Birds
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[edit] Introduction
Birds are winged, warm-blooded, egg-laying, vertebrate animals. There are around 10,000 living species and they inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from the 5 cm Bee Hummingbird to the 3 m Ostrich.
Modern birds are characterised by feathers, a beak with no teeth, the laying of hard-shelled eggs, a high metabolic rate, a four-chambered heart, and a lightweight but strong skeleton. All birds have forelimbs modified as wings and most can fly, with some exceptions including ratites, penguins, and a number of diverse endemic island species. Birds also have unique digestive and respiratory systems that are highly adapted for flight. Some birds, especially corvids and parrots, are among the most intelligent animal species; a number of bird species have been observed manufacturing and using tools, and many social species exhibit cultural transmission of knowledge across generations.
Many species undertake long distance annual migrations, and many more perform shorter irregular movements. Birds are social; they communicate using visual signals and through calls and songs, and participate in social behaviours including cooperative breeding and hunting, flocking, and mobbing of predators. Eggs are usually laid in a nest and incubated by the parents. Most birds have an extended period of parental care after hatching.
Many species are of economic importance, mostly as sources of food acquired through hunting or farming. Some species, particularly songbirds and parrots, are popular as pets. Other uses include the harvesting of guano (droppings) for use as a fertiliser. Birds figure prominently in all aspects of human culture from religion to poetry to popular music. About 120–130 species have become extinct as a result of human activity since the 17th century, and hundreds more before then. Currently about 1,200 species of birds are threatened with extinction by human activities, though efforts are underway to protect them.
[edit] Choosing a Bird
Sharing your life with a companion bird can be extremely rewarding. With good care and a suitable diet, the larger breeds can have very long life spans. In order to choose the right bird for you, research the birds you are interested in, read books, ask questions, visit breeders and pet shops, and get some hands-on experience before making your decision. By asking all the right questions, looking at all the angles and playing with lots of different birds, you will be able to make the right choice and share many wonderful years with your avian companion.
- Do you and your family have enough time for a bird? Birds are highly social creatures and some of them are very demanding of attention. Cockatoos, for instance, can become depressed and unhappy if not given the attention they require. An unhappy bird may begin to pluck its feathers or start screaming constantly for attention. Unless you have the time to devote to one of the more demanding breeds, they should not be considered. You owe it to yourself and to the bird to be sure you are making the right choice.
- Do you live in an apartment where bird noise may be bothersome for your neighbors? A large parrot has very healthy vocal cords, and these birds can, and will, be quite vocal at times. Some of the smaller birds, such as cockatiels, love birds, some of the smaller conures, or parakeets and canaries make wonderful apartment birds. Each of these birds is packed with personality and, though noisy in their own right, are not sufficiently noisy enough too disrupt people in apartments or buildings.
- Do you have other pets in your home? If you already have a dog or cat, will you be able to supervise them at all times? Some pets are able to interact peacefully with each other with no problems. But it is a fact that some ‘alpha' pets are quite jealous and will seek to harm the newcomer. Unless the bird will be in a room with a door than can be closed to prevent the other animals from getting too close, always make sure you are there to keep an eye on things. All it takes is one swipe from the cat's claws or one bite from your dog and your new bird could be killed.
- Do you realize the importance of a good diet for your bird? Birds don't just live on seeds alone. They require fresh fruits and vegetables, the occasional snack of ‘people food', and lots of fresh water. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the package of generic bird seed you see in the grocery store is adequate for a pet bird. It isn't.
- Are you willing to purchase the largest cage you can afford for the bird? Bars must be spaced closely enough together to prevent the bird from getting its head caught and to prevent the smaller birds from squeezing through and escaping. A large enough cage is one that allows the bird plenty of headroom with enough room to spread its wings fully with a few inches of space on either side. You wouldn't want to spend all your time in a closet...don't expect your bird to be happy in a cage that's too small.
- Do you have your heart set on a large macaw, cockatoo or amazon? If so, do your research before making the purchase. There are many beautiful hand-fed babies available. They are expensive, but well worth it. Check the phone book for listings of breeders, or do an Internet search. Also ask at pet shops, veterinarian clinics or talk to other bird owners. Find out what to expect before you bring one of these big, exuberant birds home with you.
- Don't overlook the small birds. Cockatiels, lovebirds, parakeets and conures are fantastic companion birds. They have personalities just as fabulous and entertaining as the larger species.
[edit] Popular Species
- Parakeet or Budgie
Parakeets are also known as Budgies or Budgerigars. They are social and colourful birds that make wonderful pets.
- Cockatiels
Cockatiels are extremely social birds that are best kept as a pair.
- Finches
Finches are small seed-eating songbirds
- Lovebirds
Lovebirds are intelligent and inquisitive members of the parrot family that can live for up to 20 years.
- African greys
African greys are a popular member of the parrot family that is well known for its high level of intelligence.
[edit] Nutrition
What does your bird need? It is now acknowledged that seed is not the only food needed by pet birds, and in fact, birds on a seed only diet are generally found to be quite unhealthy. Only 50% of a bird's diet should be seed. Of the other 50%, fruits and vegetables are the most important. This is where the bird obtains vital minerals and vitamins. If your bird is reluctant to try new foods, try cutting the fruits and vegetables into small, seed size pieces. It is also okay to remove his seed for most of the day, offering it only for an hour in the morning, and an hour in the evening. During the day he will have only fruits and vegetables to eat, therefore if they become hungry, they will be more willing to try new foods.
Out in the wild, birds eat a wide variety of nuts, small pieces of meat, even another bird's eggs occasionally. So how do we duplicate this variety? The general ruleis that if a food is healthy for a human, it is healthy for your bird. Birds enjoy spaghetti or a bit of chicken. Hard boiled egg is often a big hit. Almonds, walnuts or other nuts are fine in small quantities. Many birds love cheeses and yoghurt. Monkey chow is a tasty treat and an excellent source of protein for birds. It is available at most pet stores. Cuttlebone and mineral blocks are a good source of calcium. If you have any questions about whether a food is good for your bird, call your avian veterinarian for more information.
To make sure he's getting everything he needs, supply fresh water. Some species, such as cockatiels and budgies, drink very little water and may benefit from a powdered vitamin sprinkled on moist food.
[edit] Safety
Unlike dogs and cats, birds can fly. Birds fly into windows or mirrors, injuring themselves in the process. Decals or curtains allow a flying bird to see them and avoid a crash. Birds fly out of windows, never to be seen again. Screens are essential for windows and doors. When a bird is out of its cage, always remain nearby.
Even a bird with properly clipped wing feathers can flutter to disaster around the house. A ceiling fan is not suitable for obvious reasons, but other mechanical appliances can be equally dangerous. They can fly and land on hot surfaces or into scalding water. Expect the unexpected with birds.
If your bird is always confined to its cage, some of these precautions may seem excessive. Remember, escape is always possible, and accidents do happen. Besides, an owner of a well-trained bird will want to spend lots of quality time with the bird. Most birds thrive on attention and human interaction, but wither with neglect. Plan for avian safety in all the rooms of your home.
Birds are exquisitely sensitive to toxins, especially those in the air they breathe. Remember about the canary in the mine shaft giving warning of gas accumulation? Cleaners, such as those used to degrease ovens, produce dangerous airborne contaminants and can be fatal to birds. Even strong cooking odors and smoke is a risk. Non-stick cookware is another worry. When overheated, the fumes can kill birds.
Birds can drown in small amounts of water. Upright narrow glasses are a danger as is very hot water as birds don't expect the water to be hot. The toilet bowl, uncovered, has been the source of many avian injuries. Bath perfumes and hair spray must be avoided around birds.
Chewing is the next big concern with birds. Most birds chew anything they can get their beaks on. We must provide safe woods and chew toys to allow this natural, healthy exercise. It is also essential to keep the house clear of dangerous items. Anything made of lead is forbidden (fishing weights, stained glass, metal toys, costume jewelry). Electric cords should be hidden and protected. Avoid poisonous house plants.
As you get in the habit of thinking about kinds of things that poison birds, you will automatically avoid the dangers. Remember, things that smell strong to us can often kill birds. Felt tip pens are aromatic and poisonous to birds. Nail polish and remover, paint fumes, cigarette smoke, colored ink and aerosol sprays of all kinds should be avoided. Other pets, such as cats, must be kept safely away.
There are many items to remember and dangers to avoid in keeping your pet birds safe around the house. Prevention, however, is always preferable to emergency medical intervention. Keep the name and number of your trusted avian veterinarian handy just in case.
[edit] Health
To ensure that you properly take care of your new pet bird, there are some good indicators of poor health that you should familiarise yourself with. You only have to know what to look for. Once you learn the symptoms of early illness, necessary treatments can be performed by your avian veterinarian.
Some of the best indicators of health iscan be observed from the bird's droppings. The droppings are made up of feces, normally black or dark green. With this will be urine, which is clear, and urates, a creamy white waste material. Droppings with a mustard yellow liquid portion is not normal, nor is blood or rusty brown color in feces. Healthy birds eat often and make lots of droppings. A sick bird may have fewer droppings, or no fecal portion in them, just white and liquid.
Another indicator of illness is change in eating and drinking habits, for example, excessive water consumption. A bird who isn't interested in food indefinitely is ill. A change in attitude or behavior can signal illness. Have they stopped singing or chirping, or do they appear sleepy and lethargic? Are they huddled on the bottom of the cage or sitting low and ruffled? Is it hiding it's head under it's wing? How about it's feathers? Are they dull? Have they stopped preening themselves? How about weight loss? Any of these symptoms can indicate a potentially serious problem.
Another sure sign of illness is any hint of respiratory distress. Open mouth breathing or any audible sounds, like clicking or wheezing are certain problems. A tail bob is frequently a sign of respiratory distress. Vomiting in birds is very abnormal unless it is regurgitating to feed a mate or baby. Any discharge from the eyes or nostrils is a sign of illness, as is a swelling around the eyes. Of course, any injury or bleeding requires immediate veterinary care. A broken "blood feather" must be pulled immediately to stop the bleeding. These new, immature feathers are recognized by their protective "cellophane-like" wrap and their visible blood supply.
If your bird displays any of these signs, take the bird to your avian vet. Meanwhile, keep the bird warm: 29°C (84.2°F) is ideal with access to a cooler area. An ordinary heating pad wrapped around on the side of the cage is fine. Offer food and water, placing it on the cage bottom if the bird is weak. Never give your own medicines, antibiotics or pet store cures to your bird. These can do more harm then good. Your avian vet will prescribe appropriate and safe medications.
[edit] Grooming
Any bird kept in your home will need their wings trimmed unless they are kept in an aviary. Concussions often occur when birds fly into windows or mirrors. Serious burns result from birds landing into pots over stove flames. Many pet birds fly out of open windows or doors and are never seen again.
Wing trims can be performed at home, or you may choose to have your avian vet do it. It is best to watch an experienced person perform a wing trim before doing it yourself. Never cut a blood feather. This is a new feather still in its sheath. It has a prominent blood supply and will bleed if cut or broken. If you accidentally cut one, the only way to stop the bleeding is to grasp the wing and pull the feather out at the base. The best wing trims allow the bird to flutter to the ground but not maintain flight. This is accomplished by cutting feathers of both wings. Once a wing trim has been done, hold your bird close to the ground, allowing him to gradually discover that he can not fly.
Some birds' beaks may never need trimming, but others have overgrown tips or cracks that need smoothing. The beak has a blood and nerve supply and it is a good idea to let your avian vet decide how much, if any, should be removed. Most vets have a special tiny sanding tool to use. This is not recommended at home. Birds with "scissor beak," a mal-alignment of the upper and lower beak structures, can be helped by routine trims and shaping.
Nail trimming is the most common avian grooming procedure. This can be done at home, but again it is advisable to learn from an expert. The nails will bleed during a nail trim, and a styptic powder such as "Quik-stop" will stop the bleeding. Parrots may have nails that become very sharp and painful to the person on whose shoulder they are perched. Do not give your bird sandpaper perches in hopes of wearing the nails down. These perches cause serious foot problems, including chronic ulcerated sores, and do little for the nails.
