Planet Wild Cave Swiftlets

This short 3 minute mini doc from the BBC showing the birds responsible for make the nests in Birds Nest Soup! They are made of birds spit.

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Planet Wild Cave Swiftlets
Planet Wild Cave Swiftlets

Yaowarat Bangkoks Colourful

Yaowarat: Bangkok's Colourful Chinatown

Lying south of Dusit and Banglamphu, Bangkokรขย�ย�s Chinatown, locally known as the Yaowarat district, is one of the cityรขย�ย�s major tourist attractions. It is a showcase of Chinese culture and enterprising spirit.

The cityรขย�ย�s Chinatown district is an old business centre that covers a large area around the main Yaowarat Road and the adjoining Chareon Krung Road or New Road.

Chinese moved into the area as early as1780's. It is oldest ethnic enclave in the city. When the royal family's Grand Palace was constructed in 1782 by King Rama I to mark the foundation of Bangkok as Thailand's new capital after Ayutthaya was annihilated by the Burmese, the Chinese community was asked to move just outside the city walls. The area then became the main centre of commerce for two centuries.

At the turn of the 20th century, Yaowarat was the most fashionable part of Bangkok. It had the smartest shops, the tallest buildings, pawnshops, cinemas and Chinese operas.

The area also had a seedy reputation for the large number of opium dens, brothels (which hung green lanterns outside instead of the Western style red lights), and a fondness for gambling and drug dealingรขย�ย�all of which are illegal nowadays.

At present, the charms and attractions of this area are hard to describe. Thus, exploration here is a must. Many of the buildings house beautiful decorative motifs, giving a view of Chinese religions and the unique cultural history and lifestyle. Ancient Chinese superstitions have also survived here. Look closely at the sides of some houses and you will see รขย�ย�feng shuiรขย�ย� mirrors, called รขย�ย�pat kwaรขย�ย�, placed strategically to deflect and chase away evil spirits.

The Chinese in Chinatown have been living in Thailand for generations, and now generally consider themselves very much as Thais --- most can no longer speak any Chinese.

The genuine Chinatown lies down the busy numerous smaller roads, narrow alleys and backstreets. Many of these are full of shops selling all types of quality goods, hence a paradise for shoppers. With market stalls strewn around, you will find many all sorts of products at very attractive prices.

Yaowarat is best known for the more than 100 gold shops that can be found along both sides of the Road. Gold shops here are mostly owned and run by Chinese, reflecting the love of gold they are often thought to have.

Some of the world's finest gold products can be found and purchased here. At almost any time of the day, shops here are crowded with people -- Thais, tourists and even wholesale buyers from neighbouring countries. All gold bought here can be resold by weight for a small markdown that is strictly controlled by the government.

Yaowarat district also teems with tiny shops and curbside vendors selling a myriad of spices, seafood, fruits and vegetables. Looking for the mysterious ingredients in the arsenal of traditional Chinese medicine is also a must when visiting Chinatown. There is an amazing variety of herbal medicines and ancient potions for every ailment on sale.

You can even try speaking to the herbalist about the properties of the medicines and hear their fantastic stories - myth and natural science - with your purchase!The area is also a steamy realm of touts, shoppers and suppliers, of carts, motorcycles and men carrying big bales of cloth on their backs, all made hazy by the smoke from roasting chestnuts and a hundred braziers cooking snacks of meat pies, biscuits, pork and chicken. It even has antique shops, tiny machine shops, clothing stores and stands offering unidentifiable junk. Traditional Chinese paintings and porcelains, Thai ceramics and figurines are also sold here at bargain prices.

At night, it is always a delight to visit Yaowarat. When getting dark, this lively Chinese community becomes the largest Chinese restaurant in Bangkok, serving a wide variety of food until well past midnight. Dozens of eating establishments offer everything from shark-fin soup to fried mussels and steamed pork innards served on rice or noodles, birds-nest soup, dim sum, shark fin soup and many other traditional Chinese delicacies.

Hundreds of hawker stalls also electrifies the atmosphere of the streets around here. These best and cheapest food stalls typically come with favourite dishes including khao tom (boiled rice), khao kha mu (stewed pork leg on rice), and many, many more.

Every year, the Chinese New Year Festival at Yaowarat is celebrated with a big bang. It features parades, dragon dances, firework displays, opera shows and other traditional Chinese performances. At this time of the year, Bangkok's Chinatown springs into colourful and hectic life, with light, red and gold decorations. Tens of thousands of residents opt to stay home to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The celebration draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, hence a good chance to promote this area of Bangkok.

While Bangkok has many places and surroundings to offer, a visit to the district of Yaowarat would be a fascinating journey to see a way of Chinese cultural essence and heritage that could hardly be found anywhere else in Thailand.

Bangkok Map Travel Guide is an all in one travel website providing comprehensive information on where to go and what to do in Bangkok . There are about Bangkok, Bangkok attraction, interesting activities and useful information ,to point out just a few. Moreover, the site dedicates its spacious webpage to main streets in Bangkok with clear guide map.

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Yaowarat Bangkoks Colourful Chinatown
Yaowarat Bangkoks Colourful Chinatown

Blue Q Bird Nest Shoulder Bag

Blue Q - Bird Nest Shoulder Bag

• Made from 95-percent recycled woven polypropylene
• Interior cell phone pocket
• Metal YKK zipper
• Wide adjustable seat belt strap
• 1-Percent of the sale of this shoulder bag will support the conservation work of The Nature Conservancy

These vintage sweet and nesting little creatures are a pretty bunch indeed. Slim, simple construction without unnecessary bells and whistles -- a groovy shoulder bag doesn't have to bust anyone's budget, ya know. 13-inch by 14-inch with an interior phone pocket and metal YKK zipper. Made of 95-percent recycled woven polypropylene.

List Price: $ 9.99 Price: $ 9.99

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Blue Q Bird Nest Shoulder Bag
Blue Q Bird Nest Shoulder Bag

Bird Proofing for the Roofing

Bird Proofing for the Roofing Industry

As a professional roofer, you've undoubtedly seen the damage that pest birds can do to a roof. Whether it's a wood, tile or asphalt shingle roof, birds can cost property owners hundreds, even thousands of dollars in roof damage. Over time, bird nests, droppings and other debris can severely degrade a roof, causing it to leak and possibly even collapse. All the more reason to add bird proofing to your roofing services. For just a little extra cost, your customers will thank you for protecting their investment, and you will have an opportunity to add an extra source of income to your roofing business.

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Roofs are Vulnerable

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The average roof is vulnerable to all manner of pest birds. The reason is simple: most roofs offer birds a nice place to nest and roost. They also provide a safe perch from which to look for food, and many roofs conceal a hefty diet of insects to feed on. When birds hunt for insects burrowed in roofs, their beaks peck away at shingles and rafters, which can create ever-widening gaps where water can enter. To make matters worse, many birds build their nests under roofing tiles, which can cause damage and leaks. Pigeons, starlings and sparrows will often build their nests in these areas, causing water to rise and leak under tiles. Without effective bird proofing measures, roofs are at the mercy of these pests.

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Pest Birds Can be Costly

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Bird droppings can also cause significant damage. The acidic content of bird waste can destroy tar-based roofing materials and damage roof-mounted air conditioning equipment, attic ventilation turbines, skylights, solar panels, and solar water heaters. Your customers probably have a pretty good idea just how expensive these items are to repair or replace. Proper bird proofing can deter pest birds and save your customers from these bird-related expenses.

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Pest Birds can be Dangerous

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Pest birds have also been known to cause fires. The straw, twigs and dried droppings found in bird nests can be very flammable. Nests built near AC units, solar panels or other rooftop electrical equipment can become a fire hazard. Finally, and this point can't be stressed strongly enough, bird nests have been known to block chimneys and ventilation systems, which can block airflow, resulting in deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

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Effective Bird Proofing Methods

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Today's effective and humane bird proofing devices and systems are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. They allow you to give your customers the added peace of mind in knowing that their investment has an added layer of protection.

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Bird Spikes

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The highly regarded Bird Spike has been used throughout the world to bird proof roofs and structures for decades. The spiked strips may appear dangerous, but most spikes are blunted and safe for birds, pets and work crews. The spikes have been scientifically designed to deny birds landing access, so birds just move on. Spikes come in durable stainless steel or stiff, unbreakable polycarbonate.

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For properties located near an ocean or lake, there's the Mega Spike, which boasts long 7-inch spikes to deter seagulls and cormorants. To keep pest birds out of rain gutters, there's the Gutter Spike, which typically comes with adjustable clamps at the base that attach easily to the lip of a gutter.

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Marine grade stainless steel spikes will last longer. And crush-proof, non-reflective spikes with a metal finish will blend in nicely on most roofs. If your customers are concerned about aesthetics, bird spikes now come in several colors--including crystal clear, brick red, light grey, brown, black and tan. Plastic spikes can be used in areas where electrical conductivity or microwave interference presents a problem (roofs with cell-phone antennas, dish antennas and air traffic control towers). Bird spikes with a U.V.-protected polycarbonate base are recommended in inclement weather.

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Bird Slopes

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Combining bird proofing with aesthetics, Bird Slopes have been well received by property owners. These angled PVC panels are so smooth that birds simply can't get a solid footing and leave. Bird slopes are ideal for bird-proofing eaves, ledges, and all those nooks and crannies birds love to call home. They're easy to install on almost any flat surface using nails, screws or glue. They also come in several colors to match a property's exterior dรฉcor.

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Misting Systems

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For larger commercial or industrial properties, misting systems offer an ideal bird proofing solution. These spray a fine mist of food-grade methyl anthranilate to deter ever the most stubborn pest birds. The chemical they use is a non-lethal grape extract regulated by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act). The mist irritates a nerve in a bird's mucus membrane, which won't harm birds, people or pets. The systems are easy to install and the best systems can be programmed to turn on and off at predetermined times.

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Bird Gels

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Ideal for bird proofing specific areas where pest birds seem to gather, Bird Gels make birds feel very uncomfortable. The gel never really dries (it stays tacky for up to six months) and birds hate to step on the stuff. The gel goes on easy using a basic caulking gun. It's safe for most bird species and ideal for use on ledges, conduit, pipes, and parapet walls.

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Electric Tracks

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Another preferred bird proofing measure for specific troublesome areas, Electric Tracks convince pest birds to move on or get zapped by a mild electric shock. The electric shock won't harm birds, pets or humans. Electric tracks are ideal for protecting roofs against all species of pest birds. The best electric tracks have a flow-through design to keep water from pooling around them and leaking into rooftop areas.

Alex Kecskes is a freelance writer focusing on effective bird control. To learn more about the products listed in this article, or how to add bird control on as an add on service, visit Bird-B-Gone, Inc. where you will find a complete line of professional grade bird deterrents.

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Bird Proofing for the Roofing Industry
Bird Proofing for the Roofing Industry

Prevue Pet Products Finch Twig

Prevue Pet Products Finch Twig Covered Bird Nest

• Category: BIRD
• Manufacturer: PREVUE PET PRODUCTS
• Sub-Category: BIRD BREEDING SUPPLIES
• MFR-PART-NO: 1151
• Made By: PREVUE PET PRODUCTS

Covered nest for breeding purposes, natural fibers to make the bird feel at home.

List Price: $ 3.40 Price: $ 1.72

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Prevue Pet Products Finch Twig Covered Bird Nest
Prevue Pet Products Finch Twig Covered Bird Nest

Western Bluebird Nestlings

A Western Bluebird nestling takes its first flight, leaving the nest box after much coaxing from both the male and female parents who appear to be coming to the nest in a mock feeding. The parents can then be heard calling to the nestling until it flies from the nest. After the first nestling fledged, two of its siblings come to the "window" to see what all the excitement is about. Video Rating: 5 / 5

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Western Bluebird Nestlings First Flight
Western Bluebird Nestlings First Flight

Setting up a Lovebird Nest Box

Additionally to this video (I forgot to mention), we prefer to mount the nestbox on the outside of the cage for easier access to the babies for checking/weighing them. That way, we don't have to go into our breeders' territory! For more info: www.trueloveaviary.blogspot.com Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Setting up a Lovebird Nest Box
Setting up a Lovebird Nest Box