Birds

In general, the main types of birds kept as companion animals are either passerines (perching birds) or psittacines (parrots or parrot-like birds). While birds such as ducks, geese, chickens, pigeons and doves all have a long history of human domestication, they tend to fill an agricultural function rather than a companion function, so they will not be covered in this topic. Our main focus will be:

• Companion birds from the Passeriformes order (passerines)
• Companion birds from the Psittaciformes order (psittacines)

What makes a bird a bird? While birds are warm-blooded vertebrates, there are some things that set them apart from the other companion animals we have talked about:

• Feathers instead of fur.
• Hollow bones.
• Hard-shelled eggs.
• Wings (although not all birds fly).
• Beaks or bills instead of teeth.
• Claws instead of paws.

It’s the arrangement of these ‘bird’ features that also makes passerines and psittacines distinct from each other. Let’s take a look at both.

Passerine birds make up more than half of all bird species. Some scientists regard them as the most highly evolved order of animals on the planet. This does not mean the most intelligent; instead it means that the different species of bird that make up the order passerine have the greatest range of evolved specialisation. Passerines have evolved to adapt to some very different environmental conditions, meaning that some passerine species are not very similar to others, with some very specific forms and functions.

The word ‘passerine’ comes from the Latin word passer, which means ‘sparrow’. So basically a passerine is a bird that has a sparrow-like form. As mentioned in the introduction to this topic, passerines are regarded as perching birds and their body structure reflects this.

Passerine Form and Function

• Toe arrangement is three toes forward and one toe backwards to enable them to grip small branches and ‘perch’ easily: this is called an anisodactyl arrangement. You can see this in the picture of a canary on a branch below.
• A special tendon in the leg that makes the toes automatically curl to grip when the bird lands on a branch: they can sleep perched on branches with this special adaption.
• Small in size – usually smaller than birds in other avian orders. This enables them to perch on things like grass or small branches.
• They generally have 12 tail feathers.
• Many passerines have good control of their syrinx muscles in the throat, meaning they can produce a wide range of songs – they are often referred to as ‘songbirds.’
• Passerine chicks are blind, featherless, and helpless when hatched from their eggs and therefore need extensive care from their parents.
• Eggs can be coloured instead of plain white and are typically laid in clutches of 2 to 5.
• Most passerines eat insects, but the species we are looking at in this programme are seed and grain eaters.
• Small, straight, soft bills for accessing small seeds and grains.
• Feathers can be attractively coloured, depending on the species.

Passerines Kept as Pets

Birds from this order have been kept as pets for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks kept finches, nightingales, thrushes, starlings and magpies in cages for their appearance and ability to vocalise. They do not handle well though – their value has always been in their looks and ability to produce pleasant sounds. Males are more likely to vocalise than females. This is probably due to an evolutionary method called ‘female choice’, where the males that are the most attractive to females are the ones that are able to reproduce more successfully.

The most common passerines kept as pets in New Zealand are:

• Canaries
• Finches

Domestic Canaries

These adorable little birds come from the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa and were introduced into Europe as pets in the 17th century. Males in particular were highly sought after as pets for their beautiful singing voices. Canaries are a specific type of finch (more about finches later in this topic).

Wild canaries are a greenish-yellow in colour, but domestic breeds can be yellow, orange, brown, black, white, and red. There are more than 200 different breeds of canary, which have been bred for one of the following three reasons:

• Colour
• Shape - bred to have certain physical characteristics, such as a mop of “hair” or frills on top of their heads.
• Song – different breed types have specific types of song.

Males in all three ‘types’ will sing.

Canaries are naturally solitary rather than social birds, so are easily kept as a single pet. They are territorial and should be kept in separate cages in case they fight – particularly the males. If kept in pairs, it’s best to have a male and female or female and female combination. They can live to over 15 years if they are well-cared for.

Nutrition

They eat seeds and grains, but also need small amounts of fruit and greenery in their diets to keep them healthy and provide them with variety. It’s recommended that they are kept indoors because they can easily catch parasites or diseases that will make them sick. A cuttlebone, which is a piece of soft mineral, is a good idea for polishing canary beaks and providing some dietary calcium.

Enrichment

Solitary canaries should have plenty of enrichment items in their cages, such as swings, small bells and mirrors. Providing a small bird bath is a good idea. Occasional treats like honey sticks can also provide a form of enrichment. It’s a good idea to rearrange and replace perches and enrichment toys regularly to keep the birds mentally stimulated.

Housing

Bigger cages are always better and although canaries are small birds, they need space to be able to fly and meet their natural behaviours. A wire grate will keep the bird away from its droppings, but canaries also have a natural foraging instinct and will enjoy rummaging around on the bottom of the cage if food and enrichment items are placed there. Wire will not be suitable for this, but solid floor cages will need to be cleaned more than a wire-bottomed cage for health reasons. Although they are solitary birds that do not cope with being handled, it’s best for their wellbeing that canary cages are kept in areas of the house where people spend the most time. At night cages should be covered, as canaries need at least 12 hours rest. A cover will provide a sense of safety and security to help them rest well.

Grooming

Canaries will molt once a year, a process that can last several weeks and make them a little stressed. A water bath or gently spraying them with water may help with this. They do not look their best when they are molting, and new owners may confuse this normal process with some kind of health condition. Claws may need to be clipped occasionally but because all passerines have fragile bones this should only be done by a professional to avoid harming the bird.

Canaries as Pets

Canaries have a lovely temperament and are calm and sweet. They do not bite and are not destructive (like psittacines can be). Their only downside is that they do not like being handled: this is a pet that is best appreciated from a distance.

Domestic Finches

This is a much bigger group than canaries which are just one species. There are hundreds of wild finch species and quite a few domestic species. Their taxonomy is therefore more complex than that of the canary, so it has not been listed here. Some common finches kept as companion animals in New Zealand are:

• Zebra Finch
• Gouldian Finch
• Bengalese Finch
• Cordon Bleu Finch

One of the biggest differences between canaries and finches is that finches are flock animals and are more social than canaries. They are usually kept in outdoor aviaries.

Nutrition

Finches have similar dietary requirements to canaries. They need seeds and grains, but also require fresh fruit and vegetables and a cuttlefish and mineral block to provide extra minerals.

Enrichment

Enrichment for finches will be similar to that of canaries: perches, toys and a bird bath. Millet sprays (branches of dried millet seed) can also be hung around their aviaries. Enrichment items should be moved around and replaced regularly to ensure the mental well-being of the birds.

Housing

Finches need space to be able to fly, meaning that a large aviary is better than a small one. A horizontal cage is better than a vertical one as this allows the bird to move in a similar way to how they would in the wild: moving from low bush to low bush in search of food.

Finches kept inside can be kept in similar housing to canaries: placed in a social area of the house and covered during the night. Outside aviaries should provide shelter from the sun, wind and rain.

Finches should not share space with other types of birds. This is to protect them from being attacked by larger more aggressive birds.

If you keep a flock of finches, mating is highly likely. Aviaries therefore will need nesting sites and materials.

Grooming

Molting is similar to canaries: it happens once a year and can make the birds look unhealthy and stressed. Claws should be trimmed by a specialist to not hurt the bird.

Finches as Pets

Like canaries, finches are not a ‘hands-on’ kind of pet and are usually valued for their colourful feathers, pleasant ‘cheeps’ or ‘meeps’ and amusing antics. They can imitate or copy simple noises that they hear around them. They are easy-going pets who are not destructive, and while chatty they are not loud which means that neighbours in city suburbs should not be disturbed by them.

Some of the most intelligent bird species in the world belong to this order. There is a lot of debate about whether they should even be kept as companion animals, given their intelligence and the length of life that they can achieve. Let’s take a look at what a psittacine is.

Psittacine Form and Function

• Toe arrangement is toes two facing the front and two toes facing the rear (zygodactyl).
• A strong grip with long sharp claws for climbing and grasping.
• Dexterity with their feet – being able to manipulate objects in a similar way human hands work.
• A huge range in size from very small to the very large Kakapo, native to New Zealand.
• A strong curved bill that can bite and cut, and a mobile tongue for moving food like nuts around.
• Special sensory receptors in their bills to help them access difficult food like nuts.
• A large head with eyes positioned high on the skull and in such a way that gives them a wide range of vision without moving their heads.
• Tripedal – meaning they are regarded as having three limbs: two feet and a beak which are all used when moving (which is in addition to their wings).
• Ability to mimic sounds they hear using their syrinx (an organ in the throat).
• Often, but not always, have brightly coloured feathers.
• Eat mainly seeds, fruit, nectar, pollen, buds, and sometimes insects.
• Monogamous when breeding and nest in cavities rather than build nests.
• Eggs are usually white.
• Chicks, like passerine chicks, are born blind and without feathers and need a long period of parental care.
• Long-lived, slow to reach maturity and slow to reach breeding age.
• Highly social.
• Do not have a cerebral cortex like humans but have a different part of the brain that controls higher functioning.

Psittacines Kept as Pets

In plain English these birds are often collectively called ‘parrots’ and include, amongst many others:

• Parrots
• Macaws
• Cockatiels
• Budgerigars (budgies)
• Lovebirds
• Parakeets
• Lorikeets

Parrots originate mostly from tropical or subtropical regions of the world, with New Zealand parrots being an exception to this rule. The areas with the most parrots are Australasia and South America. There are three main groups of parrot:

Did it come as a surprise to you that New Zealand is one of the major origin areas for parrots? There are eight living species of parrots in New Zealand, some found on the main islands and others that are found only on our smaller offshore islands. It’s illegal to keep them as pets, so we won’t be talking about them in this course but you can learn more about them here (Parrots of New Zealand - Wikipedia) if you are interested.

Most parrots kept as companion animals come from the Cacatuoidea (Australia/Indonesia) and Psittacoidea (Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and some Pacific Islands) superfamily groups.

African Grey Parrot

There are hundreds of types of parrot, so we can’t possibly look at all of them in this course. One of the most common parrots kept as a companion animal is the African Grey Parrot - a highly intelligent bird that is capable of mimicking a human voice. Some people even think they are capable of basic communication with their human owners instead of just mimicking the sounds that they hear.

Grey Parrots come from the western area of the African continent. They are medium-sized and as their name suggests, are largely grey in colour with red tail feathers and white fringed feathers around their head and neck. In the wild they live in forested areas and will live for around 20 years, but in captivity they can live up to 60 years. Sadly, due to deforestation they are now endangered in their original habitats.

Nutrition

These parrots have a sweet tooth (or beak?), as their diet is mainly based around fruit, flowers, nuts and seeds. Occasionally they will eat small insects.

Enrichment

Not only are they intelligent, but they are also sensitive and can become stressed very easily. Feather plucking is a common symptom of a stressed Grey Parrot. Enrichment is therefore really important for these highly social birds. Interaction with humans is one way of providing enrichment as these birds would be ‘chatty’ with their flock mates in the wild. In the wild, Grey Parrots would feed either on the ground or in foliage close to the ground for up to 70% of their waking day. Food dispensing toys that replicate this experience will help met this instinctive behaviour. Basic enrichment items like paper and wood-based items to chew on are a necessity, but mirrors, bells, ropes, climbing frames/branches should also be provided. It has even been suggested that leaving the radio or television on will provide necessary stimulation for these birds!

Watch the following video (which includes Grey Parrots) to see how technology can provide enrichment for parrots.

Watch: Lonely Parrots Flock Together with Video-Calling Technology (5:41 Minutes)

In this study pet parrots make video calls to each other. The birds learned how to call each other with the support of their human caretakers, who also took careful notes on their pets’ experiences.

Post-watch Task

Read the article for more information about this experiment. As you read, remember Bili the cat and Bunny the dog from Module 3 who ‘talk’ via electronic boards. Who do you think is smarter: cats, dogs or parrots?

Parrots Kept as Pets Were Taught to Video Call Each Other—and They Loved It

Housing

We’ve already mentioned that Grey Parrots forage for food close to ground. For that reason a wider cage rather than a tall cage is recommended. It needs to be big enough that they can stretch their wings and have branches ropes and perches to climb on. However, because these are sensitive birds that become alarmed easily, the cage itself should be kept high off the floor so that the bird can easily see what is happening around it. This also has the advantage of being at a height that encourages interaction with humans in the household as well. Dining and living rooms are ideal places for cage placement.

Parrot eyes allow them to see in tetra-chromic vision (4 color light vision including ultraviolet). A full colour light bulb should be placed near their cage. You can buy these in the smart lighting section of most large hardware stores.

Grooming

A regularly cleaned cage will ensure that the parrot stays clean. A bird bath is not needed for African Greys as they will ‘dry-groom’, by preening their feathers and spreading a fine dust that sheds off them. This dust helps keep the feathers clean and shiny. A regular mist bath that mimics fine rain may be something that these birds enjoy though.

Beaks and claws will need regularly clipping, which is best done by a professional.

Grey Parrots as Pets

A Gray Parrot is a big commitment due to its needs and lifespan. This should be taken into consideration before bringing one into your household. They do make fantastic and rewarding companions: they won’t be cuddly pets that tolerant lots of handling, but in a trusting relationship will enjoy being gently scratched and will happily sit on shoulders or arms.

Have a look at the following video about Gizmo (who has his own YouTube channel). He’s a Grey Parrot who was re-homed after 16 years of being kept only in a cage. It will give you a good idea of what having a Grey Parrot in your home is like. It will also make you smile!

Watch: Gizmo's One Year Bird Rescue Story: Free From A Cage Of 16 Years!! (4:10 Minutes)

This video celebrates one year with his new owners and shows some of the changes in Gizmo after being kept caged for so long. 

Pre-Watch Question

Watch for some of the things we have just discussed: nutrition, enrichment, housing and social interactions, and also notice how Gizmo uses his beak, tongue and claws.

Activity

• Cockatiels
• Lovebirds
• Blue and Gold Macaw

Summary

Passerine and psittacines are the birds most commonly kept as companion animals. They have distinct features such as:

• The shape of their claws
• The shape of their beaks
• A well-developed syrinx for vocalising

These features should be taken into consideration when keeping these birds so that they have the opportunity to live as their forms and features intended them to as wild animals.

We are now going to change topic completely. Topic 7 is about permanent identification methods that can support animal owners and industry workers in identifying specific animals. Haere whakamua!