Bird/Horse Quiz Flashcards
Factors Affecting Bird Behavior:
Type of bird Speciation Genetics Rearing conditions Management during weaning Post-weaning socialization and experiences Training States of health and disease
Precocial Birds
Hatched almost fully developed
Simple imprinting process
Short period of parental dependence
EX: chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, swans
Altricial birds
Blind and unfeathered at hatching
Complex imprinting process
Long period of parental dependence
EX: parrots and finches
Speciation and Genetics:
This includes innate behaviors designed for survival
All animals want to avoid pain and gain benefits
Most birds are prey species which causes them to have a strong “fight or flight” response
How captive Birds are Chosen:
Most companion birds are 1 to 3 generations removed from the wild
Birds hatch with the ability to perform most the survival behaviors they need
How Birds are Cared For In the Wild:
Chicks are fed regurgitated food
Young dependent birds are isolated from all contact except from their parents
Birds maintain close body contact with their nestmates and parents which allows for imprinting
Characteristics of Wild Parrots:
90% of their waking time is spent flying, eating, and socializing with a flock or mate
May fly as far as 35 miles to search for food
Fewer than half of the hatchlings survive to breeding age
Characteristics of Wild Raptors:
Solitary
50-70% of hatchlings will survive
10% of the breeding population produces 90% of the offspring that become breeders
Issues with Birds in Captivity:
Confinement Lack of stimulation Solitary No foraging or problem solving for food Forced warning Ovebonding Poorly behaved birds can be used as breeders Owners may have unrealistic expectations Parrots will respond to owner stress and are empathetic Hatchlings are hand reared
Hand Rearing Issues:
Birds will recognize humans as members of their species
Birds never become fully weaned which can result in whining
Birds do not interact well with other birds because it does not think it is a bird
Will select a person to be its mate which can cause the bird to attempt to mate with the person, regurgitate for them and “defend” them against other flock members
Can cause overbonding which leads to ob
Horse Behavior:
Dominance hierarchy is displayed by controlling the movements of other herd members by kicking, rearing, charging, etc.
Social herd-hound animals that will mimic each other and others
Epimeletic animals that will provide care and attention to each other as seen through mutual grooming
Et-epimeletic behavior is seen in distress calls when separated
Strange Horse Ingestive Behaviors:
Coprophagy: ingesting feces
Cribbing: inhaling wood particles to cause pain and release endorphins
Dogging or pawing while eating could be a displacement activity
Pica: eating things that are not food
Horses use their lips to rip grass; no teeth
Aggression
Ear pinned back flat against head
“Shark face”
Dragon mode
Tail swishing violently
Alert
Ears forward
Eyes focuses
Tail swishing
Alert but nervous
One ear is paying attention to novel situation
Defensive of its body; body end is ready to strike if
Not relaxed but no aggressive
