Also popularly called the Rock Canary. Found this fella in a shop singing away happily so I felt compelled to bring him home. Appears to have a long song. Am quite sure his vocal (loudness) would further improve over time. The only finch in my collection at the moment.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Herbs for the Zebra Doves
Last Sunday, I acquired a pair of "black" Merboks from the competition ground, the variety that is darker in colour and have stripes across their chest. Actually was just looking at them and enquired about their prices. No deal was made.
On my way home, the seller manage to call me. He got my number from some friends who were still there. Deal was clinched over the phone and a good friend paid on my behalf and took the birds home. To cut a story short, on the second day, I noticed one of them is extremely tame, feather fluffy and inactive. I contacted a friend who operates a bird shop (come to think of it, I regard all bird shop keepers as friends hehehe!) and he so kindly showed me what herbs to give the sick bird. I do not know of any other name for the herbs, but in Chinese it is called "Chuan Xing Nian" or something like that (hey! I don't learn Hanyu Pinyin in school)
The below is a sample which I have planted at home:
According to the shop keeper, this herbs work wonders. He is very sure I would get a good response the very next day. He told me to feed 2 or 3 leaves. However, I fed only 1 leave (as its too big - 1 can make into 2 mung beans size pellet). I do think it is effective as the bird seems to look better the following day and I gave him another dose. On the 3rd and 4th day, I supplemented with a dose of commercially prepared herbs from Indonesia (brand: Larasati) for good measure.
Glad to report that the bird seems to be recovering well. The bird is fully covered for the whole treatment duration as it is quite windy these few days.
The other "black merbok" sprang a surprise yesterday. I normally put a merbok in a "jebak" trap so that I can thoroughly clean its cage. When I placed this new bird into a jebak, he hungrily ate the canary seeds inside and started singing (if you can call the doves' call a song hahaha!).
Not bad, first day in a jebak and he sings. Could be my future super "pikat". ;)
HERBS FOR THE OWNER
Well, since I am learning about herbal remedies for birds, I might as well expand my scope to cover myself. I am trying out the plant below. Don't know its name. Its a thorny plant with broad leaves. The leaves are plucked and dried in the sun. I drink it like Chinese Tea. It makes a nice tasting bitter tea. Suppose to improve vitality, detox and helps as a catalyst when combined with certain herbs. I mix it with some herbs I bought from traditional medicine shops (harvested from wild plants that grows in high altitude areas like Cameron Highland).
So far, am enjoying the tea. Whether it makes any health difference is another matter hehehe! Considered a bonus if it improves health and vitality ;)
Below is sapling of the plant. It could grow into a tall bush when allowed:
On my way home, the seller manage to call me. He got my number from some friends who were still there. Deal was clinched over the phone and a good friend paid on my behalf and took the birds home. To cut a story short, on the second day, I noticed one of them is extremely tame, feather fluffy and inactive. I contacted a friend who operates a bird shop (come to think of it, I regard all bird shop keepers as friends hehehe!) and he so kindly showed me what herbs to give the sick bird. I do not know of any other name for the herbs, but in Chinese it is called "Chuan Xing Nian" or something like that (hey! I don't learn Hanyu Pinyin in school)
The below is a sample which I have planted at home:
According to the shop keeper, this herbs work wonders. He is very sure I would get a good response the very next day. He told me to feed 2 or 3 leaves. However, I fed only 1 leave (as its too big - 1 can make into 2 mung beans size pellet). I do think it is effective as the bird seems to look better the following day and I gave him another dose. On the 3rd and 4th day, I supplemented with a dose of commercially prepared herbs from Indonesia (brand: Larasati) for good measure.
Glad to report that the bird seems to be recovering well. The bird is fully covered for the whole treatment duration as it is quite windy these few days.
The other "black merbok" sprang a surprise yesterday. I normally put a merbok in a "jebak" trap so that I can thoroughly clean its cage. When I placed this new bird into a jebak, he hungrily ate the canary seeds inside and started singing (if you can call the doves' call a song hahaha!).
Not bad, first day in a jebak and he sings. Could be my future super "pikat". ;)
HERBS FOR THE OWNER
Well, since I am learning about herbal remedies for birds, I might as well expand my scope to cover myself. I am trying out the plant below. Don't know its name. Its a thorny plant with broad leaves. The leaves are plucked and dried in the sun. I drink it like Chinese Tea. It makes a nice tasting bitter tea. Suppose to improve vitality, detox and helps as a catalyst when combined with certain herbs. I mix it with some herbs I bought from traditional medicine shops (harvested from wild plants that grows in high altitude areas like Cameron Highland).
So far, am enjoying the tea. Whether it makes any health difference is another matter hehehe! Considered a bonus if it improves health and vitality ;)
Below is sapling of the plant. It could grow into a tall bush when allowed:
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Articles For Sale
Hehehe! time for a commercial break:
The above item is made by a friend and he would like to commercialise it. Wholesale enquiries are welcomed. Contact me: dance4rain@yahoo.com and I shall put you in touch. I have bought one for myself.
It is a popular equipment for bird trappers and comes in several designs depending on locality. It is used to carry the Spotted Dove on trapping excursions. The woven rattan allows free passage of air and a peek of the outside world for the bird. A sturdy design and make often doubles as a stool for the trapper to sit on while waiting for the wild bird to come.
The above design has an upper compartment for trapping peripherals like pundi (a small cloth bag), racik (lasso like device) and anything the trapper could think of. I do not know the names of half of the things they use ;)
The above item is made by a friend and he would like to commercialise it. Wholesale enquiries are welcomed. Contact me: dance4rain@yahoo.com and I shall put you in touch. I have bought one for myself.
It is a popular equipment for bird trappers and comes in several designs depending on locality. It is used to carry the Spotted Dove on trapping excursions. The woven rattan allows free passage of air and a peek of the outside world for the bird. A sturdy design and make often doubles as a stool for the trapper to sit on while waiting for the wild bird to come.
The above design has an upper compartment for trapping peripherals like pundi (a small cloth bag), racik (lasso like device) and anything the trapper could think of. I do not know the names of half of the things they use ;)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
My Shamas at home
A bird I kept from a juvenile. Purportedly from Grik, an area well known for good Shamas. He has since been re-homed.
Apollo 6: Kept from a juvenile and was sold off once and given away once. For some reasons, he was returned to me. Looks like I have to spare a license to keep him till the after world beckons him ;)
Zeus: Shown in his bathing cage. Acquired him when he is around 4 years plus old (so the story goes). He has his origins from the forest of Rompin. A fun fella to have around.
A black feet Shama that comes from the area of Baling, a place near to Grik if my geographical memory does not fail me ;) Many things have been mentioned about the "black feet" feature of such Shamas. I suppose nobody can conclusively determine the truth or myth of it. In my opinion, that is the fun part of it all.... a little pinch of myth, a sprinkle of legend and a large dose of exaggeration, wow! that will certainly make my day ;)
Apollo 6: Kept from a juvenile and was sold off once and given away once. For some reasons, he was returned to me. Looks like I have to spare a license to keep him till the after world beckons him ;)
Zeus: Shown in his bathing cage. Acquired him when he is around 4 years plus old (so the story goes). He has his origins from the forest of Rompin. A fun fella to have around.
A black feet Shama that comes from the area of Baling, a place near to Grik if my geographical memory does not fail me ;) Many things have been mentioned about the "black feet" feature of such Shamas. I suppose nobody can conclusively determine the truth or myth of it. In my opinion, that is the fun part of it all.... a little pinch of myth, a sprinkle of legend and a large dose of exaggeration, wow! that will certainly make my day ;)
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