Unit 4: Avian - General (Cram)

What order do parrots belong to?

Psittaciformes

What order do canaries and finches belong to?

Passeriformes

What order do chickens belong to?

Galliformes

How many toes do psittacines (parrots) have, and how are they arranged?

4 toes, 2 pointing forwards, 2 pointing backwards

What is the common name of the parrot called the "Einstein of the bird world"?

African grey parrot

What is the common name of the parrot called the "life of the party"?

Amazon parrot

What is the common name of the group of parrots that is a good choice for beginners and inexpensive to purchase?

Budgerigars (budgies and parakeets)

What is the common name of the parrot called the "velcro birds"

Cockatoo

What is the common name of the parrot with sexual dimorphism, where the male has a broader/flat head?

Conure

Do conures form individual bonds with their owners?

No, it is best to get a pair to bond with eachother

What is the common name of the parrot that has liquid and projectile stool from their fruit diet? Like conures, they don't bond to people

Lorikeet

What is the common name of the parrot that is playfull and non–destructive, but can be aggressive and pair bond?

Lovebird

What is the common name of the parrot that is called the "giant of the parrot world"?

Macaw

What is an aggressive behaviour that is commonly seen with macaws?

Territorial aggression, bites strangers

What is the common name for the parrot that is a good choice for beginners and is prone to eating foreign bodies?

Cockatiel

How many toes do passerines (canaries and finches) have, and how are they arranged?

4 toes, 3 forward–facing, 1 backwards

Are finches and canaries interactive with owners?

No, they are easily stressed when handled

What are the three most common birds used in research?

1. Pigeons\n2. Finches\n3. Chickens

What percent of a bird's day does it spend grooming?

20–66%

What percent of a bird's day does it spend foraging for food?

40–60%

What percent of a bird's day does it spend vocalizing?

2–5%

What percent of a bird's day does it spend socially interacting?

10–40%

What is an important fact to know about bird perching height when trying to help a bird with behavioural issues?

A lower perch means the bird is lower on the hierarchy. Do not allow a bird to perch above you

What are some territorial and breeding behaviours of birds?

Filoerection, pupil constriction and dilation, spreading tail and wings, and feather plucking

What behaviour do birds do when stressed?

Pant

What are the two most important senses to birds?

1. Sight\n2. Sound

Is bird skin thinner or thicker than mammal skin?

Thinner (small sutures required)

What is the one gland birds have (anatomical and common name), and what is its use?

Uropygial or preen gland, supplies oils for grooming feathers

What is a common vitamin deficiency in birds, what kind of diet contributes towards this?

Vitamin A deficiency, seed only diets

What are the three types of wing feathers?

1. Primary

2. Secondary

3. Tertiary

What is the name for the first 2–3 feathers on the tip of the wing, why are they called this?

Blood feathers, will bleed if trimmed

Term for periodic feather replacement by shedding old feathers while producing new ones

Molting

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Fish spearer

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Water strainer

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Fish grasper

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Seed eater

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Insect eater

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Mud prober

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Meat tearer

What kind of beak does this bird have?

Hook bill

What kind of beak does this bird have?

All purpose

What is the range of cervical vertebrae birds can have?

8–25 cervical vertebrae

Extension in the sternum of birds

Keel

Air filled bones

Pneumatic bones

Do birds have a larger or smaller heart than mammals?

Larger

What kind of blood portal system is unique to birds, why is this important to know?

Renal portal system, medicine that is toxic to the kidneys cannot be administered in the caudal half of the body

Which jugular vein is larger in birds, right or left?

Right jugular vein

Bird voice box

Syrinx

What piece of mammalian anatomy do birds lack?

Diaphragm

How does a bird's body expand as it breathes?

Up and down

Out–pouching of the esophagus that stores food temporarily

Crop

Is the crop on the right or left side of the bird's neck?

Right side

Glandular stomach of the bird

Proventriculus

Part of digestive system used for grinding food (anatomical and common name)

Ventriculus or gizzard

Where reproductive, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts meet and end before exiting the bird

Cloaca

How many functional ovaries do most female birds have?

1

Male birds have two testicles, and a rudimentary fold of tissue, what is this fold called?

Phallus

What is something important to consider when choosing the right height of bird cage?

Tall enough so that the tail doesn't touch the ground

What effect can decreasing light time have on birds?

Decreased sexual activity

Should you blow dry your bird after a bath?

No. Can lead to burns/overheating

What is the best type of hardwood (never use soft wood) perch for birds?

Manzanita

How often should bird water bowls be cleaned, why?

Several times a day, prone to placing food in their water

What are some foods you should never feed a bird?

Avocado, grape, cherry pits, rhubarb, apple seeds, milk, chocolate, onion, and garlic

What common household kitchen item should you not use if you have birds?

Tefalon cookware