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Archive for the ‘Birds’ Category

If you consider that for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years man wanted to take to the skies like the Birds, it seems strange that so many people have a fear or phobia about flying. Of course in today’s modern age we don’t strap on wings and take gracefully to the skies like our ancestors dreamt of doing, instead we climb aboard a giant machine of the air and place our safety and care into the hands of others. These others include pilots and air crew, air traffic controllers, mechanics and engineers, and many other individuals who make our flights through thousands of miles of sky possible.

Fear of flying (or aerophobia) affects roughly 1 in 5 people, and can be a real nuisance. It might just mean that family holidays abroad are impossible, or it might make a desired career impossible if it involves flying during business trips.

The effect that a fear of flying will have on a person can vary greatly. At one end of the scale, it might simply be anxiety during certain parts of a flight. At the other end, it might manifest itself as a full blown terror, which might even preclude them from just picking someone up from an airport.

Statistically, of course, flying is one of the safest modes of transport … but to someone with a fear of flying, knowing this at a conscious level, is not enough, and they remain afraid, controlled by their fear of flying.

To the sufferer, it’s their imagination that drives their fear, and no amount of ‘rationalisation’ can help this.

Most nervous flyers simply avoid flying entirely if they can, and this avoidance serves to reinforce their fear of flying.

Fear of flying, especially when an individual has flown before, perhaps many times, is often linked to a more serious level of anxiety disorder and sometimes panic-attacks are a part of the problem also.

Fortunately all of the above can be very successfully dealt with by Hypnotherapy which may include Suggestion Therapy, Hypnoanalysis, Parts Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic-Programming (NLP) and Kinesiology.

Alan Crisp
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/to-fly-like-the-birds-or-not-76002.html

Once upon a time, there was a commercial airline industry, busy catering to everyone who wanted to fly. Now there is something called as a private jet. Just as you would cook at home and eat if you did not like the idea of going to a hotel, you can now fly your own plane, if you did not want the normal way of flying planes, that is, commercially.

Eclipse Aviation located at Albuquerque, New Mexico, has recently won a certification from the U.S Federal Aviation Administration of its brand new minijet. The Eclipse 500 is only the beginning in the spurt of mini jet sales that seems to have grappled the ultra rich niche market in the U.S.

The Eclipse 500 priced at 1.5 Million Dollars can seat about 6 people and flies really high at about 40000 and also flies very fast at about 425 mph. It has the ability of landing and taking off from any landing pad which can be as small as a length of about 2245 feet.

In yet another development, Private Jet King, Cessna of Wichita, Kansas, is about to certifying its own mini jet The Mustang. A little more on the luxurious side and also larger than the Eclipse, it can seat about 6 people and will cost about 2.5 million USD.

We haven’t even started talking about the Denver Based Adam Aircraft’s Adam 700 which would be sold for a little over 2 million dollars. Also, the Brazilian made Phenom 100, which would sell at $2.9 million or the uber exquisite Honda’s mini jet.

The plethora of new products on display is only an indication of the boom in the industry. Though it has been a dirty industry, due to lack of an effort on the part of the buyer to shop around for prices afraid that it might be something of an integrity issue, it has led to premium pricing by almost all players, and it has been a steady climb, owing to the ever increasing number of deep pockets.

The slew of new models introduced by so many manufacturers is only testimony to the fact that the big boys still favor pretty little Birds they can so cozily fly in. There has been an increase of sales in private luxury jets by almost 35% and the trend is also catching up in Europe and other parts of the world.

Barney Garcia
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-private-jet-boom-the-slew-of-new-flashy-air-birds-69417.html

Unsecured loans, as the name suggests, are loans that do not require any security from the borrowers. Usually these loans come with high interest rates, but if you search them on the internet, there are high chances of getting a desirable low rate unsecured loan that would suit your requirements.

Advantages of unsecured loans :

The biggest advantage of unsecured loans is that they are risk free. There is no need to place any of your assets like property or home as security. Therefore, you do not stand the risk of losing your property or any other asset if you fail to repay the loaned amount plus the interests rising thereof.

However, this does not imply that you have a lee way. You still need to pay your EMI’s at the right time, failing which the lender is at free will to take legal action against you.

Coming back to advantages, another benefit that you get with unsecured personal loans is in the legal processes. There is no asset involved in this type of loan, hence there is no requirement of assessment of the equity in asset. This reduces the processes of loan application and approval, especially when compared with that of secured loans.

This also gives us the benefit of speed. Usually online unsecured loans take less time to get approved in comparison to secured loans.

Disadvantages of unsecured loans :

While we are aware of the advantages of unsecured loans, we should also have a look at the disadvantages they hold.Unsecured loans clamp down on the borrowers with stricter terms and conditions, shorter repayment periods and high interest rates. These disadvantages arise due to absence of collateral.

Online Loans

However if you are searching for loans online, you can get some cool deals in the form of low rate unsecured loans. These loans not just offer low rates of interest but may also provide you with relaxed terms and conditions. Thereby, making your repayment comfortable and easy.

Gordon luca
http://www.articlesbase.com/loans-articles/Birds-eye-view-on-unsecured-loans-116302.html

When Canadian Anne Murray sang her hit song “Snowbirds,” she wasn’t singing about Canadian Geese. She was singing to the thousands of snow-bound Canadians called ‘snowbirds’ who make the yearly pilgrimage from wintery Canada and the Pacific Northwest to warmer climes in places like Southern California. There, snowbirds nest for the winter months, basking in the warm southern California sunshine, in quaint resort gem cities like Santa Barbara. Nestled between the beautiful Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific, Santa Barbara is a premier resort destination.

Snowbirds who come here to what some call “The American Riviera” have a secret: Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals have it all. Those who’ve discovered Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals shun the barren Arizona deserts and even the ritzy Palm Springs oasis for this coastal beauty. Why? They know only too well what Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals can offer them in the way of amenities and comfort and entertainment. SnowBirds who flock to the coastal town of Santa Barbara are not content to curl up with a good book for the winter under some Saguaro cactus or be satisfied with designer shopping sprees that require SPF 70 and a large checkbook. They are too active and full of life for that. They want more and that’s exactly what Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals have to offer.

Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals cover a wide area of urban Santa Barbara. There are private homes and condo units on the coast, directly on the beach, inland near tourist attractions and everything in-between. For snowbirds who migrate here, camping is not an option. They are not interested in roughing it for the entire winter or sharing public facilities with their neighbors. They don’t own RV’s because they don’t want the hassle of storing an unwieldy RV for most of the year. They are used to comfort and they crave it for the long winter they’re away from home.

David and Leslie Benscott, retired attorneys from British Columbia, used to camp with their children. But they’re empty nesters now, and when they get away for the winter, they’re not interested in foregoing amenities. They have been renting Vacation Rentals in Santa Barbara for the past seven years. “Besides,” says Leslie, “we both love to cook and we’re spoiled enough to admit we want a nice kitchen to do it in. Our condo has a fabulous chef-style kitchen with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. At least once a week, we’ll cook up a gourmet meal in our Vacation Rental in Santa Barbara and meet friends on the beach for a picnic. You simply can’t do that in January in British Columbia.”

The Benscott’s vacation rental in Santa Barbara is fully furnished with all the amenities. Often, owners of vacation rentals will equip a condo or house with things like beach equipment, games, movies and a stocked kitchen. There are no taxes or tips involved in vacation rentals as there would be in a hotel, so in the long run, Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals work out cheaper for them than a long term hotel stay would, especially when you don’t have to dine out every meal. The Benscotts have made it a quest to catch up on all the sights in Santa Barbara as well, each season adding a few new discoveries to their treasure chest. This year, their grandchildren visited and they all took in the Railroad Museum and the Santa Barbara Zoo. It was a memory all of them will hold onto for a lifetime. Luckily, there was plenty of room for everyone to stay at their vacation rental with its three roomy bedrooms and beachfront courtyard. The grand-kids could walk to the beach every morning with the Benscotts. They have the shell collections to prove it.

With over a hundred wineries in Santa Barbara and the surrounding area, cultural events like theatre, beach-front Arts and Crafts fairs, even Santa Barbara’s own International Film Festival, there is something for everyone here. Snowbirds know that if you like outdoor activities with flair, then Santa Barbara is the place for you.

Snowbirds Ken and Marie Linter, a retired surgeon and his wife, come here from Alberta, Canada every winter, drawn by the warm temperatures and the great properties they find with Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals. They’ve rented the same condo now for four seasons. Ken and Marie are avid bikers and kayakers and love the opportunities Santa Barbara provides for them to stay fit over the winter months. “The only exercise I get in Alberta is shoveling snow,” says Ken, who gave up skiing several years ago. “And frankly, I’m over it. Now Marie and I can bike all around the city on the bikes our Santa Barbara vacation rental provides for us at no extra cost. We go home in better shape than when we came.”

It’s just the two of them now and they love the one bedroom condo they found from Santa Barbara Vacation Rentals. Not only do they have in-house housekeeping services, there is a concierge service attached to their vacation rental. When it comes time to decide which fabulous restaurant to choose, the concierge is there to help. “Last week,” Marie says, “the concierge steered us to a five star restaurant tucked into a private little beach cove. It was probably the most romantic dinner Ken and I had ever had. Well worth the trip from Alberta.”

ANDREW WARREN
http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/canadian-snow-birds-flock-to-santa-barbara-vacation-rentals-451295.html

Before you rent out or sell a house, the first thing that is asked for in UK, is the Home information Pack also known as HIP. It involves a set of documents that provides the buyer with key information on the property and must be provided by the seller or the seller’s agent. It is also considered an important marketing tool to promote your house and is definitely a legal requirement too.

These set of documents allows the buyers to see important information on the property at the start of the process, to get an idea of what the house comprises of and how much it’s worth in the UK property market. In one way, a landlord or the seller in this case, provides all the information related to his house and averts any confusion which may other wise arise due to lack of information. These things can be set right in the beginning itself and avoid any delays and extra expense to both buyer and a seller. It gets clear on the side of the buyer where in he can’t crib about not having provided with certain details, when every thing is clearly written in the document.

HIP contains official information, some are mandatory while others are optional. A landlord can opt to provide or opt out of it based on his convenience. Such HIP will also have Energy Performance Certificate as part of its content.

Compulsory items in the HIP are seen as below:

These are the documents to be present compulsorily:

In case of Freehold properties

·           Index of Home Information Pack

·           Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

·           Evidence of title

·           Your sales statement

·           sustainability information (required only for newly built homes)

·           standard searches (local authority and drainage and water)

In case of Leasehold properties:

·           all the compulsory documents as seen above

·           and a  copy of your lease

With more information upfront and the costs incurred in gathering and providing information such as searches transferred to the seller, first time buyers will find their first step onto the housing ladder a more affordable and more informed one. Your home pack information will also have a home condition report and mentions all the contents in the house. Important information to a buyer is that, if you are buying a property, just ask whoever is advertising it for sale for the Home Information Pack. This is usually an estate agent, but could be another business or individual. Such copies of Home information pack are given to you free of charge. However, they may make a reasonable charge to cover the costs of copying and posting it to you.

Kirthy Shetty
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/a-Birds-eye-view-of-home-information-pack-677701.html

Winter weather will soon be here in many parts of the country, yet many of us enjoy our wild birds year-round. Should you continue feeding them in winter? What should you feed them, and how should you go about it?

The “conventional wisdom” has always been that you should feed wild birds in winter because their normal source of food – small seeds and insects – has dramatically diminished. But is the conventional wisdom correct? By attracting birds to our feeders, are we making them too dependent on a free source of food, and weakening their ability to find food on their own? Do we actually put birds at greater risk because of cats and flying into windows?

These are not easy questions to answer because there has been little research into the subject. However a three-year study of chickadees by the University of Wisconsin found that winter survival rates were highest among chickadee populations that were fed – but only during the harshest winters. During more moderate winters (and lower latitudes) there were no significant differences in survival rates and spring hatching rates between chickadees that were fed and those that foraged for themselves.

What if the feeders are removed? Can chickadees “remember” how to find food on their own? In a similar study, feeders were suddenly removed after conditioning the birds to feeders for many years. The birds immediately resumed feeding on their own. Again, survival rates were the same as for chickadees that were not used to feeders. While more research needs to be done, these studies indicate that feeding chickadees – and presumably, other wild birds – does not result in feeder dependency.

Some argue that feeders put birds at risk because of the presumed greater risk of predation. However, birds that eat from feeders eat more in less time than if they forage in the wild, giving them more time to watch for predators. You can minimize the risk to birds at your feeder by placing feeders where they are inaccessible by cats, and by adding tape or decals to your windows so birds won’t fly into them.

That’s the research. Now, if you do want to feed wild Birds this winter, here are some specific things you can do to keep your wild birds well fed.

Birdscape your yard. Both deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs provide seeds and shelter. In the spring, they provide nesting places. Ornamental grasses also provide food and shelter for ground birds. Perennial flowers that have been allowed to go to seed can also provide food over the winter.

Provide a source of water. Wild birds need water, even in winter. Obviously, freezing is an issue, so a heater is a necessity. Also, birds like moving water, and water jigglers are available as well. Locate your bird bath where you can see it so you can enjoy watching the birds frolic in the water.

Selecting a Feeder. There is a huge variety of feeders on the market, but some are better than others. Steel, aluminum, plastic or glass feeders have an advantage over wood because they are easier to keep clean and will probably last longer. Look for feeders with metal components and feeding ports, as they will last longer than plastic.

The feeder should keep the food dry in wet weather. Feeders are available with domes or roofs that will help keep the food dry. If the feeder is a platform style (as opposed to a tube style) make sure there are drain holes in the bottom.

Squirrels and Raccoons are a constant problem, as they will empty a feeder, denying your wild birds their food. They will destroy a wood or plastic feeder by chewing though it, so the additional cost of a well-made feeder is money well spent. Some squirrel-proof feeders are quite effective, but proper installation is the real key to keeping moochers off your feeders.

Maintaining your feeder. The most important part of maintaining your feeder is ensuring that the food is fresh and clean. A huge feeder with a “ten pound capacity” is not necessary or even desirable because it is likely the food will spoil before it is eaten. Some very good tube feeders will hold a lot of food, but the purpose of the long tube is to prevent squirrels from hanging from the top, not for huge food capacity.

After a rain or period of damp weather, inspect your feeders and discard any food that has gotten wet. Wet food will coagulate in the feeder, blocking food from naturally dropping to the feeding ports. Also, wet food is a breeding ground for algae and mold that will discourage birds from eating and may make them sick.

Set up more than one feeder with different types of food – perhaps sunflower seeds in one, and finch food in another.

Your feeders should be installed to minimize the chances of predation. The primary preditors are cats, so the feeder must be installed so that cats cannot climb or jump to the feeding area.

Bottom line – don’t feel you are doing your birds harm by feeding them during the winter. Follow the above suggestions, and you can enjoy your wild birds all winter long.

Janet Winter
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/should-you-feed-wild-birds-in-the-winter-63241.html

Exotic birds are among the most popular pets to keep. Not only are they absolutely beautiful, with their brilliantly colored feathers, many pet owners find them easier to take care of than, say, a fuzzy cat or a rowdy dog. However, choosing among the best exotic pet birds is rather confusing because there are several species to choose from. Here are some of the most popular exotic pet:

Sun Conures these birds are popular among the medium-sized variety. They grow to about 12 inches in length, requiring less living space than large parrots. The feathers of Sun Conures are tinted with brilliant hues of orange, yellow, red, green, and blue. Like parrots, Sun Conures can learn how to speak, however they can become quite vocal and noisy. They scream and screech and may not be ideal for those living in apartments buildings. Sun Conures usually live to around 20 to 35 years.

African Grays these birds are considered to be among the most loquacious among exotic birds, they can acquire a vocabulary of up to 2,000 words. These Birds are also rather intelligent, but they can get demanding and easily bored. However, African Greys can also be quite affectionate – perfect for owners who want sensible companions. They may live from 50 to 70 years.

Budgerigars these are the most common among the pet birds and serve as good introduction to owning feathered pets. Budgies can be good pets for children and are quite attractive with a great variety of colors. They also require a relatively small space, while being quite easy to maintain. Though they can typically learn only few words, they are intelligent enough to be able to sing and whistle tunes. Budgerigars may live from 12 to 14 years.

Parrotlets these are among the smallest varieties of parrots. While parrotlets may be feisty they are quite intelligent just like their giant cousins. Parrotlets are also rather quiet compared to other exotic birds and thus they are ideal for owners who live in apartments or duplexes. The average parrotlet grows only to about 5 inches and lives to about 20 years.

Cockatiels many find the medium-sized cockatiel as delightful pets. They also belong to the parrot family, and are known to be intelligent. Cockatiels usually just whistle or mimic random sounds, but they can also learn how to talk. They come in different combinations of color and can be quite attractive members of a home. Cockatiels usually live from 15 to 20 years.

There are many more exotic pet birds and it is best to consult with a breeder to find the best one for you.

Caroline Miller
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/choosing-among-the-best-exotic-pet-birds-67785.html

Late fall is a perfect time to photograph wild birds. Leaves are falling off the trees, opening the view and birds are eager to feed. And if you’re participating in one of the several organized bird counts taking place between now and mid-February, a photographic record can be invaluable in identifying the counted birds.

As common as birds are, and as photogenic as many of them are, they are maddeningly difficult to photograph. It’s challenging to get close enough for a decent shot, and birds never seem to sit still for the camera. Lighting, focus, and exposure can be tricky, fooling even the best automatic exposure and focus mechanisms. So what do you do?

Technique
As with any photography, knowing your subject will improve your photographs. Spend some time watching the behavior of birds around your feeder. You’ll notice certain patterns. Do they first land on a nearby branch before going to your feeder? Do they return once they have grabbed a morsel? Do some birds feed off the spilled seed on the ground? Do they favor a certain spot on your feeder? What time of day do various species feed? When will the best light fall on your birds?

Getting close to the subject is the key to successful bird photography, or any photography, for that matter. Cameras have a funny way of making things look larger through the viewfinder than they will on the print. If you’ve tried to photograph birds, you know that the bird often appears only as a small dark spot on the print. But with a little ingenuity, you can get close enough for decent photographs. Here are some ideas for getting close to your subject.

The most common solution is the blind. You can buy blinds made for the purpose from professional camera stores, but an old tent or tarp can be just as effective. A visit to your big-box sporting goods section can be worth while as well. Even a car can be an effective blind. What ever you use put it in place two or three days before you plan to photograph so the birds will get used to it.

Patience is a virtue. When you go into your blind, the birds will leave, but only temporarily. But you should plan to be in your blind for some time, maybe a few hours. So have some water and snacks with you, and take care of necessities before you go to the blind. You will be sitting still, so in cold weather layers, gloves and a hat will be needed.

A great solution is to place your feeders near a clear window, and you can photograph from the comfort of your own home! Feeders are even available that fit on the window sill or stick to the window glass. You will need to darken the room as much as possible to avoid reflections and, of course, clean the glass.

It is only necessary that the camera be close – you don’t necessarily have to be close yourself. Remote releases, both wired and wireless, are available for most popular camera brands. To use this method, you will need to set your exposure and focus the camera on a spot where you know birds will land. Experiment with your aperture setting to provide some focusing leeway for birds that aren’t exactly at your focus point.

Before we leave the topic of blinds, keep in mind that the safety of the birds is more important than any photograph you may get. Do not position yourself or your blind where you will interfere with nesting birds.

As mentioned, getting close is the most important technique, but here are some other tips to help you get the knock-out image. First, get familiar with your camera’s aperture and shutter priority modes, as well as its manual mode because you will want to set the shutter speed and aperture yourself. Try a shutter speed of about 1/1000 or 2/1000 seconds to stop the motion of the birds. Open your lens almost – but not quite – as wide as it will go. This will help “fuzz out” the back ground, and moving down from wide open improves image sharpness. Set your focusing mode to use its center point focus – don’t let the camera pick the focus point, because it will likely pick the wrong one.

Exposure can be tricky as well. A bright bird against a dark wooded background that fills most of the frame is sure to cause over exposure of the bird. As mentioned above, don’t rely solely on the automatic exposure modes (automatic, program, aperture priority, shutter priority) of your camera. You will need to learn the exposure compensation feature, or better yet, the manual mode, in which you set the aperture and shutter speed yourself.

If you use flash, practice with it before hand so that you can get the right amount of flash dialed in. You want just enough flash to open the shadow areas, but too much flash overpowers the background and makes the entire image look unrealistic. The right amount of flash will make the bird “pop” against its background and will provide that pleasing catch-light in the eye.

Photography is painting with light. You simply cannot – cannot – take good images in bad light. Study the lighting of your bird photography area. Look for times when your birds will be side lit, generally in the morning or afternoon. At those times the light will have a pleasing “warm” characteristic that will enhance your image. Avoid the middle of the day. The strong down light and harsh shadows don’t make for good photos. Cloudy days are great too, because the light is so even and colors pop. (Hint: exposure is much simpler on cloudy days.)

Equipment
Professional wildlife photographers will spend many thousands of dollars on cameras and big telephoto lenses, and will go to enormous effort and personal discomfort to get “the shot.” However, you can get great bird photos with relatively modest equipment and without wading through swamps.

Although it is possible to photograph birds with any film or digital point and shoot (PS), a digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) will be more satisfying and produce superior results. The DSLR does not suffer from the frustrating shutter delay of most digital PS cameras. This delay may be up to one second, rendering them unsuitable for fast moving Birds. The DSLR will also offer burst exposures of three or more frames per second, and the capability of accepting telephoto lenses, which will help with the getting close part.

The sensor in a DSLR is many times larger than the sensor in a PS, meaning that the DSLR images will enlarge better with less noise. The DSLR has much higher ISO capability (800, 1600 and beyond) than PS cameras, allowing you to use fast shutter speeds even in relatively dim light. Finally, with a DSLR, you can shoot as much as you want – for free.

The next required piece of equipment is a tripod. The tripod is necessary to stabilize even moderate telephoto lenses if you want sharp images. Holding the camera to your eye for some period of time will tire your arms, and lifting the camera to point it out of the blind will scatter the birds. Make certain you get one that will solidly support your camera, the largest lens you anticipate using, and possibly a flash unit. The tripod head (the part that attaches to the camera) should allow the camera to be aimed and re aimed without making any adjustments to the head itself. Tripods come in all sizes and prices, and the better ones do not come with a head. Your best bet is to consult a good, professional photo shop.

Using flash can help a bird’s natural colors “pop,” even in bright daylight. The purpose of flash is not so much to supply the light, as it is to reduce contrast by “opening up” shadow areas. Most entry level and “prosumer” DSLRs come with a built in flash, but an external flash will provide better results. They have more power, and are less likely to cause shadows in the image from long lenses and lens shades. Good flash units are expensive, so the built in flash is certainly worth a try.

Many books have been written about photographing birds, and there’s a huge amount of information on the Internet. While it’s not possible to cover the entire topic in one article, these tips should get you off and shooting. Bird photography is challenging, but with the right equipment, technique, and some practice, you can produce wonderful images.

Janet Winter
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/how-to-photograph-wild-birds-72097.html

Some individuals enjoy bird watching but prefer to do their bird watching in their back yard. Below is some advice on attracting wild birds to your back yard.

Firstly it depends upon having wild birds in the general area where your house is located and then you can attract then to your backyard.

The method used to attract the birds will depend upon what is the diet of the bird. If the bird is a nectar feeder e.g. bananaquits or hummingbirds, then large flowering plants will attract them. Hummingbird bills are perfectly adapted to the various types of flowers that they feed on, so different types of flowers will attract different hummingbirds. Some hummingbirds have especially curved or elongated bills that allow them to feed on special flowers, eg the White-tipped Sicklebill hummingbird whose downward curving bill allows it to draw nectar from heliconias. The Ruby-Topaz Hummingbird has a short and slightly decurved bill that is suited to feeding on the flowers of the ixora shrub. The Blue-tailed Emerald has a short bill that is suited for feeding on the Hibiscus flower. The Copper-rumped Hummingbird has a straight long bill that allows it to feed on medium sized tube shaped flowers such as the allamanda. Hummingbirds have little or no sense of smell, so colour is important to a hummingbird’s search process for locating flowers containing nectar. While they will visit any flower that has sufficient nectar they prefer flowers that are red to orange in colour. It is believed that this colour preference is due to the fact that red flowers standout in a green background and so are more easily seen by the hummingbird. It is also believed that because hummingbirds compete with insects for nectar they choose flowers that are less likely to be visited by insects. Most insects do not see well at the red end of the colour spectrum and so may not visit red flowers while hummingbirds see the full visible spectrum.

If space in your yard is very limited, preventing you from having large flowering shrubs, an area to consider is the curb area between your property line and the roadway. You can plant small flowering shrubs such as the miniature ixora, which will then attract nectar feeding birds to your property.

For birds that are fruit eaters, the presence of ripe fruit will attract and so having fruit trees will attract Birds. The majority of trees however only fruit once per year for a few months, so the attraction is not year round. If your garden has sufficient space then multiple fruit trees that bear at different times in the year will ensure a continuous bird presence. One tree that bears fruit for a very extended period is guava and so can attract birds for most of the year. Trees are also an attraction to birds because they provide nesting and resting sites. If you have the palm trees that people usually plant in from their houses that will generally attract Palm Tanagers who will feed on the small nuts, use material from the tree for building their nests and may also nest in the tree.

When a large number of flowering shrubs and/or fruit trees is not an option, you can consider purchasing a bird feeder. The type of feeder will also be dependent upon the type of birds in the area and the type of birds that you want to attract. For nectar feeders you use a sugar solution (the feeder usually has directions). You must put the feeder in a location where the birds will see it and you must change the solution regularly (2 -3 days). Red Feeders are good for attracting hummingbirds because they have a preference for red flowers. If you use a feeder it will take a few days for the birds to recognise that it is present in your yard.

Other feed can attract other types of birds. Bare-Eyed Thrushes and Kiskadees are somewhat omnivorous and so you can use rice (not boiled). I have found that they will also be attracted by dog food. Tropical Mockingbirds can also be attracted with rice. In addition, ripe fruit such bananas, mangoes and cherry can be used and will usually attract Blue-Gray Tanagers, Palm Tanagers and Yellow Orioles.

As an alternative to purchasing a feeder you can construct a feeder. For fruits you can build a simple chicken wire basket or bamboo joint to hold the fruit and attach it to the fence. Another low cost feeder can be constructed using a plastic bowl with a narrow edge. To construct this feeder you punch three holes, equidistant around the bowl. Then attach wire strands through each hole with the strands coming together at the top to form either a hook or a loop for suspending the bowl. Three strands are required to provide stability to the bowl particularly when birds alight on the bowl to feed. It is necessary to punch several holes in the base of the bowl to allow any rainwater or liquids to drain out the bowl.

Attracting birds, apart from the visual delight also provides the benefit of controlling the insect population, as many birds are insect feeders.

brian ramsey
http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/attracting-birds-to-a-tropical-garden-80488.html

The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The Purification of man is achieved by the Birds’ blood, 3) Sparrow and swallow are symbols of the curse, 4) A new method for Education is to ask the birds, 5) Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom” because the birds are spying out on you, and 6) The Birds have four legs, a statement that contradicts with the science.

The issues concerning the Birds in the Quran are: 1)What are the Birds, 2)The Birds and the Famous Prophets (Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon and the Lord Jesus), 3) The Birds beat a Christian Army, 4) The Birds and the unbelievers and 5)The Birds and the believers in the afterlife.

Upon reading the Birds in Bible versus Quran, the smart just reader can easily answer this dogmatic question:” Is the Quran quoted or borrowed from the Bible?”

Before dealing with the topic of the Birds in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is essential to remember that the total words of the Bible are 788,280 while total words of the Quran are 77,473. It follows that, the Bible has the potential of more than 10 times the Quran to talk about the Birds word-wise.

The Birds mentioned 129 times in the Bible and 17 times in the Quran.

The Birds in the Bible:

The Detestable and intolerable Birds

Leviticus 11

13 ” ‘These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat.

21 There are, however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed legs for hopping on the ground.

22 Of these you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or grasshopper.

23 But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest.

24 ” ‘You will make yourselves unclean by these; whoever touches their carcasses will be unclean till evening.

25 Whoever picks up one of their carcasses must wash his clothes, and he will be unclean till evening.

Clean and unclean Birds:

Leviticus 11:46

” ‘These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves in the water and every creature that moves about on the ground.

47 You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten and those that may not be eaten.’ “

Leviticus 20:25

” ‘You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground—those which I have set apart as unclean for you.

The Purification of man is achieved by the Birds’ blood.

Leviticus 14:5

Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot.

Leviticus 14:52

He shall purify the house with the bird’s blood, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop and the scarlet yarn.

Sparrow and swallow are symbols of the curse

Proverbs 26

1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,

an undeserved curse does not come to rest.

A new method for Education is to ask the birds.

Job 12:7

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

Freedom of speech is “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom”

Why? Because the birds are spying out on you…

What if the king or the rich is evil? Can not we criticize them?

Ecclesiastes 10:20

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Why the God love is going to do that?

Deuteronomy 28:26

Your carcasses will be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away.

Jeremiah 15:3

“I will send four kinds of destroyers against them,” declares the LORD, “the sword to kill and the dogs to drag away and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth to devour and destroy.

Jeremiah 7:33

Then the carcasses of this people will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away.

Zephaniah 1:3

“I will sweep away both men and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. The wicked will have only heaps of rubble when I cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.

Birds with four legs:

This statement is mentioned in Leviticus 11:20

Herein, I will give you the different translations of this verse:

New International Version

“All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you.”

King James Version

“All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you.”

New American Standard Bible

“All the winged insects that walk on all fours are detestable to you.”

Darby Translation

“Every winged crawling thing that goeth upon all four shall be an abomination unto you.”

The translation of my Arabic bible is:

“All the birds that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you”.

Can any one show me where in the earth we can find a single bird with four legs. The Bible says there are winged creatures (birds or insects) that go around on all fours. There are no birds that go around on four legs, and all insects have six legs.

This verse contradicts with the sciences.

The Birds in the Quran

Birds are mentioned 17 times in the Quran

The issues concerning the Birds in the Quran are:

1) What are the Birds

2) The Birds and the Famous Prophets (Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon and the Lord Jesus)

3) The Birds beat a Christian Army

4) The Birds and the unbelievers

5) The Birds in the afterlife.

What are the Birds?

Surah 6:38

“There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book, and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.”

Surah 16:79

“Do they not look at the birds, held poised in the midst of (the air and) the sky? Nothing holds them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this are Signs for those who believe.”

Surah 24:41

“Seest thou not that it is Allah Whose praises all beings in the heavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds (of the air) with wings outspread? Each one knows its own (mode of) prayer and praise. And Allah knows well all that they do.”

Surah 67:19

“Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: truly it is He that watches over all things.”

These verses define the Birds and give the following statements:

- The Birds are communities like mankind.

- The flying birds of the air with wings outspreads are among the signs of Allah, The Almighty Creator

- The birds spreading their wings and folding them in are among the signs of Allah, The Almighty Creator.

- It should be emphasized that the Quran never said that there is a detestable bird(s).

Abraham and the Birds:

Surah 2:260

“Behold! Ibrahim said: “My Lord! Show me how Thou givest life to the dead.” He said: “Dost thou not then believe?” He said: “Yea! but to satisfy my own understanding.” He said: “Take four birds; tame them to turn to thee; put a portion of them on every hill, and call to them; they will come to thee, (flying) with speed. Then know that Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”

In this verse, Allah showed Abraham how to give life to the DEAD. This meaning is not found in the Bible.

Joseph (The Son of Jacob) and the Birds:

Surah 12:36

Now with him there came into the prison two young men. Said one of them: “I see myself (in a dream) pressing wine.” Said the other: “I see myself (in a dream) carrying bread on my head, and birds are eating thereof.” “Tell us” (they said) “the truth and meaning thereof: for we see thou art one that doth good (to all).”

Surah 12:41

“O my two companions of the prison! as to one of you, he will pour out the wine for his lord to drink: as for the other, he will hang from the cross, and the birds will eat from off his head. (So) hath been decreed that matter whereof ye twain do enquire.”

These are the dreams that have been seen by the two companions of the prison while Joseph was in jail. Joseph interpreted the dreams and told them that one of the two will be freed up to go back to be with the king and the other will hang from the cross, and the birds will eat from off his head.

A similar story is found in the Bible in Genesis 40:19

King David and the Birds:

Surah 34:10

We bestowed Grace aforetime on David from Ourselves: “O ye Mountains! sing ye back the Praises of Allah with him! and ye birds (also)! and We made the iron soft for him;

38:19

And the birds gathered (in assemblies): all with him did turn (to Allah).

The mountains and the Birds were singing back the Praises of Allah with David.

This implication is not found in the Bible.

King Solomon and the Birds:

Surah 21:79

To Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things).

Surah 27:16

And Solomon was David’s heir. He said: “O ye people! we have been taught the speech of birds and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)”

Surah 27:17

And before Solomon were marshaled his hosts, of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.

Surah 27:20

And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: “Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?

These verses indicate that:

- Allah made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David.

- Allah taught Solomon the speech of birds, and bestowed him of all things and his kingdom on the earth has no similar.

- Solomon had an interesting story with the Hoopoe

(Read my article about the Hoopoe in Bible and Quran).

All of these connotations are not found in the Bible.

The Lord Jesus and the Birds:

Surah 3:49

“And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): “I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave: and I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe;”

Surah 5:110

“Then will Allah say: “O ‘Jesus the son of Mary! recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel. And behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it, and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the Clear Signs, and the Unbelievers among them said: `This is nothing but evident magic”.

These two verses designate to two important miracles of the Lord Jesus that Allah gave him and both are not mentioned in the Bible.

The first is that he used to make out of clay the figure of a bird and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave

The second is that he talked to the Israelites while he was about one week old.

The Birds beat a Christian Army

Surah 105:1-5

[1] Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant?

[2] Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray?

[3] And He sent against them flights of Birds,

[4] Striking them with stones of baked clay.

[5] Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up.

At the year of the birth of the Prophet Mohammad, a strong Ethiopian Army went towards Makkah (the city of birth of Mohammad) in order to destroy the Holy Home of ALLAH (the place of pilgrim). The Arabs had no power to fight against that very big and strong army. The Arabs left Makka alone. Allah sent flights of Birds and defended His Holy House. Hundreds of birds which had never been seen before flew towards Makkah. Each bird had 3 little stones. These Birds beat the Ethiopian Army.

That year is called the year of “Elephant” because the Army brought a dozen of elephants in order to destroy the Holy House of Allah.

This story emphasizes the unlimited power of Allah Who can beat any big army with birds or microbes or viruses etc.

Of course, this story is not present in the Bible.

The Birds and the unbelievers

Surah 22:31

“Being true in faith to Allah, and never assigning partners to Him: if anyone assigns partners to Allah, he is as if he had fallen from heaven and been snatched up by birds, or the wind had swooped (like a bird on its prey) and thrown him into a far-distant place.

This is a parable of the unbeliever illustrating his loss.”

The Birds and the believers

The Birds in the afterlife

56:21

“And the flesh of fowls, any that they may desire.”

The believers in the Paradise will eat delicious flesh of fowls; cooked, presented and served according to their desire.

Now, I will let the smart fair reader to answer the dogmatic question:

Is the Quran quoted or borrowed from the Bible?

Prof.dr. Ibrahim Khalil
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/bible-versus-quran-versus-sciences-19-the-birds-116527.html