POUL 1010 Exam 2

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Merlin

-About the same size as a kestrel, except it weighs one-third heavier -brown in coloration, with brown streaking on the chest and belly; both species have a faint mustache mark on the face -excellent at maneuvering in flight, since their primary food is perching birds. They train to the lure very well and are often used in falconry for hunting various birds.

General Characteristics of African Greys

-African Grey is found in the wild in Western Central Africa. -Consists of two subspecies- the Congo and Timneh. Timneh has darker colored gray plumage and maroon-colored tail feathers. It is also considerably smaller than the larger, lighter gray colored Congo, which also has bright tail feathers. -African grey is one of the most common mid-sized pet parrots in America -both species of African Grey are equally adept at talking, but both subspecies can take a little longer to start talking than other parrot species. -use language for meaningful communication which is contextually relevant- enjoy human contact and are highly empathetic; they can sense and respond to their owner's moods and possibly their thoughts -feather picking can be a problem; when scared they utter a very alarming and loud continuous growl

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Golden Eagle

-Bald Eagles are not used for falconry in the US, only Golden Eagles may be possessed for falconry and you must be a Master Falconer to qualify. -they naturally prefer small- to medium-sized mammals, but are birds of immense strength and can be trained to hunt much larger prey such as deer, antelope, or coyote.

General Characteristics of the Kakapo

-HEAVIEST parrot (4 kilos)- weight can vary by 100 percent depending on food availability -large wings, but FLIGHTLESS -Walks through its forest and scrub land feeding on fruits, seeds, buds, leaves and roots -Good climber- will climb trees for food -Nocturnal- appears more like a large owl than typical parrot -Has green mottled feathers with flecks of brownish gold and black -Distinctive, musty smell that attracts predators -Wide range of sounds; may be mistaken for a braying donkey, grunting or squealing pig, or a booming bittern; also produces sound called "chinging" -Can live up to 90 years -Only known lekking parrot species; they are opportunistic breeders and breed when there is mass fruiting of podocarp trees (in particular rimu fruit) which happens every two to five years- so don't breed every year -males emit low-sound booms to attract females followed by a high pitched ching; may produce as many as 1000 booms in a night and can be heard up to 5km away -From New Zealand- their number sharply decreased due to Polynesian and European settlers; the Kakapo is extremely vulnerable to predators -all Kakapos were moved to offshore island sanctuaries, and today they're kept on Codfish and Anchor island. -as of 2012, there is 127 Kakapos

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Osprey, Secretary Bird, Bald Eagle?

-Osprey and Bald Eagle use plunge diving

Common problems encountered by parrot owners

-Parrots can be messy- flinging food and water is a favorite past time. -They have the ability to escape if their flight feathers aren't clipped. -They're noisy. -Boredom is a number one issue and is a root to previous problems mentioned, as well as feather picking. -Birds like 12 hours or more of sleep, and sometimes only get 8 in captivity. Bird should receive 12-14 hours of total dark for sleep time. -Night frights are a common problem- birds are prey animals and easily startled; the response to this is to fly which may cause the bird to run into its cage which traumatizes the bird more and may cause injury- make sure the cage is located in a place that minimizes disturbances that could occur in the night. -Having multiple parrots presents its own unique problems: interaction of birds needs to be monitored closely (new bird is viewed as an interloper and older bird may inflict physical damage). Parrots also vary a lot in personality, which can bring stress to them if housed together.

Methods Used by Wildlife Smugglers (7)

-Smugglers take advantage of the fact that only a small percentage of shipments are actually inspected (only 25% checked). -Smuggled wildlife is often hidden in a secret compartment of luggage, shipping containers, and clothing. -Smuggled wildlife is often deceptively declared on customs forms using look-alike, unprotected species as the listed species. Wild species are often declared as captive species, which often exempts them from regulation. -Illegal species will be mixed with legal species or hidden in a shipment of legal species, especially if the cargo are venomous or dangerous, making them less likely to be inspected. -Animals can be packaged in other containers, such as plastic detergent to be imported. -Smugglers often use the postal service, FedEx, and other similar carriers because these shipments are not subject to as much scrutiny. Packages are labeled as books, toys, or household goods. -The smuggling of collected eggs has become a huge problem. Smugglers will wear vests or underwear underneath their clothes to escape detection through airport security. Especially prevalent with eggs from cockatoo species.

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Gyrfalcon

-The largest falcon in the world; it is broad chested in appearance with long, point wings and ranges in color from dark gray or black to pure white -typically pursue large birds; some of the few raptors that store or cache prey during breeding season and have been known to retrieve it mid-winter for nutrition -highly regarded by medieval falconers, as only a king could hunt with this falcon

What is an eyess, passage hawk/passager, and a haggard?

-a nestling, removed from the nest and raised in captivity, is called an "eyess". These are considered the most tame and will imprint on humans -"passage hawks" or "passagers" are yearlings caught during their first fall migration, or in passage -"haggard" is a mature adult with complete adult plumage captured from the wild. When a mature adult is caught, it is tradition in falconry to release it since it is actively reproductive

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Harris's Hawk

-dark, medium-sized to large hawks with white rumps and undertail. Their thighs and shoulders are chestnut red with legs and bare face skin yellow. -often cooperatively hunt in the wild and are more successful when hunting in pairs, with groups of 5 being most successful. Working together, they surround the quarry and one bird flushes the prey out so another can catch it

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Red-Tailed Hawk

-large, abundant, and easily seen among larger North American raptors -most adults have brick-red colored tails and brown bodies, often with streaked breasts -spend much of their time soaring or perching on high exposed poles or trees; have limited hunting techniques -become very loyal to their owner and live for 20 years, owners can become tired of their limited hunting techniques- important to take this into account

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Northern Goshawk

-largest of the North American hawks, a powerful raptor able to capture a variety of prey from squirrels to snowshoe hare -they have long tails, broad, rounded wings, a gray belly, and blue-gray back, and a distinctive dark cap and dark stripe through the eye with a white eyebrow stripe -they travel forest edges from a hidden perch or patrol flights; have incredible speed and reactions, versatility to terrain and climate, and fearless demeanor in the field

General Characteristics of a Cockatoo as pets

-native to Australia, vary in size from a large Palm Cockatoo to the small cockatiel, one of the most commonly kept parrots in captivity -known for their striking feathered crests, most are either white or black, along with a couple species that have pink and/or grey plumage -as pets, they are very demanding; love attention and especially like to be held or petted -bond strongly to one individual and are protective of them, making re-homing difficult -heavily socialize with them when they are young and provide a constant level of attention; they may develop behavioral issues if attention disappears. -best parrot for someone looking for a hands-on, affectionate, and playful pet bird; cockatiel is an ideal starter bird -have powder feathers and produce lots of dander which can cause an allergic response in humans

Reasons birds are placed in rescue facilities

-owners are no longer or temporarily unable to care for their birds due to things like military service, health reasons, old age, or moving from a house to an apartment -life event changes such as death of an owner, loss of job, marriage, or birth of a child -most often. parrots, especially cockatoos, end up in sanctuaries because of behavioral problems such as feather picking, screaming, or as disposal for breeder parrots that are no longer productive -many small parrot species are considered disposable by humans because they are cheap. People buy them on an impulse and get rid of them in a few weeks.

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: American Kestrel

-size of a Mourning Dove, the American Kestrel, or "Sparrow Hawk" is the smallest of North American falcons -male and female are close in size and are red-brown colored with black barring, and mature male has slate blue wings. Both have a black vertical stripe on the side of their face called a sideburn or mustache -tend to hunt primarily insects in the summer and mice and small birds in the winter. -in falconry, used to hunt sparrows and starlings -especially talented facing a headwind and hovering to spot prey on the ground, so they're sometimes referred to as "hover hawks"

General Characteristics of Amazons

-very common and popular in US as mid-sized parrot -illegally and most commonly smuggled into US -predominantly green in plumage, shorts tails, and identified from one another at the species level based on head, neck, and wing colors -as pets, excellent human speech and singing ability -outgoing, loyal, curious, excitable, and playful; makes them adaptable and less prone to behavioral issues -enjoy toys, especially ones that can be chewed and destroyed -prone to obesity in captivity and weight should be monitored -when sexually mature, they can react to hormone changes making them more likely to be a bit nippy when they bite

Be familiar with the basic physical characteristics and/or hunting technique of: Peregrine Falcon

-very common bird to hunt with (out of the 18 species, one is found on every continent except Antarctica) -superior to other falcons in its ability to "wait on," where the falcon flies high above the falconer and waits for prey to be flushed from below

General Characteristics of Macaws

-wide variety of sizes from 3.5 feet to 12-14 inches -characterized by having long tail feathers, large beaks, and facial skin patches, many have strikingly beautiful color plumage -bold appearance, intelligence, and friendliness make them highly desirable as pets; they make excellent life-long companions as pets -common pets include the red and green, blue and yellow, scarlet, and military macaws. -very mouth and beak tactile- explore with their mouths and tongues- if you're intimidated by a large bird doing this don't get one -playful, incredibly loyal, adoptable, highly trainable, and like a fair amount of physical contact- they can get wound up or overexcited. -they generate loud noises so having one if you have close neighbors is not recommended. Eat palm nuts which require 1000 pounds of force to open so they need strong cages. Essential to provide them with a high-fat diet.

As a family, the high level of extinction and proportion of parrots threatened with extinction

374 species of parrot- 19 listed as extinct, 97 out of the 355 extant species are threatened. -15 critically endangered

General recommended feeding guidelines

A parrot owner should strive to have 80 to 85 percent of a birds caloric intake be from pellets, with the other 15-20 percent made up of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other human food. -choose the closest pelleted diet available that matches the dietary needs of your species of parrot and then supplement human food to make it a complete diet. -broccoli, apple, pear, cauliflower, berries, corn, peas, and melon are typically favored -keep away from highly processed and fatty foods, parrots will beg for this but don't give it to them -keep the portions small because a little goes a long way -take food away after an hour or so so bacteria doesn't get on it

Disadvantages and Advantages of Different Perch Types

A variety of perch sizes should be placed in the cage since it will better represent the choices in nature. -allowing the bird to grasp a variety of diameters will make the bird happy and comfortable Wood Perches: ideal because they are used naturally in the wild and naturally vary in diameter. Parrots can chew on these which helps maintain beak strength and provides activity. These have to be replaced and are hard to clean and disinfect. Plastic Perches: easy to clean, fairly durable, but slippery unless textured, which makes them harder to clean. Cement/Conditioning Perches: this can wear their nails down so they don't need to be clipped, but should never be the only perch provided as overuse would lead to sore, irritated feet. Electric Heat Thermo Perches: good option to provide if the bird is house in a cool location so that the bird can receive heat. Rope Perches: vine like, soft, and swing. They should be discarded as soon as they start to fray. This could be ingested by the parrot, which can block the digestive track.

training an eyess vs a passager for falconry

A young bird taken from the nest as an eyess will imprint upon the trainer and become tame, making handling slightly easier. The wild caught passager will never be tamed and will only become tolerant of its trainer, at best. -An eyess requires a great deal of training because it needs to be taught how to hunt- unlike a passager who knows how to hunt, but only needs to be accustomed to humans for a few weeks. -Passagers will not go after large prey if they have failed hunting them before. Eyess, on the other hand, know no limits, and one can train them to go after much larger prey. -Passagers have an increased chance of flying away, unlike Eyess which are bonded and much less likely to fly off. Passagers are wild animals and will likely fly away eventually.

Accipiter vs Buteos

Accipiter: forest hawks, have short, rounded wings convenient for their dash and grab hunting style. They vary in size, with the largest being crow-sized. The Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, and Northern Goshawk are a few examples of Accipiters. Buteos: Buteos include large, wide-winged, short-tailed hawks that prefer forest with open areas for soaring. Red-tailed Hawks and Harris's Hawks fall into this category.

Mantle

After a bird captures and kills its prey, it will often mantle, or spread its wings and tail to conceal its food from larger raptors so they do not steal it.

Advantages of a pelleted diet

All of the ingredients are ground to make the diet, mixed, and then cast into uniform pellets. These provide a complete and balanced diet.

the importance of the falcon/hawk's body weight in falconry

An accurate record of the raptor's weigh is absolutely essential for keeping the bird healthy and hunting. There is fine balance that needs to be maintained. If the bird is slightly underfed, the bird is hungry, and therefore keen to hunt. If the bird is too light, there may be a loss of endurance and performance. If the bird it too heavy, there is no interest in hunting.

Falconry equipment such as perches, hoods, bells, jess, bewit, lure, leash, scales

Bells: worn around one or both of the birds ankles to help the falconer find the bird throughout the hunt Bewit: straps the bells on; a soft leather strap Jess: a second soft leather strap on one of the raptors legs that connects to a swivel that in turn connects to a leash. Leash: helps the falconer hold the bird in hand or tie the bird to a perch. Leather hood: covers the birds eyes in order to keep the bird calm during transport. Hood has a drawstring at the base that can be tightened to secure Training Perch: staked into the ground for the birds safety and comfort. Typically use block perches for falcons that are known for comfort (made of wood or cement covered in AstroTurf). Other birds get a bow or ring perch. Scale: keeps an accurate record of the bird's weight, which is essential for keeping it healthy and hunting. Lure: a piece of leather decorated to make it look like the particular game to be hunted. This is swung around in the air to train the bird, increase its endurance, and can be used to recover the bird from the hunt. Leather glove is also necessary to hold the bird.

Two methods of bird sexing and advantages or disadvantages of each method

Bird sexing can be accomplished by DNA sexing, in which a genetic analysis is performed using blood sample to detect the presence of a sex-specific gene. -this method is non-invasive and relatively cheap -disadvantages is that only the sex of the bird is determined and no assessment of the reproductive capability of the bird is made Laparoscopic surgery is where a small incision is made so a laparoscope can be inserted into the body cavity on the left side of the bird to determine if an ovary or testes is present. -advantage to this is that in addition to determining the sex of the bird, an assessment of the birds reproductive maturity is made and anatomical structural defects in the reproductive tract may be detected -disadvantages are the cost and risk associated with anesthesia

Biting in parrots- why does it happen?

Broken up into two categories- biting by young birds and biting by mature birds. In young birds, exploring their environment by mouthing or tonguing is common. Parrots use their tongues to touch and feels things. They also use their beaks to touch and chew on new things, similar to how puppies chew on objects. Don't yell at the bird if it hurts, this will just stimulate it. Simply say no a give it a chew toy. Also don't return it to its cage, because it teaches the bird if it wants to return to the cage it should bite. Also the same when meeting new people. In mature parrots, biting is unusual, and happens for a few reasons. -they bite if something is wrong, like they are sick, startled, or frightened -may bite due to elevated sex hormones and sexual behavior -may bite when feeling dominant- they may bite defensively to maintain their position. Never overreact to a parrot biting, as this may promote habit formation.

sources of raptors for falconry

Catch wild raptor - are legal ones to catch Buy from Breeder - master can have more birds - Common cost $100s and rare $1000s

Clipping wing feathers- why do it and how

Clipping flight feathers is essential if your bird is going to be outside of its cage for extended periods of time. If a bird is free in your house, it is only a matter of time before it finds an open window. Clipping feathers also reduces the risk of your bird flying into a window. -Safest way of preventing flight is clipping the seven primary flight feathers on each wing. Use sharp scissors to make a clean cut, and cut the feathers about two inches from where they meet the tips of the primary coverts. -Don't pull the feathers because this will induce them growing new feathers, making them able to fly again sooner. Also be sure to clip both wings. -Don't cut a growing feather because it could cause severe pain and bleeding. Only have to cut feathers once or twice a year.

Signs that a bird may be sick

Detecting sickness in pet birds is very difficult until they are very sick. Birds will hide being sick until the point they can no longer keep up the charade. -very likely already extremely sick when they have ruffled feathers and are sleeping excessively. -important to monitor on a daily basis food consumption and feces appearance. A decrease in food intake is an alert for you to watch you bird for other signs of sickness including sneezing, runny nares, eye discharge, weight loss, and increased sleeping. -important to observe feces- birds not eating will have much less feces, and the fecal portion of the dropping will become dark green, almost black in appearance, and sticky. If the feces portion is not formed, the bird has diarrhea, which is an indication the bird is sick. Also if the urate (white) portion of the droppings becomes green or yellow, you should alert the vet.

Reproduction- elaborate displays, female anatomy, slow reproduction rates, eyries (raptor nest), double clutching, imprinting, silbicide

Elaborate displays: Female raptors tend to choose males based on fitness, and this fitness is sometimes tested through elaborate displays. These vary greatly among raptor species and may include high-flying undulations, figure eights, talon presentations, and aerial food exchanges. All displays require vigor and endurance because females desire a mate fit to sire her offspring. Female anatomy: several raptor species have two ovaries, where most birds only have one. Both ovaries are functional and it is not understood why these birds maintain both, while most birds only have the left. Slow reproduction rates: ? Eyries (raptor nest): many raptors build large, platform nests in trees, on cliffs, or on the ground. They often use the same nest year after year, repairing as needed. Sometimes they decorate the nests with greenery, possibly to cover the scent from prey consumption there. Greenery may also be used as an insect repellent. Double clutching: many raptors have more than one brood per season. They are indeterminate egg layers, so if eggs are lost they can lay more eggs. Imprinting: concern for captive breeding programs is the possibility of chicks imprinting on humans and depending on them for food, therefore not being able to feed themselves as adults. To avoid this, breeding centers use puppets to mimic the chick's natural parents. Silbicide: there is an asynchronous hatch which leads to a chick hierarchy, with early-hatching chicks being larger. When food is scarce, the young will undergo silbicide, with older chicks pushing smaller ones out of the nest. Often, only a single chick survives.

the term sexually dimorphic and reverse sexual dimorphism- which parrot is known for reverse sexual dimorphism?

Electus parrots are known for their dramatic reverse sexual dimorphism where the female is much more brilliantly colored than the male. -sexually dimorphic is when two sexes of the same species exhibit different characteristics beyond the differences in their sexual organs

Define Falconry

Falconry, or hawking, is the act of training raptors to hunt small game, game birds, or waterfowl in partnership with man. People utilize the raptor's natural instinct to hunt and combine it with training so they capture game and turn it over for reward.

T/F: Finches are more demanding than parrots as pets.

False- they are less demanding. Finches have been maintained and bred in captivity for centuries. They are not demanding for attention like parrots and are content going about their daily routine as humans watch.

T/F: The causes of feather picking are truly understood.

False- they are not truly understood.

T/F: Hunting and habitat fragmentation are not serious threats to raptor populations.

False- they are serious threats. Thousands are shot every year even though it is illegal and you can receive jail time for it. The carrying capacity of an environment determines the survival of the young- there must be nest sites and abundant food for a successful brood. Raptors are impacted greatly by deforestation if they nest in trees.

General Characteristics of Electus Parrots

Found in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and associated islands, as well as Northeastern Australia. -known for their dramatic reverse sexual dimorphism, in which the female is more brilliantly colored. Female is red and purple while the male is green, which allows them to blend (female in tree cavities and male in tree canopy) -food is low in protein, high in simple sugars and packed with antioxidants. In captivity, they are hearty eaters and tend to like wet, mushy fruits such as figs. So they will eat pellets but its essential to provide them with fiber with ample fruits and vegetables that have high water content. -they are sedate and enjoy being near humans, but do not prefer a lot of physical contact such as petting. -health of males can be assessed by seeing if the upper beak looks like candy corn- if the beak is yellow that indicates poor health. -known for hairlike feathers and also prone to feather pick in captivity

Hunting techniques (9)

Hunting techniques are diverse across the raptor family: -Forest hawks use thick cover for concealment and then quickly dash and grab, using the element of surprise or ambush technique. This uses a lot of energy. -Red-tailed hawk and American Kestrel utilize perches to view a large area and wait for their prey to come by, this saves energy. -Many raptors soar to cover a great deal of territory at low energy cost. Some use this method to search for prey then stoop, or dive rapidly, to kill on the ground. -Some fly into the wind to hover or kite, which is similar to perch hunting with a still vantage point. They can detect movement or urine from prey with their UV vision. -Some use aerial pursuit to capture prey. They will soar, then stoop and kill prey, often other birds, mid-air. -Plunge Diving: the bird will soar, hover, then dive feet first into the water and catch fish. -Taking advantage of easy prey- steal prey from smaller birds. -In grasslands, they will look for smoke, then capture prey by air or ground escaping the fire. -Cooperative hunting- hunt in pairs or groups, one bird will flush the prey and the others will ambush it.

How do you tell the difference between mate or self-inflicted feather picking?

If the mate is picking the feathers, then the feathers from the head of the affected bird will be plucked. If the head of the plucked bird is fine, this is a sure sign it is self-inflicted.

World distribution of parrots in general terms

In the wild, parrots have a distribution in the Southern Hemisphere and tropics, with most being found in South America and Australia. -none naturally occur in Europe or Russia -typically found in lowland tropical forests, open forests, and savanna ecosystems, and some have been found in cold mountain elevations within New Zealand and in the Indian subcontinent.

What is the dollar value of illegal wildlife trade and its value relative to other organized illegal trade?

It is estimated that the illegal trade in wildlife generates at least $5 billion to over $20 billion annually. Its value places it just behind the black marketing of drugs, weapons, and possibly human trafficking.

Feathers Color of Most Parrots

Large macaws are some of the most colorful birds in the world, making them highly desirable for pet trade. -The predominant feather colors of parrots is green. -Males and females are typically distinguishable from each other, and juveniles are just a duller version of their parents.

starvation and accidents (collisions with cars and power lines) are major causes of death

Large raptors sometime struggle to find food in surburban areas where rodent populations are controlled, and some like eagles need very large territories (up to 100 miles) to sustain themselves. -small raptors tend to do better since they can adapt and hunt available prey including insects and small birds Raptors are susceptible to accidents with cars and power lines. These two events alone account for millions of bird deaths per year. Certain bird species are especially susceptible to car accidents because they often swoop down to capture rodents that forage on litter from passing cars.

Food Sources for Lories and Lorikeets

Lories and Lorikeets have diets primarily consisting of pollen and nectar, supplemented with fruits.

"Manning the bird"

Making the bird tame or tolerant or humans

Significance of Parrots Ingesting Clay

Many parrots participate in geophagy (consuming soil), and in particular for parrot species- clay soil. The basis for this behavior has not been concluded, but may be related to neutralizing the toxins ingested with their food. -also may be a source for sodium that would otherwise be deficient in parrots.

Species of Parrots Known for Their Talking Ability

Many species of parrots, and quite likely individuals in all parrot species are capable of human speech. Parrots known for their talking ability are African Greys, Amazons, Eclectus Macaws, and cockatoos, but not all individual birds even within these types of parrots will learn to speak. African Greys and Eclectus are best at mimicking humans, so much so that they may be mistaken for one. Amazons are well known for their ability to mimic human singing.

Medical Feather Picking

Medically induced feather picking is the least common. -birds are sensitive to metal toxicosis, with lead and zinc toxicity the most common, and this condition may be associated with feather picking. -skin infections, vitamin A deficiency, impacted feathers, thyroid problems, and obesity have also been linked to feather picking. Some of these factors have links to normal feather growth and skin health. -these medical factors can be treated, so the feather picking should be temporary unless it turns into a chronic habit.

Behavioral Feather Picking

Most common cause of birds picking feathers. Behavioral feather picking: thought of as humans smoking- this is a habit. Once a bird forms this habit, it is very difficult for them to stop. Boredom is a key ingredient that starts this habit. If the bird doesn't have ample toys, activity, and/or mental stimulation it can start plucking feathers out of boredom. -other reasons that start this are a bad wing-clipping job or continuation of nesting behavior. Birds may pluck feathers on their chest to form a brooding patch for incubation. If feathers clipped poorly, the ragged ends of the feathers may irritate the bird and cause plucking of the feathers. -to stop- redirect the birds attention to something else away from the habit by providing ample stimulation.

New world vultures not related to old world vultures, convergent evolution

New World vultures are genetically distinct from Old World vultures, yet evolved to fill the same niche of eating dead meat through convergent evolution.

Behavior Modification and Training in Parrots- general guidelines on what to do and what not to do

Parrots demand is to get attention and to be part of the flock which includes humans in households. They do not respond well to a reward punishment system like dogs. You are dealing with a pet that is still a wild animal and hasn't been bred domestically for generations. -An owner should start with verbal commands while using a firm tone and direct eye contact. Best commands to start with are "up" and "down" so you can tell you bird to get on or off your arm. -The approach to training parrots should always focus on the positive and the redirection of negative behaviors through the use of distraction. -Above all, be FAIR and CONSISTENT. Parrots like attention and although they want positive interactions, they will seek negative ones if they get attention. So behavior modification should not involve punishment because that it attention and although negative, the bird may seek it. -Praise and reward positive behaviors to encourage their continuation and use distractions such as providing a toy or new activity to redirect bad ones. Do not yell at or punish the bird, simply tell them no using direct eye contact. -It is alright to ignore a behavior for a one time event, but correct it if it keeps happening.

Screaming in parrots- why it happens and how to prevent it

Parrots have some of the loudest, harshest, and unmelodic calls of any bird. Screaming is part of their natural behavior and almost all pet parrots are only one or two generations removed from the wild. Always say hi and bye to the bird when you leave and tell them you're coming back. This provides flock security and will prevent the bird from initiating farewell and contact calls to reestablish the flock dynamic. Birds that are startled or see an unfamiliar person approaching will let out alarm calls just like a dog barks. Try to prevent these situations when possible. Birds vocalize in the evening and morning which will include natural calls and language and lasts around 10 to 20 minutes. If this is a problem, don't get a bird. Best option with screaming: anticipate it and prevent it before it happens, followed by redirecting the parrots focus to something else

Eliminating language and noise not desired

Parrots learn by example and context which is why they develop foul language and nuisance sounds. If they witness a noise getting a reaction from a human like a microwave beep or car alarm, they will mimic it. Foul words are spoken in a different pitch and louder which catches the birds attention. When a bird mimics this the first time, we may laugh which reinforces the behavior. The solution for eliminating these sounds is to ignore it, giving no negative or positive reaction. At the same time, focus on new words or sounds that are more pleasing.

Feather Picking- Three major categories and the causes for each

Parrots pulling out their feathers or mutilating their feathers is probably the biggest problem for owners of large parrot species. 1. Behavioral feather picking 2. Environmental feather picking 3. Medical feather picking

Diclofenac and the Asian vulture crisis

Populations of three vulture species, the White-Rumped, Indian, and Slender-billed vultures, in South Asia fell by more than 95 percent from 1992-2007, prompting the IUCN to classify their status as critically endangered. -This decline was due to secondary exposure to diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug given to cattle which was a main source of food for local vultures. -After vultures consumed dead cattle treated with this drug, they became ill and died from renal failure. With fewer vultures, the presence of carrion increased, increasing the population of rats and feral dogs and cats. This lead to a rabies outbreak, becoming a human health concern. -This example shows the ecological importance that vultures play. Diclofenac has since been banned from India, Nepal, and Pakistan, but there are still other drugs being used that could be detrimental to already threatened species.

Reverse sexual dimorphism and its importance in ensuring food for young

Raptors are reverse sexually dimorphic. Their plumage is similar but females are generally 50-70 percent larger than males. Mortality is high in young raptors with only 10 percent surviving to adulthood. Since the female is larger, she will prey on larger food than the male, reducing competition, and allowing for a more diverse food supply for the young.

Raptor diversity in body size and prey consumed

Raptors range in size dramatically, with the California Condor having a wingspan of 10 feet and weighing over 20 pounds to the Sharp-shinned hawk that weighs 3-7 oz. with a 20 inch wingspan. Similarly raptors prey on animals of various sizes, with larger eagles capable of taking prey as large as a coyote or antelope. Smaller raptors feed on small prey like grasshoppers or mice.

How is training a raptor for falconry accomplished

Reward and repetition is the key to success, not punishment. Punishment doesn't work because raptors are independent, so dominance or submissiveness does not apply to them. -be aware of the species you're training and don't expect it to perform outside its limits -encouraging the best field performance of which the species is capable will yield the most success

The significance of closed versus open leg bands on parrots

Seamless or closed metal leg bands are slid over the toes of young parrots, typically when they are 10 to 20 days of age. This is almost a 100 percent indicator the bird was born in captivity. However, babies stolen from nests in the wild can have closed leg bands. -closed bands help in bird identification and record keeping; often include year of birth and breeder identification. Open Bands: imported birds are given open bands when they are placed in quarantine stations. These are metal bands bent in the form of a circle around the bird's leg with a band applicator. They're engraved with an identifying number and specific code for the quarantine station. -these most often indicate wild-caught imported birds, but are sometimes used on captive bird that were not banded at a young age

Environmental Feather Picking

Second most common reason birds pluck their feathers. Dry air, allergens, and new environmental stimuli are all causes of environmental feather picking. Parrots can suffer from dry skin the same as humans, and to gain access to dry, itchy skin, birds may pluck their feathers. -to help prevent this, it is important to mist your bird with water using a spray bottle at least every other day and provide a complete bathing opportunity weekly. -allergens and inhaled irritants can be distributed extensively due to birds respiratory system and air sacs. Smoke, deodorizers, cleaning fumes, etc. all cause irritation, which can lead to feather plucking. The pattern of this is likely to be plucking of the chest and abdomen. -anxiety caused by abrupt environmental change can also cause feather picking. Examples include changing a birds location or new noises associated with construction at a house next door. These events are usually short lived and typically halts the feather picking after anxiety stops.

Flying from the fist

Sometimes referred to as "drive-by falconry", flying from the fist is a type of hunting where the falconer will drive up close to the prey in a vehicle, roll down the window, and let his raptor go. -this is also used in Crow Hawking, one of the most difficult and challenging types of hunting due to the danger of injuring the raptor. -Crow hawking is dangerous because crows are large prey and can gang up and hurt the raptor, crows are always in a group so there's always a spotter that sounds an alarm, and crows are smart and live in family groups and will mob and can kill a raptor if it is left alone too long.

Stages of training a raptor for falconry (for adult passager, caught from the wild)- Stage 1

Stage 1: first feeding and manning the bird. -After capture, it is vital to record initial weight. This weight will roughly be the weight needed during hunting because the bird was fit enough to hunt, yet desperate enough to go for the bait in trap they were caught in. The acclimation to the equipment and falconer begins. Soon after capture, give the bird food, but always in the falconer's presence. The next food offering incorporates the opportunity to feed from the glove. This moves from the bird feeding in the falconer's presence to taking food from the glove, and finally being able to slip a food-bearing, gloved hand under the bird while it is eating. Goal is achieved when the bird can feed on the glove without hesitation or suspicion of the falconer.

Stages of training a raptor for falconry (for adult passager, caught from the wild)- Stage 2

Stage 2: Flying to the first or creance training. -Next step is to persuade the raptor to fly to the glove for food. Initially done in enclosed areas or flight pens where the bird cannot fly away. Can also start outdoors which requires a long leash, or "creance", attached to the bird which allows for longer flight. Beginning at short distances, the bird is encouraged to fly from its perch to the glove, enticed with meat treats. The distance between perch and glove is steadily increased. This must be performed each day at the same time for between 5 days and 2 weeks. Next stage can begin once the bird comes reliably and without hesitation three or four times in succession, and the bird will reliably feed on the glove with frequent "bating" (trying to fly away).

Stages of training a raptor for falconry (for adult passager, caught from the wild)- Stage 3

Stage 3: Lure training -Lure training involves training the bird to attack the lure, and then give up the lure in exchange for a treat. This builds determination and endurance. This stage is initially conducted with the bird on a leash or creance. The lure can first be garnished with meat, then should resemble the prey. While the bird is on its perch, the lure is tossed to one side of the trainer, where it can be seen. If the bird begins feeding on the lure, the trainer should walk over and offer it a piece of meat, and gradually an exchange will be developed where the bird accepts the food in the glove in exchange for the captured prey. -Once the bird has completed this stage, the lure can still be used to build endurance and for exercise.

Stages of training a raptor for falconry (for adult passager, caught from the wild)- Stage 4

Stage 4: Entering -When the bird will reliably fly to the glove, it may be let off the leash to enter the next stage of training, which is entering the raptor to free flights at quarry. In wild, the first kill is important because it becomes the primary prey item for the bird after that. The falconer will simulate this by making the bird hungry and using live, but compromised prey of choice. By tethering (compromising) the prey, success is ensured so the bird becomes confident. After the bird makes its kill, allow it to eat the prey to drive home success.

Disadvantages and Advantages of Different Cage Types

Stainless Steel Cages: most expensive, ranging from 1000-2000, but these don't rust and last many years. They're easy to clean. Wrought iron cage: durable for a few years for most birds, the paint or powder on them will be chipped off over time by most parrots. Can also rust and parrot droppings are very effective in causing this. Less expensive (200-800) but need replacement in a few years. Heavy Gauge Cage: the cheapest but easily destroyed and only sustainable for small to medium sized parrots. Solid Unit Cages- its cheaper to construct them this way than in separate parts put together, but a cage that can be taken apart is worth the extra money. You should always get the largest cage you can afford, so the bird can flap its wings without hitting any part of the cage.

Household Hazards for Parrots

Standing water is a threat wherever it is found in the house. Open toilets, sinks with water, pools, and bathtubs can all become death traps for parrots. -parrots like to bathe and play in water, which can attract them to still water. They typically cannot get out of these once their feathers are wet, and they may drown. Lead paint also poses a serious risk to parrots wherever it is found in the house. Parrots like to chew and explore with their tongue, so it is very easy for them to ingest the lead from paint, which can cause lead toxicity and death. It's best to avoid the kitchen altogether with parrots. It is full of appliances with plugged electrical cords which parrots may chew on. Parrots can also easily burn themselves because they don't have a well-developed sense of what is hot. Fumes from overheated non-stick cookware made from PTEE can also kill birds. Bedrooms are another source for problems. Birds should not be free in bedrooms while parents are sleeping- the person can roll over on the parrot which may crush them causing broken bones or death.

Know the Purpose of the AFA

The American Federation of Aviculture defines anyone keeping exotic birds in captivity as an aviculturist. -The purpose of this organization is to represent all aspects of aviculture and to educate the public about keeping and breeding birds in captivity. They keep their membership aware of current and proposed laws that impact aviculture through their legislative awareness program.

Carolina Parakeet Range and Extinction

The Carolina Parakeet, now extinct, had a range across the eastern half of the United States as far south as Florida and far north as New York. -This parrot had the most northern latitude range of any parrot. -last reliable record of the Carolina Parakeet existing in the wild was in 1904 and the last captive parakeet (the only indigenous parakeet of the US) died in the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. -the extinction remains a bit of a mystery. Habitat destruction was a contributor and it was also persecuted heavily as an agricultural pest. It was also killed for food and for the collection of its feathers for fashion. They could be killed in large numbers easily because they were highly social.

Define CITES and know its purpose

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement between governments that went into effect in 1975. -this agreement establishes international controls over trade in wild plant and animal species that are threatened or may be threatened due to excessive commercial exploitation. -175 parties and 193 countries have signed on -CITES only provides the framework; each party has to adopt its own legislation to ensure CITES is implemented. -in US, the Endangered Species act provides the framework for much of the implementation of CITES. Three Appendices -Appendix 1: species threatened with extinction, trade for these species is permitted only in exceptional circumstances -Appendix 2: not necessarily threatened with extinction, but trade is controlled to prevent utilization incompatible with their survival. -Appendix 3: species protected in at least 1 country, which has asked other CITES signatories for assistance in controlling trade of the species.

The necessity and difficulty of achieving bonded pairs of parrots in captivity

The ideal breeding stock is parent-raised domestically born birds. These parrots are used to people and captivity, but have learned from their parents and are not bonded to humans. -finding these birds can be difficult, since they are not often produced because hand-fed babies are worth more in the pet trade -once appropriate males and females have been identified, breeding pairs have to be set up for reproduction. This means a breeder takes an appropriate male and female and puts them together in a breeding cage. -a method where several males and females are put in an aviary is superior because they are able to choose their own mate and they typically pair for life- they like to make mate choices based on mutual compatibility. -successful pairing will result in strongly paired birds- they feed together, preen one another, roost together, and defend their territory together. Non-bonded pairs will show no togetherness. Partially bonded pairs will show togetherness but not to the extent of a fully-bonded pair. They often produce infertile eggs or will hatch babies but will often not feed them or might even kill them.

The Threats to the United States from Illegal Wildlife Smuggling

The international illegal trade in wildlife is considered a serious threat to the environmental and national security of the United States due to the potential introduction of invasive, non-native species and disease transmission. -In US, the introduction of non-native species is the second biggest threat, behind habitat destruction, to our nation's biodiversity. This is especially the case for imperiled bird species. -US biodiversity could also be threatened if demand for traditional medicines such as bear bile/gallbladders leads to increased exploitation -Finally, there is a danger for disease spreading to both humans and domestic animals, but it is unrealized. This includes Avian Influenza, Monkey pox, SARS, and Ebola. These have all been linked to illegal bushmeat trade.

Functions of the Lure

The lure is swung around in the air to train the bird, condition the bird and increase its endurance. It can also be used to recover the bird from the hunt. To entice the bird to the lure, one may garnish it by attaching meat bits to it.

What is the main threat to parrots?

The main threat to parrots is man for pet trade and for food.

Should the purchase of a parrot ever be a rash decision?

The purchase of a parrot should never be a rash decision. It should involve the whole family and never involve an un-weaned baby. -un-weaned means you would have to hand feed it, the bird will still bond to you strongly if you don't do this.

The term soft billed bird and what it means in the pet trade

The term soft bill was developed to provide a name to a collection of birds that were not parrots, but kept by humans as caged-bird pets. They do not have soft bills- named was originally coined as more of a reflection of the soft foods that many of the species consumed. -some aviculturists overlap finches in the soft bill category- finches include small and medium sized birds that possess strong, sharp, relatively stout beaks

Difference between pigeons and doves

The terms dove and pigeon can be used interchangeably- there is no scientific taxonomic basis for distinguishing between the two. -however in common practice, the term dove is typically applied to smaller species, while pigeon is used to refer to larger species

Distinctive Anatomical Features of Parrots (Foot Arrangement, Use as Hands, and Beak Structure)

Their most distinguishable anatomical features are their bills and feet. -Beak Structure: they have a large, downward-curved upper mandible that ends at a point and a lower upward curving mandible positioned so that the upper mandible closes over the lower mandible, creating the appearance of an overbite. -The bill is used by many species as a third foot that assists them in climbing up the canopy of trees. Also capable of cracking very hard shells. -Foot Arrangement: parrots are zygodactyl, meaning their first and fourth toes point backward, while the middle two point forward. -The foot structure allows for a powerful grasp and for the use of their feet as hands. This allows parrots to to hold and manipulate food objects and close the bill.

Sources of raptors for falconry

There are only certain times of year when trapping raptors is allowed. Several ways to acquire one: -Catch wild raptor - use different types of traps -Buy from Breeder (becoming more popular especially for rare or difficult to catch raptors) - master can have more birds - -Common cost $100s and rare $1000s

Worldwide distribution of raptors

There are over 300 species of raptors ranging throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica and few isolated oceanic islands.

Problems with Seed Based Diets

There is a long-standing tradition and intuitive idea that parrots eat seeds and that is what they should be fed. Although some are seed-eaters, providing a seed only diet to some can be a death sentence. -Even for seed-eaters, provided a seed only diet is problematic. They are excessive in fat, low in fiber, and low in sodium, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.

Methods used to teach a bird to talk,

There is no universal method for teaching a bird to talk. -It involves speaking clearly and a lot of repetition. -Birds learn to talk by observing someone else learn. It is much easier to teach a bird to talk if there is another bird in the house that can talk or a child is learning to speak. -Model/Rival method: there is a bird being taught, a trainer, and a rival which can be another bird or person. The trainer will work with the rival and when it says a word it will be rewarded with praise. The bird being taught now has a model to emulate and motivation because it wants positive reinforcement. -Whenever possible, try and provide context or meaning to the word. Birds learn hello by listening to someone answer the phone.

Killing methods- specialized anatomy of raptors (bills, feet, vision)

They have a specialized anatomy that assists in hunting and killing prey. Their lower bill is flat and spoon-like, while their upper bill is hooked and contains a mandibular notch, used for snapping spines. This is used a secondary form of killing, as most birds would rather not put their face their a biting, clawing animal. The true weapons are the raptors huge, powerful feet and talons. As the primary method of killing, these crushing feet are used for collapsing diaphragms and causing the prey to suffocate, while the talons cause internal bleeding. Raptors have excellent binocular vision, ranking eight to ten times better than human vision. Like all birds, they have a nictitating membrane that covers and protects their eyes, acting like a windshield. Many also have a supraorbital ridge, a bony protuberance above the eye. It is unknown for sure why they have this, but it is theorized it protects their eyes from branches when flying in the forest. A second theory is that it provides shade, acting like sunglasses, while the bird soars in open skies.

What kind of cages do soft bills need?

They need large cages (length most important) as they fly rather than climb. They need room to fly in order to maintain good physical strength and health.

The importance of vultures in the ecosystem and preventing disease

Though often misunderstood, vultures play a vital role in the ecosystem by cleaning up rotting flesh and preventing the spread of animal diseases.

Requirements/procedures for becoming a falconer

To become a falconer, one must meet the minimum requirements: -must be 12 to 14 years of age, be patient, enjoy working with animals and hunting/working outdoors, be able to dedicate the time to tend to the bird's needs, and be willing to dedicate years to the sport. -once these are met, the individual can contact their provincial wildlife agency for an info packet. -three stages of falconry- start as an apprentice and must be trained by either a general falconer or master falconer. You must first have a sponsor (general or master falconer) who agrees to do this, and with their signature apply to the state or provincial wildlife agency. -once approved, appointment must be made to take the first falconry exam. -After completion, another appointment must be made to have the facilities and equipment approved through the wildlife agency. He or she must build a suitable hawk house and outdoor flight pen, have acquired equipment, and withstand a state inspection. -After approved, a permit to capture or possess a live raptor is granted. -a separate license is also required to hunt with the raptor. -Then it is time to choose a raptor. Apprentice: must work with General Falconer or Mater for 2 to 5 years General Falconer: at least 2 years of experience after completing federal exam and meeting requirements Master: at least 5 years of experience

Hemochromatosis

Toucans, Toucanets, Acacari, Mynahs, and Starlings are prone to hemochromatosis in captivity, or iron storage disease. Too much iron accumulates primarily in the liver but also the heart and spleen, which leads to oxidative damage to cells and cell death and cumulative loss of function in these vital organs. -to avoid this, keep dietary iron at a minimum which means using distilled water instead of tap -use pellets specifically manufactured for soft bills

The Importance of Toys

Toys should be provided in the cage as well as play gyms. This provides the bird with mental stimulation and physical activity while the owner is away. They are key to preventing boredom, and a variety should be provided with different colors and shapes to maximize stimulation. -some should be highly destructible, as parrots derive great joy from destroying objects.

T/F: Most parrot pairs are long-term monogamous, with females incubating eggs and males getting food.

True

T/F: Eagles are large hawks.

True- Eagles such as Bald Eagles and Golden Eagles are the largest hawks, with heavy bodies and large, powerful feet.

T/F: Toucans, Toucanets, and Acacari have long bills used for obtaining food in the wild and thermoregulation, but these bills are lightweight and not that strong.

True- Toucans are broken into three categories (listed in sentence). Their bills are incredibly lightweight, as internally they are hollow. They use their bills to reach the fruit on the end of branches. Also consume the nestlings of other birds and extract them from nests with their beaks. Also serves in thermoregulation, allowing the bird to lose excess heat.

T/F: The Turkey Vulture uses a sense of smell to locate food while other vultures use sight.

True- Turkey Vultures use their keen sense of smell to detect food from miles away (most birds don't have this well developed sense of smell).

T/F: Finches with red and yellow feather colors often vary in appearance based on their diet.

True- many of the bright colors associated with finch plumage result from the ingestion of carotenoid pigments, so providing colorful fruits or leafy material helps insure these vivid colors.

T/F: Although many raptors are threatened only two are extinct.

True- their number as a whole is becoming more of a concern. 53 species are vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered and another 12 percent are threatened. -Guadalupe Caracara and Reunion Kestrel are the only two known extinct species of raptors (they were native to islands and susceptible to extinction due to human persecution and depredation of habitat).

T/F: In many cases, birds can be legally imported to the United States and this is regulated by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

True. Regulation of legal import of wildlife and detection of illegal wildlife imports into the US is under the control of the Fish and Wildlife Service. -wildlife is required to pass through one of the 18 ports FWS has established. -due to staffing limitations, only 25% of declared wildlife shipments are inspected. It is even less strict for undeclared wildlife shipments. -legal importation of birds also involves the Department of Agriculture and CDC. The Department of Agriculture looks for any animals that can harm agriculture or livestock, and the CDC takes the lead in protecting against communicable diseases.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Parrot (type of parrot, commitment duration, and cost)

Type of Parrot: need to consider what type of bird you're looking for as a companion. If you're intimidated by large birds, that intimidation will get in the way of establishing a trusting relationship. Some are attention seekers that wanted to be cuddled while others are just content being around their owner. Some don't want much human contact, but are ideal for someone who wants a colorful bird. Commitment Duration: large parrots may live in captivity up to 80 or 90 years, while some range from 30-60 years. Small parrots have a range from 10-20. Cost: larger and less available species cost thousands of dollars, while some can be $25. Indirect costs also increase with the size of the bird. A larger bird requires a larger cage, more wear and tear on cages because they're stronger, food and toy cost increases, and a large bird left unattended can easily damage furniture.

Game Hawking

When falconers use their raptors, specifically large falcons, to hunt gamebirds such as pheasants, quail, pigeons, or ducks, it is called game hawking. Falcons are most often used for this sport since they are agile enough to catch other birds in flight. -the bird will "ring up" to a suitable height then "wait on", soaring and waiting for the flushing of prey. Once the prey is flushed by the falconer or the falconer's dogs, the raptor will stoop, making a steep dive to kill the prey. The falconer will then run to the downed prey and exchange the prey for a treat with the raptor.

Do lack of nesting sites limit raptor population growth?

Yes- raptors that nest in large trees are impacted greatly in landscapes that have been deforested or fragmented. Birds have difficulty finding large trees. Some people have built platforms for Osprey and other raptors to build their nests, which has helped increase populations.