Avian Behavior

Question 1

What is the best way to learn normal bird behavior patterns?

Answer 1

Vist local aviculturist
Zoological collections
Join a bird-watching club

Question 2

What are the innate bird behaviors?

Answer 2

Migration
Communal behavior
Territoriality
Courtship/mating
Nest building
Egg incubation and rearing of young

Question 3

Describe “flocking”

Answer 3

-Some species flock during spring migration
-Segregate and are extremely territorial during breeding season
-Flock together again for fall migration

Question 4

How is pecking order established?

Answer 4

Age, Size, Color
Changes in pecking order can be very stressful

Question 5

How can we visibly see pecking order?

Answer 5

Position on telephone lines
What group they are in within a poultry house

Question 6

What is the size that we see with territoriality in birds?

Answer 6

May be as small as immediate area around nest and as large as several backyards/acres

Question 7

How might birds show aggression?

Answer 7

-Toward other animals entering territory
-All birds entering territory
-May only be toward other birds of the same species

Question 8

What are the different ways birds can display courtship?

Answer 8

Color displays
Complex flying patterns
Dances
Songs
Food offering
Demonstrating nest building capabilities
Fighting between rival males

Question 9

The act of mating is typically very ______ in birds

Answer 9

Short

Question 10

Describe nest building behavior in birds

Answer 10

Can be delicate, elaborate structures, coarsley built or essentially simple depressions in the ground
Materials variable
Shared responsibility

Question 11

Describe egg incubation and rearing of young in birds

Answer 11

-Egg incubation can be shared or done by one sex spending on species

Question 12

How are altricial chicks reared?

Answer 12

By their parents until they fledge

Question 13

How are precocial chicks reared?

Answer 13

Able to find food for themselves, but protected by their parents

Question 14

Describe the rearing of birds considered “parasitic” species

Answer 14

Other parents rearing the young of other birds

Question 15

What are signs of sick birds?

Answer 15

-Increased, agitated vocalizations
-Decreased vocalizations
-Ruffled feathers
-Decreased food and water intake
-Solitary, not social
-Unable to stand/fly
-Somnolence when undisturbed
-Rouse when disturbed to try and appear normal

Question 16

Describe the abnormal behaviors of birds by body system:

Answer 16

-Integumentary: feather picking, self-mutilation
-Respiratory: panting, tail bobbing, coughing, sneezing
-Gastrointestinal: polyphagia/polydipsia, anorexia
-Musculoskeletal: inability to fly/stand
-Cardiovascular: syncope
-Reproductive: chronic egg laying, tenesmus
-Nervous: seizure-like activity, agitation, night frights

Question 17

Which type of birds commonly display undesirable behaviors?

Answer 17

Psittacines

Question 18

What undesirable behavior are Psittacines prone to developing?

Answer 18

OCD

Question 19

What are other undesirable behaviors?

Answer 19

Biting
Screaming
Physiologic regurgitation
Preferential dieting
Mate aggression
Broodiness

Question 20

Birds respond best to what type of reinforcement?

Answer 20

Positive reinforcement

Question 21

What is positive reinforcement?

Answer 21

Anything that occurs in conjunction with an act that tends to increase the likelihood that the act will occur again

Question 22

What is negative reinforcement?

Answer 22

“Aversion/Harrassment” training
Anything that the subject will work to avoid

Question 23

Why does punishment not work with birds

Answer 23

Because the punishable act is typically disassociated with the punishment

Question 24

Why does routine help prevent unwanted behaviors?

Answer 24

A regular schedule will help prevent unwanted behaviors because birds are a “Creature of habit”

Question 25

What husbandry protocol can you take to prevent undesirable behaviors in psittacines?

Answer 25

Environmental enrichment
Radios, television, cage enrichment