Psittacine Behavior - Client Information
Session I (No birds at this session)
Normal Parrot Behavior
In the wild, parrots are loud, bold, aggressive, colorful, impressive birds. They form variable sized flocks made up of pairs and family groups. Their intelligence, combined with dexterous feet and powerful beaks, allows them access to food and other resources. One of the greatest challenges of living wild is simply finding food. Most wild animals spend most of their waking hours foraging for food. Many leaves, nuts, buds, flowers, fruits, and seeds are ripped open, dug up, stripped off, and plucked to supply needed calories. Less desirable foods are sometimes eaten, supplying other nutrients to the hungry wild hoard. Compare this to captive birds that have no opportunity to explore the world, are supplied with high-calorie foods, and receiving little exercise, either physical or mental.
Intelligence
The human criterion for intelligence is the ability to learn. Those species that have a long training period and continue to develop their behavior over a relatively long period are typically considered intelligent. Reptiles, for instance, hatch with all the skills needed to survive. They exhibit little ability to change or adjust their behavior - to be trained, so are considered less intelligent. The rule is much the same for precocial birds- those hatched with the ability to forage. They can be taught behaviors, but they are still considered less intelligent. Parrots, on the other hand, are hatched naked or downy (altricial), are fed by the parents, and remain in a family group for several months, learning to find food and protect themselves. They have a long development stage and develop some complex behaviors. This pattern is similar to that found in both human and nonhuman primates. By this standard, parrots might be considered highly intelligent.
Learning vs. Instinct
Parrots learn by mimicking. In the wild, role models would include the parents and other birds in the flock. If the intent is to have the bird mimic its human companions, it is best not to house it near or with another bird. Birds learn more easily from other birds than they do from humans.
Reinforcement of a particular behavior comes in the form of a response to the behavior. If the response is favorable (in the bird's opinion), the behavior will be repeated. Behaviors that are reinforced will continue.
The bird that screams for attention is reinforced by having its human companion scream back. The bird considers that a favorable response. Learning how to control your responses so that they send the appropriate message will be part of this course.
Social arrangements
The term "pecking order" originated from studies conducted on flock hierarchy. The bird who dominated "pecked" the other birds and was considered the leader. Flock order is necessary to establish which birds have access to prime resources: the best nesting spots, the ripest foods, the top branch in the tree. Pecking order allows conflicts to be resolved with ritualized interactions. It is only when the social order is challenged that combat is likely to occur, even then, conflicts are usually brief. Parrots always consider themselves candidates for the top of the social order, and may continually challenge their human companions to see if the position is available. A large percentage of these birds eventually become dominant when their owners become intimidated and back down. To prevent this "mutiny, " owners must continually give dominant signals.
Cage
An appropriate environment is as important as good training. Birds spend many hours in their cage, so they must be made comfortable. The cage should be as large as possible for the available space. The general rule is that the cage be wider than it is tall. Height is an important factor in establishing leadership over a bird. If the cage goes to the ceiling and the bird can look down at its human companion, the bird considers itself dominant. The size of the bird is also a factor in selecting a cage. A macaw should have a cage sufficiently tall so that its tail does not drag. The cage should allow adequate exercise and space for climbing and wing flapping. Birds become territorial about their cages. If the bird has the whole house as its "cage" it is not as aggressively territorial as it is with a true cage. This is not to say that giving a bird free reign in the house is necessary - there are too many dangers in the average home- but more time out of the cage is certainly a benefit. All birds that are not under immediate supervision should be returned to their own cage.
Accouterments
An assortment of perch sizes and shapes should be available, as well as swinging or moving perches, natural tree branches, and rope or wood dowels. Toys such as hard plastic items (that cannot be chewed up), rawhide, cardboard, leaves, flowers, leather pieces, soda straws, twigs, paper cups, bottle tops, or any natural items that the bird can use to chew, eat, or tear up are appropriate. Even soft fluffy toys are appreciated, or even loved, by many parrots. Avoid toys with lead pieces, spring clips, split-ring connectors, sawdust stuffing, or breakable plastic or glass parts.
Rest or sleep time
All birds need their own space, and time alone, and at least 8 to 10 hours of sleep every day. If you keep late hours, there is no reason the bird should have to keep your hours. If the cage is too big to move to a quiet place, a second "sleeping" cage may be a solution. Another option is a heavy, dark cover to shut out most of the light and some of the noise.
Stimulation
A parrot that stays alone for many hours may appreciate a radio or TV to provide background noise or activity. An answering machine near the bird's cage will enable you to call and "talk" to the bird several times during the day. If it is possible to bring the bird to work, it will probably enjoy the adventure and look forward to time at "work." Be careful that other people do not attempt to teach the bird words or tricks, or worse, tease or annoy the bird. Also, be aware that if your bird bites someone in the office, you may be liable for the injury. Use a small cage to transport the bird. A loose bird in a car is a driving hazard.
Check out AVMA's, Animal Tracks, a weekly podcast on animal health issues.
Breaking News:
Canine Influenza Update »
Animal Care Help:
Handouts on Pet Care and Training »
Educational Videos (e.g., dog training) »
When to see your vet:
Five reasons to see your veterinarian today
- Bleeding from anywhere
- Vomiting with a loss of appetite
- Acute pain – including eyes (squinting)
- Respiratory difficulty
- Sudden and extreme lethargy
Five reasons to see your veterinarian tomorrow
- Acute lameness
- Intense itching
- Decreased appetite
- Increased thirst or urination
- Persistent diarrhea
Five reasons to see your veterinarian soon
- Decrease in weight
- Change in activity levels
- Hair loss
- Bad breath
- Chronic lameness
Dental Health
PetFit Challenge
Pet owners understand that obesity is about more than appearance. Scientific evidence shows that obesity is a condition that can lead to serious disease. In conjunction with the AVMA and Hill’s our hospital is focused on raising awareness about the right way to achieve and maintain healthy weight:
- Proper nutrition
- Increased physical activity
- Regular veterinary visits
Click on the link above for tools to help you increase your pet’s activity, decrease their weight and start them living a happier and healthier life!
Bond Animal Hospital
250 Central Avenue
White Plains, New York 10606
general map |
view map»
Legal Notice | General Website Disclaimer
Website errors? Contact the Healthcommunities.com webmaster.
Please provide the website address in your message.
(Messages sent to Healthcommunities.com will not reach the practice.)
© 1998–2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Medical Website Design by Healthcommunities.com