Avian Husbandry - Hawks, Pigeons, Waterfowl etc Flashcards
List raptors
Falcons, Hawks, Buzzards, Eagles, Owls & Vultures
What is the purpose of a tail guard?
Protect tail feathers if hospitialised
Bod weight of a Harris Hawk
550-880g (m), 825-1200g (f)
When do Harris Hawks reach sexual matuirty
2-3 years
Maximum lifespan of a Harris Hawk
20 years
Harris Hawk as a Falconry Bird
Good for beginners, Very intelligent (easy socilaise & train), Common behaioural problems - Feahter plucking & aggression
Tiercel
Male falon
Mews
Housing
Aylmeri
Anklet, loop of leather round tarsometatarsus with brass eyelet for jess
Jesses
Leather strap passed through alymetri to restrain bird on glove
Mutes
Droppings
Bate
To fly off the glove in panic when tethered
To cast
Restrain bird round shoulders/Regurgitate indigestible fur/feathers
Handling Raptors
Restrain feet first (except vultures),
Falcontry birds restrained on glove,
Equipment individually fitted,
Hoods for falcons,
Wildlife cast in towel,
Owls & ealges & vultures may try to bite, vultures often regurgitate, 2 handlers needed for large raptors
Sexing raptors
Many raptors monomorphic but females are usually larger than males, DNA sexing or Endoscopy
Identifiction for Ratpros
Closed ring, Micrchipped left pectoral region, Independent bird register for ratpros, Indigenous captive-bred raptros but be rung and regisered to DEFRA (Article 10 licence under CITES)
Diet & Nutrtion of Raptors
Whole prey best, Casting should occur within 12 hours of feeding, Water provided for drinking & bathing
Common diet related diseases in raptors
Metabolic bone disease, Wild-caught food risk, Avian TB, Lead ingestion, Fatty liver-kindet syndrom
Housing Raptors
Free-lofting is best in brick or wooden aviary with 3 solid sides and wire mesh front, Falconry birds may be tether to purte during flying season & moved to shelter at night, During closed season left undisturbe to molt or breed in aviary, Swviel feeders & Shallow water tray for bathing
When is flying season for raptors?
August - Feburary
What perches can be used?
Falcons - Block perches, Hawks - Bow perches covered with astroturf
Why would you use Skylight seclusion in an aviary & how would you accomplish this?
For nervous birds & breeding pairs/ 4 Solid sides
What substrate is suitable for an avirary?
Gravel, sand, soil (risk of endoparasites)
Purpose for keeping pigeons
Racing, showing, Zoos & Meat in the US
What is it meant by pigeons pairs are monogamous?
They mate for life
What is pigeon fencing lung also known as?
Allergic alveolitis
Body weight of a pigeon
0.24-2Kg
When do pigeons reach sexual matuiry?
4 months