Bird Behaviour
Here are a few interesting things about the way birds behave.
Birds sleep at night by roosting in trees and bushes far off the ground that protects them from predators.
Most birds live in groups called flocks.
Birds screech at night and in the morning to frighten away predators and communicate with other members of the flock.
They use so much energy for flight and don't eat when it's dark that unless they have eaten enough food, storing enough fat, they would starve and die.
Not all birds fly.
Most birds have to learn how to sing. It doesn't come naturally.
Many birds have a pouch called a crop where they store food before its digested.
Birds have an organ known as a gizzard where food is broken into digestable pieces.
Parrots often show affection by pooing on the clothing of the person they like.
In order to talk some pet parrots have a clipped tongue.
Bird Health
Healthy birds have glossy feathers, a clean beak and bright clear eyes.
Often it is difficult to tell when a bird is sick. Sick birds usually have fluffed-up feathers, look dirty and appear sleepy.
It is important that sick birds are kept under a warm lamp 28c and receive immediate treatment. It is also important that birds are kept healthy and sick birds are taken care of, because some bird diseases can be transferred to people. According to New Scientist, pet birds may harbor avian flu virus. One form of this virus was found in Indian ring-necked parakeets that died after being imported to Japan from Pakistan. This was closely related to a strain that killed six people in Hong Kong in 1997. By keeping pet birds healthy, you are helping to keep the people around them healthy.
Most veterinarians can treat sick birds. However some veterinarians specialize in the treatment of birds. It is always a good idea to find your local bird doctor.
Here are a few links to Australian Bird Veterinarians (updated June 2001).
www.visitcanberra.com.au/
www.parrotsociety.org.au
www.sammybird.com
Bird Walk is located at Federation Square Ginninderra Village, Canberra, Australia
Open 7 Days Summer 10 am - 4:30 pm Winter 11 am - 3:30 pm
Admission is charged. Wheel chair access is avaliable
Phone 02 6230 2044 Fax 02 62546369 mob 0414718798
