Providing life-changing care and environment for special needs avian species in Minnesota.
This week, we’re breaking down: Domesticated vs. Wild Animals—Captivity, Suitability as Pets, and What This Means for Parrots. If you’ve ever wondered why parrots struggle in human environments, this is for you!
Follow along, and come back each day to learn more.
#MAARS #Parrots #Sanctuary #Cockatoos #Nonprofit
Selected References
* Athan, M., & Deter, D. (2015). The Parrot Who Owns Me.
* AVMA. (2020). Welfare Implications of Non-Domestic Species as Pets.
* Baratay, É., & Hardouin-Fugier, E. (2002). Zoo: A History of Zoological Gardens in the West.
* Bradshaw, G. (2014). Carnivore Minds (comparative captivity impacts).
* Engebretson, M. (2006). The welfare and suitability of parrots as companion animals. Animal Welfare, 15, 263–276.
* Larson, G., & Fuller, D. (2014). The evolution of animal domestication. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.
* Mason, G., & Rushen, J. (2006). Stereotypic Animal Behaviour.
* Meehan, C., Millam, J., & Mench, J. (2003). Foraging opportunity and parrot welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
* Price, E. O. (1984; 2002). Behavioral aspects of animal domestication.
* Trut, L., Oskina, I., & Kharlamova, A. (2009). Animal domestication and stress biology.
* van Zeeland, Y. et al. (2009). Feather damaging behaviour in parrots.
* Zeder, M. (2012). The domestication of animals. Journal of Anthropological Research.
Today at MAARS: Kai, our featured bird of the month, poses next to a non-permanent tattoo of herself that one of our volunteers designed in their media arts class.
Did you know that birds can lift and adjust whole areas of feathers with surprising control? As well as being essential for flight, feathers play a key role in thermoregulation, protection, and communication. By lifting them, parrots can trap or release air to regulate body temperature, shake out dust, water, or debris, and reset their feathers back into perfect working order. Tail fanning and raising head feathers are also important forms of communication. The complicated world of bird messaging!
#MAARS #parrots #sanctuary #cockatoos #nonprofit
Credit to the Belize Bird Rescue
