Posts tagged Bird Behavior
Unique Bird Behavior – Ravens Use Beaks to “Show” Objects to Mates
Dec 20th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The act of holding up or pointing to an object, in order to draw another’s attention, has been observed only among ourselves and Great Apes. Known as deictic gesturing, this behavior is considered critical to the development of language, and a sign of great intelligence (you parents will likely recall the first time your toddler did something similar!). Along with parrots, crows, and magpies, Common Ravens, Corvus corax, have proven themselves among the brightest of the world’s birds. Recently, they have been observed to utilize deictic gestures, and are the only birds known to do so.
“Hey…look at this if you care about me”!
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology and the University of Vienna have reported that Ravens pick up objects such as stones, branches and moss and show them to other Ravens. In most cases, the bird being solicited is the other’s mate. Once his or her attention is drawn, the pair usually jointly manipulates the object for a time. More >
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Loading ...Holiday Season Treats and Cautions for Parrot and Finch Owners
Dec 16th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Holiday visits and celebrations, pleasurable as they are, can also bring some nasty surprises to both people and pets. A bit of planning now can help make the upcoming season safe and enjoyable for you and your birds.
Stress, Noise and Late Nights
Responsible bird owners know that certain holiday treats and, of course, alcohol, are bad for birds. But many overlook the important role that sleep plays in bird health (please see article below). If you entertain late, or will be out often during the holidays, keep in mind that most birds need 10-12 hours of sleep in a dark, quiet environment. If necessary, move your pet’s cage to an area that is off-limits to guests, and shut the room lights via a timer if the rest of your house will be lit after the usual “lights-out” time. Maintaining a stable day/night cycle is good for your birds mental and physical health.
Holiday parties can mean a house stocked with loud, tipsy guests, excited children and unfamiliar dogs. Each of these “creatures” (especially, those influenced by alcohol!) may take liberties with your pets that they otherwise would not. If it will be difficult for you to monitor all that is going on, consider keeping your birds in a locked room while parties are in progress (or “raging”, as the case may be!). More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Budgerigar (Parakeet) Study Reveals how Birds Avoid Crashes in Tight Quarters
Nov 11th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. If you observe wild birds, you’ve no doubt marveled at their ability to fly through dense brush without touching a single branch. In NYC, I’ve twice been surprised to see pigeons flying at full speed through amazingly tight spaces when pursued by Red-Tailed Hawks. Bats utilize echolocation to perform similar feats, but with few exceptions (i.e. the Oilbird, please see below), birds lack this adaptation. So how do they do it? According to a recent study (Current Biology, Oct., 2011) at Australia’s Vision Center and the University of Queensland, some species rely upon vision alone.
“See-Compare-Adjust Course”
Researchers worked with Budgerigars (Parakeets) that had been trained to fly an indoor course that allowed for careful monitoring. They were able to show that the birds used their vision to sense and compare the speed at which they passed background images, and then adjusted their flight path accordingly. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...During Hard Times, Eclectus Parrot Moms Kill Male Chicks and Raise Females
Nov 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Eclectus Parrot is well known for an unusual degree of sexual dimorphism (males are emerald green, females bright red) and a breeding strategy wherein several males mate with a single female. But no one expected the results of a recent study: under certain circumstances, mothers will kill their male chicks and raise only females. Other than humans, Eclectus Parrots are the only species known to kill offspring based solely upon gender.
Harsh Conditions and Drastic Adaptations
The study, published in the journal Current Biology (October, 2011), was conducted by researchers based at the Australian National University. The study site was at Cape York, Queensland, in Australia’s tropical northeast (Eclectus Parrots are also found on New Guinea and many Indonesian islands). More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Teaching a Parakeet to Perform Tricks – Target and Clicker Training
Aug 26th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The Parakeet, Budgerigar or “Budgie”, Melopsittacus undulatus, arrived on the European pet scene in 1840 and has since become one of the world’s most popular pets. However, perhaps because they are small and inexpensive, Budgies are sometimes not viewed as “real parrots” by their owners, and consequently are not given the chance to show off their many talents. In addition to being wonderful mimics, Budgies can learn a great variety of tricks…and seem to take pleasure in doing so!
Trust
Getting your pet to accept your presence, and then to be comfortable with your hand in its vicinity, is an essential first step in training. This is generally quite simple, as budgies are sociable by nature and rather miserable without human or avian company. Please see this article for more on basic care and creating trust. More >
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