Archive for April, 2009
Gardening for Pet Birds: Growing Your Own Food and Fodder – Part 1
Apr 29th
With warmer weather (finally!) here, I’d like to present some thoughts on plants that can be grown and provided to finches, parrots, softbills and other pet birds as both food and “playthings”. Wild plants provide important nutrients that are often in short supply in commercial foods. Also, your pets’ enthusiastic attacks on novel foods will leave no doubt as to the value these have in stimulating appetite and behavior. In some cases, the provision of fresh leaves and branches, or a new flower or fruit, even helps to spark breeding behavior, much as similar factors do in the wild.
Wild Visitors
Your “bird food garden” will provide the added benefit of attracting local birds, perhaps some that you have not seen in the past. If their attentions become “too enthusiastic”, consider installing one of our bird feeders and keeping it well supplied with wild bird food – most birds will prefer ready-to-eat foods over those which they must harvest themselves!
Using Home-Grown Foods
Bark, leaves and flowers provide exciting play and beak-trimming opportunities. Some of these, along with seeds, buds, fruits and berries, are also readily consumed – having your pets work at breaking up a fruit or seed head will be of great value in keeping them occupied and active.
Do not limit your thinking to parrots when considering food and activity opportunities. Canaries and other finches also take quickly to poking about leaves and sharpening their beaks on rough bark. Leafy branches are particularly attractive, and will be investigated thoroughly for the presence of small caterpillars, aphids and other insects. Softbills such as Pekin robins and shama thrushes will do the same, and many enjoy sampling flower nectar as well.
Pesticides
Be sure to avoid the use of pesticides in your garden, and to collect wild plants only from areas that are not sprayed with such toxins.
Consult your local pest-control authority for information concerning West Nile Virus control efforts – the toxins used are said to be mosquito-specific, and to dissipate within 24 hours, but harvesting should probably be avoided during peak treatment periods.
Further Reading
Information on pesticide free gardening is posted at http://groups.ucanr.org/slomg/documents/Pests_&_Diseases3865.htm.
Next time we’ll take a look at some trees, flowers, grasses and other plants that pet birds enjoy eating and just tearing apart. Until then, enjoy and please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Snowmanradio.
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Loading ...Breeding Birds Use Song to Defend Territory and Discourage Mate Infidelity
Apr 27th
Oxford University researchers played recorded calls of antbird pairs to other pairs resident in a specific territory. The resident pair responded as expected – male and female sang together in a vigorous display of unity, showing their willingness to defend their home.
Reaction to a Single Female
However, when the song of an unattached female antbird was played, the situation changed dramatically. The resident male responded with a mating call – in essence “flirting” with the new female. Amazingly, his mate began singing loudly over his song, in an apparent attempt to “jam” the notes and render him less attractive to the interloping female!
Not to be outdone, the would-be Romeo then began altering his call in an effort to avoid the interfering song of his mate!
Female Inca Terns Tolerate No Nonsense!
Research is now being conducted to determine if other birds act in a similar fashion…I’m betting that many do. The Inca terns (Larosterna inca) pictured here are part of a flock of 30 that I cared for in a huge outdoor exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. I noticed a great deal of interaction during the breeding season, with single females vying for the attentions of males that were already paired and in possession of desirable nesting cavities.
Female terns are, however, a bit more “assertive” than their antbird cousins – a few sharp pecks to the male’s head generally put a quick end to any thoughts of “wandering”!
Further Reading
Antbirds are quite beautiful and interesting. The common name arises from their unique mode of hunting. By following hoards of foraging army ants, they are able to capture many fleeing insects that would otherwise be difficult to locate in the underbrush.
I was fortunate enough to observe this spectacle in a Costa Rican rainforest – it is a “must see” for birders, I assure you! You can read more about antbirds and see photos of many species at http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/warblingantbird.html.
Please write in with your questions and any related observations you may have. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Introducing the Indian White Eye or White-Eyed Zosterops, Zosterops palpebrosus
Apr 24th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here.
The tiny Indian white eye has long been a favorite cage bird both here and abroad. Captive bred individuals are readily available…for those of you considering something a bit different for your collection, this charming, warbler-like little fellow is worth a look.
Physical Description
White-eyes are a mere 4-6 inches long, and clad in olive to bright green feathers about the head and back. The breast is bright yellow, and lighter yellow flecks color the rest of the plumage. The striking white eye-ring gives the species its common name and imparts a bright, alert “look”.
Range and Habitat
This and related species, a number of which have been interbred in the pet trade, ranges from India to China and south through Indonesia. Feral populations are established in many areas outside of the species’ natural distribution, including Hawaii.
Although usually described as inhabiting lowland forests, white eyes are actually quite adaptable and may colonize open scrubland, farms, villages and parks.
Miscellaneous
According to a recent (Jan. 2009) study funded by the American Museum of Natural History and other institutions, white eyes diversify into new species at a far faster rate than any other type of bird. Oddly, even populations that are separated by short distances (which could be easily crossed by the birds) regularly form new species.
Because the environments occupied by the different species are similar, speciation seems driven by something other than the need to adjust to a new food or climate (as is the case for other animals). It’s probably fortunate that Darwin considered Galapagos Island finches and not Solomon Island white eyes when formulating his thoughts on evolution…he might have become very confused!
Indian White Eyes as Pets
General
Despite their diminutive size, white eyes are invariably among the most visible birds in any aviary. This is due in part to their naturally confiding nature…they tame down very quickly and seem unusually confident around people. Even in a 2 acre aviary, those I kept were always very much in evidence. Quick to investigate the possibility of a meal, they always flew right to me when I first appeared each morning.
White eyes are quite active and alert, always hunting, preening and moving about, and are very inquisitive. Males sing quietly in sweet tones.
Space and Other Physical Requirements
White eyes require a larger enclosure than their small size would indicate. Provide them with a large indoor finch cage or, in warm weather, a planted outdoor aviary.
Light
Indoors, your pet’s cage should be lit by a full spectrum bird bulb.
Feeding
It does take a bit of effort to feed white eyes properly…most, myself included, find it well worthwhile, but please consider this point carefully before deciding to purchase a pair (they do best in pairs or small groups).
The natural diet consists largely of fruit and insects; captives will not thrive unless provided with a wide variety of each. Fruit can form a large portion of your pets’ diet…white eyes are especially fond of pears, and will accept oranges, grapes, papaya, banana, apples, mango and most other fruits as well. They must also be given a variety of small insects daily. Most aviculturists keeping white eyes establish fruit fly colonies…this is not difficult, and colonies are commercially available. Please write in if you’d like further information.
I would say that an insect trap is essential for the prospective white-eye owner. I highly recommend the Zoo Med Bug Napper. White eyes also relish small live crickets, mealworms and waxworms…but these alone do not constitute a sufficient diet. An ideal way of increasing dietary variety is to use finely chopped canned insects. I also suggest that you experiment with Zoo Med’s Anole Food. It contains tiny dried flies…when reconstituted with a bit of water it should prove acceptable to white eyes and similar birds.
Egg Food should be offered daily, in conjunction with a commercial insectivorous bird diet or a mix of cooked ground beef and hard boiled eggs (grind with shells). Goldenfeast Tropic Fruit Pudding Blend is a very interesting product that should prove useful to those rearing white eyes and birds with similar food preferences.
Several older bird-keepers of my acquaintance swore by pound cake soaked in honey water, using it as a bi-weekly treat for white-eyes, orioles, shama thrushes, bulbuls and many other birds. White eyes under my care consumed it ravenously.
Breeding
White eyes pair up readily and are fairly reliable breeders. They will utilize an open finch nest and cotton nesting material (spider webs are often incorporated into outdoor nests).
In nature, and in planted aviaries, white eyes tend to nest within dense vegetation. If you keep yours caged, it would be a good idea to situate their nest site behind a screen of live or artificial plants.
White eye hens lay 2-4 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for 10-12 days. The young fledge in a mere 12 days. Fruit flies and other tiny insects must be available to birds rearing chicks.
Additional Resources
A newly-discovered species breaks a few basic “white eye rules” (including the one about having a white eye ring!). Read more at:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080314095059.htm
Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Factumquintus
Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks…..until next time, Frank.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Pet Bird Health Notes: Regurgitation
Apr 22nd
A fair percentage of the avian health-related calls and emails I receive involve reports of regurgitating or vomiting in budgies, cockatoos and other parrots. Today we’ll take a look at some common causes of these problems.
Regurgitation or Vomiting?
An important first step is differentiating between regurgitation and vomiting. Vomiting, which is rather uncommon in birds, involves the expulsion of food from the upper digestive tract. The material expelled is often partially digested.
In regurgitation, the bird brings up the contents of its crop, the storage sac positioned between the esophagus and stomach. Regurgitation is a fairly common phenomenon, and may or may not be indicative of a health problem. Regurgitated food will appear whole and undigested.
The Least Worrisome Scenarios
Male birds of many species regurgitate food to their mates during courtship…pet male budgerigars, especially those housed alone, are particularly prone to this behavior. The object of their affections may be a toy or even a favored person.
Another fairly benign form of regurgitation is that which occurs in response to excitement, as when a bird overreacts to a new pet or to being left alone, or to fear. If the stress is short term, the problem will resolve itself…long term stresses are, of course, a serious matter.
Blockages and Crop Stasis
Crop stasis, in which mobility declines and food remains too long in the crop, is the most frequently encountered cause of regurgitation. It is very common in hand-fed baby parrots, and usually arises when they are given inappropriate diets. Foreign bodies or grit lodged in the crop may also be involved.
In a condition known as pendulous crop, muscle tone is lost and crop stasis becomes a more or less constant condition.
Goiter and Iodine Deficiency
An iodine deficiency will cause the thyroid to enlarge (goiter). This puts pressure on the esophagus and crop, and results in frequent regurgitation. Birds so afflicted usually have difficulty breathing and may wheeze continually.
Be sure to choose an appropriate diet for your pet, and use an iodine supplement if such is recommended by your veterinarian.
Other Health Concerns
Regurgitation may also be indicative of a wide range of other health problems, including Candidiasis, lead or zinc intoxication, antibiotic reaction or ailments of the pancreas, liver or kidneys.
Unfortunately, there is no simple way to diagnose these from the mere presence of regurgitation – a veterinary evaluation, which may include blood and fecal tests and radiographs, will be necessary.
Further Reading
Proper care is the best preventative medicine available…please check out our extensive collection of bird care books.
Please see my other health care articles posted on this blog, including The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ailments Afflicting Cage Birds.
Please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Natural and Unnatural History of the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
Apr 20th
The magnificent sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is one of the most sought after of all bird pets. It is also one of the most intelligent, and as such has become well known to TV and movie viewers the world over as an “actor”. However, its natural history is less in the spotlight, and holds some interesting surprises.
Range and Habitat
Sulphur-crested cockatoos range along Australia’s north-central coast and throughout the eastern third of the continent and on New Guinea, its offshore islands and Aru Island. Long-collected as a pet, it has been introduced and breeds in the wild on New Zealand, Palau and Indonesia’s Ceramlaut and Goramlaut Islands.
These cockatoos always live within flying distance of water, but otherwise occupy a range of habitats, including forest, open woodlands, brushy savannas and farms. Favored roosting sites remain in use for decades, even if changes in food availability necessitate long-distance flights.
A Variable Feeding Strategy
Interestingly, cockatoos living in different habitats show widely varying defensive adaptations. In eastern Australia, where flocks feed in open country on the ground, sentries are always posted in nearby trees. These individuals keep watch for danger, rising high into the air and screaming as a warning to the flock.
In northern Australia, sulphur-crested cockatoos usually feed in trees at forest edges, where they are less vulnerable to predators than are ground-feeding birds. Consequently, the sentinel system has not been developed by this segment of the population.
The World’s Most Magnificent Crop Pest?
It is difficult for non-Australians to imagine these fabulous birds in the role of “crop pest”, but a flock of several hundred descending upon a field can be devastating. They also have been known to ravage harvested grain by ripping into bags held at storage sites. The clever “raiding parties”, always forewarned of danger by “scouts”, are rarely caught in the act.
On the other hand, the important role of this species in consuming the seeds of harmful weeds and the larvae of crop-feeding insects is well documented.
Cockatoos as Pets
The sulphur-crested cockatoo’s sizable brain and body renders it a wonderful but demanding pet. Its basic needs are similar to those of related large parrots – a healthful diet, full spectrum light and a large cage or outdoor aviary. However, the social aspects of keeping such a bird are quite complicated…this is a species best reserved for experienced hobbyists.
Further Reading
Please see my article on Goffin’s Cockatoos for more information on cockatoo husbandry basics.
Information on the conservation status of this cockatoo may be found at http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=1399&m=0.
Enjoy your birds and please write in with your questions and comments. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Noodle Snacks.
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