Problem Behaviours in Birds Flashcards
Birds are domesticated (T/F)
False
Why aren’t parrots an easy pet
Physically and psychologically adapted to live in wild
Can not realistically provide compatible environment to lifestyle
A few bird traits:
Intelligence
Eat variety of foods
Destructive - build nest
Active - flight
Bond strongly
Potential problems due to traits
Boredom
Destructiveness
Health issues
Excess energy
Defensive
What can happen when parrots form a strong bond with a person
View others as intruders, display jealousy
When mature sexually, resort to aggression to keep intruder away from mate or “chosen person” and protect territory
Why are birds suspicious and defensive
They are prey animals
Aggression cause in birds
Usually due to fear
Aggression prevention in birds
Exposure to scenarios when young
Give time/space to adjust
Let them venture outside cage
Don’t force interaction
Strong bond can manifest as…
Separation anxiety
Purpose of loud calls in the wild
Maintain constant communication with flock mates (carries to what they can not see)
Cause of screaming or constant tooting
Anxiety
Prevention of screaming or constant tooting
Daily social interaction with human or other birds
Talking calmly, don’t get worked up
Do not rush over (reinforces)
Flight and exercise are…
Behavioural needs
Why is wing clipping controversial
No bird is meant to not fly
still allows for gliding
not painful, but stressful
can be trained to fly in particular areas and return to cage (takes time)
Complications of wing clipping
Birds have high metabolism, restraint may cause heart attack
How do you manage/train supervised flight
Teach “up” command early
Form bond so does not leave
Make going back to cage positive
NEVER chase
Restrict flight to safe area of house
Provide places to land/perch
What do parrot’s use their beak for
Eat, preen, feel/hold objects, defensive
Macaws and cockatoos beaks are powerful enough to…
Chew through tree branches, excavate nests in tree trunks
Destructive chewing caused by
Boredom, lack of appropriate things to chew, being unsupervised (teach what is appropriate)
Enrichment is more effective if…
The animal can change/manipulate it
Keeps it new, fits natural biology
How do prevent destructive chewing
Provide wood or things to tear up in cage
Play on birds natural behaviour to forage/peck
Supervise time outside cage
Causes of feather plucking
Feather loss can be medical (viruses, tumours)
Preening becomes psychological, occurs too often
Prevention of feather plucking
Prevent boredom or loneliness through enrichment, time spent, consider a mate
Do not expose them to chemicals
Temporary medical/physical solution (cone)
What is failure to entertain in birds
Parrot does not learn, choose not to speak or do tricks
Owner had misguided expectations (owner behaviour problem)
Play to birds preferences/personality/abilities
What is fledging
Critical period in parrots life
Leave nest, learning to fly, find food, form social bonds, learn to avoid predators (from parents)
Many bird behaviour problems can be avoided by doing what during fledging
Taking time and care during fledging
Positive bonds with many people
Expose bird to environments/situations
Introduce variety of foods
Teach basic skills (e.g. up, come)
Many behaviour problems can be avoided with…
time and care
All birds are not the same, but all parrots do…
Bite, scream, chew, make messes, demand attention
