Archive for October, 2009
Foraging Toys and Treats – Keeping Pet Birds Active and Interested
Oct 13th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Wild birds spend the vast majority of most days occupied with gathering food. In captivity, where all their nutritional needs are usually met in a matter of minutes, boredom and a general decline in vitality are constant concerns. While well-recognized in parrots, these same considerations apply to canaries and other finches, quails, softbills and all other pet birds.
Foraging Toys
A wide variety of bird toys is available to assist in 
keeping our avian friends occupied. Among the most useful are those that, provisioned with food, encourage birds to work at obtaining snacks. Known as “foraging toys”, these are based on behavioral principles long applied by professional aviculturists. In my opinion, they qualify more as “health aids” than toys.
I also highly recommended our line of natural bird toys; these must be shredded and otherwise physically manipulated before the bird can retrieve the food hidden within. In addition to mentally and physically stimulating your pets, they will help to keep beaks in good condition and to sharpen motor skills and reflexes.
Natural Foods
Foods provided in their natural form will also encourage birds to utilize foraging skills. Particularly useful in this regard are millet sprays, sprouting greens and whole fruits.
Live insects are unbeatable in arousing the interest of finches, white-eyes and most softbills. By allowing mealworms or waxworms to burrow into a pan of sand or oatmeal, you can keep you pets happily hunting for hours. Crickets are even better, especially if you stock the cage bottom with empty paper towel rolls in which the insects can hide. Plastic wrap wound around the lower 2 inches of the cage bars will help contain any crickets that escape your pet’s notice.
Hiding canned insects and other treats about the cage will encourage exploration and an interest in the environment in general.
Aviaries
An outdoor aviary is, in and of itself, a giant foraging “toy. Birds kept outdoors, even for part of the year, invariably become more alert and active – catching insects, sampling growing plants and just watching what is happening all around them.
Further Reading
To read more about other means of adding to your birds’ quality of life, please see my articles Behavioral Enrichment for Parrots and Finches Use Parrot Toys Too!
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Monk Parakeet image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by snowmanradio
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Loading ...Eclectus Parrots in the Wild and Captivity – Part 1
Oct 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. One day, while working in Bronx Zoo’s eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) exhibit, a visitor asked me what sort of food additives I used to keep the bird’s colors so brilliant and silky. Another, upon viewing a pair of eclectus preening, inquired how I had managed to get the two different species of parrots to bond.
The many similar questions that I’ve fielded over the years are typical first impressions: such brilliant colors cannot possibly be natural, and male and female eclectus must each belong to a different species.
Beautiful and Outstanding Mimics
Many consider the eclectus to be the most beautiful of all parrots. In fact, early in their avicultural history folks rarely tried to teach eclectus to speak…surely such a gorgeous bird could not also be a talented mimic.
However, the Eclectus rivals the AfricanGray and Amazon Parrots in both the scope of its vocabulary and the clarity of its voice. Nearly all individuals learn to speak, with some uttering their first phrases prior to fledging! What’s more, eclectus are equally proficient at singing songs and learning bird calls, whistles and other sounds. A pair I worked with kept me entertained with by mimicking the calls of birds in neighboring exhibits and the clanging of metal pans that occurred as I distributed food each day.
A Study in Contrasts – Sexual Dimorphism
Male and female Eclectus Parrots vary so much in appearance that they were believed to be different species by the first Europeans to encounter them in Indonesia. Indeed, few bird species exhibit a greater degree of sexual dimorphism (difference in appearance between the sexes).
Range and Habitat
Eight to ten Eclectus subspecies have been described. They range from the Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia through New Guinea, and also occur on the Solomons and many of Indonesia’s islands. Introduced populations are established on Palau and the Goram Islands (Indonesia).
Eclectus Parrots favor lowland rain forest, but may utilize wooded savannahs as well.
A Unique Reproductive Strategy
Dramatic sexual dimorphism is not their only “un-parrot-like” trait. Parrots are known for close pair bonds and sexual fidelity. However, female eclectus parrots mate with several males, all of whom feed her while she is on the nest and raising chicks, and males may mate with several females.
This strategy seems driven by a shortage of safe nest hollows (monitor lizards and scrub pythons are major predators in easily-accessible nests). Males are forced to share those females that have managed to secure nests that are inaccessible to predators.
Also, females rarely leave the nest hole during the breeding season…the unusual mating strategy may ensure a steady supply of food should the “primary male” die or prove to be a bad provider.
Eclectus Parrots as Pets
Pet Eclectus Parrots are invariably described as “intuitive”, and do indeed seem to sense their owner’s moods very accurately. They are also extremely “laid back” and usually fairly quiet. Although they should be provided with a large cage or outdoor aviary, these qualities do suit them well apartments or small houses. Beauty, great speaking abilities and a quiet, friendly demeanor…what more could one ask of a parrot!?
Further Reading
For more on captive husbandry, please see our book on Eclectus Parrot Care.
A fascinating account of an eclectus parrot field study is posted here.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Eclectus roratus image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Dougjj
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Finches – Sampling the Incredible Diversity of Species Available
Oct 6th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Finch enthusiasts are in the enviable position of being able to easily obtain a wide range of interesting, colorful and unusual species. Among no other group of cage birds do we find such a variety of captive-bred specimens. Although some are quite delicate, even those relatively new to the hobby can find a great many hardy species. Today I’d like to provide a look at some of the possibilities.
Bicheno’s or Double-barred Finch, Stizoptera bichenovii
Measuring a mere 3 inches in length, this delightful little bird is the smallest of the Australian grass-finches. It inhabits grasslands, parks and gardens; wild and captive individuals alike are quite comfortable around people.
Bicheno’s finch is clad in browns, fawn and gray, and the buff colored face is outlined with a dark, almost heart-shaped ring – bringing to mind a minute barn owl (well, actually I’m referring here to my mind, I’ve not had others second that opinion!). Despite its diminutive size, this finch is quite steady in disposition, and makes a fine, always curious pet.
These finches are much inclined to scratch about the ground for insects…providing a pile of leaf mulch will keep them occupied and yourself amused for hours.
Pin-tailed Nonpareil, Eurythrura prasina
Clad in green, blue and bright red, this most desirable of the parrot finches occurs from Myanmar to Java.
Nonpareils are bred in large numbers, but remain a species best kept by well-experienced aviculturists. They are fairly high strung and tend to crash into walls and cage bars when startled. For that reason, they are best kept in spacious, well-planted aviaries. For some reason, males greatly outnumber females, and hence true pairs are difficult to obtain.
Nonpareils require more dietary variety than many other finches, with soaked rice, insects and greens, along with a variety of seeds, being necessary for their well-being.
Green Avadavat, Amadava formosa
The beauty of this central Indian waxbill is less flamboyant than that of many other finches, but no less arresting. The grassy-green of the back blends nicely with the yellow-gray throat and grades into lemon yellow, black barred under-parts, offset by a brilliant red beak.
Green Avadavats are birds of grasslands and sugar cane fields, where they construct enclosed nests of grass and hay. Captives sometimes accept hanging, covered nests, and are generally good parents.
Although hardy once acclimated, green Avadavats are intolerant of damp conditions, and require a steady supply of small live or canned insects if they are to remain in peak condition.
Black-chinned Quail Finch, Ortygospiza atricollis
These odd finches do indeed resemble minute quails in body form, coloration and habits. They keep to the ground, even nesting there, and, like their namesakes, explode upward in whirling flight when startled. Quail finches of one or another species inhabit much of Sub-Saharan Africa, usually in association with bogs, swamps and other damp environs.
These stout little birds do poorly in open situations in captivity, but settle down well if provided with ground cover in the form of bushes and live or dried grass clumps. Quail finches feed on the ground, and should ideally be offered live or canned insects and egg food on a daily basis, especially during the breeding season.
Further Reading
Read an interesting account of one aviculturist’s success in breeding the quail finch. I’ve written about a number of other finches as well; please see The Gouldian Finch and the articles referenced there for more information.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Double-barred Finch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Glen Fergus.
Pin-tailed Parrotfinch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Barracuda 1983.
African Quailfinch image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Magnus Manske.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Keeping a Preventative and Emergency Health Care Kit for Birds
Oct 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In caring for birds at home and in zoos, I have found that having emergency care items 
on hand has often prevented minor mishaps from turning into disasters. Supplements that aid in preventative health care are also essential. Today I have assembled a list of products that parallel those used in public aviaries, and which should be every private bird keeper’s possession.
Bird First Aid Kit
The VSI Bird First Aid Kit is stocked with powdered styptic, bandages, antiseptic wipes, forceps and many other useful products, this kit has everything you need to deal with minor emergencies. The emergency card included in the kit is most helpful.
Nutritional Supplements
Lafeber Powdered Vitamins can be used on a daily basis, and are especially useful in that they can be applied to food or water.
Virbac Vita Flight Supplement is flavored with fruit and therefore well-accepted by many birds. It is designed for use during stressful times, such as when a bird has been re-located or is molting, breeding or recovering from an illness. Another of Virbac’s products, Ornabac, is fortified with extra Vitamin B, an important nutrient during especially stressful events.
Feather and Skin Care
Feather Glo Bird Bath helps to keep both skin and feathers in good shape, while Feather Brite Bird Bath Spray contains lanolin and aloe to assist in soothing irritated skin.
Scalex Mite and Lice Spray should always be on hand to address external parasites.
Bitter Apple has long been favored as a means of discouraging feather plucking. It is most effective when applied as soon as plucking commences, and therefore should always be on hand.
Beak Conditioning
Disguised as an attractive toy, the volcanic pumice in Four Paws’ Pumice Kabob is one of the most effective materials for keeping bird beaks naturally trimmed and in prime condition.
Further Reading
I’ve written a number of other articles addressing bird medicine and health. Please see The Diagnosis and Treatment of Ailments Afflicting Cage Birds and the articles referenced there for more information.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
Scarlet macau image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by VC-s.
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