Teaching the Importance of Cooperation

A student's job is to learn skills to prepare him/her for adult employment and responsible living. Even though it is not directly taught in school, learning to get along with others is one of the most important skills a student can learn. Cooperation means more than just getting along with others, regardless of what you may think or feel about them.

Teachers often make assignments "cooperative", which means each student works with one or more partners to complete the assignments. Usually the assignment means that students may talk, help each other find the answers in a text book and work together on the assignment so each can turn in the same assignment page completed. The teacher's goal is usually that students help each other, because there are students who work quickly and without difficulty as well as students who work slowly and/or have difficulty. Far too frequently, the teacher's intent of peer mentoring and cooperation does not happen.

What Really Happens
Rather than all working together on the assignment page, students divide up the requirements so that each person finds the answers to 1-5 questions. When everyone has found their portion and written their answers, they then share the answers with the rest of the group, write them on their own pages and turn the pages in for a grade. The slower and/or less able students must then complete the assignments on his/her own, usually for homework.
There are two reasons "cooperative" learning does not work out:

1. Students focus on completing the task, because once it is done they can forget about it and have time to do what they want to do. They focus on the task rather than the process. An example may be an assignment to describe the three branches of government where each person completes a worksheet or simply writes paragraphs about each branch of government.
2. Teachers do not know how to make cooperative learning assignments that truly build cooperation.

What A Cooperative Group Does
Like a workplace situation, each member of the group should be responsible for a specific and necessary aspect of the task. Each person has a portion of the task and learns his/her portion and learns from the others' portions. In the government example, a good cooperative group would have one person responsible for describing the executive branch, a second person describing the judicial branch, a third person describing the legislative branch, and a fourth person (who may be slow or struggling reader) would draw a flowchart diagram illustrating the relationships among the branches.

Adult jobs are cooperative and children must learn the appropriate skills to perform in a social and cooperative environment. Without the skills of getting along with others and completing their share of the workload, employers will find someone else to replace them. They will then have

Things to Consider Before Buying a Pushchair

For a family with children, the benefits of using a good and reliable pushchair are very obvious. Your child needs the best comfort as you should enjoy the highest autonomy and freedom while maneuvering the precious object in various conditions, both in the city and in the countryside.

The main qualities of a pushchair:
Whether you have the first or the second or even the third experience of selecting the pushchair, there are always a lot of new elements that should be taken into consideration. The final decision concerns not only your needs and your budget, but especially the requirements of the newborn.

Following the are a couple of questions that you should try answering before the final decision of purchasing a pushchair:

1. What are the safety features? Does the pushchair have a safety belt that will protect your children while moving? As you may know, the little children are extremely active and unpredictable and you should verify that all the features of the pushchair are designed to avoid as much as possible the accidents. The pushchair with a well functioning braking system could be considered one of the best options.

2. Comfort and autonomy in maneuverability are very important. Does the pushchair have a carrying handle? How easy is to fold it and carry away? Does the pushchair can be fit into the car or deposit? Can you turn it easily. If you are living in the countryside you will need most probably some improved technical features that fit into the irregular structure of the roads you are using.

3. The dimensions: if you need to move permanently, you would mostly prepare a light pushchair that can be carried easily from a part to another, including in and out various public transportation.

4. What is the quality of the wheels? Is the pushchair provided with lockable wheels? What kind of tires are used: pneumatic or hand pumped? The pneumatic version is usually preferred.

5. Fit your pushchair to your needs. For example, the three wheeled options are suitable for long walks, especially in the middle of the nature, while the four wheeled are preferred for newborns mostly in urban contexts.

6. Find the fair balance between price and quality. You should have in mind that some pushchairs cannot be used for more than six months and you maybe need to make at least an investment covering the next 12 months of your child.

7. What accessories are offered? For example, you might need a sun canopy or a rain cover. Many pushchairs have attached little toys that can distract pleasantly the child while moving.

Conclusion:

As any lists, the above enumeration of features of an almost perfect pushchair is far by being complete. New models are permanently introduced on the market with significant improvements and very different price categories.

Reduce Fear Among Children When Visiting the Pediatrician

Without a doubt, a trip to the pediatrician can be a traumatic experience for children. Chances are, there is something physically wrong or even worse, they need to receive the oh-so-dreaded shot. Or perhaps the doctor is viewed as a big and scary figure who will only make the pain worse. Keeping children calm at the doctor's office presents possibly the greatest challenge of the whole experience. It is only fair and expected that doctors and nurses respect the angst that routine check-ups may cause children. Keep in mind that a fear of the doctor isn't childish or dumb, but it is unsafe and can ultimately carry over into adulthood. More importantly that feeling comfortable at a young age, but we should focus on building a foundation that supports anxiety-free doctor's visits for a lifetime.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a parenting style that encourages and recognizes good behavior with words, smiles, and huge. Parents should more so be guiding their children to positive behavior rather than using punishments or threats. Sticking to this parenting logic, visits to the doctor should not be punishments for children or brought on in a negative manner.

No matter how old the child is, prepare your child in advance for procedures or shots that they me receiving. Try to comfort them while also being honest. If your child is fearful of a shot, explain to them how it will help them and will decrease their chances of becoming sick. Under any circumstances, or no matter how upset you are with them, never use a shot or a doctor's visit as a threat for bad behavior.

Not only can you try to prepare children before the doctor, but you can also be with them through the process. Treat them like you would in the comfort of their own home - read them a kids book or tell them stories during painful difficult times of the exam. In some cases, children feel better hugging their parent during fearful parts or when the shot is given. If doctor's allow, let your older children choose where the injection will take place therefore giving them a sense of control. If guided honestly and comfortably by their parents, children are more likely to feel at ease during a doctor's visit.

The Cost of Your Comfort Zone

Nearly always, by the time a child is sexually abused, the perpetrator has set the scene by grooming the child. The first part of the process is done before they meet the child. They will place themselves in a position of power, control and contact with their victims where they are usually beyond reproach. The majority of paedophiles come from only four professions. Of course such a position can be found in any family. During the grooming process, they will have made their contact with the child look normal and healthy.

The child is trapped by simple little tricks which build on each other, getting bigger and bigger. The child finds it difficult to break out because of the penalties attached to being part of the earlier tricks. The abuser will usually also tell the child that nobody would believe them and if they said anything, they would be taken away from their parents. The child is frightened and now believes it is their fault. This is very important because if it is somebody else's fault, they can tell but if they now make it their fault, it is their business and there is the excuse not to tell.

However, some children (a very small number) do tell; and what happens? "Don't be so silly, so-and-so wouldn't do that, would they?" Or, if the perpetrator is a family member, the parent may well have their own experiences at the hands of this paedophile. If this is so, the parent is still groomed and will not do or say anything about the matter. If it is a family member, the spouse probably knows but is also frightened of them and disavows all indicators, preferring not to think about it. Often, if the spouse discovers the act in progress, they physically attack and punish the child for leading the paedophile astray. Some excuse for injuries is then dreamed up. What chance does the child have?

The child has been betrayed by the paedophile and now has been betrayed by his or her own parents. Where else is there for them to turn to? Nowhere proper. Their life goes on and they continue to give off subtle signs of grooming which those few trained in the subject or every other paedophile the child comes into contact with will recognise. There are others who will recognise that the child is easy prey; other children at school. The child will be bullied and made to do things they shouldn't. Of course, they endure this without telling their parents. What's the point? They know their parents don't act in their defence.

Creating Divisions Between Parents

Teenagers have a special gift. They know just what to say to get parents on opposing sides of an issue. Let's pretend your teenaged daughter wants to wear an outfit that her friend loaned her. You being the dad really haven't paid much attention to what she was preparing to wear tonight. She gets ready to leave, and you are involved in something. Maybe you're cleaning the kitchen or washing your wife's car or something. You know you're always doing productive things for the family right?

So out comes your daughter and she says, "Bye dad." You look up and notice that you don't recognize those shorts that she's wearing, and she's just about to get past you. You think to yourself, "Man, those shorts don't look okay." What do you do? Thoughts speed through your mind like a flash of lightning.

What happened to my little girl?
What would my lovely wife say about those shorts?
My wife would look really good in those shorts.
I wonder what my wife is wearing right now...
Is that a scratch on the car?
I need to finish washing this car so I can go fishing.
What time did my wife say she would be home tonight?
Where are my keys?

You stop. Does your daughter have your keys? No, the important thing to stay focused on right now is that your daughter is about to get away, wearing the most inappropriate shorts, and who's going to get in trouble for it when your wife gets home? You're daughter? No. You are! Why? You're going to get in trouble because you know teenaged boys better than your daughter does. More specifically, your daughter is testing your boundaries, and she is attempting to take advantage of a psychology term called, "Splitting." This is when your daughter attempts to elevate one parent while demoting the other parent. You are demoted by her attempt to avoid you.

Your wife is elevated in this example, but your daughter avoids her, because she knows she wouldn't be allowed to wear those clothes if mom was there.

Your daughter knows your wife is not home. She knows that you are a softy. She is attempting to split you from your wife. She knows that she can take advantage of the fact that her mother is not here to help reinforce the rules about her dress code. She assumes that since you are not able to communicate with your wife at this very moment, she will have the advantage of plausible deniability about her choices. She knows the rules regarding her clothes, but she can just say she didn't know. Since you saw her in her clothes, and you let her out of the house it must be your responsibility. News flash! It is your responsibility. You have just as much responsibility to point her towards her behaviors as her mother does. You also have the added responsibility to remind your daughter that you and your wife are on the same page about everything. (Even if you're not on the same page about everything.)

You also have the fatherly task of assuring that your daughter understands the role of safety in the outside world. She needs to know that it relates to what she is wearing too. It may be fine for someone else's family to put their daughter out there as an advertisement for a men's magazine, but your daughter is a teenager. She does not need a man for a few more years. She needs to understand this concept in a manner that communicates that she has value as a young woman. The best way for you to do this is to communicate how much you value her and your own wife.

Negative Thinking and Help Prevent Bullying

As parents, reaching out to your children to help them cope with and prevent bullying is always a tough issue. One of the key weapons that you can utilize is to help them learn how to stop negative thinking. In doing this you will help your children be less susceptible to bullying and its consequences...continue reading to find a few great tips to help your kids learn how to stop negative thinking.

Raise Self-Esteem with Encouragement: One of the best and most effective ways to stop negative thinking is to help raise self-esteem in your children through encouragement and positive reinforcement. This doesn't have to be over the top or cheesy. It can take the form of small, everyday compliments or positive phrases about your child or teen's appearance, mood, schoolwork, hobbies or activities, or anything else.

Make a habit of praising and encouraging your kids - this will held build their self-esteem and as a result bullies won't have any ground to stand on because your children know who they are.

Speaking out instead of shutting up: One of the biggest problems that parents of teens face is that they don't know when their kids are suffering, or what they're dealing with, because it's never mentioned.

Teach your kids to speak out, instead of shutting up, and negative thoughts can be handled, dealt with and solved. Talk to your kids and encourage them to share with you, and encourage them to share what they're going through with someone they trust, even if it's not you. It can be a counselor, a friend, a relative or someone else but it's always better to share and work through things rather than let them bottle up and eventually explode.

Find new outlets: If your teen doesn't have any outlet socially, or for their emotions or energy, they're more likely to have negative thoughts and be affected and susceptible to bullying. Help them find new outlets and you'll help them stop negative thinking. It can be an after-school activity, sport, hobby of any kind, or even plans with you and the family.

The more outlets your teen has, the more they'll be able to avoid spiraling downward with negative thoughts and overcome those thoughts when they occur. If your teen doesn't have motivation to try something new, you may have to force the action a bit at first to get the ball rolling. But meeting new friends and doing new things will encourage them to keep it up on their own.

Having Decorative Birdhouses That Reflect Your Taste And Personality

Did you ever think of having a Victorian birdhouse for your birds? Well, a Victorian birdhouse wouldn't cost you a fortune but will reflect your taste and personality. Not just Victorian birdhouses but you can have your birdhouses decorated in many different designs and patterns that reflect your personal tastes and personalities.

If you are a history lover, why not consider having historic birdhouses? Historic birdhouses are made in the pattern and design of different historic buildings like the Public Library, Star Barn and the Round Island Lighthouse. These historic birdhouses have the same intricate design and details like the original buildings. They refresh history, culture and tradition and are a great addition in any backyard. Even your birds will be attracted to visit and house in one of these great buildings of historical importance. Of course, you can't build these intricate designs yourself but you can easily buy them from our online website or at your local backyard store.

Other than historical birdhouses, you can have contemporary decorative birdhouses that will enhance the look of your backyard. These contemporary decorative birdhouses are easily available just about everywhere and you can also decorate them yourselves just by painting them. Birds are especially attracted to decorative designs. Wrens especially would choose a decorative birdhouse to attract one of their females and their large families.

If you look around for decorative birdhouses, you will find a huge range of these beautiful and intricate designs. These don't just look beautiful in your backyard setting, but they are also attractive to the birds. Birds won't miss the golden chance of living in one of these great architectural designs. They are also fully functional and easy to clean. You will find the decorative bird houses ranging from the design of a cozy honeymoon cottage, beach cottage to more elaborate club house and Victorian architectural designs. You can even go for religious designs like churches, temples or mosques if you are a religion enthusiast. Your decorative bird houses can reflect your own personality. A dome or tower shaped birdhouse is a great design that houses many different species of birds.

Another great idea is to have whimsical birdhouses if you have a comic personality. These are different than the usual designs. To make whimsical birdhouses, you can have various cartoon characters painted or mounted on the house. Hilarious Disney characters or other comedy characters would look good and would impress any visitor who visits your home. These unique birdhouses can double the excitement and fun of bird watching.

Besides buying the pre-designed large bird houses, you even have the option to decorate them yourselves and have fun while doing so. If you are the creative type or have children who love to get creative, this is a really fun activity to undertake together. Get out your paint brushes and a huge selection of paints to use for your decorative bird houses. Use mosaic art and different accessories to design your own decorative bird houses to increase your pleasure whenever you look at them.

Where Should You Buy Your Pet Cockatiel

When considering where to get your cockatiel, as with any pet, I always recommend adoption first. If there are any bird rescue organizations in your area, adopting one of these birds could be one of the most satisfying experiences of your life (and of course, the bird's). Some of these birds were given up by people who for one reason or another couldn't care for them anymore. Some were taken out of homes where they were abused and neglected. For whatever reason they found themselves rescued, giving these birds a second chance would be a very rewarding experience. A little extra love and patience and you'll have a wonderful pet bird that will thank you in his own way for the rest of his life. You might find a bird rescue organization online or check your local animal shelter.

Buying your cockatiel can be as easy as walking into a pet store and picking one out and bringing it home. If this is your preferred method, that's fine. Just make sure you purchase from a reputable store. Look around. Is it clean? Are the cages clean? Is there adequate room in the cages for the number of birds kept? Is the water and food clean? Are there toys accessible to the birds? Do the workers in the store pay attention to the birds, taking them out of the cage and talking to them? Make a few trips to the store so you can see what goes on at different times. This may sound a bit much but you don't want to buy a bird that has been sitting in a cage for who knows how long with no human contact. It will make your job of socializing the bird extremely difficult.

When I bought my first bird, I was a complete novice. Fortunately, I walked into the pet store and the employee was sitting at the front counter talking to a cockatiel perched on his finger. I didn't even know that birds could be so sociable (or beautiful). He gladly passed the bird to me and it was love at first sight. He gave me loads of information about my new friend and caring for him. I knew that if I purchased a bird from this store I would get a bird who was used to people and was raised with care and attention. Not to mention the employees were always available for my questions and concerns whether on the phone or in person.

Alternatively, you might want to find a cockatiel breeder. You can look up breeders in your area online. If there is one in your area, take the same steps as you would in a pet store and look around to get a feel of the place. You want to make sure the breeder is raising these birds for his or her love of them and not just to make a profit. The breeder should be interested in you as a buyer and willing to give you the answers to all of your questions. After all, if he cares about the birds he is raising, he will want to make sure you have every intention to do the best you can for your new pet.

If you have no breeders in the area, never, ever have a bird shipped through the mail. No animal or bird should go through the mail. Even if the bird survives, it will likely be traumatized for life. There is no reason to ever ship any living thing in the mail or through and delivery service.

Should I Choose a Cockatiel

Are you looking to buy a new pet bird and not sure how to make the right decision? This article will try to educate you about everything you need to know before you buy a cockatiel.

When choosing a pet bird, as in choosing any pet, it's important to know if this is the right bird for you. If you are thinking of buying a cockatiel, there are many questions you must ask yourself.

First and foremost, do you have enough time in your life to devote to a pet cockatiel? Cockatiels are socialized birds. They like to see and interact with their human companions. This may include daily flights around the house ultimately landing on your shoulder to watch television. They love attention. Will you be able to spend time talking and whistling to and with your bird?

Are you ready for a long term commitment? If well kept, a cockatiel can live up to fifteen years or more. These birds become very attached to their humans so it may not be the best gift for a young child who may lose interest in their bird. A cockatiel who is ignored can become loud and obnoxious, demanding some contact.

Are you or anyone in your household allergic to bird feathers and feather dust? Birds may not be for you then but especially cockatiels who create more feather dust than most other birds. As new feathers grow, the tips of the feathers turn into a fine dust that stays on the bird, cage and area cage is kept in. It's a good idea to keep a vacuum handy. They will also try to spit their pellets at you if they think you're not paying attention to them.

Do you have any other animals in your house? Since your bird will be kept in a cage approximately at eye level, you probably don't have to worry about a dog terrorizing your bird, but a cat will not be deterred from this height and may see your new family member as dinner. Remember, never let your bird out of the cage if any other pet is in the room. Even the best trained dog can pose a threat to your bird, intentionally or not. They are animals and you cannot read their minds or change their instincts.

Is there a permanent place in your house, preferably in your living room or den, to keep a large cage? It should not be near a heating device, air conditioner, air vent, etc? The area must be draft free, as even the slightest draft can make your cockatiel sick. Your bird might like to look out the window but most windows let in too much cold air in the winter and hot air in the summer. A child's room is not the best place either because if the child isn't home all day, your cockatiel will be lonely. Never put the cage too near the kitchen as the vapors of some non-stick pans, cleansers, etc., is deadly to your bird.

If you are considering buying two birds at once, do you have room for two separate cages in case your cockatiels don't get along. I had to separate my first two cockatiels when the male became aggressive to the female in the first few weeks I bought them. As they grew older, side by side in separate cages, they established a can't live with you, can't live without you relationship. If I had to move either cage for cleaning, they both screamed and made a fuss until the cages were both side by side again. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder!

Considering all the above, if you are ready for this full time commitment and all that comes with it, you will have years of fun and fulfillment caring for your cockatiels.

Picking Out Your Cockatiel

About picking out your new cockatiel

How to determine how old your cockatiel is.

The optimum age to get your cockatiel is about ten to twelve weeks old. A bird of this age will adjust to people and be easiest to tame if treated correctly.

How do you know if your cockatiel is young?

Most obvious, the cheek spot is pale and not yet the bright orange that is so noticeable on adult cockatiels. Next, look at the piece of flesh above the beak where the nostrils are, the cere. This should still be pink. The tail, which is shorter than an adult cockatiel, should have thin, white to yellow out edges. Also, you might notice that your young cockatiel might be a bit awkward as young birds tend to be.

How do you know if your cockatiel is healthy?

All the feathers are smooth and have a lustrous sheen. There shouldn't be any discharge from the eyes or nostrils. There are four toes, two middle toes facing forward and two outer toes facing backward. None should be missing. The feathers around the anus should not be smeared with feces. Ideally, he will be preening himself or socializing with the other birds in the cage. The bird that catches your attention may be sitting in the corner with his head buried in his back feathers. He may be sick but he just may be sleeping. Try getting his attention and see if he perks up and engages or acts lethargic. Look for the telltale signs that were just mentioned above.

Is your bird a male or female?

At a young age it is very difficult determine and sometimes even experts make mistakes. If you are getting one bird, the sex doesn't really matter. Males and females really aren't different in their temperament. If you are getting two birds, again, it doesn't matter unless you are thinking about mating them. Two males, two females or a male and female all do well together. It seems that when there are two same sex birds, one will assume the role of the missing sex. Three birds is not a good situation and one bird might get treated like the proverbial third wheel and get picked on. It is also probable that a male and female will mate. If this isn't your intention, then get two birds of the same sex. Females will still lay eggs but they will be unfertilized.

The plumage of young cockatiels is still pale, males don't develop their full color until after their first molt at about nine months old. This is when you can see clear evidence of the bird's sex. The male cheek patch is a bright orange than the female. The female cheek patch has some grayish brown dusting in it. There is some yellow and white in the outer rims of the tail feathers of the female bird that are nonexistent in males. Most conspicuous however, is the under feathers of the female bird's tail which has a yellow and black cross band.

Cockatiels come in many colors but the original, natural cockatiel is gray with a bluish or brownish tinge. The tail ranges from silver gray to blackish gray. The outer wing feathers, (shoulder area) are white. The face is yellow with an orange cheek patch below their eyes. The crest feathers which are on top of the cockatiel's head, start from the yellow forehead,. The shorter crest feathers are yellow and the longer ones are gray with flecks of yellow.

Through selective breeding there are many different types and colors of cockatiels. They are all beautiful but it is thought that these birds are more susceptible to disease and don't live as long as the natural gray species.

Picking out the right bird for you is a personal experience. We all make our choices for different reasons. I picked out one of my birds because she spit seed at me while I was observing another cage. I knew she was the one for me. Although she was a bit older, she was sweet, tame and lived many years to entertain me.

Effective Bird Feather Filtration - 6 Features Your Cleaner Needs To Work

Having pet birds in your home add lots of fun to life. They can also add dust from feathers, wings, and dander. Add this to the normal indoor pollutants such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, and seasonal pollen and you've got air that is thick with particles.

Your pet's health will depend heavily on the quality of air you provide for it. So it is important to use filtration that can take out these particles as well as gaseous pollutants. Here are 6 important features that filtration for your bird should include.

HEPA Filter---High efficiency particle arresting filters are designed as such because they are able to remove airborne particles as small as.3 microns in size with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter. That size particle is invisible to the human eye.

Because it can eliminate 99,997 out of every 10,000 of these invisible particles dust from feathers and wings and the invisible dander can be taken out of the air. And because the more normal indoor pollutants are bigger that sub-micron size they can be eliminated as well.

Pre-Filters---Even though the HEPA can remove a large range of particle sizes, having it do all the work would mean you would need to spend money frequently on replacement filters---maybe every 6 months to a year depending on what's in your air.

By having several pre-filters (a large and medium size) you can save the more expensive filter from filling needlessly with particles that can just as easily be removed by the larger and less expensive filters. These cheaper filters save you money and time and are one of the best ways to determine how much maintenance your cleaner will need.

Carbon Cloth---Gaseous pollutants can really affect birds. Having a filter that can remove gases, odors, and airborne chemicals is a huge advantage. Carbon cloth gives dual protection. Because it is made of carbon it can remove gaseous irritants. But because it is woven like a cloth it eliminates additional particles as well.

Stand-Alone-Unit---A system that is not connected with heating and cooling systems gives you the most flexibility with filtration. It will run during the in-between-seasons when heating and cooling are not necessary. And since it will clean the air that is closest to it first, being able to move it into the bird room is a huge advantage.

24-Hour Cleaning---This is probably one of the most important features to have. Check to make sure your unit contains a split capacitor motor. This type of motor is designed to run continuously with high revolutions per minute. That means it doesn't need to take a break after a certain number of hour of operation.

The key to keeping air quality high is never allowing to become polluted, and the best way to do that is to filter the air continually without having to turn it on and off. Being able to allow it to run keeps you from having to remember to turn it on and off which can get tedious after a while.

Natural By-Products---The whole purpose of filtration is to keep your bird's air passages (and yours too) clear. Because avian airways are so small, they can be easily clogged by excessive numbers of airborne particulates in the air. Once their airways are clogged, it is often the start of disease and infection that cannot be reversed.

The only by-product of filtration should be fresh, clean air. Stay away from units that produce any amount of ozone or ionized particles. Both of these filtration technologies remain controversial in terms of how they affect birds and humans and how effective they are.

Why take the chance? Everyone agrees that fresh air is the best air to offer your bird and their owners. 250 cubic of fresh air entering the room every 60 seconds can only help you and your pet live the highest quality of life possible.

African Grey Parrot Facts To Help Make Buying Decisions

African Grey parrot facts and information help potential buyers know about this particular species of parrot. They are not the most colorful of parrot but are some of the most intelligent and enthusiastic parrots you can come across in the whole world. They are matched only by 'Eclectus' parrots in learning skills. Once you get to deeply understand them, you'll realize that the African Grey offers a much richer parrot owning experience than other more colorful varieties of parrots.

African Grey parrots are recognized by their bright red tail feathers and their black beak. Some birds will only have them on the inner side of their tails but others will have a full red tail.

There are a number or gray parrots around and it is this red tail that helps identify the African Grey parrots from amongst the other gray parrots worldwide. Of course, an expert wouldn't find it difficult to differentiate between the two. If you are considering buying a parrot don't fall for the trap of buying a plain gray parrot after being told that it is an African Grey.

Probably the most amazing fact is that there are two kinds of African Grey. If you were thinking that there was just a single variety, you may have to think again. There are two distinct varieties:

- Congo
- Timneh

There are quite distinct differences between the two and the most marked amongst the variations is the difference in size between the Congo and Timneh parrots. Timneh parrots looks significantly smaller than the Congo parrot.

Some African Grey parrot facts to check if you are buying one for your pet:

- The parrots have a bright red inner tail
- They have a defense habit of fluffing up their feathers when feeling threatened
- Their intelligence far surpasses all other parrot varieties
- They are the best speakers among all the parrots combined
- They can reproduce whole phrases and sometimes even whole sentences
- Most of them will live longer than their owners
- They chew a lot - so in captivity this needs to be dealt with, usually by adding branches and toys to their cage
- They are true friends for life provided you train and care for them well

Though training these birds is a nightmare, African Grey parrots usually form very good bonds with their owners because they like the company and will follow their owner around all day if allowed to. Also they are known to be extremely adept at learning tricks.

In the wild these parrots tend to spend most of their lives with one partner. Though this may not be applicable in cases where grouped together in confined spaces, they generally express strong monogamous tendencies at all times. In the wild they're known to nest in tree holes.

Another interesting fact is that the most important defense mechanism for this parrot is the habit of fluffing up their feathers to look scary to predators. This is their natural reaction to threats even if they're tamed and docile. Now that you know all the basic African Grey parrot facts, you might understand them well enough to decide whether you want to buy one or not.