INDOOR BIRDS Flashcards
What are passarines?
Perching or song birds like canaries or finches
Handbills and soft bills
Anisodactyl feet, 3 toes forwards 1 back
Very high metabolic rate, normally 2 degrees above
What are the common features of psittacines?
Parrots, macaw, cockatoos, budgies
Hooked beaks and short necks
Zygodactyl beaks, 2 toes forward 2 back
Mostly seed eaters
How do budgies show sex dismorphism?
Cere- bit above beak
Blue cere- males
Brown cere- females
How do cockatoos show sexual dismorphism?
Black iris- males
Brown iris- females
How do cockatiels show sexual dismorphism?
Difference in tail feathers after first moult
How to sex indoor birds if difficult to see?
Endoscopy for visual assessment of genitals
DNA analysis of blood or feather pulp
What is the legal requirement for size of cages?
According to wildlife and countryside act 1981, wings must be able to extend fully in all directions
What should the cages be made out of
Horizontal bars
Stainless steal, not powder coated
What are the problems with seed based diets?
Variable in quality and nutritional composition
`high in fat
Can lead to selective feeding
What nutrients do indoor birds need?
Amino acids
Iodine
Calcium
Phosphorus
Vitamins A, E and D
How much fruit and vegetables should birds have?
50%
Why should diet changes be gradual
Parrots are like toddlers
Birds may bite, become aggressive
Birds may go into hunger strike, which could caused hepatic lipidoisis (fatty liver)
Why is grit needed?
Helps break down food like seeds because birds don’t have teeth
Encourages natural behaviour of pecking
Sources of calcium,
What causes zinc toxicity
Powder/ coated cages
Coins
Keys
Lead rings
What are some signs of zinc toxicity
Lethargy
Weakness
Weight loss
Deinming and urinatimg more
Neurological signs
What causes bumblefoot?
Obesity
Lack of activity
Poor perching
Overgrown nails
Poor hygiene
What are causes of feather plucking?
Can be breeding issues
Can be behaviours; issues (stress, boredom)
Can be light issues, allergies, poor wing picking,
What can overbonding result in?
Regurgitation (in wild it’s a courting behaviour)
Frustration
Stress, anxiety
Aggression
Excessive egg laying
How to prevent overbonding?
Share interaction and duties between all members of household
Avoid stroking down back of neck
Don’t positively reinforce courtship behaviours
What are some causes of hypocalcemia?
Calcium deficient diets
Not enough UV light
What are some signs of hypocslcemia?
Neurological issues
Osteodystrophy (bone deformities)
Beak deformities
Reproductive issues such as egg abnormalities
What does the lack of vitamin A do to a bird?
Affects epithelial cells
In respiratory tract
In reproductive tract
In urinary tract
What are clinical signs of vitamin a deficiency?
bird’s face as white spots in the eyes, sinuses, and in and around the mouth. These spots then catch infection and turn into pus-filled abscesses. An abscess in the mouth can deform the opening of the windpipe (glottis) and cause the bird to have difficulty breathing, which can result in suffocation and death.
nasal discharge,
sneezing,
periorbital (eyelids) swelling,
conjunctivitis,
, poor feather quality,
feather picking,
anorexia
What causes air quality issues?
Smoke
Air fresheners
Perfumes
Dust
Inadequate ventilation
Teflon
Dry warm central heatimg
What is aspergilliosis?
Fungal infection thst is opportunistic
Fungus is a;ways present, but under stress they become immunocompromised and can cause infection
What is psittacoisis?
Caused by chylamydophila psittaci
Zoonotic
Stress trigger
Carrier birds
Why is identification of birds important?
Identity breeding pair
Recognise offspring from particular parents
Trace origin/ supplier
Trace/ prove ownership
What are the different methods of identifying birds?
Ringing—> often features colours/ codes —> left- female/ right- male
Microchipping
DNA profiling
Tattooing
Photographing
What are the problems wing clipping can cause?”
Feather plucking
Delayed moult
Stress
Injury
How do you carry out wing clipping?
Do on both wings
Use sharp- sterile scissors
Flight still possible
If can fly more than 7.5m then recoup
Don’t cut blood feathers (still growing)
What are some reasons for needing beak trimming?
Overgrowth (nutritional deficiencies)
Infectious diseases
Perching issues
Fractures
