#aviaries

[stone-cold-groove]

Illustration detail of the bird pool in the aviary exhibit from A Visit to the Zoo. Clifford Webb - 1954.

[milocelium]

any bird nerds that can help me identify this feather? it’s about 13-14 inches and found in northeast TX in a slightly rural setting on the outskirts of a large town.

[solarpawbs]

A batch of mini-chibis for the lovely @ JungleBeaks on Twitter! 💞💜

[peppermintpetcare]

Pigeon Lab Living Improvements

Hello birdblr!

I’m looking for input on a welfare upgrade project. My university has a pigeon lab for the psychology students to conduct behavior research in. The research itself gives me no welfare concerns, it’s just clicker training and reinforcement schedules in operant chambers. No use of aversives that I’ve seen and everything is overseen by the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee).

Unfortunately however, the living conditions for the birds leaves a lot to be desired (see photo above) They are housed in 24 individual cages, each of which is a 1sqft cube. Wire floor, no perches, no platforms.

In a perfect world, I’d love to build these birds an open-air communal aviary with all the enrichment in the world, but there are obviously constraints. Also I am a student, not faculty, so my power to enact change may be limited in ways I do not anticipate.

Constraints:

Birds must still be useful for behavior research (standardization)

Funding

New enclosures must be low-maintenance

Species/breed appropriate improvements for White Carneau Pigeons

Time (one year)

Space inside the room

COVID19

Resources:

My club, who is already onboard with this idea

A few select faculty members’ support

One intensely passionate ethology major (me)

I will fund this project myself if I have to.

I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I want these birds to have tangibly better lives before I graduate. Here’s my first draft of ideas for new cages.

Ideally I only want to make changes that are species-appropriate, so any advice or design feedback is appreciated!

[high6]

do not feed animals in aviaries

[voidbirds]

The Walk-In Aviary in Canberra was awesome, I loved seeing Cockatiels in the most natural set ups.

[pinklemonade0w0]

I really need to get a picture or video of Guinevere dancing with her sticks

I mean I have a picture of her with a stick but I need a video of her Dancing with it

[pinklemonade0w0]

Such beautiful colors and Varieties of colors and patterns

I love to admire these birds when I work or on my breaks.

The first one does not have a name as far as I know.

But we have

Nicky(the Grey and white)

And Storm:(blue,white and striped)