Avian Flashcards
State 3 roles of the RSPB
• provide habitats for birds
• education of the public
• preserve bird populations
What is RSPB?
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Name some ratite species
Ostriches, emus, Rhea, Kiwis
Name some waterfowl
Ducks, swans, geese
Name some galliforms/gamebirds
Pheasants, quail, chickens
Name some penguin species
Emperor, macaroni, gentoo, chinstrap, Humboldt, king
Name some pelican species
Dalmatian, brown, great white, American white
Name some stork/heron species
Storks - Marabou, white, black, wood
Herons - grey, great blue, great egret, black-crowned night heron
Name some flamingo species
American, greater, Chilean, lesser
Name some crane and rail species
Cranes - sandhill crane, common, whooping, Siberian
Rails - clapper, water, king, sora
Name some birds of prey species found in the U.K.
Peregrine falcon
Buzzard
Red kite
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel
Golden eagle
Barn owl
Hen harrier
Merlin
Osprey
Tawny owl
White-tailed eagle
Goshawk
Hobby
Marsh harrier
Short-eared owl
Little owl
Honey buzzard
Montagu’s harrier
Red-tailed hawk
Falcon
Gyrfalcon
Rough-legged buzzard
What are the 6 ways to house birds in captivity?
- Cages
- Flights
- Aviary
- Weathering yard
- Free loft
- Mews
Tethering/jesses:
When a bird has a loop around their ankle which is then attached to a tether (rope) which stops them from flying away
What are the negative points of view when it comes to the ethics of tethering?
• stress - other birds, predators
• exposed to the elements
• no choice
• NO FLYING - 5 needs, cannot exhibit natural behaviour
• positive punishment if they attempt to fly away
• no enrichment
• lead may cause injuries
• bumble foot
• stress related illnesses
• some BOP are social
What are the 4 general rules of tethering according to the Secretary of State modern zoo practice?
• birds that are tethered should be flown 4-5 times per week
• no birds should be permanently tethered
• owls and vultures shouldn’t be tethered
• should have sufficient aviary space
Why tether?
• display - make money
• transport
• cheaper than an aviary
• education
• shows
• handling
• easy access to health checking
• training
Tethering update 2022:
“Tethering of birds for routine management should be phased out by 31 December 2027”
“Following this date, all birds should be free lofted in suitable environments”
What do we need to consider when building/designing a bird enclosure? (There’s at least 20)
• how many individuals?
• external animals - possible predators
• natural environment
• location
• whether they fly or not
• budget
• access system for keepers and security
• avian flu status
• size of the enclosure
• building materials
• heating/lighting (UV?)
• feeding
• watering
• safe capture
• husbandry/ease of cleaning
• substrate
• planting
• perching
• nest area/boxes
• flight restrictions (net?)
What is pinioning?
The permanent removal of part of the wing when the bird is 3-4 days old when the wing is cartilaginous. If the bird is older, surgery is required (by a vet!). Anaesthesia is always required and pinioning is only for the bird’s best interest.
What considerations are there when it comes to the location of a bird enclosure?
• indoor/outdoor
• predators
• temperature
• draughty
• minimise stress
• natural lighting
• location as enrichment
• corner of the room, not surrounded
• quiet area of the house
• not in kitchen - Teflon poisoning
What considerations are there when it comes to the substrate in a bird enclosure? Include pros and cons of newspaper, mulch, and shavings
• is it easy to clean (quick, minimise stress)
• reduce disease/infection - aspergillosis, final infection, damp, wet conditions
• dust
• moisture of substrates for enrichment
• depends on enclosure location
• cost
Newspaper:
Pros - easy to clean, cheap
Cons - can get mouldy, not very absorbent
Mulch:
Pros - cheap, express natural behaviours
Cons - difficult to clean, can become mouldy
Shavings:
Pros - easy to clean, absorbent
Cons - dusty, dependant on location
What considerations are there when it comes to perches in a bird enclosure?
• range of sizes/diameter
• range of heights
• access to food/water
• easy access for keepers
• balance, enough perches to choose
• leave space for flying
• how will they be secured so they don’t fall over?
• range of textures
• poisonous plants/trees
• incorrect perching = bumble foot, overgrown nails
What considerations are there when it comes to the lighting/heating in a bird enclosure?
• heating requirements depend on species
• indoor vs outdoor enclosure
• birds need UV to produce vitamin D
• birds need UV for breeding
• indoor birds need UV light
• too high UV can cause damage
• safety of keepers (sunburn?)
What are the 3 kinds of enrichment?
• naturalistic
• mechanical
• nutritional
Frostbite: causes, treatment, and prevention
Causes:
• poor husbandry
• low to the ground in winter
• poor water proofing/draining
• lack of heating
Treatment:
• place them somewhere warm
• move them inside
• suitable substrate
Prevention:
• use correct substrate and flooring
• indoors at night
• good husbandry
Feather plucking: causes, treatment, and prevention
Causes:
• stress
• boredom
Treatment:
• vet
• correct diet
• warming treatment
• enrichment
• social groupings
Prevention:
• research
• correct social environment
• correct diet
Bumblefoot: causes, treatment, and prevention
Causes:
• pressure sores
• broken, infected skin
• flat surfaces with no air flow
• incorrect perching
• no variation
• sharp objects
• obesity
Treatment:
• sudocrem
• move inside
• change flooring
• remove the calis
Prevention:
• good husbandry
• correct substrate/flooring
• correct perching
Poisoning: causes, treatment, and prevention
Causes:
• Teflon poisoning (cookware)
• poisonous plants
• poisonous branches as a perch
• secondary poisoning from eating poisoned rodents
Treatment:
• remove them and provide ventilation
• VETS
Prevention:
• research
• appropriate housing
• perching
• location of enclosure
• appropriate diet
Physical injury: causes, treatment, and prevention
Causes:
• poorly designed accommodation
• incorrect bars/netting
• perches not in a big enough area
• birds could fly into netting
Treatment:
• VETS
• AVIAN VETS
Prevention:
• make sure the accommodation is suitable
What is a carnivore?
Only eats meat
What is a herbivore?
Only eats plant matter
What is an omnivore?
Eats both meat and plant matter
What is an insectivore?
Eats insects
What is a piscivore?
Primarily eats fish
What is a frugivore?
Totally or primarily eats fruits
What is a granivore?
Primarily eats seeds and nuts
Name some species of pigeons/doves
Rock dove, common wood pigeon, mourning dove
Name some shorebirds/wading birds
Sanderling, Dunlin, oystercatchers, red knot
Name some parrot species
Cockatiel, Budgerigar, scarlet macaw
Name some passerine species
House sparrow, goldcrest, bearded reedling
Name some corvid species
Common raven, carrion crow, hooded crow, rook
What is a nectivore?
Honey/nectar eaters
What is an avivore?
Primarily eats other birds
What is a hunter?
Actively seeks out prey to kill
What is a scavenger?
Feeds on carrion, dead plant matter, or refuse. Meat is already dead.
What are the 7 nutrients?
- Water
- Carbohydrates
- Protein
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Fibre
- Lipids
What factors influence a bird’s diet?
• cost
• number of animals
• storage of food
• waste?
• behaviour of birds - aggression?
• environment in the wild
• species
• nutritional requirements
• mixed-species exhibits
• life stage
• food availability
• health of the bird
• palatability
Why should we provide supplements to birds?
Calcium and Phosphorous (Ca, P) are important minerals in the diet and need to be taken into the body through the diet at the correct ratios. The body needs phosphorus to absorb calcium through the intestines. If there is more phosphorus than calcium then phosphorus starts to take calcium from the animal’s bones resulting in metabolic bone disease.
What ratio of Ca:P should a bird have
2:1
Timed feeders:
• reduces staff time
• ensures food access throughout the day
• good for live feeds
• breeding season - fresh food for chicks
Signs of ill health in birds:
• high temperature
• broken skin
• loss of balance
• dirty
• parasites - worms, mites
• dry eyes/discharge/cloudy eyes
• chipped/sores on beaks
• discharge from nares
• rotting smell
• gaping mouth
• head bobbing
• atypical behaviours
• flapping but no flight
• holding foot up
• lack of movement
• injured feet - bumble foot, toes missing (frostbite?)
• overgrown nails
• sitting hunched over
• fluffed-up feathers
• laboured breathing - visible, raspy?, bubbly?, sign of aspergillosis
• head low to ground
• slitty eyes
• aggression
• lethargy
• matted feathers
• wings dropped
• lack of feathers - feather plucking?
• loss of interest in mating
• lack of appetite
• underweight
• not flying
• lack of faecal output
• diarrhoea
• flicking tail
• blood in faeces
• low response to stimuli
What are the 4 classifications of pathogens?
• bacteria
• virus
• fungi
• parasites
What is a pathogen?
Something that causes a disease
What is bacteria?
A single called organism that can cause disease.
What is a virus?
Not alive, needs living cells inside a ‘host’ to replicate, will cause disease/illness
What is a parasite? What are endo and ecto parasites?
An organism that lives inside/on top of a ‘host’.
Endo - inside (worms etc)
Ecto - outside (mites etc)
What is fungi?
A fungus infects the animal and causes illness/disease
Psittacosis:
• found in almost all birds but common in parrots/cockatiels
• bacteria: chlamydia psittaci
• transmitted by: faeces, saliva, feather dust, airborne
• symptoms: discharge from eyes and nose, yellow/green faeces, reduced appetite, weight loss, problems with breathing
• this disease is ZOONOTIC - breathing difficulties, fever, and pneumonia in humans
Bird flu:
• a type of influenza that affects birds
• can he zoonotic depending on the strain
• symptoms: loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, blue discolouration of throat and neck, diarrhoea
Mites:
• northern fowl mite and chicken mite are very common
• mites can bite humans but will not live on them
Air sac mites:
• infect respiratory system
• wet nose
• canaries/cockatiels
• sneezing
• coughing
Aspergillosis:
• a fungal infection
• caused by aspergillus - a common mould
• found in: damp soil, damp nesting material, mouldy food and substrate
• infected by breathing in spores
• slow growing that develops over weeks/months
• often no obvious signs of illness until condition is very developed
• signs: fluffed up, weight loss, difficulty breathing
• causes respiratory disease
How are bacterial infections treated?
Antibiotics
How are viruses treated/prevented?
Vaccinations or symptoms treated
How are fungal infections treated?
Anti-fungal medication
How are endo-parasites treated?
Worming treatment
How are ecto-parasites treated?
Insecticides
How would you prevent psittacosis?
• good biosecurity
• keep cages clean and things inside
• position cages so there’s no spread of food, feathers, droppings
• avoid over-crowding
• isolate and treat infected birds
How would you prevent aspergillosis?
• good biosecurity
• minimise dust and moisture buildup
• frequent cage cleaning
• fresh, nutritious food
• good ventilation
How would you prevent avian flu?
• distance birds from wild
• good biosecurity
• keep birds locked away
• regularly cleaning feeders/waterers and refilling with fresh food/water
Avipoxvirus:
Pathogen, causes, symptoms, prevention
Pathogen: virus
Causes: transmission occurs when a mosquito (the vector for this disease) feeds on an infected bird or feeds near secretions from lesions.
Symptoms: eyes swollen + discharge, inflammation of inner throat, trachea, oseophagus making eating and breathing difficult, tissue growths, abscesses
Prevention: vaccination, antibiotics for secondary bacterial infections, iodine-glycerin application on proliferating skin lesions to aid healing
Ivermectin is an ___________ treatment frequently it is administered via _____\______ spray.
Ivermectin is an (insecticidal) treatment frequently it is administered via (nasal/topical) spray.
Itraconazole is an _________ treatment that is frequently administered _______ via a capsule or tablet.
Itraconazole is an (antimycotic) treatment that is frequently administered (orally) via a capsule or tablet.
Baytril is an ________ that can be administered into the muscle via __________ or given in a solution or tablet ______.
Baytril is an (antibiotic) that can be administered into the muscle via (injection) or given in a solution or tablet (orally).
What steps/aspects are involved in handling, restraint, and movement?
• prior planning
• PPE
• restraint equipment
• decide technique(s)
• risk assessment
• appropriate transport methods
• legislation
Capture myopathy:
• condition can occurs from struggle or stress during handling or transport
• results in the collapse or death of animal
• requires euthanasia
How would you prevent capture myopathy?
• chemical restraint/sedation (if appropriate)
• proper training
• well organised capture plan
• well executed capture plan
• reduce restraint time
• noise and visual stimulus should be kept to a minimum
Planning a capture - how are you going to reduce stress?
• trained and competent staff
• enough members of staff
• all equipment is ready
• all equipment is correct
• everyone is aware of the plan
• stop and reassess is plan A isn’t working
BTO
British Trust of Ornithology
What considerations are there when handling birds of prey?
• the talons are the most dangerous part of the bird
• BOP may bite and should always be held well away from anyone’s face, hands, or arms
• make sure the BOP doesn’t injure itself with its talons
What considerations are there when handling parrots?
• the main weapon of a parrot is the beak
• always have the head restrained properly to prevent to prevent injury to the handler
• make sure the head is secure
• a towel can be used
Define homologous
When we have similar structure in different organisms
How do a bird’s phalanges differ to a human’s?
Only 3 phalanges as opposed to 5
The two main muscles associated with flight are:
Pectoralis: pulls the wing down, extremely large, powerful muscle
Supracoracoideus: lifts the wing up, smaller than the pectoralis
How does the Supracoracoideus muscle lift the bird’s wing?
The muscle is below the sternum, looping through the clavicle and shoulder and attaching to the humerus, acting as a pulley.
What are down feathers for?
Insulation
What are contour feathers for?
Protection from the elements, adds shape to the bird, aerodynamics
What are the semi plumes for?
Help fill in cavities, keeping the aerodynamic shape, insulation
What is a pneumatic bone?
A hollow bone. Helps with shock absorption
Sternum/Keel:
The keel part of a bird’s breastbone extends outward from the top of the bone and down the breast area. It acts as an anchor for a bird’s strong wing muscles. It is a feature of strong flying or swimming birds.
Fused thoracic vertebrae:
Fairly rigid and helps the bird resist strong forces when flying.
Avian Ribs:
Provide leverage for the attached muscles. Prevents the birds chest from collapsing when the large pectoral muscles are contracted. Also helps to expand and contract the chest when breathing.
Avian skull:
Aerodynamic when flying
Wings:
Strong/durable for flight but no ability to grasp
Avian neck:
Elongated. Used as a counter balance. Very flexible in order to reach around the body.
Avian legs:
Shock absorbing for landing.
Avian tail:
The rudder and break in flight, important for balance.
What are the parts of the human digestive system? (In order)
- Mouth
- Oesophagus
- Stomach
- Duodenum
a. Pancreas
b. gallbladder
c. liver - Small intestine
- Large intestine
a. caecum
b. colon
c. rectum
d. anus
Crop:
A pouch in the oesophagus - this allows the bird to eat lots of food at once and then digest it slowly later. The bird can throw up this food to take off quicker if a predator is near.
Proventriculus:
This is the first ‘stomach’. This is where acid is added to the food.
Gizzard (ventriculus):
Very muscular stomach with thick walls: this mechanical organ grinds the food before it enters the small intestine.
Cloaca:
Birds only have one exit for the digestive system, urinary system, and reproductive system. This is knows as the cloaca or vent.
What are the 4 parts of the excretory system? What are their functions?
- Kidneys - remove waste and excess fluid
- Ureters - transports urine to bladder
- Bladder - holds urine
- Urethra - excretes urine
Birds have kidneys and ureters the same as mammals but lack a ________ and _______. The ureters lead directly to the _______. Ostriches are the exception. Unlike mammals, they excrete ______ _____ instead of urine. ________ is converted to uric acid in the ________. This is then mixed with _______ from the digestive system and exits the body from the ______. This system reduces the amount of _____ that is lost from the body.
Birds have kidneys and ureters the same as mammals but lack a (bladder) and (urethra). The ureters lead directly to the (cloaca). Ostriches are the exception. Unlike mammals, they excrete (uric acid) instead of urine. (Nitrogen) is converted to uric acid in the (kidneys). This is then mixed with (waste) from the digestive system and exits the body from the (cloaca). This system reduces the amount of (water) that is lost from the body.
How do birds mate?
After courtship, the male will tread the female whereby their cloacas are rubbed and sperm is transferred. Some species have a phallus-like organ that transmit sperm, these mainly include waterfowl and ratites.
Parts of the oviduct: Funnel
The released mature ova enters here
Parts of the oviduct: ova
(Basically the yolk). A cluster of ova at various stages of maturity.
Parts of the oviduct: magnum
Layers of albumen added here (3 hours)
Parts of the oviduct: Isthmus
Protective membranes added here (1 hour)
Parts of the oviduct: shell gland/uterus
Shell and bloom added here (20 hours).
Parts of the oviduct: Vent
Egg emerges here (1 hour or less)
How is an egg formed?
- Nutrients carried to the ovary from the body
- Ovary - follicles full with yolk and grow - largest follicle will release the yolk of the egg the hen will lay tomorrow
- Yolk travels down the infundibulum- fertilisation will occur here
- Magnum - the yolk is covered in albumin (egg white)
- Isthmus - shell membrane is formed here
- Shell gland - water moves into egg to create “egg shape”. The shell is created
- Vagina - egg turns around (oviposition)
- Egg comes out of cloaca
Breeding triggers:
• length of day
• temperature
• humidity
• food availability
• vocalisations
• presence of opposite sex
• breeding colony
• sexual maturity
• circadian rhythm cycles
• follicle stimulating hormones produced in the pituitary gland stimulate reproductive systems
