Hey, what do you guys think is the best bird to use besides doves?.. I'm on my way to the pet store in a little while and I have an extra cage, I was thinking of getting two parakeets.. Yes I admit. .I'm addicted to birds.. lol

Justin

I always liked the thought of using cockatiels...

Oi... I gave in and bought two more doves .. LOL.. I went to the pet store and I saw a white dove with another in a cage, a small one at that.. they were asking 50 bucks for them but I knew the guy and got a discount with a cage.. The only thing is, the other dove is a mocha color and a beautiful one at that, but I have no clue what kind of dove it is.. I'm guessing ring neck?.. It has a thick black ring around its neck. They were horribly takin care of.. I didn't see any grit in the cage, and the other doves beak has grown so much without a cuddle bone that it is overlapped..

Just thought I'd share =P

Justin

You did well to avoid the parakeets for magic. They are beautiful but too hard to work with in an act loose. I raised parakeets for a major pet supplier back in the eary 80s and had hundreds to choose from. I never had but one that I would trust on stage. The best way to deal with parakeets in a magic act is to keep them in a cage during the act. Make the cage and all appear and disappear.

I write Dove Hotline for dove magicians. You will find it if you go to allmagicguide.com and search for Dove Hotline.

http://www.magicauction.com/DoveHotline/DoveHotline.html

It has some info about using parakeets.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Justin, the beak is just like the nails. You can file the overlap down a little with an emery board. You can also clip it. I had one bird with an overlap but had the vet clip it. I was afraid of cracking it. It only cost me about $10 for the clipping and it was done right.
Don't be afraid of the mocha colored bird. It can make a nice contrast in your act someday. As you know, I use the pied doves sometimes and Amos Levkovitch even has a grey one in his act. There is nothing that says you can't be different.

Thanks for the response guys, and yes I will definitely use her in an act, that was also a reason I got her, she is beautiful. She is one to come out of a silk fountain because of the colors on her. As soon as I get my camera back I will take pictures for your guys.

Justin

Ok on the same thread. Except for doves and keets, what other birds work well for magic?

Mr. Phil,

My wife currently uses geese. Over the years we have used ducks, baby turkeys, chickens, guineas and we have a parrot. Guineas are the worst of the lot to use because they are untrainable.

What do you use?

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Chinese Cochan Chickens.

I have an umbrella Cockatoo - she is now 4 years old and a real gem to work with - be forwarned though - parrotts are like small children - then need tons of attention and training.
We also us keets in the OLEP !

Marshall has a very good point. Chickens are probably the easiest birds to train. They do not seem to live as long as doves and parrots. But they are easy keepers; come in a real variety of sizes, shapes and colors; are inexpensive and lay eggs you can use.

Over the years chickens have been used quite a bit by magicians. I still use the babies in a dove pan routine sometimes. Years ago I did trade shows for a very large commercial organization that raised chickens. It was fun!

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander