Many families entertain the idea of getting a pet at one time or another. Sometimes it is the children that insist that their lives will not be complete without a friendly pet to have fun with.

Then there is the posture of a bird. Believe it or not, birds perch differently. For example, a Flycatcher perches vertically (straight up and down) when on a branch while a Vireo perches horizontally (almost lying down) when on the same branch.

Bird cages are the type of thing that "you don't go cheap twice". If you go cheap once, you'll be sure to never do that again! Here is a feature that is often overlooked: bird-proof door locks.

Let me explain why; when a cage is fairly easy to clean, it not only cuts down on the amount of time you spend cleaning, it also extends the life of your cage. If your cage is an extreme pain to clean and it takes many hours you will put off cleaning it for longer amounts of time and this will drastically reduce the life of your cage (especially a powder-coated bird cage).

Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first.

Bird watching is fun and exciting as long as we see birds and can identify the species that we see. Sometimes it is no fun when we hardly see the birds (probably because the birds sensed you) and then when we finally see one we can't identify what type of bird it was.

Birds have different chirps, sizes, colors, feathers and characteristics that a novice may find difficult to pinpoint. Don't you ever wonder how some people can easily tell the species of the bird just by listening at it? For the trained ear each type of bird speaks a different language; this is why they can easily tell you the type of bird without batting an eyelash.

It is better if you have a partner to go bird watching with you. Sometimes others see what we miss so this would be a good way to see more species of birds. Your partner can also help you jot down time frames and the specific places you have seen a certain type of bird.

Before you start your bird watching do your assignment. Learn more about the common birds in your area. You need to look at the characteristics of the birds, their sounds, where they usually are, and what they look like.

And here's why; when you decide to squeeze a cage into a specific place in your house this almost always takes away from the well-being of your bird!

Basically, that's all you have to do in making hummingbird feeders. It depends on you how many hummingbird feeders you want to make, but if you want to enjoy watching more than just one hummingbird, you can make a number of these feeders and tie them into a mobile and place them in your backyard.

Think about the ability of your family to care for a pet and then only choose a bird that you could really care for and enjoy.

First of all, a bird cage cover blocks the cool air, keeping your bird warmer in the winter. It also blocks some sound, and may help your bird rest easier. Perhaps most importantly, the bird cage cover keeps out the light, persuading your bird to sleep until you are ready to wake up.

Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you'll get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient.

As a birdwatcher there are things you must take along with you and these are commonly the following:

Binoculars - you might want to consider binoculars that are powerful enough to see from a long distance since birds most of the time won't just land on your shoulder to say hello.

Digital Camera - so you can have pictures of the different birds you see in your watching area. Of course the normal cameras won't be of much help since their zoom is not far enough: a good camera with very strong lenses will do the trick.

Pencil - you will need this when you want to jot down what you saw.

Paper - use this to write down everything you see. It would be better if you drew a simple sketch of a bird on the page. Have this photocopied and enjoy pointing out the different parts of the birds you see. Use a separate sheet of paper for every type of bird. Also jot down how many of this type you saw during your stay there.

You are now ready. Take your kit with you and enjoy a wonderful day with the birds! Remember be patient and don't disturb them, just watch.

Okay, most people are not informed enough to make a good decision when buying a bird cage. That's really not good, because if you're buying a good quality cage it isn't going to be cheap, and if you are paying a decent amount of money, you need to get the best product you can get for that money! How do bird watchers strive to entice birds to their yards? Find out at http://www.bird-watch.info

Do not buy a generic bird cage, it will most likely come without a manual, without a tech support phone number, and without a decent warranty.

Department stores and discount stores sometimes offer sales on bird cages. Check the advertising section of your local newspaper.

There isn't a more important purchase to be made for your new bird, then your bird's cage. Well-made cages of high quality materials are expensive but are often safer and will be worth it over the life span of your bird. To draw more birds during bird watching, consider using a fountain bird bath.

If you decide to choose a bird as your first or next family pet, take the time to educate your entire family on the bird. After you have taken the time to learn, teach your family important facts about the bird and about the needs the bird will have when it becomes a part of your family.