1. Species ID and Mgmt of Birds

Question 1

How are birds classified?

Answer 1

All birds belong to the kingdom animalia, phylum chordata and class Aves. There are 29 orders within this class
Further subdivided into diff families, genus and species

Question 2

What are galliforms? Give some examples and traits of them

Answer 2

Landfowls or heavy bodied, ground feeding birds

EX. chickens, turkeys, grouse
Males are typically more colorful
Typically 4 stores - 3 lg in front, 1 sm in back
often meat birds

Question 3

What are anseriformes? Give some examples and trait of them

Answer 3

Waterfowl
over 170 species in 3 families
includes ducks, geese, swans, etc
Adapted for aquatic life at the water surface
Webbed feet, large flat beak

Question 4

What are ratites? Give some examples and traits of them

Answer 4

Ratite is any of a diverse group (includes several diff orders) of large, flightless birds, most are extinct now
Unlike flighted birds, they have no kneel on their sternum (which is flat) so they lack a strong anchor for wing muscles (some other birds still have a kneel, however it is underdeveloped). They have poorly developed wings and well-developed legs. Can have 2-4 toes, all point forward
Ex. ostrich, emu, kiwi, rhea, and cassowary

Question 5

What are raptors? What are the 3 orders

Answer 5

A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts for food primarily using its talons (3 front, 1 back) and are carnivorous. They have a curved tip beak and superb vision.
Falconiformes (diurnal) - falcons
Accipitriformes (diurnal) - eagles, hawks, some vultures
Strigiformes (nocturnal) - typical owls

Question 6

What are psittaciformes? What are some characteristics and examples of them?

Answer 6

Most pet birds are from here. Almost 400 diff species in over 90 diff genera
They have an overhanging, strong, curved upper beaks (both upper/lower beaks are mobile and sensitive)
Opposing toes (2 on front/back)
Eyes are placed high and wide on the skull (uniquely wide field of vision)
Found tropical or subtropical
Prized for their colorful feathers, talking and intelligence

Question 7

What is the diet and nesting materials for parrots?

Answer 7

They eat seeds, nuts, fruit, buds and other plant materials
Most just nest in hollow trees or nesting boxes

Question 8

What are the 3 superfamilies of parrots and some examples of each

Answer 8

1. True parrots (psittacoidea)- Lories and lorikeets and macaws, conures, eclectus parrots, budgerigar
2. Cockatoos (cacatuoidea) the only crested parrot
3. New Zealand parrots (strigopoidea) not commonly kept as pets

Question 9

What are common features of cockatoos

Answer 9

Not as colored as most birds but are crested (raised for display and mobile)
Native to australa/asia
21 diff species of cockatoos (sulfur crested, goffins, cockatiels) - not breeds but truly diff species

Question 10

What are cockatiels? Characteristics?

Answer 10

Smallest and easiest to keep of the cockatoos
live in pairs or sm groups in the wild
adults are more brightly colored - female have gray faces, these differences are only visible after the first moult, and never “fancy cockatiels” may not be able to distinguish
Their crest erects when startled, mating or aroused

Question 11

What are Lorries and lorikeets? What are some traits and characteristics?

Answer 11

Live in trees, feed on nectar and soft fruits, colorful and from Australia/asia
Sm-med sized, brush tipped tongue
Are messy eaters and can be territorial

Question 12

What are some characteristics and traits of the African grey parrot

Answer 12

Feather dander gives a fine white powder coating to feathers and beaks
endangered

Question 13

What are some traits and characteristics of eclectus parrots?

Answer 13

Females are red - more likely to bite
Males are green
quieter and less active than other birds
long digestive tract and require fibre from fruits, figs and buds
From australasia

Question 14

Describe the traits and characteristics of macaws

Answer 14

Larger beaks and longer tails than other parrots
very strong beaks to crack hard, large nuts (also eats fruits, leaves, flowers and stems(
Active and vocal
require a large cage
make a lot of feces
Found in the americas

Question 15

Describe the traits and characteristics of budgerigar’s

Answer 15

Small
active and social
sex based on the color of the cere
males - blue. females - tan/beige
Native to Australia
can have a huge vocabularly of 1000+ words

Question 16

Describe the traits and characteristics of lovebirds

Answer 16

Small parrots, affectionate
monogamous, pairs sit together for long periods, need a buddy
eat fruit, vegetables, grasses and seeds
from african

Question 17

What are passeriforms? What are some characteristics and traits of them

Answer 17

The largest order of birds - half of all bird species
The “perching birds”
Includes our native wild songbirds as well as canaries and finches - passer domesticus is the house sparrow
three front toes, 1 hind toe like some raptors

Question 18

Describe the traits and characteristics of finches

Answer 18

zcolonial seed eaters, song birds
zebra finches, common in Australasia
Males have a chestnut cheek patch, a chestnut stripe with white spots along he flank and a fine black and white striping on the neck above a broad black band across the chest
Females have none of these markings. Their beaks are orange and males are red.

Question 19

What are some things about birds and health o keep in mind?

Answer 19

Most require enrichment of 1-2 hrs a day with owner
Many species destroy their own feathers if bored: most common reason we see parrots in clinic, usually behavioural from boredom, frustration, poor socialization in life. Occasionally can see medical reasons like mites, skin, dz. Feather picking in sm birds more likely to have health condition. Most will bite if handled/socialized improperly.

Question 20

What are some requirements for cages for birds? Enrichment?

Answer 20

At least lg enough for the bird to fully stretch its swings and actively move around (bigger is better)
at least two perches of different thickness (avoid sandpaper. real branches are great)
ladders, toys (rotate them out)
often have a grated floor covered with bedding as part of play/exercise area - good covering so do not damage claws

Question 21

In terms of water, what to birds need?

Answer 21

free choice water
water bowl will get soiled by dropping and may be used as a bath or to wet food to change it frequently
May also teach bird to use a sipper bottle - should still have a bathing area or a mist with spray bottle

Question 22

What do birds need for feed?

Answer 22

Try and find ways to have birds forage for food for enrichment
bird seed can be a problem bx its rarely a balanced diet and is too high in fat and deficient in nutrients
Formulated food (pellets) appropriate to size and type of bird. For parrots, feed 70-80% of diet pellets. Add fresh fruit and vegetables 20-30% of diet. wash and peel first

Question 23

What does exercise look like with birds in regards to pet birds

Answer 23

close all doors and windows b4 releasing them
turn off fans and stove tops
remove other pets like cats/dogs
cover aquariums and toilets
very sensitive to gases and scents like smoking, aerosol sprays, dust, strong cleaning products

Question 24

What is the average -maximum live span of macaws, amazons, African grays, eclectus parrot, conure, rainbow lorikeets, cockatiel, canaries, finches, budgerigars

Answer 24

Macaws 15 (50)
Amazons: 15 (80)
African Grays 15 (50)
Eclectus Parrot 8 (20)
Conure 10 (25)
Rainbow Lorikeets 3 (15)
Cockatiel 5 (32)
Canaries 8 (20)
Finches 5 (17)
Budgerigar 6 (18)