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If fostering birds or eggs, e.g. Gouldians
under Bengalese, remove the resultant young from contact with
the foster species as soon as they are independent, or sexual
imprinting may occur.
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Tissues torn into
strips are readily used for nest lining by some finches.
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Use natural wood perches in the aviary -
they are better for exercising the feet of your birds than are
dowel perches all of the same size.
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If a bird looks "off colour",
don't take a chance - place it in a small cage with warmth and
in a quiet place. Medication
may be necessary, but if you don't know what is wrong with the
bird you may need to consult a vet.
The wrong medication for an illness will not cure the
bird.
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Aviary doors that are greater than head
height allow you to watch the birds when entering the aviary,
instead of ducking the head and naturally averting your eyes.
You can, by then, see a bird coming for the open door,
generally frighten it back and prevent an escape.
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To catch a bird with a net against the side
of the aviary, allow the bird to fly past your face, between
you and the wire, then net it with the hand the bird is flying
towards (i.e., the 'following' hand).
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Nest peeking can be a costly experience;
and should be avoided with those species that may resent this
practice. Far too often a finger in the nest habit has been
responsible for upsetting birds that are nesting, especially
if the birds have been flushed out of the nest for the inspection.
If it is considered necessary to inspect the nest, try to wait
until the birds have vacated the nest naturally and then carry
out the inspection as quickly as possible and without visible
interference to the nest. A disturbed twig or other nesting
material will tell the returning birds that an intruder (and
possible predator) has been around the nest, and may be still
present (not unlike a broken window or door left ajar are signs
of a recent home invasion). The birds may be reluctant to re-enter
the nest under these circumstances.
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Aviary shelters covered with galvanised
iron can be a problem during the winter months, particularly
when the nights are cold and frosty. Such conditions tends to
cause galvanised iron to sweat which causes a considerable amount
of dripping; and this in turn adds another hazard to that of
the cold temperature existing.
If aviary furnishings are arranged so that the birds
are forced to roost close to the damp iron their health will
be gradually undermined.
To avoid this form of exposure all perches, brush and
other roosting or nesting facilities should be at least 30cm
from the roof. Several
methods can be employed to overcome this problem.
One is to line the ceiling with plywood or boards, another
method considered beneficial is to paint the under side of the
iron and before the paint dries, sprinkle it with sawdust. This
is reputed to stop the dripping by absorbing the dampness.
If the birds housed are to be kept in good condition
it is essential that this problem is overcome.
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Seed should be placed in such a position
as to be completely protected from the elements and where droppings
cannot foul it. It
is most important that it cannot be saturated by driving rain
as saturated seed will not allow the birds easy access to any
dry seed that may still be in the hopper or dish; and this can
be disastrous.
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Many birds may not readily partake of such
seeds as Maw and Niger if they are supplied in containers.
If this is the case try a more natural method and throw
a little on the floor of the aviary, in a cleared patch, in
most cases the birds will favour this method of feeding.
Scarlet-chested Parrots are particularly fond of Niger
fed in this manner.
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The use of seed hoppers overcomes the daily
task of supplying seed, but care must be exercised when using
these. A small
piece of straw or similar material can render a hopper ineffective
if it catches in the outlet and stops the flow of seed; if not
checked regularly disaster can result.
Seed containers should be cleaned regularly, if left
for long periods they can accumulate a lot of dirt and dust
which may prove harmful to the birds.
Blowing the husks off is not enough, the container should
be emptied and thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.
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The only parrot native to the United States
is extinct. The
Carolina parrot was considered by farmers to be a pest.
Nobody bothered to breed this formerly plentiful bird
and the last known specimen died in 1918 at the Cincinnati Zoo.
