Toys available at...

Bean's Little Store toys are now available at Kay's Collectibles - located at the Englishtown Auction, 90 Wilson Ave., Englishtown, NJ 07726.

The store is located in the Blue Building, store #38.

Make play-time a safe-time

There are an infinite number of "home-made" parrot and bird toy companies selling their products on the Internet and even attending local bird events. While I have no problem with home-made toys, my own company's toys could be considered "home-made" after all, I do wish to raise a word of caution about them

Not all toys are created equal.

Wood:

It is very important for a bird owner to understand that there are many common woods that are toxic to birds. Majority of toy manufacturers know what types of wood are safe and what type to stay away from. No toy manufacturer should be collecting twigs and branches from their backyard to make toys. Always ask a toy manufacturer to identify the wood that they are using, and if it is not a wood that you are familiar with, look it up.

Metal:

Zinc is a toxic heavy metal. Bird toys should never be made with zinc parts. Unfortunately, most of the metal hardware that can be purchased at a big box store, like Home Depot or Lowes, is coated with zinc. This is where my definitions of "home-made" and "hand-made" split. The toys that my company makes are "hand-made" using hardware (chains, O rings and clips) that we purchase from a wholesale distributor that specializes in bird toy parts.

If the person making your bird's toys is using parts that were purchased through a big box store or even a local hardware store, they may be zinc coated and potentially dangerous.

Other considerations:

Many toys come with split rings, or key chain type rings on them. While there is no absolute threat here, a bird could pull the rings apart with its beak and get a tongue or toe pinched inside the split.

Toys that have been played with and chewed up need to be monitored. Broken pieces need to be trimmed or removed regularly. No toy is 100 percent safe and it is up to a bird's owner to keep it safe.

Wilmington, Delaware Bird Mart

We will be attending the Exotic Bird Mart and Show at the NUR Shrine, 198 S. DuPont Hwy, Newcastle, DE on Saturday, July 10 from rom 9am to 4pm and on Sunday July 11 from 10am to 4pm.

We will have a wide range of toys and perches to choose from, some come out and say hi!

Do birds have ears

Do birds have ears?

This question comes from the young and old alike, though the young are more likely to ask it out loud.

Well, the answer is YES, birds do have ears.

A bird's ear is a small hole on the side of their head, called the external acoustic meatus. Around the hole are special feathers called ear coverts.

Ear coverts are usually a different texture than other feathers found on the head.

For more information about feathers visit: Using Feathers to Determine Parrot Health

To read about avian anatomy visit: Avian Anatomy Basics

UV Lights and Bird Health

Many beginner bird owners ask me about the importance of a dedicated UV lamp for their birds. Most commonly, they assume that placing their bird's cage near a window, or in a well lit room will be just as good as providing them a UV lamp and bulb.

They are WRONG!

A regular lightbulb does not produce UVA and UVB light the way the sun does. You need to purchase a special UV bulb in order to produce those wave lengths of light. Furthermore, the glass used in home windows contains a UV filter. This filter helps keep the entering sun light from fading walls, carpet and furniture upholstery.

So, why is UV light important?

A large majority of parrots, excluding the Amazon and Hyacinth Macaw, have something called the uropygeal gland near the base of their tail. This glad produces an oil, which the bird spread over its feathers during preening. When exposed to UV light, the oil produces vitamin D3. The bird them ingests the vitamin upon subsequent preening.

In addition to the vitamin aspect of UV light, we have the visual aspect. Birds see the world differently than we do. Without a full spectrum of light, a bird cannot see their world in the way that they should. Their food might look less appealing, their water dingy and their overall environment dull. Would you be happy?

For a more thorough understanding of UVA and UVB lighting for birds, read: Make Your Parrot's Cage Fun and Functional

Welcome 2010

With 2010 here, Bean's Little Store is forging ahead.

Stay tuned for website upgrades in February and calendar listing of upcoming bird marts that we plan to attend.

There will also be information about how to order toys for pick up or delivery in our immediate area (within 20 miles of Lower Bucks County, PA).

So far, I can tell you that we plan on attending an exotic bird mart in Doswell, VA on March 20. Check www.BirdFairFlorida.com for details.

Joy to the World

Janine Lynn and Wayne Williams of Bean's Little Store would like to take a moment to wish everyone, everywhere and happy and safe holiday season.

Peace