Bird Nutrition and Feeding

Question 1

seed eaters example

Answer 1

cardinal

Question 2

fruit eaters example

Answer 2

parrot

Question 3

nectar eaters example

Answer 3

hummingbird

Question 4

carnivores example

Answer 4

owls, hawks

Question 5

beak

Answer 5

no teeth, swallow food whole

Question 6

crop

Answer 6

bottom of esophagus, storage organ

Question 7

proventriculus

Answer 7

similar to stomach, produces acid

Question 8

gizzard

Answer 8

grinds up food

Question 9

why does a bird have rocks in the gizzard?

Answer 9

to grind up their food, functions as teeth

Question 10

cecum

Answer 10

birds have 2 (ceca)
contains microorganisms that digest things the bird couldn’t

Question 11

cloaca

Answer 11

equivalent of human’s rectum

Question 12

2 methods of feeding

Answer 12

human foods
pellet method

Question 13

advantages of human food method

Answer 13

no special food to buy
can offer variety (environmental enrichment)

Question 14

disadvantages of human food method

Answer 14

waste food, eat favorites
more prep time
short spoilage time

Question 15

do birds eat dairy products?

Answer 15

yes, even though they don’t produce lactase

Question 16

advantages of pellet method

Answer 16

mixes everything together, can’t pick out favorites
can’t spoil

Question 17

disadvantages of pellet method

Answer 17

lack of variety
might not like if used to other food
cooking can damage vitamins, have to provide more to account for loss

Question 18

problems with seed diet, specifically sunflower seeds

Answer 18

they aren’t a balanced diet on their own
birds can get addicted to them

Question 19

why should you feed a bird oyster shells/limestone

Answer 19

the acid dissolves it, providing calcium

Question 20

is it save to feed uncooked rice to birds?

Answer 20

yes, they will grind it in the gizzard

Question 21

why should you hand feed a baby bird?

Answer 21

to connect with them/provide socialization

Question 22

2 things feed needs to be when hand feeding

Answer 22

precise temperature and humidity
moist

Question 23

tube feeding advantages

Answer 23

better measure of consumption
faster and cleaner

Question 24

spoon feeding advantages

Answer 24

cheaper
may seem “nicer”

Question 25

2 important things to do/look for when hand feeding

Answer 25

need to feed every 2 hours in first week
birds should double weight in 1st 5 days

Question 26

potential problems with hand feeding (3)

Answer 26

aspiration of food
beak deformities
crop burns (if food is too hot)