Ch29 - Birds

Question 1

What helps birds cool themselves when they get too hot?

Answer 1

Panting

Question 2

What is a necessary component of all bird diets?

Answer 2

Grit

Question 3

Controlling a bird’s flight by removing the distal wing tip is called _________.

Answer 3

pinioning

Question 4

Where is grit kept in the avian digestive tract?

Answer 4

Gizzard

Question 5

What is a distinctive feature of the avian reproductive tract?

Answer 5

Only the left ovary is functional

Question 6

Birds are in the taxonomic class of _______.

Answer 6

aves

Question 7

The body temp in birds is __________ most mammals.

Answer 7

Higher than

Question 8

What is a dangerous consequence of restricting the movement of a bird’s keel bone while restraining it?

Answer 8

It could suffocate

Question 9

Where is the spur located on a bird?

Answer 9

On the lower leg of a male galliform, which points towards the tail.

Question 10

Chickens, turkeys and quail (aka poultry) all belong to what scientific order?

Answer 10

Galliformes

Question 11

Pigeons and doves belong to what scientific order?

Answer 11

Columbiformes

Question 12

Crows, sparrows and finches belong to what scientific order?

Answer 12

Passeriformes (commonly “passerines”)

Question 13

What is a “pecking order”?

Answer 13

Social hierarchy or dominance of birds

Question 14

List 4 functions of feathers

Answer 14

• insulation from the cold
• assist in cooling when hot
• protecting from water
• help in flying

Question 15

True or False: the hollow bones of birds are a part of their respiratory system

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or False: crop milk is only made by female birds

Answer 16

False (both males and females can produce it)

Question 17

True or False: birds lose excess heat by sweating and panting

Answer 17

False (birds don’t have sweat glands, therefore they can’t sweat; but they do pant)

Question 18

True or False: only the left ovary and oviduct are functional in birds

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or False: holding birds upside down is the preferred method of handling.

Answer 19

False (birds should always be held upright)

Question 20

True or False: environmental enrichment is not necessary for birds

Answer 20

False (perches, nest boxes, or substrate for foraging are all good enrichment items for birds)

Question 21

True or False: the length of exposure and type of light is important in bird reprocution

Answer 21

True

Question 22

What is the most common method of identifying individual birds?

Answer 22

Leg band

Question 23

What is the purpose of grit in a bird’s diet?

Answer 23

To break open seeds and grind feed

Question 24

True or False: Species-appropriate habitat features, such as water baths, should be added to their enclosure

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What is the average lifespan of a chicken?

Answer 25

5-8 years

Question 26

What is NOT a usual method of euthanasia for birds and requires specific IACUC protocol?

Answer 26

Thoracic compression

Question 27

What are 3 common methods of euthanasia in birds?

Answer 27

Overdosing with barbiturate (IV injection), CO2 inhalation, and overdose of inhalant anesthetic. cervical dislocation, decapitation, maceration, or use of other gases depend on animal size and need IACUC approval

Question 28

What is sexual dimorphism?

Answer 28

There are clear physical differences between the males and females of a species. For birds, males and females may differ significantly in size, feather conformation, and color patter

Question 29

Which agencies are involved in regulating the use of wild birds in research?

Answer 29

State Natural Resources department State Fish and Game department US Fish and Wildlife Service

Question 30

True or False: Wild birds will readily accept food from a dish

Answer 30

False

Question 31

True or False: Multiple food and water sources should be provided to prevent feed hoarding

Answer 31

True

Question 32

True or False: Wild birds require a quiet environment

Answer 32

True

Question 33

What are common signs of pain/distress in birds?

Answer 33

hunched posture, dropped head and neck, dull eyes, ruffled feathers, non-responsive attitude, isolation from other conspecifics