EXAM 1 Flashcards
pterylae
feathered tracts
apteria
featherless tracts
Why do birds have a thin integument?
Reduce body weight for flight
T or F: Feather quality is directly related to bird health
TRUE
use oil from this gland to condition feathers (not present in all brids)
Preen gland
bone plates inside of eyes
scleral ossicles
Why are birds spines fused in multiple areas?
to give rigidity for flight
coracoid(s)
really strong bone from shoulder to sternum to support flight
reasons for poor quality feathers
nutritional deficiencies
liver disease
skin disease
poor grooming
cage mates
how is body condition done in birds?
based on pectoral muscles
less muscle/fat on keel = poor body condition
bone that comes off of the sternum in birds
keel
cleft in bird palate, open to nasal cavity in birds
choana
opening at base of tongue in birds
glottis
where sound is produced
syrinx
pneumatized bones (4)
bones that have a connection to the air sacs
(humeri, femurs, ribs, sternum)
how do you asphyxiate a bird?
sternal compression
what is considered respiratory compromise in birds?
loss of air sac volume
where are birds oviduct?
single ovary and oviduct on the left side
where are the testes in birds?
internal
bird species that have a phallus
duck, geese, swan
dilation of the esophagus, food storage
crop
glandular portion of the stomach
proventriculus
grinding muscular part of the stomach, “gizzard”
ventriculus
common exit chamber of reproductive, urinary, and GI systems
cloaca
where does the cloaca open?
at the vent
legalities of ownership vary by:
state, county, city, breed
who regulates the legalities of ownership?
US Fish and Game
where to get exotic pets
breeders
pet stores
re-homing
secondary vendors
capture
basic resources
food
water
light
temperature
a birds foot should wrap around _______ of the perch
3/4
considerations for cage positioning
socializing with other birds
protection from potential predators
away from aerosolized chemicals (sensitive respiratory system)
non-specific sick bird signs (5)
fluffed feathers
closed eyes
tucking head under wing
staying at bottom of cage
quiet/dull attitude
signs of excessive stress in birds
increased respiratory rate
eye closing
weakness
do bird nails grow continuously?
YES they need nail trims
reasons to be careful of chemical cautery agents
can be painful
can damage GI tract
alternative to chemical cautery agent
cornstarch/flour
goal of wing trimming
to let the bird have a controlled glide from up high to the ground but not to let it be able to get lift from the ground
remiges
flight feathers
do you need to continuously trim a bird’s beak?
NO, normal beaks wear on their own
parrot diet
pellets 50-80%
nuts and seeds 10%
some fresh fruits/veggies
minimal to no table food
why should you avoid feeding birds peanuts?
mycotoxins
when should you try to change your birds diet?
when they are HEALTHY
what causes secondary pododermatitis?
obesity
what is hypovitaminosis A caused by?
inadequate vitamin A levels
what does hypovitaminosis A lead to?
Oral cavity: white plaques & blunting of choanal papilla
Ureters: uric sludging & secondary kidney disease
what is hypocalcemia caused by?
inadequate Ca levels
(insufficient diet or uptake in demand for egg laying)
what does hypocalcemia lead to?
soft shelled eggs
seizures
tremors
difficulty laying eggs
what is gout caused by?
high dietary protein levels
what does gout lead to?
elevated uric acid levels in blood with deposition of crystals onto organs or around/within joints
what does gout lead to?
elevated uric acid levels in blood with deposition of crystals onto organs or around/within joints
behavioral disorders in parrots
aggression
screaming
feather destructive behaviors
chronic egg laying
altricial chicks
born naked and blind
require long periods of feeding
precocial chicks
born with eyes open an natal down, can survive out of the nest after 1-2 days
normal parenting behavior
nesting
preening
regurgitation of food
bad parent-offspring relationship
excessive vocalization
regurgitation
bad mated-pair relationship
territoriality, mate aggression
boredom and anxiety leads to
feather destructive behavior
biting can be: (4)
mating behavior
territorial defense
playing games
fear induced
how to fix screaming in birds
- reinforce any other behavior
- leave the room and ignore
how to help curb bad behavior
teach parrot limits and assume flock leadership
medical reasons for feather loss
skin disease
hormonal
liver/kidney disease
physical reasons for feather loss
cage mate
contact allergen
poor bathing habits
boredom
how to fix physical feather loss
training
enrichment
e-collars/sweaters
what is chronic egg laying?
Laying of repeated or abnormally large clutches without regard to presence of a mate or accurate breeding season