That Bird Blog – Bird Care and History for Pet Birds

 

In their natural habitats, canaries and other birds learn their species’ songs by listening to the singing of their parents and neighboring birds.  The process starts when they are still in the nest, and, with most birds, ends once the adult song is mastered.

Learning From Other Species

Canaries, mockingbirds, starlings and some others are particularly gifted mimics, and may modify their species-specific song with tunes “borrowed” from other birds.  Some canary breeders house their young birds in locations where they will be sure to hear the melodies of linnets, robins, warblers and other noted songsters.  Canaries raised in this manner often produce very beautiful and unique songs as they mature.

Educating Your Canary

If your busy schedule does not allow you the luxury of taking your canary out for “music education” strolls in the forest, you might find the Feathered Phonics Teach Your Canary to Sing Bird CD helpful.  Your canary might adopt an entire track as his own, or “pick and choose” bits and pieces of the varied selections to add to his repertoire.

Recent Research Into Song Acquisition

Researchers at MIT have recently gained important insights into the methods by which young birds acquire the adult song.  Much like human infants, fledgling birds babble incessantly, all the while practicing and fine-tuning until eventually the song comes together.  It was discovered that birds have two separate song-related brain pathways – one for the immature (“babbling”) song and one for the adult song.  Previously, it as thought that there was only one pathway, which matured over time.

This finding may be of use in understanding how people acquire speech and knowledge.  In birds, the “immature” pathway largely ceases to function once the adult song is learned…in most species the song’s makeup remains unchanged thereafter.  Humans, however, continue to refine, discard and add to just about every facet of what we learn over time.  It is hoped that further studies of avian brain pathways may lead to insights into our own.

Further Reading…Canary Intrigue

You may be surprised to learn about the quite dramatic story behind the canary’s entry into the pet trade.  Please check out my article Shipwrecks, Vicious Dogs and Escaped Birds….the Odd History of the Canary (Serinus canaria).

 

 

Natural History

Known by a variety of common names, the nuns, mannikins and munias are among the most popularly-kept finches.  Thirty five to fifty species (their taxonomy is in flux) of these little seed-eaters range throughout Africa, Asia and Australia, often forming huge flocks outside of the breeding season.  Their behavior within these flocks is highly synchronized, with members responding as one to visual and vocal cues.

The family of finches to which these birds belong, Estrildidae, is known for its brilliantly-colored members, but many munias are somberly clad in rust, fawn, white and various shades of brown.  This does not at all detract from their appearance, as the subtle blending of one color into another creates quite pleasing effects.  These muted tones are particularly beautiful when viewed among more brightly-colored finches in mixed-species aviaries.

Most rely heavily upon grass seeds for food, but they also take insects and green shoots, especially during the breeding season.  The small size and abundance of the munias renders them important food items for a variety of snakes, lizards, small mammals and birds of prey.  Field research on several African species has revealed that 70-80% of the eggs and a large percentage of the hatchlings are taken by predators.

Captive Care

Most species fare well in standard finch cages, although some rarely breed unless held in spacious outdoor aviaries, and are amenable to normal room temperatures.  Breeding in many is timed to the arrival of seasonal rains…in captivity the provision of a humidifier or frequent showers may stimulate reproduction.

Most munias bathe daily, and the nails of all grow extremely quickly.  Nail overgrowth is less of a problem for birds kept in outdoor aviaries with gravel or stone floors, but those living in cages must be carefully monitored.

Diet

A quality finch seed should form the bulk of the diet.  Sprouting grass  is usually readily accepted, and small amounts of carrot, broccoli and spinach should be provided on occasion.

Small crickets, mealworms, waxworms and wild caught insects (consider using a ZooMed Bug Napper Insect Trap) are all relished, and are essential for bringing munias into breeding condition and for rearing the chicks.  Small canned insects, such as Exo Terra Silkworms, and ZooMed Anole Food (dried insects) are also worth trying.  Gravel, cuttlebone and a bird bath should always be available.

Black-Headed Nun, Lonchura atricapilla

A very popular finch, the 4.5 inch black-headed nun is actually not very easy to breed.  The sexes are difficult to distinguish, and pairs seem to require a great deal of room and the provision of fresh grasses as nesting material.

Clad in chestnut, and with a black head and breast, this bird possesses a quiet beauty and a fairly calm personality.  It is native to southern India but ranges throughout the subcontinent, and is most often found near swamps and forested waterways.

The Black and White Munia, or Fernando Po, Lonchura bicolor

Barely reaching 3.8 inches in length, this Southeast Asian native is the smallest of the genus, and indeed of all Estrildid finches.  Its black feathers are highlighted with a glossy green, while the lower breast and under-parts are white.  The Fernando Po is not very common in the trade, but well worth seeking.  Its tiny size and active, inquisitive nature render it a charming pet.

A number of subspecies range throughout much of Africa, usually in association with forests or thick secondary growth.

The Bengalese or Society Finch, L. domestica (L. striata var. domesticus)

Hobbyists are sometimes surprised to learn that this pet trade staple is not to be found in the wild, but rather is a captive-generated hybrid.  Developed in Japan by breeding sharp-tailed munias (L. acuticauda) with striated munias (L. striata) the Bengalese has much to recommend it as a pet.  It is extremely hardy, adaptable to cage or aviary, and especially useful as a foster parent to more sensitive finches.  In fact, so well-developed are its parental instincts that pairs sometimes take-over the broods of unrelated birds with whom they are housed!  Their breeding habits are also quite flexible, with 2 or more hens sometimes depositing their eggs in the nest of one, which happily goes about raising all the chicks.

The patterns of Bengalese finches vary to an incredible degree, but most exhibit various shades of white, brown, tan and cream.  Crossing Bengalese with finches other than the original parent species (i.e. white-hooded nuns) has further complicated this bird’s genetic background…some even sport small head crests!

 

A fascinating and very thorough account of the origins and history of the Bengalese finch is posted at:

http://www.east.uu.se/docs_publikationer/IS_bengali.pdf

Black and white Munia image referenced from Wikipedia commons and first posted by Alan Mansen

Society Finch referenced from Wikipedia Commons and first posted by Smokey Sally

Please see Part I of this article for additional information.

Natural History

Ranging from the southern Himalayas to eastern China and south into Myanmar, Pekin robins are largely birds of high-altitudes.  They frequent forest underbrush and clearings on mountainsides, and are rarely seen out in the open.  They will also forage on farms and in gardens, where they are much appreciated for their insect-catching abilities.

Pekin robins reach only 6 inches in length, and are attractively clad in olive-green.  The throat is yellow, blending with orange at the breast.  The black and yellow banded red flight feathers show nicely when the wings are folded.

Space Requirements

Despite their small size, Pekin robins need a great deal of space, and should be housed in an aviary whenever possible.  Their feeding mode keeps them on the move all day long, and they will fall into repetitive behaviors if cramped in captivity.

Hailing from mountain-side forests, they are very cold tolerant.  If provided with a warm shelter and gradually acclimated, Pekin robins can be housed outdoors year-round throughout much of the USA.  This renders them an ideal choice for those seeking an unusual bird that does not require a great deal of indoor space.

Insects and Other Dietary Needs

Pekin robins require a diet rich in insects – they cannot crack or grind seeds.  A good insectivorous bird mix should form the base of their diet. Small crickets, mealworms, waxworms and wild-caught insects are all relished.  I believe that the provision of a wide variety of insects is key to success with these birds, and urge you to use a ZooMed Bug Napper Insect Trap  to catch your own whenever possible.  ZooMed Anole Food (dried insects) is also worth trying, and egg food is almost always accepted.

Fruit figures importantly in the diet of wild Pekin robins…berries, oranges, apples, banana, papaya and a host of others should be provided daily.  Many individuals will also accept small amounts of carrot, broccoli and other vegetables.

 

An interesting article describing field research on a population of feral Pekin robins that has become established in Japan is posted at:

http://ss.ffpri.affrc.go.jp/labs/kanko/400-5.pdf

Image referenced from Wikipedia.

 

Although people have been raising and breeding granivorous birds on seeds for decades, it is now well-established that pellets offer a more reliable method of assuring that a balanced diet is consumed.

Pellet-based diets are more important for some types of birds than for others.  Finches, for example, tend to eat most of the ingredients contained in leading finch seed mixes.  Parrots, on the other hand, can be quite picky, going through their food cups with a fine-toothed comb, as it were, and selecting only their favorites.

Using Seeds and Switching to Pellets

For all birds on a seed-based diet, the key to maintaining good health lies in assuring that a wide variety of seeds are consumed in appropriate amounts, and in providing supplemental foods (vegetables, fruits, sprouts, etc.) on a regular basis.  Pellets take the guesswork out of feeding birds, and have been embraced by most zoos and commercial aviaries.

The switch from a seed-based to pellet-based diet should be made gradually…even if your bird readily accepts pellets, it is not a good idea to shock its digestive system with a sudden change.  Rather, introduce the pellets over a period of 2-3 weeks.  Some birds, especially older parrots, may resist mightily, and may take several months before settling in to their new diet.

Tricks to Ease the Transition

One of the easiest ways of introducing pellets to your bird is to make use of Lafeber Avicakes  and Nutriberries.  Both products contain nutritious pellets set within a tasty mix of molasses, seeds and other universal favorites.  Mixing pellets with fruits, vegetables, Eggfood  and other treats will also encourage acceptance.

“Pulsed feeding”, or the offering of many small meals daily, has long been used by poultry breeders to encourage birds to take in additional calories (it seems that the presentation of a food dish sparks a feeding impulse, even in a bird that might be rather “full”).  Removing and re-introducing your pet’s dish, loaded at times mainly with pellets, is worth a try.

The Role of Seeds in a Pellet-Based Diet

Seeds do have their place in parrot and finch diets, of course.  In addition to their nutritional value, birds benefit greatly from physically manipulating and opening seeds and nuts.

Once your birds have accepted pellets, continue to provide a moderate amount of seeds of many varieties – hiding or lodging them in difficult-to-reach areas is a great way to keep your birds entertained and active.  Bird Foraging Toys  are an excellent means of providing both seeds and exercise opportunities to your pets.

Please check out the pellet-based diets that we offer for finches, canaries, budgies, cockatiels, macaws, cockatoos and other parrots.  For a look at how I provided dietary variety to the Bronx Zoo’s huge bird collection many years ago, please see my article Alternative Bird Foods – Yesterday and Today.

 

 

Overly-dry indoor air is a common throughout much of the US, particularly in the colder months when naturally arid air and house-heating systems are both at work.  Bird and human skin can suffer as a result.  Daily misting of your pets can help, but in some cases it might be wise to consider a humidifier.  Zoo Med’s Habba Mist  is ideal… designed for use with pet birds and reptiles, it has 4 different interval and spray duration settings and is easily moved from place to place.

The fine powder down produced by cockatoos (including the cockatiel) is a quite necessary grooming aid but can pose a health concern to people with allergies or compromised lungs.  Feather dust can also be a concern with other birds (i.e. the African gray parrot), especially if large numbers are kept. Installing an air purifier can make a great improvement in indoor air quality…even if you are not overly sensitive to dust, you will likely notice and enjoy the difference.