That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds

People who breed canaries, shama thrushes and other noted songsters often comment that housing males within hearing distance of one another improves the quality of their songs. This theory has now been validated by researchers studying song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) at the University of Miami.

Typical and Improved Songs

It seems that male song sparrows stick to their “usual” repertoire under normal circumstances – i.e. when calling to announce the ownership of their territory. However, when challenged by intruding males, song sparrows dramatically improve the quality of their songs, selecting note ranges and song speeds that are difficult to perform.

Whether this is to convince a female or male (or both) of the singer’s vigor has not yet been established, but clearly the birds are physically changing their songs in response to a hostile situation. This finding contradicts the long-held assumption that, once acquired, male birds’ song patterns are largely static.

Practical Applications

The song sparrow findings may eventually shed light on the acquisition of language in people, as similar brain pathways seem involved. Those of you who keep groups of canaries, green singing finches or other songbirds may wish to experiment a bit as well, to see if some competition spurs your pets to new musical heights.

Thoughts on the Song Sparrow

As for myself, the first time I hear a song sparrow call (whether the song is “improved” or not!) each late winter is a thrill, assuring me that warmer days are not far off. In years past, I heard these little fellows only near salt marshes, but am happy to report that they have now expanded into suburban yards and city parks in and near NYC.

Further Reading

You can hear a song sparrow’s call and read related field observations at

http://www.sitkanature.org/wordpress/2007/03/15/singing-song-sparrow/.

Please also see my article The Role of Learning and Instinct in Bird Song for more information on this and related topics.

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Factumquintus

Pet birds of all kinds sneeze on occasion, and such is not always cause for alarm. However, sneezing can also be the first sign of a sinus infection, and so should signal us to pay extra attention. When accompanied by nasal or eye discharge, or red, swollen eyes, immediate action is necessary.

Bird Sinus Structure and Disease

As in people, bird sinuses are arranged in a complicated network of moist, narrow channels that are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals, especially Vitamin A, may also pre-dispose birds to sinusitis. As anyone who has had such an infection can attest, bacteria spread rapidly throughout these passageways – when such happens to birds, it can mean a progression from mild to life-threatening illness in short order.

Symptoms

Birds inflicted with sinusitis may appear well at first, occasionally sneezing but otherwise behaving normally. Once the condition progresses, however, nasal and eye discharges will become evident, and the afflicted bird will become lethargic and reluctant to feed.

The bacteria-generated accumulation of hard, waxy material in the sinus cavities behind the eyes will cause the eyes to run, redden and swell. Sick birds will often rub their eyes on perches in an attempt to relieve the pressure, sometimes causing additional trauma in the process.

Treatment

Early treatment is of utmost importance where sinusitis is concerned. The chance of successfully combating the invading virus or bacterium decreases rapidly as populations build and the bird’s immune system weakens. Veterinary attention is a must…please write in if you need a referral to an experienced avian veterinarian.

Further Reading

You can read about sinusitis from a veterinarian’s perspective at http://www.vetafarm.com/pages/Sinusitis-in-birds-.html.

Toucan bills are perhaps the best known of all bird appendages. Comprising 40% or more of the toucan’s total surface area, these long, colorful structures were thought to serve primarily as fruit gathering tools and, perhaps, to attract mates. However, research involving the toco toucan (Ramphastos toco), which sports the largest bill of all, has yielded some surprising new information.

Controlling Body Temperature

According to an article published in the journal Science (July, 2009), the toucan’s generously proportioned bill helps to keep its owner cool during hot weather. As temperatures rise, blood flows to a network of vessels positioned between the bill’s bony inner core and its hard outer covering (the rampotheca), where it sheds heat before circulating back into the bird’s body. Toucans are even able to precisely control the rate of blood flow to the bill.

A number of structures in other animals, i.e. elephants’ ears and crocodilian tongues, serve a similar function, although they appear less effective than toucan bills at shedding heat. It is theorized that the huge spikes on the backs of certain dinosaurs were the animal world’s first heat-dumping structures.

Toucans as Pets

Toucans make affection and interesting pets for those with the room to properly accommodate them (please see articles below).

Although their bills appear unwieldy, several toucans that I have kept were very adept at catching grapes tossed at high speed, and they rarely missed when aiming at the anoles (small lizards) that had arrived in their exhibit along with imported plants and trees.

Further Reading

Please check out my articles Introducing the Collared Aracari and Popular Zoo and Pet Birds: Toucans for information on keeping toucans in captivity.

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Muchness

With a total population numbering 295 birds, only 60 of which live in the wild, the Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittata) holds the unenviable title of one of the world’s 10 most endangered birds. A subspecies, A. v. gracilipes, once found on neighboring Culebra, Mona and Vieques Islands, is now extinct.

US Native Parrots

The Puerto Rican Amazon is the only parrot native to a US territory; it is also distinguished by quite possibly being the bird that helped lead Columbus to land on his first voyage (please see article below).

The sole Psittacine living on the US mainland is the endangered thick billed-parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha). Our only other native parrot, the Carolina parakeet, was hunted to extinction by the early 1900’s.

People unaware of this species plight are sometimes confused by all the concern…after all, parrots abound throughout Puerto Rico. However, these pet trade escapees are introduced species, which actually worsen the Puerto Rican Amazon’s plight by competing for food and nest sites, and, possibly, through hybridization.

Rats and other Threats

The Puerto Rican Amazon’s decline is largely due to deforestation. It nests only in pre-existing holes in tall, mature trees. When these trees are cut, the parrots cannot nest, or they use sites that are vulnerable to predators, competitors and hurricanes.

The introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) has also contributed significantly to this parrot’s problems. Alternately called the roof rat, this highly arboreal rodent takes eggs and chicks from 4 of every 6 nests in some areas. The pearly-eyed thrasher (Magarops fuscata) a small bird not usually known as a “trouble-maker”, has exploded in numbers in recent times (possibly due to changes in land use). Oddly, it now preys upon parrot eggs, and competes for nest sites.

In addition to the introduced parrots mentioned earlier, the island’s 3 large hawks pose a threat to the already depleted Puerto Rican Amazon population. Added to this is the species’ need for an intact habitat that supports varied food sources…it has been documented as feeding upon over 50 types of plants.

Recovery Efforts

Recovery efforts were initiated in 1973, at which time a mere 13 birds remained in the wild. Today, the US Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, which encompasses both wild and captive management techniques (double-clutching, nest rehabilitation, predator control, releases, education).

Two wild populations have been established. That at Rio Abajo is comprised entirely of captive-bred birds, while the Loquillo National Forest (El Yunque) in Eastern Puerto Rico is home to both wild and released individuals. Before releases were initiated, detailed studies of the Hispaniolan parrot (Amazona ventralis) were conducted in the Dominican Republic and used as a template for the Puerto Rican Amazon’s return to the wild.

So far, ornithologists are cautiously optimistic. Released birds have been observed to associate with wild parrots, and radio tracking studies indicate that 40-50% of the captive-bred individuals survive the critical first 6-9 months. However, a dearth of suitable habitat and predation remain serious concerns.

A Lesson

The fact that an intense, well-financed, 36 year-long recovery program has only bolstered this species’ numbers to 295 illustrates well the depth of commitment needed if endangered animals are to be spared extinction. Rarely if ever is the mere establishment of a protected area sufficient.

Further Reading

Please see my articles Did Parrots Help Columbus Find America? and The Thick Billed Parrot for further information on Puerto Rican Amazons and US native parrots.

Rattus rattus image referenced from Wikipedia and orignally posted by Liftarn

The minute (4.5 inch) common waxbill, Estrilida astrilid, possesses a rare combination of subtle and conspicuous beauty.  Overall, it is quietly colored, being clad above in muted brown with darker bars and with cream breast feathers just barely washed with pink.  In stark contrast, the beak and eye band are a brilliant crimson in color.  The effect is really quite unique.  Add to this an innate hardiness and engaging personality, and it is easy to see why this bird is one of the more popular African finches in the pet trade.

Range and Habitat

Common waxbills are found throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa, and on the islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, St. Helena and New Caledonia.  Their popularity has resulted in a great many translocations, and feral colonies are now well-established in Spain, Portugal, Trinidad, Hawaii, Brazil and elsewhere.

They are birds of grasslands and sparsely wooded habitats, and may be seen in savannas, scrubland, farms, parks and around homes and gardens.

Common Waxbills as Pets

Common waxbill care follows that of zebra finches and other pet trade staples, and may be kept in either spacious cages or outdoor aviaries.

They do well on a diet comprised of finch seed, sprouts, egg food and a bit of fruit.  Small insects are appreciated, and are essential for birds rearing chicks…canned insects are a convenient means of adding this important but often over-looked food to finch diets.

As with all waxbills, bathing opportunities are important.

Breeding

Captive breeding is not uncommon, but mated pairs become rather high strung and require quiet surroundings.  The male alone constructs the enclosed nest, which may be used (in captivity) simultaneously by several females.  The eggs are incubated for 10 days, and the chicks fledge within 14 days.

Further Reading

For further information on the captive care and natural history of Estrildid finches, please see my article Nuns, Manikins and Munias.

Image referenced from Wikipedia and originally posted by Andre Simons