southern Africa, including countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. They are non-migratory birds, although some populations may undertake local movements in search of food and suitable breeding sites.

7. **Conservation Status**: While the White-rumped Seedeater is currently classified as a species of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urbanizat

12/02/2024

The Yellow-fronted Canary, scientifically known as Crithagra mozambicus, is a small passerine bird native to Africa. Here are some amazing facts about them:

1. **Vibrant Plumage**: Adult males typically display bright yellow foreheads and throats, with olive-green upperparts and yellow underparts. Females and juveniles have duller plumage with less prominent yellow markings.

2. **Wide Range**: They are found in various habitats across sub-Saharan Africa, including savannas, woodlands, grasslands, and gardens. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in both rural and urban environments.

3. **Social Birds**: Yellow-fronted Canaries are often seen in small flocks, especially during the non-breeding season. They are social birds and engage in activities such as foraging, bathing, and roosting together.

4. **Diet**: Their diet primarily consists of seeds, grains, and small insects. They are known to visit bird feeders, especially those containing seeds like millet and sunflower seeds.

5. **Nesting Habits**: During the breeding season, Yellow-fronted Canaries build cup-shaped nests in bushes or trees using grass, twigs, and other plant materials. The female typically lays 3-4 eggs, which she incubates for about two weeks.

6. **Vocalizations**: These birds are known for their melodious and repetitive songs, especially during the breeding season. Their calls consist of various chirps, trills, and warbles, which they use for communication and territorial defense.

7. **Popular Pets**: Due to their attractive appearance and pleasant songs, Yellow-fronted Canaries are popular as cage birds and pets worldwide. However, it's essential to ensure they have proper care and living conditions if kept in captivity.

Overall, the Yellow-fronted Canary is a charming bird with captivating characteristics, making it a favorite among bird enthusiasts and observers.

05/02/2024

Finches thrive on a varied diet that includes a mix of seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Here are some healthy options:

1. **Seeds:**
- Millet (white and spray millet)
- Canary seed
- Sunflower seeds (in moderation)
- Flax seeds
- H**p seeds

2. **Fresh Fruits:**
- Apples
- Pears
- Berries (strawberries, blueberries)
- Bananas (in moderation)

3. **Fresh Vegetables:**
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard)
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Bell peppers

4. **Egg Food:**
- Hard-boiled egg, mashed
- Crushed eggshell for calcium

5. **Pellets:**
- High-quality finch pellets

Remember to provide a balanced and varied diet, and monitor your finches to ensure they are eating well. Always introduce new foods gradually to avoid upsetting their digestive system. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

28/01/2024

This is the Black-winged Red bishop.
This bird is almost the same size with Masked Weaver (Gabanis) and can learn multiple draws as Gabanis does, but Gabanis is slightly louder.
Remember in Nigeria, we have 2 types of Red Bishops which are *Northern Red Bishop & *Black-winged Red Bishop.

22/01/2024

Did you know that Whites can learn more draws than Yellows? And they learn faster than Yellows too.
This is because whites are more sensitive to all the sounds they hear within the place you're training them.

22/01/2024

This Canary is rarely seen in the wild.