Читать книгу Animal Cruelty Investigations - Группа авторов - Страница 117

Birds kept as pets range from finches and pigeons to large parrots. They have adapted genetically over centuries so that their beaks are specially shaped to collect, open, and ingest the fruits and seeds native to their region of origin. Parrots have large, hooked bills for cracking open hard palm nuts, while finches have small triangular beaks designed to pluck tiny grass seeds from their stems. For this reason, birds in captivity must be provided with a diet modeled after what they were designed to eat in nature. There are hundreds of commercially available diets for every type of bird kept as a pet. Birds have high metabolisms and must eat frequently throughout the day, so food should always be available. When assessing feed, keep in mind that birds tend to drop spent seed hulls back into feed cups and hoppers, so what might appear as a full seed dispenser may actually be filled with empty seed hulls. Birds always require access to clean, potable water. Some birds, like pigeons and doves, may be suited to living in outdoor aviaries, but most pet birds are quite sensitive to cold temperatures. Cages should be large enough for the bird to move around, extend its wings, access its food and water, and be free from its waste. Birds require perches to rest and sleep on. They may be housed in pairs, groups, or singly. Breeding pairs require a nest or nest box in which to lay their eggs and tend their young. Health considerations for birds include monitoring for any changes in respiration or difficulty breathing, distress related to difficulty laying or retained eggs, and attention to overgrown beaks and nails. Feather picking occurs (Figure 2.5) when a bird plucks their own feathers and is commonly secondary to poor husbandry, improper diet, or underlying medical and/or behavioral conditions.

Figure 2.5 Captive birds may develop feather picking behaviors owing to stress, diet, or underlying health concerns.

Source: Oregon Humane Society.