Canary:
Finches
Budgerigar (parakeet)
Cockatiels:
NAme different species of LARGE parrot
Talk about large parrots
Macaw
The amazon:
The West African Grey:
Cockatoo
How to pick up small birds
Use bare hands or very fine cloth
Allows you to assess grip – easy to suffocate
Wrap wings (this can be with your hand, or a cloth)
Restrain head by holding gently round neck with 1st and 2nd fingers
no pressure on the chest
Large birds holding
Hold wings to prevent flapping
Restrain head (gently round neck and under lower beak) to prevent biting
Hold legs with other hand above claws
Poisonous/ harmful foods
Why is it important to hold birds correctly?
2. Lack of functional diaphragm – pressure to chest can damage bird
Handling and restraint tips in practise
Get rid of the owners
No really, just do it – so as not to affect relationship between owner and parrot
Quiet darkened room
Have gear ready before getting the bird out
Towel for protection (you) and to prevent flapping (the bird, or maybe you?)
Approach the bird from the back, hand on back of head then over wings
Move confidently
Easier with two, especially with large birds
Ideal cage set up
Why avoid plastic or sandpaper perch?
pressure sores (soft tissue on feet) – if sit on hard perch for long periods of time
Why square with horizontal bar cage?
Where should your bird cage be located?
Bird breeding
Illegal to import wild caught parrots
Should all be captive bred
SPECIALIST SUBJECT, best left to specialist avian vet!
In the wild, females would not lay unless they had
Suitable nesting site
A mate
Correct environmental conditions
Occasionally laying in captivity triggered by environmental/husbandry factors in the absence of a mate – worth checking husbandry
Nutrition for passerines
Illegal to import wild caught parrots
Should all be captive bred
SPECIALIST SUBJECT, best left to specialist avian vet!
In the wild, females would not lay unless they had
Suitable nesting site
A mate
Correct environmental conditions
Occasionally laying in captivity triggered by environmental/husbandry factors in the absence of a mate – worth checking husbandry
Nutrition for Psittacines
Eat wide variety of foods in the wild
Fruits, nuts, berries, seeds, flowers and even small mammals!!
Many dietary problems seen in captive parrot species
Selective eating
‘Seed junkies’
Overeating due to boredom
MALNUTRION COMMON
Commercial diets available but poorly balanced and birds often selectively feed
Additional Requirements
Water Fresh/clean at all times Change regularly – if its mucky they won’t use it Mineral/vitamin supplements Best added to soft foods Grit Passerines, not psittacines