Webvet Birds Feed

Webvet Birds Feed http://www.webvet.com/main/index2/id/bird This feed contains articles about Birds en-us Copyright 2009 Webvet, LLC 2009-11-20T16:20-05:00 advertise@webvet.com advertise@webvet.com Birds hourly Housing problems a common cause of bird injuries http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2123 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2123">Housing problems a common cause of bird injuries </a><br /><p>When it comes to pet birds, one size cage does not fit all.</p><p>A cage that is too small, poorly designed or overcrowded can result in serious injury and even death, warned Greg J. Harrison, DVM, and author of Clinical Avian Medicine (HBD Int. Inc., Brentwood, TN). </p><p>“A bird owner should put the time and care into selecting her pet’s cage as she would her baby’s crib,” Harrison said. “The same safety concerns apply.”</p><p>One of the most common mistakes bird owners make is housing their pets in a cage that is too small. At the very least, said Harrison, a cage should be large enough for a bird to comfortably stand up straight and flap its wings. </p><p>The design of a bird cage is also very important. Avoid cages in which the bars form a “V”; this kind of design poses a serious hazard because a bird can easily get a leg or other body part caught and twist or break it while thrashing about. In addition, the cage door should close and lock firmly. A door that leaves a gap presents a potential safety hazard to a curious bird.</p><h4>Best materials for cages</h4><p>According to Harrison, stainless-steel bird cages are the best, but they can be rather pricey. “Any of the currently available metal cages are pretty safe today,” he said. “The bigger problem is what owners put in them.”</p><p>Be wary of second-hand bird cages, especially those manufactured more than 20 years ago, Harrison cautioned. Older bird cages were often produced with a baked-on powder coating that contained high levels of lead and zinc, which are poisonous to birds when consumed. Harrison recalls a spate of poisoned-bird cases before cage manufacturers turned to a safer coating.</p><p>The items placed in a bird’s cage, including toys, perches and food/water bowls, can also pose potential hazards if not attached safely and securely. “Probably the most common beak injuries we see is from an inexpensive toy attached with something like a keychain ring,” Harrison said. “The bird pops its beak into the ring and gets hung up on it.”</p><h4>Dangers for birds</h4><p>Indeed, a wide variety of physical injuries can occur to a bird in a cage that is too small or that contains unsafe items. They include:</p><ul><li>A severe bruise, sprain, broken bone (wing or leg), degloved skin, swelling or other tissue damage</li><li>A penetrating wound to the beak from an unsafe toy or a bite from a larger, more aggressive bird</li><li>Injury may also occur if a bird gets its beak caught between the cage bars.</li><li>Damage and bleeding to the tip of the beak, toenail or pin feathers<br />  </li></ul><p>Interestingly, cage-related injuries occur most frequently among active, medium-sized birds, such as cockatiels and African greys. Larger birds, such as macaws and the bigger cockatoos, are usually less affected, unless their cages are uncomfortably small, said Harrison. And small birds, such as canaries and finches, are usually too agile to be harmed. <br /> <br />Minor injuries can often be treated by the owner, sometimes with telephone advice from the bird’s veterinarian. However, a bird should immediately be evaluated by an avian specialist if twine or hair is wrapped around the leg and has cut off circulation; the bird is too entangled in the cage or toy to easily be released; the bird is experiencing uncontrolled bleeding; a leg or wing is obviously broken; or the bird is showing signs of extreme distress.</p><p>Prevention is always better than treatment, observed Harrison. “Take your time when selecting a cage and make sure that the cage you’re thinking of buying is completely safe and does not have any constricting points,” he said. “In addition, double check all toys and other attachments to make sure there is no way a bird can become entangled and injure itself. A few minutes of close observation can save your pet from a traumatic, possibly fatal injury.” </p><br />By Don Vaughan for WebVet By Don Vaughan for WebVet Birds Biomusic growing in popularity http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1327 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1327">Biomusic growing in popularity</a><br /><p>Scientists in the exciting new field of “biomusic” are finding increasing evidence that both people and animals create and mimic notes, pitch and rhythm. In biomusic research, the differences and similarities between disparate sounds such as birdcalls, bonobo drumming, whalesong and mice “pitch” are investigated. Biomusic joins the trained ears of musicians with the latest scientific research and technology in biology, physics, computer science, zoology and other academic disciplines.  </p><p>Thus why the white-breasted wood wren can belt out an uncanny version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony? And why Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel have recorded songs with bonobo apes as their back-up singers? </p><p>Human composers, from classical to modern day rockers, have been inspired for centuries by the sounds outside their windows at dawn.  </p><h4>The birth of biomusic</h4><p>Coined by the late Walt Rosen in 1986, the term biomusic emerged when leading international experts met at a powerhouse National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biodiversity conference.  </p><p>“We all got excited. There were things we were finding out from each other which obviously brought out entire new questions and whole new levels of inquiry,” said Patricia Gray, Founder of the National Musical Arts Biomusic program and Artistic Director and pianist at NAS at the time of the conference. </p><p>Moreover, because of the NAS conference, scientists began to look at musical structure across species lines, instead of limiting themselves to one animal at a time. They also brought the unique vantage point of musicians into their research.  </p><p>“One of the things that musicians bring is a very precise way of listening. For example, the way musicians listen and analyze birdsong wasn’t being considered in the larger context,” Gray said  </p><h4>Wild music </h4><p>The original group formed at the NAS conference grew in strength and numbers, which eventually led to an exhibit called <a href="http://www.wildmusic.org/" target="_blank">Wild Music</a>. Wild Music now encompasses a 4,000 square-foot exhibition constructed with green materials featuring the latest research about “the songs and signs of life.”  </p><p>The exhibit, which travels throughout the country, encourages multicultural and intergenerational audiences to better understand just what makes music, both in cities and in the wild.  A schedule for the national tour can be found on the Web site. </p><p>Included in this diverse presentation of worldwide sound:</p><ul><li>A bioacoustic lab, where you can compare the human larynx with the bird syrinx, and use an “electrolarynx” to “speak” without using your voice. </li><li>The Power of Sound and Music Theatre, where you can listen to sounds from around the world to see how animals use sounds to identify themselves, communicate, and nurture social groups.</li><li>A cross comparison of hearing ability (you might be surprised to learn where people rank!)</li><li>Learn how music influences our memory. </li><li>Many other exhibits about the “nature of music and the music of nature” </li></ul><p>According to sound engineer and composer Philip Blackburn, the exhibit has only grown in popularity since its launch.  </p><p>“We’re watching everything going green. So green music is a natural progression,” Blackburn said.</p><h4>The future of biomusic </h4><p>Recent advances in technology are going green, too. In fact, some advances in biomusic can actually be attributed to the latest microphone technology and software analysis programs.  </p><p>“Now, technology is helping us hear above and below our hearing range,” Gray said. “For the most part, human beings actually hear more slowly than other species.” </p><p>Gray is currently working with other researchers (and the same bonobos who recorded with McCartney and Gabriel) at the Great Ape Trust in Iowa, exploring where some of our musical abilities intersect with the development of life itself—the evolutionary record.  </p><p>Unraveling assumptions about what is and what isn’t uniquely human, biomusic has the potential to foster a deeper understanding about the human relationship with sound and our ancient connection with other animals.   </p><br />By Kim Nagy for WebVet By Kim Nagy for WebVet Birds Birds gone wild! http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2129 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2129">Birds gone wild! </a><br /><p>What might the elaborate courtship dance of male birds have in common with our own male dance partners? More than we might realize.</p><p>Think of John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever'' as he struts onto the disco dance floor in his skin tight jeans and shiny polyester shirt. His moves are pure sex, his performance all exuberant display, impressing the women at the disco as much as those in the theater, watching. As the dominant male in the place, Travolta is desirability personified. Something very primal is being stirred.</p><p>The dance performed by the South American long-tailed manakin, as observed in "A Natural History of Sex,'' by Adrian Forsyth, is but one of countless species dances, all different, and all designed for the purpose of attracting a sexual partner. The male birds dance around and the female birds decide if "that's the way, uh huh, uh huh, I like it.''</p><h4>Manakin seduction</h4><p>The manakin has a black body that is highlighted by a turquoise back, a crimson crown and trailing tail feathers that are equal in length to its height. The disco floor, as it were, is a horizontal vine or tree limb. What is unique to this particular species of bird is a song and dance routine presented by two male manakins -- "a leading male and his accompanist'' who join together to pitch woo.</p><p>The female is lured over by the manakins' vocal duet. "If the female lands directly on the perch, the two males turn to face her and begin, first one and then the other, to hop up and down, often jumping over each other in leapfrog style. As they leap into the air, they flutter their wings, their tail feathers whip wildly and they utter a buzzing cry. They work themselves into a frenzy until the dominant male of the pair sounds a shrill note. He then slowly flies around the female, and the two mate. The performance is over.''</p><h4>Do a little dance, get down tonight</h4><p>An intriguing question is why does this impress the females? How did ridiculously impractical, long tails, coupled with such a vigorous display of talents become a requirement for choosing a mate?</p><p>As Adam Forsythe states, biologists have been arguing about this since Darwin. The most accepted theory is that males succeed with females either by battling with, and conquering, other males, or by charming the heck out of them. In other words, if female manakins prefer males with crimson crowns and sumptuous tail feathers, and are dazzled by such aerobic song and dance routines, then over generations, the short-tailed manakins with a limited repertoire simply disappear. </p><h4>Truth in advertising</h4><p>But, surely there must be a deeper reason that such courtship behavior succeeds. What is it the females are really learning about their prospective mating partners that makes this display so attractive to them? </p><p>The theory is that costly displays (tail feathers that don't improve a manakin's ability to fly, and make them more visible to predators) signal superior health and strength to females. Those exhausting, extravagant theatrics and expensive "outfits'' can only be sustained by the highest quality males. The bottom-line message to the female is that a fabulous, healthy male equals healthy offspring. What you see is what you get.</p><p>From the male perspective, those that come equipped with the best tail feathers and have the best act have the most opportunities to mate.</p><p>Sound familiar? What we call the alpha males in our human culture -- the guy with the most money, virility, good looks and power -- gets the girls. </p><h4>My own experience</h4><p>I was once at an evening event following a trade show where a total stranger came up to me and asked me to dance. I had never been in the arms of a man who was a trained dancer and moved so masterfully. As he guided me by applying a gentle pressure on my back and pulled me into his own assured rhythm, he made it impossible for me to make a mistake or step on his toes. It was, to use a very old-fashioned term -- dreamy. I had the utterly bizarre thought that I wanted to marry him. I wanted to propose to him that minute. His dancing made me believe he would be a great father, a wonderful lover, and a man to be counted on. </p><p>Hmmm, what was I thinking?</p><h4>Coming attractions...Ducks are quacked</h4><p>Did you know that 97 percent of all bird species have no penis? Ducks on the other hand have penises that are as long as their entire bodies! What's up with that? Find out on the next installment of "Birds do it, bees do it.''</p><br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Birds Animal sex: The scent of a woman http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2262">Animal sex: The scent of a woman</a><br />  <h4>"I am calling you-ou-ou-ou-ou-ooo!" </h4><p>Whether bringing individuals together from miles away or from right next door, sending and receiving chemical signals is the oldest form of communication on the planet. Whether secreted from skin, tongues, or glands, sexual "pheromones"  -- wafted through the air, suffused in water, or deposited on the ground -- send their distinctive "come hither" message to the opposite sex:"I am ready. Now!" </p> <p>The word ‘pheromone' comes from the Greek<em>, pherin</em>, to transfer, and <em>hormon</em>, to excite or stimulate. While pheromones perform a variety of functions -- like identifying male territory, and warning away rivals -- <em>sexual</em> pheromones are designed to attract and arouse the opposite sex. </p> <h4>How it works</h4> <p>Animals produce hormones. When secreted externally they become pheromones. The "scent" is received by the opposite sex through the ‘vomeronasal organ,' a part of the olfactory system -- the system by which animals smell things and get their brains stimulated. </p> <p>The effects of all this olfactory ‘Morse Code' are as diverse as the animals that employ it, as these examples show: </p> <ul><li>Female pigs become sexually aroused by the sex pheromones in the saliva of male pigs. </li><li>Golden male hamsters are stimulated to mount females after getting a whiff of vaginal pheromones. </li><li>Female goldfish release their pheromones into the water at night, and the males, picking up the scent, find themselves producing sperm for fertilization. The next morning, when the females are ready to spawn, the males enthusiastically make the journey in search of the goldfish beauties with that alluring scent. However, it's a little disconcerting to discover that all the guys in the neighborhood are making the same commute. </li></ul> <h4>That signature scent</h4> <p>Part of the work of sex pheromones is to help members of the same species identify each other, so it won't be a waste of time to have sex. </p> <p>For instance, there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of <em>moths,</em> but there is only one particular, chemically correct, sexual pheromone per species. A male silk moth will receive a female's sexual invitation from as far away as seven miles, but he won't bother to waste his time and energy flying over -- making himself vulnerable to predators and competing with all the other males she is beckoning to -- unless the pheromone is from a female of his own kind. When the right call gets the attention of the male's antennae, it's then pretty much irresistible. </p> <h4>How about them red garter snakes?</h4> <p>Nature is never satisfied until a species evolves the best strategy for mating and surviving. So it should come as no surprise that some animal groups will break or bend the pheromone attraction rules.</p> <p>Take the case of the Manitoba red-sided garter snake. Some males mimic the pheromones of the females, thereby tricking other males into trying to have sex with them. Yes, that's right; they become "she-males."</p> <p>Manitoba garter snakes spend the entire winter in the frigid Canadian region between Lake Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg, arriving by the thousands, after slithering their way over miles of rocky terrain. Males and females hibernate together in crevasses as small as six feet wide and sixteen feet deep to keep from freezing to death. When spring arrives, each den disgorges as many as 10,000 snakes. The males are the first to emerge from their winter retreat. When the females finally appear, seething balls of hundreds of male snakes form around one female. These snake balls remain intact, rolling around the rocky terrain until one male has successfully mated with the female.</p> <h4>Trick or treat?</h4> <p>Here's the interesting part. Some mating balls have no female. In that writhing horde of snakes, the only way a male can identify a female is by her pheromones, secreted through her skin. Snakes flick their tongues in and out, picking up chemical cues from the air, and transfer them to a sensory organ in the roof of their mouth.</p> <p>So, why would any self-respecting male garter snake become a she-male? One theory is that this subterfuge keeps the other males from "getting the girl" and passing on their genes. They're all busy mistakenly trying to mate the imposter. </p> <h4>Are we at the mercy of our body chemistry?</h4> <p>Do humans also emit and receive pheromes? Do we "smell" as good as the rest of the animal world? To find out you'll have to read my next Animal Sex blog-"The Scent of a Woman." [LINK to the blog] </p> <h4>Coming Attractions</h4><p> Next up on <em>Birds Do It, Bees Do It</em>, you'll read about a sea creature with a penis that can grip like a hand. "What is tugging on my leg? Oh noooo..." </p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; line-height: 200%; vertical-align: baseline"><span class="apple-style-span"></span></p> <br />By Sally Schloss for WebVet By Sally Schloss for WebVet Birds Top 10 signs of sexual frustration in birds http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2089 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2089">Top 10 signs of sexual frustration in birds</a><br /><p>Does your finch seem frustrated? Is your parrot being petulant? Canary acting crazy? If so, it might be raging hormones that are turning your usually tame pet into a feathered beast. Below are the top ten symptoms of sexual frustration in pet birds:</p><ul><li>Screaming. If your once-quiet bird now cranks at decibels similar to a jet engine on takeoff roll, it’s likely frustrated. New toys and other distractions might quell the chaos a bit.</li><li>Biting and aggression. When you dare to walk past the cage, do you hear the “thunk” of an angry bird striking the bars in full attack mode? Do you now buy bandages in the bulk size?  “We can see aggression toward people, other birds, animals, and objects as a manifestation of sexual frustration,” said Dr. Byron J.S. de la Navarre of the Animal House of Chicago.</li><li>Chewing and gathering. Has it been weeks since you’ve used your paper shredder because your parrot now does the job? Feathering a nest is hard work, but apparently those Victoria’s Secret catalogs make luxe linings when properly torn to bits.</li><li>Allofeeding. Humans take a date out to dinner. Birds share their food through the slightly less appealing manner of regurgitation. If your pet is attempting to feed you, the cat, or a favorite toy, he’s trying to be romantic. Conversely, if you hand-feed your bird, that can be stimulating to the bird. Foods that are sexually stimulating fall into two groups: easily digested sugars, such as fruits and corn, and high-fat food, such as seeds, nuts and fried foods.</li><li>Feather plucking or chewing. Feather destruction in birds is a complicated syndrome with many possible causes, and is always best evaluated by a veterinarian. However, if everything checks out fine, it’s possibly a sign of sexual frustration. </li><li>Nesting and incubating. Some birds (male or female) will actually create an imaginary nest and incubate a surrogate egg. Usually this involves dragging a toy or other appropriately sized object into a food dish and sitting on it for hours on end. Removing the object usually doesn’t help because the bird will just find another. Be very cautious about interfering with the “nest,” because your pet will defend it vigorously.</li><li>Masturbation. Yes, birds do it. If your pet attempts to perform a lap dance on your hand every time you pick it up, it is displaying sexual behavior. Do not react with anger or disgust, or the rejected bird might lash out in frustration. On the other hand, do not encourage the bird because you think it’s cute or funny, because it might escalate to biting and aggression.</li><li>Posturing and display. Peacocks aren’t the only birds that strut their stuff when trying to impress a mate. Parrots, especially male Amazons and cockatoos, will stalk around with fanned tails and ruffled neck feathers, grunting and growling in a macho manner. Some male finches perform complicated dances, and male canaries sing their hearts out. Female birds usually crouch down, quiver, and stare directly and longingly at the object of their desire. There are exceptions: Some young or submissive males will act like hens, and some very bold females can out-macho the guys.</li><li>Soliciting and begging. A submissive yet sexual bird will often ask for a “date” (see #4 above) by crouching, quivering, and begging loudly for food or, attention. It’s similar to the behavior shown by chicks begging for food, but in a sexually mature bird it is usually done with a different purpose in mind.</li><li>Egg laying. Female cockatiels are the most likely suspects here, but all female birds can, and occasionally do, lay infertile eggs without the benefit of male companionship. Some hens will attempt to incubate the eggs, while others show surprisingly little interest. It’s best to leave the eggs with the female until she loses interest, because removing them might stimulate her to lay another clutch.</li></ul><p>Another thing to keep in mind is that birds can be sexually stimulated by the length of daylight. After a period of short light (winter), the lengthening day stimulates the hormones of courtship. Birds that exhibit signs of sexual frustration may benefit from shorter light exposure times. </p><p>“It’s always best to have the bird evaluated to make sure there is not any underlying medical condition,” said Dr. de la Navarre. “Then just be patient. The hormonal period is somewhat seasonally related, and with time will subside.”</p><br />By Gayle Soucek for WebVet By Gayle Soucek for WebVet Birds Should you get another bird? http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2088 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2088">Should you get another bird?</a><br /><p>If you're the happy owner of a pet parrot, you've probably pondered the possibility of getting it a cage companion. But are two birds twice as nice or double the trouble? That depends on many factors, say the experts.</p><p>Ask Mina Tweti, the Los Angeles-based author of the newly published "Of Parrots and People'' (Viking, 2008), and she'll tell you that getting another feathered friend for your bird is a usually good idea, provided you choose the second parrot carefully and have the time and temperament to care for two birds properly.</p><p>"Research shows that the single best enrichment for a pet parrot is another parrot,'' Tweti said. "From the moment a parrot hatches in the wild until the day they die, they are typically never out of eyesight or earshot of another parrot, which is why their voices are so loud. They're always surrounded by their flocks, mates and family unit.''</p><p>Kristen L. Nelson, DVM, Veterinary Creative, in Scottsdale, Ariz., agrees that acquiring a companion bird for your pet parrot is a good idea. </p><p>"I believe birds like having other birds around for company,'' Nelson said. "I advise clients to get two birds, although most live in separate cages. If they are of the same species, they may be introduced.''</p><h4>When two's a crowd</h4><p>Not all bird experts agree that pairing a parrot with another is the best decision, however. Dr. Greg J. Harrison, DVM, said that it's "not critical to get a second bird for your first. Hand-raised birds, or those not born in the wild, have a tendency to only want to be with people.''</p><p>If you're going to get a second bird, "it's probably best to give it its own cage,'' Harrison said. "Unless you really want to breed two birds, you probably shouldn't keep them caged as pairs.''</p><p>Harrison said that one of the risks pet owners run is that the first bird, which has probably formed a strong, dependent bond with the owner, will form a stronger bond with a second bird introduced to the cage, resulting in the owner being ignored or even attacked.</p><p>For these and other reasons, Harrison recommends not allowing two birds to share the same cage.</p><h4>Second parrot preconditions</h4><p>Harrison said pet lovers too often rush into a decision to purchase a second companion parrot without weighing the ramifications. </p><p>"Two birds take 'x' amount of time, which usually equates to up to 60 minutes a day that you need to spend separately with each bird giving them independent attention, followed by up to 60 minutes spent playing with them together,'' he said. "People think it's really neat to give their bird a playmate, but then they don't spend the proper amount of time socializing with both birds.''</p><p>The parrot species that are most compatible as pairs, according to Harrison, are small to mid-size birds such as:</p><ul><li>African greys</li><li>Conures</li><li>Small cockatoos</li><li>Senegals</li><li>Pionuses</li><li>Cockatiels </li></ul><p>Parrots with a higher incidence of behavioral problems as pairs include: </p><ul><li>Amazons</li><li>Macaws </li><li>Large cockatoos</li></ul><p>According to Harrison and Nelson, choosing the right second bird is a crucial decision that should factor in the age, size and temperament of your first bird:</p><ul><li>If you have an older first bird, it's wise to get a second one of the opposite sex, as there's less chance of competition.</li><li>If your original parrot is young, aim for a second bird of the same sex. </li><li>If you get opposite sex birds, be prepared for the male and female to bond even if you don't want them to. </li><li>Avoid housing birds of different species together, as the smaller bird is often brutalized by the larger.</li></ul><h4>The great parrot-pairing project</h4><p>Before bringing a second bird home, Nelson said it's important to take it to an avian veterinarian for a physical exam and laboratory testing. To avoid expensive testing or illnesses, do your homework on the source of your new bird. Make sure they have records and veterinary recommendations for common illnesses such as PDD, Circo virus, psittacosis, and polyoma disease. Also consider your new bird's family history. It's best to choose a bird with a family tendency to be great pets with no obsessive and compulsive behavior such as screaming, biting and feather picking.</p><p>Once you bring it home, quarantine the new bird in a separate cage and separate area for 30 to 90 days and work hard at establishing an equal-time relationship with both birds.</p><p>After the quarantining period, "introduce the two birds in stages,'' Nelson said. "Let the birds hear each other first. When they're comfortable, allow them to have visual contact at a distance. Slowly move the cages closer together until they are two feet apart.''</p><p>"Breaking the ice'' between two newly introduced birds takes time, Harrison said. </p><p>"You have to warm them up properly. When you walk into the room, don't pay attention to either bird. Instead, play with a ball or another pet just to break the silence. Don't create a habit where you take them out of the cage right when you walk in, or else they'll selfishly demand your attention. Try to break up your warming up routines by alternating who gets let out of the cage first.''</p><h4>When parrots collide</h4><p>When it's time for a face-to-face parrot meeting:</p><ul><li>Do so in a "neutral'' area such as a playpen, Nelson said. </li><li>Hide food in the area and skip the morning meal. Hopefully, the birds will be more interested in foraging for food than each other.</li><li>Play with your original bird first to get the newer bird used to the fact that playing with people is exciting, Harrison said. </li><li>Next, put the first bird close to you but not on your shoulder. </li><li>Then, play with the newer parrot and alternate attention between the two, giving positive reinforcement. </li><li>Start playing games like rolling a ball on the floor to see how they interact with each other.</li></ul><p>Over time, continue to allow supervised play time in the neutral area, Nelson said. "If no fighting is observed, introduce both birds to a new cage with two separate feeding stations. The new cage should be twice the size of an individual cage so that each bird has their own space.''</p><p>Ultimately, Nelson said, "remember that patience is the key to a successful introduction. This process may take weeks or months to accomplish.''</p><p>"Common sense will tell you if the birds like each other - you'll just know,'' Tweti said. "If they don't it will be really clear.''</p><h4>When all else fails</h4><p>Keep in mind that some birds quickly develop jealousies and aggressive behaviors toward other birds that won't go away, no matter how hard you try to socialize them together, Harrison said. </p><p>"It's possible that your birds will never be compatible. That depends on how well you did your homework and on how strong your first bird has bonded to you,'' he said. </p><p>If it's obvious that the two parrots are not compatible over time, "it's probably in everyone's best interest that you find another home for the second bird,'' Tweti said.</p><br />By Erik J. Martin for WebVet By Erik J. Martin for WebVet Birds The Gabriel Foundation: A home for birds http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2105 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2105">The Gabriel Foundation: A home for birds</a><br /><p>Rhett, Scarlet, and Jade are good parrots. They loved their human “mom,” and never (OK, rarely) misbehaved. But through no fault of their own, they suddenly found themselves homeless when their owner fell seriously ill and could no longer properly provide for them.</p><p>It’s always heart-wrenching to give up beloved pets, but that decision is even harder when there’s no safe place to relinquish the animal. Traditionally, dog and cat owners have had some options, but fewer choices existed for pet birds -- especially larger parrots that require plenty of space and more experienced owners. These birds often bounce from home to home, sometimes confined to tiny cages, largely ignored, and subsisting on a substandard diet. It’s not that people are intentionally cruel, but caring for a parrot is not as familiar or intuitive as caring for more common household pets, such as dogs and cats.</p><h4>Finding a haven</h4><p>Like Rhett and friends, some birds are victims of a loving and responsible owner’s failing health or finances. Other birds, especially parrots, are bought on a whim by people seeking a trendy pet, and then dumped when the novelty of caring for such a high-maintenance and long-lived creature wears off.</p><p>In 1996, Julie Weiss Murad, an avian behavioral consultant from Colorado, put her talents to work to create the perfect haven for abandoned parrots. She named it “The Gabriel Foundation” to honor the memory of her beloved hyacinth macaw that died at age two from an intestinal blockage.</p><p>Since then, <a href="http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/" target="_blank">The Gabriel Foundation</a> has grown into a world-renowned educational and rescue facility. What makes TGF so unique? “We set the highest standard of care, not just for birds, but for the people who own them,” said Patti Christie, a certified veterinary technician and registered nurse who gave up nursing to work full-time for the foundation. “We work with the veterinary community to provide the care and education needed to keep birds in their homes whenever possible, and to provide potential bird owners all the tools needed for success. Education is our number one commitment.”</p><p>This proactive approach to bird ownership has created many happy endings for pet birds, and garnered the respect of both the veterinary and aviculture communities. The organization, according to its purpose and mission statement, focuses on six aspects of parrot welfare: educational outreach, conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, and sanctuary.</p><ul><li>Educational outreach includes classes, lectures, printed materials, internships, and a host of other avenues designed to create an awareness of parrot care and conservation. </li><li>Conservation efforts are important not just to protect parrots in their natural habitats, but also to help us better understand our pet birds in captivity. TGF works with the conservation community worldwide and provides both funding and educational assistance.</li><li>Rescue is an important part of TGF’s work in the community. Lost, abandoned, and abused birds are brought to the shelter for evaluation and treatment.</li><li>Rehabilitation of surrendered birds can include veterinary treatment for physical injuries or illnesses, nutritional evaluation and improvement, and behavioral and socialization assistance.</li><li>Adoption is the ultimate goal for birds that have been successfully rehabilitated by the facility. TGF’s staff works closely with prospective owners to ensure that they are committed to providing the specialized care and love required to keep a parrot healthy and happy for life.</li><li>Sanctuary is provided for birds that are not suitable as pets for a variety of reasons, such as chronic illness or disability, or for those birds that simply do not enjoy the company of humans. These parrots are tended by the devoted staff, and they live out their lives with others of their species in the state-of-the-art facilities.</li></ul><p>“Birds tend to get lost in the public perception,” Christie said. “They have long-term needs [due to their long life expectancies] and money is always a struggle. About 85 percent of our relinquished birds come to us with no funding, and often need intense dietary and veterinary intervention.”</p><p>Rhett, Scarlet, and Jade might not understand the sacrifices and struggles these hard-working volunteers suffer on their behalf, but that’s OK. The happy ending that occurs when they settle into new loving homes is reward enough for everyone.</p><br />By Gayle Soucek for WebVet By Gayle Soucek for WebVet Birds Should your pet's diet go 'natural?' http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2110 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2110">Should your pet's diet go 'natural?'</a><br /><p>As you scan the choices in your market's pet food aisle, you've no doubt noticed the labels promoting "natural" foods for dogs and cats. Natural pet foods are popular, according to a survey of 1,090 respondents conducted by Hill's Pet Nutrition, which makes Hill's Nature's Best, a natural product. But the pollsters also found confusion about what the term means.  To complicate your shopping and feeding tasks, veterinarians don't all agree that pets need "natural" formulas.</p><p>First, the survey findings:</p><ul><li>A third of respondents say they feed their pet a natural food, the majority for health reasons, and about half choose the natural food based on ingredients.</li><li>More than half of respondents believe natural pet food is the best option for their pet's health.</li><li>More than half say they <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=1582" target="_blank">read the label</a> before buying a pet food, but understanding the label or all of it is difficult for most who do.</li></ul><p>The survey answers trigger several other important questions, such as what constitutes a "natural" pet food and whether it beats out other types.</p><h4>What is a natural pet food?</h4><p>Guidelines for natural pet foods are made by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), says Kurt Gallagher, a spokesperson for the Pet Food Institute in Washington, D.C.  Among other requirements, the use of the term natural in reference to the food product as a whole is acceptable only when all of the ingredients meet the definition. Natural means none of the ingredients are chemically synthesized.</p><p>The association does, however, make an exception when chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals or other trace nutrients are present in an otherwise natural food product if a disclaimer is used that these parts of the food aren't natural. In this case, the label would probably say: "Natural with added vitamins and minerals."</p><p>If only some of the ingredients are natural, look for such labels as "natural cheese flavor."</p><h4>Is natural food a necessity? Three views</h4><p>There's no official policy or advice about natural pet food from the American Veterinary Medical Association, according to spokesperson David Kirkpatrick. Individual vets do have their opinions, however.</p><p>"Natural" means different things to different pet owners, finds Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital, Columbus, and diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.  "If they mean raw food, I want to see the recipe," he says. If pet owners are asking about feeding their pets a diet labeled as natural from a commercial manufacturer that has years of experience making pet foods, he says: "Have at it."</p><p>But he adds a caveat: Don't expect health miracles just because your pet is eating "natural" foods. "Natural pet foods are just another kind of pet food made available for people who are interested in those kinds of food," he says. "There's no evidence I am aware of [that] they are any different from the point of view of the health of the animals or that they are any worse."</p><p>However, Heidi Hulon, DVM, a consultant for Hill's Pet Nutrition and a small animal practitioner in Louisville, Ky., sees benefit to natural foods--assuming the food lives up to its label claims as natural.</p><p>If so, she says, "it provides complete and balanced nutrition, and it helps maintain ideal body weight when fed appropriately." Some kinds of natural foods include high levels of antioxidants, which help maintain cellular health, she says, by protecting cells from damage done by unstable molecules known as free radicals.</p><p>In a nutshell: "The natural products are good, provided you know who the manufacturer is and they can confirm that the food follows the AAFCO guidelines," Hulon says.</p><br />By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet By Kathleen Doheny for WebVet Birds Egg binding in pet birds http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2247 <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article?id=2247">Egg binding in pet birds</a><br />  <p>Egg binding in pet birds is a serious and sometimes fatal condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. Egg binding occurs when a female bird cannot pass an egg through her reproductive tract, due to factors such as poor health, age, obesity, or egg malformations. A related but less common condition, dystocia, occurs when the passage of an egg is blocked by an obstruction such as a tumor or a malformed oviduct. In either case, the bird's survival depends greatly on the owner's ability to recognize the problem and react quickly.</p> <p>When Pikachu, a Senegal parrot, suddenly appeared distressed, refused to perch, and stood on the floor of her cage with an oddly wide stance, her owner was concerned that the bird had suffered a stroke. A quick trip to an <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1973" target="_blank" title="Avian veterinarians">avian veterinarian</a> revealed the real problem: a fully formed egg was stuck in the oviduct and was pressing against the nerves that ran to Pikachu's legs. Since Pikachu was a single pet bird that the owners believed was a male, this emergency was doubly surprising. In reality, egg binding is an all too common affliction in companion birds, especially the smaller species such as <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1512" target="_blank" title="Cockatiel information">cockatiels</a>, <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1510" target="_blank" title="Canary information">canaries</a>, <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1830" target="_blank" title="Parakeet information">parakeets</a>, and <a href="http://www.webvet.com/main/article/id/1817" target="_blank" title="Finch information">finches</a>.</p> <p>"We probably see this more commonly in cockatiels and budgies (parakeets) than any other pet birds," said avian veterinarian Scott McDonald, DVM, who travels around the country providing bird health care and sexing services. (Many pet birds are visually monomorphic, which means that the exterior appearance of both the males and females is the same, so gender can only be determined through DNA testing or laparoscopic surgery.) "This is probably because these species are more commonly kept as pets and because of their propensity to lay eggs even without the presence of a mate or nest box," McDonald said.</p> <h4>Risk factors</h4><p>Although egg binding can occur in birds of all ages, the problem is most common in very young or very old hens. It's also more likely to strike pets on a seed-only diet, because seed is deficient in calcium and several crucial vitamins. Calcium is needed not only to properly form the eggshell, but also for many other  bodily functions, including the muscle contractions needed to expel the egg. And finally, environmental factors such as lack of humidity or low ambient temperature can make eggs more difficult to pass.</p> <h4>Symptoms of egg binding</h4> <p>Symptoms of egg binding can vary, but in most cases the bird's discomfort will be obvious. If you notice any of the following, it's time to call your vet:</p> <ul><li>Appears fluffed or lethargic</li><li>Has difficulty perching or remains on cage floor</li><li>Displays lameness or paralysis in one or both legs, or stands with an unusually wide stance.</li><li>Exhibits labored breathing</li><li>Displays frequent tail-wagging, or attempts to lift tail while straining</li><li>Has swollen or distended abdomen or vent area</li><li>Unable to pass droppings, or has droppings pasted around vent area</li></ul> <h4>What to do<br /></h4> <p>Egg binding is always an emergency and can rapidly escalate to kill your pet. There are a few at-home measures that might help, but if your bird doesn't completely pass the egg within an hour or so, bring it to an emergency vet experienced in avian species for immediate treatment. Even if it is able to eventually lay the egg without intervention, schedule a follow-up exam to prevent future problems.</p> <p>At home: Place the bird in a heated environment-about 85-95 degrees F--with high humidity. That can mean a pet carrier placed on top of a heating pad with a wet sponge inside, or it can mean dragging the cage into a closed bathroom while you run a hot shower. If the egg is visible through the bird's vent, you can also dab a little KY Jelly or mineral oil around the vent to help lubricate the passage.</p> <p>At the vet's office: Your vet will first assess the severity of the problem by conducting a physical exam, and possibly taking a radiograph to see where the egg is lodged. In minor cases, injections of calcium and vitamins A, D, E, and the mineral selenium often help the bird to pass the egg. Sometimes human drugs such as oxytocin are used to increase contractions, just as they are used to induce labor in a pregnant woman. In more severe instances, your vet might have to remove the egg surgically and repair any tissue damage. In this case, antibiotics, steroids, and IV fluids might be needed as well.</p> <h4>Prevention and avoiding recurrences</h4> <p>As is the case with any illness, prevention is certainly preferable to treatment. In egg binding, that usually means simply feeding your pet a high-quality diet. Seed mixes alone, even those marketed as "fortified," are woefully inadequate to meet birds' nutritional needs. Consider switching to a formulated diet-commonly called "pellets"-and offer your pet a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Ask your vet if additional vitamin supplements are warranted. Birds that have suffered from egg binding once are more prone to future episodes, so be certain to provide sufficient calcium, either in supplements or food items.</p> <p>In Pikachu's case, she was one lucky parrot. She passed the egg with no permanent damage, and her owner revamped her diet to include nutrient-rich fresh foods and pellets. Now when she's on the cage floor, she's down there to romp and tussle with one of her many toys.</p> <p> </p> <br />By Gayle Soucek for WebVet By Gayle Soucek for WebVet Birds