Avian Skin Flashcards
1
Q
Why are birds at risk for extinction?
A
2/3 of all birds species are affected by climate change
2
Q
How are cats harmful to birds?
A
House cats account for 3/4 of bird deaths not related to natural causes
3
Q
Properties of bird skin (6)?
A
- very thin
- no sweat glands
- beaks
- nails
- feathers
- scales
4
Q
What is a Uropygial Gland
A
- aka preen gland
- located at the base of tail
- secretes an oil that cleans, makes feathers waterproof, natural anti microbial, protects against parasites., rulings barbs on feathers
5
Q
What Birds Don’t Have a Uropygial Gland (6)? How else do they stay clean (2)?
A
- Rattiest, pigeons, doves, amazon parrots, woodpeckers, frogmouths
- Use water or dust bath instead
6
Q
Characteristics of beaks (3) and what do they do (5) ?
A
- Bone base (maxilla (top) and mandible (bottom)).
- keratin cover
- preen, eat, greet, defense, feed young
7
Q
What to do with overgrown beaks?
A
- Beaks must be maintained
- Severe overgrowth is preventable (proper diet and perching)
8
Q
What is a beak trim/ characteristics ?
A
- AKA coping
- restraint often necessary
- Tools: clippers, dremel, file
- has many blood vessels and nerve endings
9
Q
Why is perching important?
A
- Maintains beaks and nails
- perching must be disposable
- must rotate perching and change it out
10
Q
What causes bumble foot (6)?
A
- 98% preventable
- poor husbandry
- terrible perching
- overgrown nails
- inactivity
- obesity
- occasionally nutritional
11
Q
Affects of bumble foot (4)?
A
- leads to secondary bacterial infection
- necrosis
- tendon exposure
- euthanize
