A

Abundance Weaning
Definition: The phrase "abundance weaning" describes the way that most reputable bird breeders wean the baby birds that they hand feed. In abundance weaning, the breeders continue to give the chicks handfeedings while offering them solid foods to try, such as millet and softened pellets. The birds are allowed to stay on handfeedings until they themselves decide that they are ready to eat solid foods and drink water on their own. Most breeders agree that abundance weaning techniques lead to birds with more stable physical and psychological health.

Avian
Definition: The term "avian" is derived from the Latin word "Aves", which is the scientific class for all bird species. To say that something is "avian" imparts that it relates or pertains to birds in some way.

Aviculture
Definition: The term "aviculture" refers to the culture that forms around those who are involved in bird breeding, ownership, and conservation.

Avian Bornavirus
Definition: Avian Bornavirus was discovered in the summer of 2008. It is a virus exclusive to members of the psittacine family, and is believed to be the precursor to PDD in affected parrots

As of yet, it is unknown how Avian Bornavirus spreads amongst birds, and there is no treatment for the disease it causes. If you suspect that your bird may have PDD, contact an avian veterinarian immediately.

 

B

Banded
Definition: The term "banded" describes those birds who wear a band or bracelet around one of their ankles, usually indicating information about the bird's age and origin. The most popular types of bands are closed bands, which must be placed on birds within a couple of days of hatching. Because the bands must be put into place at such an early age, most regard a closed band as proof that the bird wearing it was captive bred within the country.

Beak Trimming
Definition: Beak Trimming describes a procedure performed to grind down overgrown layers of a bird's beak. In this procedure, an avian veterinarian will use a tool to gently file away abnormal growth of the beak to produce a symmetrical shape that will function normally for the bird.

Blood Feather
Definition: A Blood Feather is any feather that is still connected to a bird's circulatory system. As a new feather grows, it is nourished through a bird's blood supply via a very thin vein that runs through its shaft.

If a blood feather's shaft becomes broken, the remaining shaft must be completely removed from the follicle to stop the bleeding.

Bluffing
Definition: "Bluffing" is a term used to describe an aggressive stage noted in adolescent parrots of certain species. It is particularly common in the Indian Ringneck Parakeet. Most of the time, the aggression associated with bluffing subsides when the bird's hormone levels become balanced and maturity is reached.

Boing
Definition: A boing is a bouncy, spiral shaped toy that is popular with many parrots. Boings are usually made from a piece of thick rope with a metal wire in the center to provide shape and give the toy plenty of bounce.

Most parrots love to bounce up and down on their boings. The toy is a favorite of most large hookbills including Macaws, Cockatoos, African Greys, Amazons, and Eclectus.

Brooder
Definition: A brooder is a temperature and humidity controlled enclosure that bird breeders use to house newly hatched birds and keep them in a safe and warm environment.

Brooding
Definition: The term "brooding" is used to describe hens that are sitting on eggs in the nest. Sometimes, newly hatched chicks are referred to as a hen's "brood".

 

C

Candling
Definition: "Candling" is a term used to describe a method by which bird breeders check to see if eggs are fertile or not. When an egg is candled, a bright light is held behind it, to illuminate the shape of the contents of the shell. The breeder will then determine whether or not the egg is fertile based on the color, shape, and opacity of the contents.

Cere
Definition: A bird's cere is the area on the upper part of the beak that contains the bird's nostrils, or nares.

Close banded
Definition: The term "closed banded" refers to the type of band or bracelet that can be found around the legs of many parrots and other pet birds. A closed band is a small circle that fits around a bird's ankle. Closed bands can only be placed on birds within the first few days of hatching, so many regard them as proof that a bird was captive bred. The bands are often imprinted with certain information, such as the state the bird was bred in, and the year that it hatched.

Clutch
Definition: The term "clutch" is used to describe the collective eggs that a bird lays at one time. For example, if a bird lays 5 eggs, then she has laid a clutch of 5.

Color Mutation
Definition: A Color Mutation occurs when a bird of a given species exhibits colors that are not normally produced in the wild. In the pet bird trade, breeders often strive to produce rare and beautiful color mutations by breeding selectively for certain genes. These birds are often worth much more than specimens of normal coloration.

Crop Burn
Definition: Crop burn is a condition found in handfed baby birds. It occurs when a baby bird is fed handfeeding formula that is too hot and burns the bird's crop. Crop burn can be fatal and is quite hard to treat effectively. It can be prevented by keeping a close eye on the temperature of the formula that is being fed to baby birds. A generally agreed on safe temperature is 105 degrees fahrenheit.

Crop
Definition: A bird's crop is a compartment of muscle tissue that birds use to store and soften their food before it moves on to be processed by the gizzard.

 

D

Dimorphic
Definition: Birds that are described as dimorphic are those species whose sex can be determined by observing their coloring or markings. Some popular pet bird species that are sexually dimorphic include Indian Ringneck Parakeets, Eclectus Parrots, and Budgies.

Down Feathers
Definition: Down Feathers are the fluffy, light colored feathers that are found underneath a bird's outer feathers. Down feathers efficiently insulate birds from extreme temperatures.

 

E

Egg Binding
Definition: Egg binding occurs in female birds, and describes the condition of being unable to pass an egg.

 

F

Feather Cysts
Definition: A feather cyst is a condition that can affect all bird species, and causes of a swollen, painful lump at the site of an affected feather follicle. Birds that are affected by feather cysts are in need of prompt veterinary care to correct the problem.

Fledgling
Definition: The term fledgling can be used to describe a young bird, usually one that has recently left the nest.

Force Weaning
Definition: The term "force weaning" describes an outdated and increasingly frowned upon weaning technique sometimes used by bird breeders. In force weaning, once baby birds reach a certain age, the breeder will withhold hand feedings until the chicks are forced to begin eating and drinking on their own. Most bird enthusiasts agree that force weaning is detrimental to a bird's physical and psychological health.

 

G

Gavage Feeding
Definition: Gavage feeding is a technique that is sometimes used to hand feed baby birds, or birds that are ill or injured. Gavage feeding employs the use of a long, thin tube made of metal or plastic that is inserted into the bird's beak and down the trachea, into the crop. There it deposits food for the bird to digest.

Gizzard
Definition: The gizzard is an organ made of tough muscle that is used to grind up a bird's food so that it can be digested. Gizzards usually contain tiny stones or other roughage to help blend food particles into a fine pulp.

H

Hatchling
Definition: The term "hatchling" is often used to describe young baby birds who have recently hatched.

Hen
Definition: A hen is a female bird of any species.

Hormonal
Definition: Hormonal behavior in pet birds is typically enhanced in the springtime. As breeding season approaches, the sexually mature birds experience natural hormone surges that can trigger some bizarre and undesirable behaviors.

These behaviors can range from excessive screaming, biting, and bluffing, to being overly affectionate. Often, there isn't much that owners can do to alleviate their pets' hormonal symptoms. Most just wait for the behavior problems to pass with the season.

I

J

K

Keel
Definition: The Keel is a bone that runs down the middle of a bird's chest and belly, attached at a right angle to the breastbone.

Lovebird
Definition: A Lovebird is any of 9 species of African parrots in the genus Agapornis.

For more information on Lovebirds, check out the species profile in Keeping Lovebirds as Pets.

 

M

 

Molt
Definition: When a bird is going through a molt, he is in the process of shedding old, worn feathers and replacing them with new, healthy ones.

Momomorphic
Definition: Birds can be described as monomorphic if their sex cannot be determined by their markings or the color of their feathers. The majority of parrot species are considered monomorphic.

 

N

Nares
Definition: A bird's nares are its nostrils, located on the cere, which is the highest part of a bird's upper mandible. The nares are often examined when checking a bird for signs of illness.

Necropsy
Definition: The term necropsy describes a medical examination that takes place after a bird's death. It is very similar to an autopsy. Many bird owners request that their veterinarians perform a necropsy when their birds pass away suddenly from unknown causes.

O

P

Parrot Wasting Syndrome
Definition: Parrot Wasting Syndrome and Macaw Wasting Syndrome are two names for a disease that can affect all psittacines, not just macaws.

Parrot Wasting Syndrome is also known as Proventricular Dilatation Disease, or PDD. It was found to be caused by the Avian Bornavirus in the summer of 2008.

Symptoms of Parrot Wasting Syndrome include weight loss, change in droppings, vomiting, and a swollen, hard crop.

 

Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD)
Definition: Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) is a virus that can infect any hookbill. The disease attacks the bird's feathers, beak, and internal systems including the immune system. Outward symtoms include feather loss and abnormal beak growth.

Pinfeathers
Definition: The term "pinfeather" describes the newly grown feathers found on a bird that is going through a molt. A pinfeather is usually short and closer to the skin, and is covered in the same type of keratinous material that makes up the shafts of feathers. This covering must be removed in order for the new feather to grow properly.

While birds remove most of their pinfeathers during preening, there are always a few (most notably on the top of the head) that they can't quite reach. In the wild, other members of the flock would help with the pinfeathers during natural grooming behaviors -- but in captivity, bird owners must remove the shafts from the pinfeathers by gently rolling them between a thumb and forefinger.

Plumage
Definition: The term "plumage" is used to describe the feathers of a bird.

Powder Down
Definition: Powder Down is a type of down feather common to a few popular pet bird species. Powder Down feathers produce a dust that acts on the feathers to make them more waterproof. Some also believe that the powder down can strengthen the barbs of the feathers, helping them to catch air more efficiently.

Preening
Definition: Preening is the process by which birds groom and care for their feathers. When a bird is preening, she uses her beak to pick through her feathers -- removing any debris, arranging feathers that are out of place, and distributing a special oil that is secreted from a gland at the base of the tail. This oil helps a bird's feathers stay healthy and shiny.

Primary Flight Feathers
Definition: The primary flight feathers are the longest 10 feathers on each of a bird's wings, in the majority of species. These feathers act as a sort of propeller for birds in flight.

The primary flight feathers are the feathers that are normally trimmed when you clip a pet bird's wings. This keeps the bird from being able to gain height when it attempts to fly.

Proventiricular Dilation Disease
Definition: Proventricular Dilatation Disease, or PDD, is a disease that can affect any parrot or hookbill.

The symptoms of PDD include a change in droppings, weight loss, vomiting, and a swollen, hard crop.

It is still not known how PDD is transmitted, and as of now there is no treatment or cure. PDD is known to be a fatal disease, although some birds are able to live with PDD for many months or even years. If you suspect that your bird may have PDD, you should consult an avian veterinarian as soon as possible.
Also Known As: Macaw Wasting Syndrome, Parrot Wasting Syndrome

Psittacine
Definition: The term Psittacine is used to describe any member of the Psittacidae family of birds. These include all true parrots, parakeets, and macaws.

Psittacocis
Definition: Psittacosis describes a form of the Chlamydia bacterium that birds can carry. It is a zoonotic bacteria, meaning that the infection is contagious, and can pass from birds to humans and other animals.

Birds can be carriers of Psittacosis without showing any outward symptoms. Symptomatic birds often become lethargic, show breathing difficulty, present eye infections and inflammation, and have runny, watery droppings.

The presence of Psittacosis can be confirmed through testing with an avian veterinarian. If Psittacosis is found, the most common course of treatment includes antibiotic therapy. Left untreated, the disease can result in death.

Because the disease is so highly contagious, birds that test positive for Psittacosis must be kept quarantined until they recieve a clean bill of health from a veterinarian. Strict precautions must be taken when caring for Psittacosis infected birds to prevent yourself from contracting the disease. Never attempt to administer any sort of care to a bird that is suspected of having Psittacosis without the supervision of a qualified avian veterinarian.

Q

R

Regurgitation
Definition: The term regurgitation describes the way that birds vomit up portions of their food to share with flock members. This is a common behavior in pet birds that have very strong bonds with their owners.

Splay Legs
Definition: The term "splay legs" refers to a leg condition often found in captive bred birds. The legs of affected birds are visibly bent outward instead of straight. This is normally due to an inadequate nest box, and can be corrected if discovered when the bird is very young.
Also Known As: Spraddle Leg

 

Stress Bar
Definition: A Stress bar is a name for the lines sometimes found running across the shaft of a bird's feather. Stress bars occur during feather development, and can be an indicator of a problem with the bird's environment, routine, or diet. If you notice stress bars on your bird, consult with an avian vet to try to figure out which factor is stressing your pet.
Examples: I saw a Conure at the pet shop that I wanted, but his plumage was full of stress bars.

 

T

Toweling
Definition: To say that you are "toweling" a bird is to mean that you are wrapping the bird gently in a towel. This is the most common means of restraining birds for veterinary procedures, wing trimmings, and nail clips. Properly used, a towel can help hold birds still, keep them calm, and prevent bites.

 

U

 

V

 

W

 

X

 

Y

 

Z

Zoonosis
Definition: A zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. The plural of zoonosis is 'zoonoses'. Any disease that is a zoonosis is described as 'zoonotic'.
Pronunciation: zoo-no-sees

**Do you have some words to add to the Avian Alphabet? Submit your words to cindyrubec@yahoo.com**