What is the true secret to a bird's ability to fly? Primary Flight Feathers, of course! While a bird's skill at flight is normally attributed to the wings, the truth is that the wings would be useless for flying if the primary flight feathers weren't in place. To learn more about how these fascinating feathers work, check out this quick explanation of the Primary Flight Feathers. You're virtually guaranteed to learn something new!

Photo (c) 2006 Alyson Burgess licensed to About.com, Inc.

During this time of year, many bird owners begin discovering eggs in their pets' cages. If you have only one bird, or if you keep your birds seperated, then babies aren't a possibility. But if you are one of the many bird owners that keep more than one bird in the same enclosure, then you will want to know whether or not those eggs are fertile. For a great illustrated guide to identifying fertile eggs, check out Candling Eggs from Nan & Flock's Bird Behaviorist's Website. It's a handy resource for those who need to know exactly what to look for.

More on Eggs and Breeding:

• Do You Really Want to Breed Your Bird?
  
• The Dangers of Egg Binding in Female Birds

While the vast majority of bird owners and aviculturists keep their birds caged for safety and security reasons, a growing number of enthusiasts are allowing their pets to live freely in their homes. For example, Flickr.com, the popular photo sharing site, hosts a large community of bird owners who allow their birds free flight indoors. The group, Uncaged! Birds in Our Homes, shares many hundreds of photos of their pets online, and welcomes all new members who keep their birds uncaged in their homes.

Would you ever consider allowing your bird free run of the house? Why or why not? Post a comment with your opinion below or fly over to the forum to let everyone know what you think!

This wonderful Apple Salad Recipe from Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, your Guide to Home Cooking, is a fresh, fun treat that the whole family can enjoy! Last night I whipped up a batch for myself and the hubby, reserving a portion (without the mayonnaise) for the birds. They went wild when I served them their little salads! The best part, however, is that the recipe utilizes a variety of bird-safe fruits and vegetables, each packed with wholesome nutrients. Why not try your hand at making this treat for your own bird? Just don't forget to skip the sodium-rich mayonnaise, like I did. If you'd like to add some extra calcium, just substitute a tablespoon of plain yogurt.

More Bird Treat Recipes

Spring is here, and that means that birds everywhere, both captive and wild, are well into breeding season -- and that means that people are more likely to find wild baby birds that could use a helping hand. If you've stumbled across a wild baby and are unsure of what to do next, check out this great article on How to Rescue Injured or Orphaned Wild Birds by your Guide to Birding and Wild Birds, William Webb. It will provide helpful direction if you are faced with having to rescue one of our wild feathered friends.

More on Finding Fledgelings:

• Caring for Wild Baby Birds

I've added a few new definitions to the ever-growing Glossary of Avian Terms. Why not check them out to see what's new? You may learn something surprising!

If there is a bird-related term that you'd like to see in the glossary, send me an email at birds.guide@about.com to let me know!

One of the most common causes of illness in pet birds is poor nutrition. While many owners don't realize it, there is no single commercial bird diet on the market that provides all the vitamins and nutrients that our feathered friends need. For a quick lesson on making sure that your pet is eating right, read this great article on Parrot Diet and Nutrition Basics from your Guide to Exotic Pets, Lianne McLeod, DVM. And if you become so inspired, be sure to try making some of these delicious and nutritious recipes for birds. It's a fun way to add variety and vitamins to your pet's regular diet.

Have you ever wondered what a gizzard is for? Ever pondered what exactly a bird's beak is made out of? If so, check out Parrot Anatomy 101 for a quick lesson in the basics of avian anatomy, both internal and external. Knowing how your bird's body works can be valuable if your pet ever gets ill or injured. Be an informed and prepared owner by learning about the building blocks that make up your bird.

Understanding bird behavior can be difficult, but it's even harder when hormones come into play. Dr. Kerry Korber, DVM, gives us some insight into avian breeding behavior in this article on Dealing with Hormones by John Geary. Check it out for great tips on handling your own bird's springtime behavior issues.

If your bird displays behavior problems year-round, check these helpful resources for tips on correcting the most common issues:

• Stop Your Bird from Biting
  
• Curbing Bad Behavior
  
• Signs that You Need a Parrot Behavior Consultant

Birds are not only wonderful companions, they have come to symbolize many things in different forms of art. From the dawn of human history, and indeed until today, references to birds have been found in virtually every art form -- from theatre, to paintings, to literature, and especially music. To explore some of the music that makes reference to our feathered friends, check out my great list of Songs About Birds. Some are silly, some are serious, but they each reveal a little bit about how we relate birds' traits qualities to ourselves and different facets of our daily lives.

What's Your Favorite Song About Birds?
Didn't see your favorite bird-themed song on the list? Post a comment below or sound off on the forum to let the world know what you think!