Avian Care Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are the physical identifying features of parrots?
Large heads, hooked beaks, zygodactyl feet (2 front claws 2 back)
Should parrots be kept in groups?
Yes - social and live in flocks, need company and supervision
What are some common types of pet parrots?
Budgerigars, cockatiels, lovebirds, african grey/timneh grey, cockatoos, macaws
How do you sex a cockatoo?
Males have black iris and females have red/brown
How do you sex an eclectus?
Males are green and females are red
How can you sex a monomorphic psittacine?
Endoscopic sexing, DNA sexing from blood or feather pulp
Which type of material should be avoided for constructing cages?
Galvanised wire - zinc toxicity
What types of material are good for perches?
Natural branches from non-toxic trees, knotten cotton
What types of material NOT are good for perches?
Nylon, sandpaper, plastic/dowel - can cause bumblefoot
What are some enrichment activities for parrots?
Bathing/misting essential, foraging, providing food in a form which requires ‘work’ to consume it, non-toxic tree branches
Which type of materials should be avoided for chewing toys?
Rubber and plastic
Which type of materials are good for chewing toys?
Cardboard, tubes/boxes, pinecones, rawhide chews
What is the benefit and drawback of having a mirror in the cage?
Can provide companionship but also stimulate sexual behaviour
How much light should parrots get per day?
12 hours of bright (but not direct) sunlight
Which supplement is important for egg-laying females?
Calcium
Why are 100% seed-based diets a poor choice?
Deficient in vitamins and amino acids, possible contamination with fungal spores, can lead to obesity, atherosclerosis, poor reproductive performance, metabolic bone disease, selective feeding
What is the best type of diet for parrots?
Species-specific pelleted diets, supplemented with fruit and veg for enrichment
In which species is feather-damaging behaviour more common?
African greys, cockatoos, female
What medical evaluations should be undertaken with feather-damaging birds?
Physical examination, biochemistry and haematology, infectious disease testing, radiography, endoscopy
What are some environmental factors which can contribute to feather damaging behaviour?
All-seed diet, low humidity, exposure to pollutants/aerosols, lack of sleep, stress/insecurity, overcrowding e.g. aviary
What is the treatment for feather damaging?
Treat underling cause first, improve diet, extra warmth, collars if self-traumatising
What are some behavioural causes of feather plucking?
Inadequate socialisation when young, inadequate enrichment especially with food, can be tool for coping with stress once reinforced (initial cause can become secondary)
When might psychotropic drugs be used to treat feather damaging behaviour?
Only once medical causes excluded, temporarily while environmental/behavioural modifications are implemented and accepted
