Birds Flashcards
What should you consider before purchasing a pet bird?
Time, money, care
What legislation limited the sale and transport of endangered bird species in the US?
Wild bird conservation act of 1992
What are some examples of common pet birds?
Parrotlets Lovebirds Parakeets Conures Lories Cockatiels African Greys Eclectus Amazons Cockatoos Macaws
What are some common characteristics of birds?
bipedal warm blooded feathers beak (no teeth) lay eggs high metabolic rate most can fly
When comparing companion bird species, what behavior, characteristics, traits should we consider? What important differences do we see between common companion birds?
social, voice, intelligence?
What adaptations do we see in bird bones to adapt them for flight?
light weight
many bones fused together
hollow
What are the functions of feathers?
5
flight insulation waterproof camouflage attract mates
What are the functions of different feather types?
regimes - flight feathers
and others
What are the pros and cons of trimming bird wing feathers?
PRO can't fly away less dangers less likely to have a flight related injury easier to handle painless
CONS less exercise natural behavior stronger respiratory system escape danger/defense more problem behaviors
What are the functions of beaks?
4
consuming food
defense
building nest
balance/climbing
What are the causes of abnormal beak growth? Scissor beak? Prognathism?
nutritional imbalances, injury trauma
prognathism - underbite
What factors should we consider when choosing a bird cage? Perch?
2x wingspan
3x bird’s length
small parrots: less than 3/4 in
medium: 1in
large: 2in or larger
What are the functions of the gastrointestinal organs of the bird?
proventriculus ventriculus small intestine large intestine cloaca
proventriculus - stomach ventriculus - gizzard small intestine - nutrients absorbed large intestine - short colon and paired ceca cloaca - opening for everything
What are some important nutrients that are needed for proper bird health?
high protein
high essential fatty acids
high calcium
What is the function of grit?
quarts, sand, calcium carbonate in ventriculus to help break down dry/hard foods
What are some common causes of toxicosis in birds? What are the common symptoms and how are they treated?
poisoning by harmful substances and inappropriate diet
weakness, wheezing
respiratory disease (teflon only)
convulsions
lead, zinc poisoning and teflon poisoning
treat with Ca-EDTA to remove metals or keep birds out of the kitchen
What are some common causes of compulsive egg laying? How should it be treated?
continuousing egg laying instead of normal litter
treated with: reduced daylight remove nesting box leave eggs with hen medical treatment
What are some common causes of egg binding? How should it be treated?
age obesity cold, dry air poor diets calcium deficiency compulsive egg laying
treated with calcium supplements, good nesting materials, surgical intervention
What birds are at risk for aspergillosis? What are the clinical signs?
inhalation of spores from a moldy substrate
birds that are: crowded moist poorly ventilated areas contaminated litter or feed
clinical signs: inappetite increased thirst wheezing and rapid breathing liver damage death
What are the causes of chlamydiosis?
caused by a bacterial disease - chlamydia psittaci
What is avian influenza? How does it affect birds? People? How concerned should we be?
viruses naturally found in the intestine of wild birds
- transferred to humans via contact with contaminated secretions
BIRDS - can go almost undetected in birds - ruffled feathers, drop in egg production
HUMANS - flu like symptoms
What are some disease prevention tips that are important for both our backyard poultry flocks as well as our companion birds?
keep clean and give a good diet?
