The black painted mesh is an ingenious tip. A fellow breeder who has a lot of big aviaries advised me about this and it makes such a difference in the visibility of your birds hence I'm so glad you've added the tip for others.. I hope all is well and picking up after your recent bad luck and your feathered friends are on the mend 👍👍🇬🇧
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks, everything is getting much better. No more dead birds.
@gouldianuk98754 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary great news 👍
@toosmallforteacups.x73184 жыл бұрын
What paint is safe to use
@Giorgos607260723 жыл бұрын
the double door and the black paint tip are my favourite. However all of them are useful. I really admire the effort you have put into your overall garden setup. Nice job !
@johnmcintosh54132 жыл бұрын
And the double wires over the top with the gap to stop any other attacks from outside birds 🌍✌🏼
@karaokerebel80823 жыл бұрын
Hello from Canada: Thank you for talking instead of the annoying music and no talk that most videos have. I appreciated the idea of quails for cleaning the ground and the thin metal mesh painted black. I'm using the frame of a small green house (4 X 5 X 1 feet); will remove the shelves & replace with branches & plants, swings, etc. The frame is light & will go atop a cabinet with storage areas & in front of a east window for sunrise light. Thank you for your calm voice and not using 3/4 just to show birds. SMART
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the support, appreciate it
@SalukiBlues3 жыл бұрын
What I learned, actually, is that an aviary requires more attention than I am able to give along with caring for my other pets. However, it was good to learn this before getting any big ideas that I might later regret. Your information was very well presented and enjoyable to watch!
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😁 always necessary to check everything before taking a pet. Wise decision and a good example to other.
@cherylholloway22723 жыл бұрын
I didn’t know about the black mesh paint! That’s an excellent tip!! Thank you
@debbieverret40334 жыл бұрын
As always thank you for sharing! When I built my aviary I followed all those steps from the planning to the size, etc. I decided to have a professional build it, the roof is shingled and the eaves enclosed as well ad the ceiling. I can't say enough about predation. Where there wasn't hardware cloth, I put it. I wanted to eliminate the possibility of snakes, rats & mice. I hung hanging baskets with plants from the sides. I wanted to protect my birds from hawks and owls. The hanging baskets offer shade, protection and the feel of the natural outdoors, and it makes it difficult for those predatory birds to slam into the sides of the aviary. Keep posting, I enjoy your birds and of course your tips. Love Aya!
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the support
@bigbiemacaw2 жыл бұрын
Sounds nice, we don’t have snakes etc, but did double layered mesh separated by 10 inches to protect the lovebirds from birds of prey..my macaw played with a fledgling buzzard last summer, we’re hoping hell be back this spring, they had so much fun together..my macaw is ff trained..
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Comment below which tip helped you the most or if you have any other tips so everybody can learn from our ideas and mistakes. Check out my store now and choose your favorite design: mr-aviary.creator-spring.com/
@phynekat4 жыл бұрын
Hey Mr Aviary l see you have Blue Capped Cordon Bleus and I'm looking for some unrelated birds to pair with my birds babies. Please contact me @Harrymarkburnsjr@gmail.com
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Don't have them anymore see my other videos.
@phynekat4 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary dayum lol love your videos
@BirdStoryChannel4 жыл бұрын
What about winter season ? How can you protect your aviary? Love from...,🇧🇩
@OmidRahat3 жыл бұрын
Black paint the mesh
@dheenababu33242 жыл бұрын
Very nice massage in keeping the aviary beautiful and natural.... And all your ten Commandments is the best!!!!!!! God bless you.....
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you appreciate your support ☺️
@adamwolf4041 Жыл бұрын
Quail for cleaning and painting the wire mesh black for better visibility are great ideas. 👍
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the response
@justdidit59382 жыл бұрын
Black mesh tip is simple and outstanding. Genius 👍👍👍👍👍
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
@nanceebirdlover52223 жыл бұрын
I love the way the outer door area has a half aviary in it. Great use of the space!
@rubenm45284 жыл бұрын
Nice planted aviary.you have a really natural habitat for your birds.They will feel happy and at home there
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@sally-annestrawberry45883 жыл бұрын
Painting the Mesh to see the birds better is an Excellent Tip 👌
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 😁
@darlanelson72714 жыл бұрын
Im in the planning stage and very much appreciated your tips...especially the plant choices and black mesh.
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Hope you will make a nice aviary
@hpt084 жыл бұрын
One thing I would add is make sure there's a bit of a pitch on your plastic roof. Otherwise the water tends to pool
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Great addition, thanks
@glennlewman41863 күн бұрын
We have parakeets, African love birds and cockateels in separate cages, can we put the together in the Aviary?
@paulbaldwin15065 ай бұрын
thanks for the black paint mesh i have this on my aviary and it is very good
@MrAviary4 ай бұрын
Think it's the best tip I also learned during my hobby
@fanofmany714 жыл бұрын
Life is too busy right now but I want to build an aviary again. Had one many many moons ago. Great videos.
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Hope you can built a new one some day
@annturner70886 ай бұрын
Thanks great vlog and lots of useful information, double mesh & black paint I wouldn’t have thought of 😊
@MrAviary4 ай бұрын
It really Works
@Azam_Pakistan2 жыл бұрын
Lovely. I have a 20 foot aviary now. I have finches and doves.
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
That's nice, what kind of doves?
@Azam_Pakistan2 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary A pair of Diamond Doves, white tail. and 32 zebra finches (I started with 9 this year and they multiplied). Yesterday I added a pair of strawberry finch.
@breedingaviandinosaurs27283 жыл бұрын
I do not use only sand on the bottom of my aviary. I use a mixture of bark, sand and potting soil in a layer of +/- 15 to 20 cm. Every week I spade it and this works wel for me. Even when it gets wet of the rain it does not seem harm the birds.
@TophatOrange3 жыл бұрын
Nice tips specially painting the mesh, How (and how many times) do you clean the water running in the waterfall. or do you have the watertap constantly refreshing some amount of water every day?
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
I clean it almost every day, when I clean their drinking water
@giannis1763 жыл бұрын
Very helpful video,thank you for your share! 🙏
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 😁
@splosh20703 жыл бұрын
I am moving to France from the UK soon and I plan to build an aviary, this was a very helpful video, you gave fantastic tips, I especially like the black mesh, it is an amazing idea, I can't belive how much of a difference that seemed to make, and those quails are so cute
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, I was surprised as well when I did it.
@webyankee65582 жыл бұрын
A solid covered roof is best to prevent wild birds and other animals from landing and sharing their droppings which may spread diseases and pests. The quail and black mesh were a really good tip, also I like your detail and explanations.
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you, and great tip
@ryantait177Ай бұрын
Thank you. How do you keep your water quality good?
@MrAviaryАй бұрын
Thank you, I do regular water changes
@jase123111 Жыл бұрын
The back mesh is a good tip....also dark green is good! I can't see the birds if the mesh is shiny reflective metal. PS...my painted quails just hatched out and are happily raising some chicks in my aviary. It's so cute to see them as a family!
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
Nice 👍
@lukeroberts9142 жыл бұрын
That’s an awesome aviary.
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you ☺️
@audreyleckie60852 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Great video. All your tips are super helpful! I think the black paint effect is magic!
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your support 😊
@nyko9113 жыл бұрын
Very nice. Love the quails!
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😁
@bigbiemacaw2 жыл бұрын
A great space saving tip I recently saw was chains that were quite heavy hung close together on the door just as good as a sally door, depending on your birds..our birds love our cats n dog, mind our parrots are a lot bigger, macaw but I do have a rescued lovebird..
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the extra tip, good one.
@spectre46273 жыл бұрын
Hey man, I'm on the verge of building my aviary on my backyard. I was inspired by one of your videos. Anyway, the plan is a bigger one than yours with a custom waterfall and I'm planning to have multiple kinds of finches (kept in pairs) and a pair of quails. My question is, how do you control the population? I'm afraid they will outgrow the habitat.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
thanks, I sell the offspring
@ilyoshonusmonov81812 жыл бұрын
Спасибо за видео...
@samuelcontreras92482 жыл бұрын
Nice setup!
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, new setups are coming
@Vacaverde7874 жыл бұрын
Greetings from the tropics! Excellent recommendations! I am under construcción of my aviary and I was wondering if I am doing the right thing. At the moment my biggest concern is to put on the roof to let in the light without creating the greenhouse effect in it, since summers are very hot and humid. I must keep thinking, in the moment I will solve something. Thanks for your advice !!!
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks, curious about your aviary please share some pictures on instagram or facebook, would be nice.
@debbieverret40334 жыл бұрын
I faced my aviary north, attaching it to the south side of the house. I have good sun east to west daily and I shingled my roof and left the sides with the hardware cloth at 6 foot lengths, they have plenty of light everyday.
@Vacaverde7874 жыл бұрын
Mr. Surely yes! When I have a little progress in structure I will share photos with you on Instagram. In fact I have seen many compact aviaries but I love yours! It has movement in the design and I really liked that. This weekend I was working with the base (the floor). I will send photos soon!
@alys.13044 жыл бұрын
Great job! I have a question about the mesh being used, what material is it made out of? Finches probably will not bite on it ingesting bits of it but other species might.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
It is stainless steel, safe for birds. I wouldn't use the paint for parakeet or parrot species
@yuehu26372 жыл бұрын
very helping
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@OCAVIARY4 жыл бұрын
Some great tips, all must do’s!!! As for general care and health of the birds. Be sure to work them once a month using apple cider vinegar or something such as Baycox or Herban Oregano. This will help keep the birds gut clean and kill any internal parasites Check out my channel for more videos on general bird care👌
@themishmish1013 жыл бұрын
You did an amazing job . My Dutch friend. I hope mine comes out as beautiful.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Please share when done with #aviscaping on facebook or instagram
@juliemcgugan1244 Жыл бұрын
Is Ayia a livestock guardian breed? They naturally begin to protect the animals around them, if they are brought up amongst the livestock and flock. I assume it might be the same way with an avian flock, too!
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
A bit she is a mix but she is always laying in front of the aviary
@torIIgo3 жыл бұрын
Love it! And this gives me much more insight and plenty of ideas on making a future bioactive (more or less) indoor aviary on wheels!
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, that's cool
@birdwoman.Birdman3 жыл бұрын
Nice Job! Greetings Clonmoylan Aviaries
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the support 😊
@u2rob3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the practical advice
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, hope you can use the tips
@ramanidpr403 жыл бұрын
very nice love it
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you! 😊
@gewoonkyano52483 жыл бұрын
Ik ga een aan men voliere een deel bij bouwen Ik heb nu 4 gouldmandine’s, 1 kanari koppel, en dan een paar zebra vinken Ik zou graag japanse meeuwtjes en 1koppel diamond finches erbij zetten en kweken ik de gezelschap voliere. Zonder het gebruik van kweekkooien Zou dit kunnen volgens jou?
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
De diamant duifjes kunnen erg aggressief worden tijdens broedseizoen. Hoe groot word je volière
@gewoonkyano52483 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary geen diamand duifjes maar diamant vinken/diamantastrilde
@salmatransportation3833 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing!
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, np
@shahanhama61763 жыл бұрын
I seriously loved this video
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@morningrays98993 жыл бұрын
Quails lay a lot of eggs and this can attract rodent or snake, do you remove them or what do you do?
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
I remove them if they are not interested in building a nest or when I dont let them breed.
@bmacadody944710 ай бұрын
Excellent video
@MrAviary9 ай бұрын
Thanks
@BirdmanVoyages3 жыл бұрын
Thanks man. The tips were very useful and I love the surroundigs as well..
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@JACEK23503 жыл бұрын
Beautifull aviary👍😍
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Many thanks
@syedhussain64343 жыл бұрын
I learned a lot from your tips, thanks.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@mrfinch9383 жыл бұрын
I have a avairy but the double door is very small so I will make it a bit bigger next time and also I made a part where the birds go to eat a seperate part to the avairy
@jeyakumar130 Жыл бұрын
For Africa lovebird aviary can i paint the mesh ?? Is that harmfull for them??
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
It depends, if they really chew on the mesh I would not recommend it
@RandellAnievas9 ай бұрын
Where are you located? I just want to compare our weather here in Northern California USA / Sacramento /SF area. I am hoping that my birds will be able to survive our winter/summer season. Your advice would be really important/helpful. 😊
@MrAviary9 ай бұрын
I'm from the Netherlands
@nikkylandry11632 жыл бұрын
My aviary has double doors, mesh fat enough not to hurt any bird feet that might grab it, several bird baths, a pond and the main food Tins are in special lock boxes to keep people from putting weird unwanted items in with the food. And a few different security measures, plus to dampen the sound, 2 rows of fat cactus. And a huge pull down cover. The 3 parrot safe fruiting trees seem to provide adequate shade. Just waiting to finish the legal stuff.
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Sounds good
@TropicalAviaryBirds3 жыл бұрын
Looks good 👍😉
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@chris-c2c4k7 ай бұрын
what black paint though would be non toxic to parrots?
@MrAviary7 ай бұрын
Check out my latest video
@Gurmanplays6 ай бұрын
Hi can u please tell me what app or software did u use to create the design of aviary
@MrAviary6 ай бұрын
yes, that's SketchUp a 3D drawing software
@paulgabolinscy25024 жыл бұрын
Great tips. Thank you
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@richardhowell51224 жыл бұрын
Some great tips, painting the mesh is a really good one, the difference is amazing!
@katiegutierrez3 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this video. I have an aviary and I have such a huge problem with rats coming in to eat the seeds and ultimately attacked and killed 3 of my love birds. I’m looking in to what to do about it.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thats always a big problem. How do they get in?
@keithcamilleri99843 жыл бұрын
Hi, by any chance do know at what age should I ring my Diamond Doves chicks? I find your videos very helpful and one day I would love to start breeding finches. Keep It Up
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks you, I don't know at what age mostly it is between 5 and 9 days but never had diamond doves
@thijszanting8683 жыл бұрын
I got a question: What for paint do you use? I hear a lot that a lot of paint is toxic for birds... And are plants a must? I never had an aviary but I am planning for it...
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Depends on the birds you have yes most paint is toxic but these birds won't chew on the mesh, in contrast to parakeets and parrots. Plants are good for enrichment and shelter
@thijszanting8683 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviaryOk... But is there any paint out there that isn't toxic? And do you now something about diamond pigeons ( in het Nederlands diamantduif)?
@riam54293 жыл бұрын
The best tip I will definitely do is black paint the mesh, thanks man
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
It is such a change
@davidkruger97493 жыл бұрын
I like dark green.Also give better view and more natural.
@MiguelRPD9 ай бұрын
Which point should you use ?
@nicoleputnam85925 ай бұрын
I thought birds will be poisoned from the paint or the non-stainless steel mesh? Dont they chew on the mesh?
@ravenrisby2 жыл бұрын
I would love to b a bird in your garden 🤘🏻
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thank you ☺️
@kiranseth49603 жыл бұрын
Great tips
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@colesbackyardcoop4 жыл бұрын
Good tips and good video. How are the birds doing? Hopefully all are healthy and well. Aya is adorable! Take care!
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
Thanks, yes no more casualties so doing great.
@juliogarcia99585 ай бұрын
Black Mesh 👍👍👍
@MrAviary5 ай бұрын
It's such a difference
@informationmania657211 ай бұрын
so nice information ites my dream to make same aviry in my place
@MrAviary10 ай бұрын
Thank you, hope you can one day
@thenorthcarolinian67963 жыл бұрын
Oh and another tip! In the warm seasons make a 1/2 inch wall of snake repellent powder around the aviary, BUT DO IT ABOUT 3ft. Away from the aviary.
@antcafe52553 жыл бұрын
why
@haroontahir2793 жыл бұрын
I love the bird at 9:50
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Those are cordon blues
@haroontahir2793 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary it is not available in pakistan 😭
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
@@haroontahir279 They are also really scarce over here.
@FunnyPitbull-ks9su3 ай бұрын
Anyone got any tips for an aviary for canaries in the uk (only have 2 of them but i also love these birfd and they love to fly about so an aviary would be s fun idea
@MrAviary3 ай бұрын
Canaries have the same demands as finches.
@ChrisMintjes4 жыл бұрын
I am going to use all tips! Groetjes!!
@davidsantossilvadavid67063 жыл бұрын
Nice
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@mozammalhosen95273 жыл бұрын
very nice
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@steeevo01363 жыл бұрын
Great video and good ideas. Here's another tip - get a cordless drill :-) Cheers.
@De-Beestenboel. Жыл бұрын
hello i have a question what is the name of the program you used to draw your aviary?
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
Sketchup
@De-Beestenboel. Жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary thank you
@alabamamothman29862 жыл бұрын
I going to build my first one. Do you ever release the birds.
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
No they are not native here and will not survive
@alabamamothman29862 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary Ok thanx. I loved your avarian.
@marianaabreu42862 жыл бұрын
💖
@TheRealIndridCold3 жыл бұрын
Gonna use every idea! I am building an aviary and the next 6 weeks and I will post some videos and maybe come back to this comment and put a link I love your accent by the way.. where are you from?
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you, I'm from the Netherlands 🇳🇱
@KJ-693 жыл бұрын
P E R F T E C T
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank you 😊
@rxlo10152 жыл бұрын
👍👍👍
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
👍👍👍👍
@khanisarkar47242 жыл бұрын
Please pray ALLAH give me all of these aameen 🙏🤲❤️
@cedricdumortier26532 жыл бұрын
Hello! I see you only have male quails... Don't they fight? Is it better to have no females at all ? I recently got a couple of quails for my aviary 🙂
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
At the time of filming these were all brothers from the same nest. This works fine because they are brothers.otherwise I would suggest always put them in pairs.
@arcs30153 жыл бұрын
How is the cleaning bird species called? Im spanish and I did not understand it correctly
@thijszanting8683 жыл бұрын
codorniz
@shahidarshad1133 жыл бұрын
👏
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@xanddderke28884 жыл бұрын
I made my own aviary on wheels
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
That's cool
@dylangriffiths34704 жыл бұрын
1st love your vids I’m gonna make a aviary soon
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
That's great, hope you can use some of my tips.
@dylangriffiths34704 жыл бұрын
Mr. Aviary yea I’m in Wales uk so I need to find cold hardy Burke’s like bull finches etc
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
@John Hardy Thanks appreciate it
@wardloyens72233 жыл бұрын
If the sand isnt dry isnt it dangereuse for the quails
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
That's why I use sand, because it dries quickly. So if it is wet it is not immediately dangerous but it can be if it stays wet for long time
@eaglewolfff3 жыл бұрын
I have an apiary of 10 million square feet. The sky is its roof and the earth is its floor. Birds of many species come and go as they please.
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing it with the whole world
@عصفوري-ح2ح2 жыл бұрын
😘😍👍
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@enjoyinglife1971 Жыл бұрын
Can I keep a pond of fishes in finch and budgie aviary
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
Never seen that before, it's a hazard for newly fledge chicks. They can't fly very well and could drown
@enjoyinglife1971 Жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary No it's a big aviary about 30 metre long,20 m in width Just a small small pond with guppies and gauramies and if not I will cover the pond with net
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
@@enjoyinglife1971 That makes the chance of drowning much lower. for the rest I think it is not a super risk and definitely will make the aviary more natural.
@enjoyinglife1971 Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for advising me and love your videos. Can you advise me some plants that I can plant in aviary and make it look like jungle.
@MrAviary Жыл бұрын
@@enjoyinglife1971 I mostly use different kinds of grass species (some can get really big) or coniferous species. Most finches will leave those alone. Try to pick plants with sturdy leaves.
@vijaymannan59652 жыл бұрын
can we add bantam chickens to the finches aviary
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
I wouldn't recommend it. If they get scared and fly up they can hurt the finches pretty bad. They also produce a lot of dust which isn't healthy for your finches
@vijaymannan59652 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary thank u so much
@toosmallforteacups.x73184 жыл бұрын
What metal paint can i use thats safe for the birds please
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
I used just regular metal paint but my birds don't chew on the mesh. For parrots or parakeets, I would by certified black mesh
@toosmallforteacups.x73184 жыл бұрын
Mr. Aviary what about budgies xxx
@MrAviary4 жыл бұрын
@@toosmallforteacups.x7318 Those will probably also chew on the mesh. Depending on the enrichment they have.
@mickheathcote45703 жыл бұрын
i have used black bituminous paint for the last 40 years with no problems. Cockatiels, Grass parakeets, Rosellas and right now I have Common Crossbills which are notorious for chewing. Never had a problem, 5 litres are 19.95 British pounds, which covered two aviaries measuring 12/6/8 feet high wooden frame and mesh inside and out.
@makewithmegma3 жыл бұрын
😍🔥👍
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@makewithmegma3 жыл бұрын
@@MrAviary 👍
@Gamingwithshubham2843 жыл бұрын
New subscriber
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thank, welcome
@thomasbijubiju1822 жыл бұрын
Cinnamon star finch?
@MrAviary2 жыл бұрын
No just wild colored but on the lighter side.
@lifewithtwins-niralandnira48603 жыл бұрын
All you tips are really useful...am from India...will definitely use all ur tips while I built my aviary...keep posting ur videos... I Subscribed your channel...reply me and make me happy...
@MrAviary3 жыл бұрын
Thanks 😁, if possible share some pictures on Facebook or Instagram and use #AviScaping so I will find them
@deathtoluke3 жыл бұрын
Love your accent. Where are you from and where do you live?