Parrot family birds
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Crow Family 95 l The feeding of the above described Psittacine Birds is the same as that given for larger Parrakeets. Furnished the proper nesting arrangements, they are not difficult to breed Only one breeding pair should be in an enclosure. The nest box made of plywood boards or from a hollowed out log should be about 18-20 inches high, x 12 inches wide, x 12 inches deep. A hollowed-out wooden block should be on the bottom for the eggs. The entrance hole near the top 4 inches in diameter, with an 8 inch alighting perch fastened on the outside.
The Crow Family are included in this booklet, especially for the talking ability of Ravens and Jackdaws. Ravens are the largest Crows and are big black birds, Jackdaws are black birds with grey necks. Crows are devoted to their mates and take good care of their young. The various Crows make good talkers when trained young and tame very easily. If you are a country dweller, and purchase a young Raven or Jackdaw that really gets to know you, after training it to talk you may allow the bird its liberty during the day as you would a house cat or dog. It knows enough to come back to its cage when hungry or when called. If the hunting season is on or some neighboring farm boy has nothing better to do than take pot shots at passing birds, keep it in its cage. They become so tame and attached to you, that it is worthwhile to give it the liberty of your grounds if possible. Before allow-ing your pet Crow its full freedom, cut five flight feathers on one wing. When he gets to really know you and his surroundings, you may let them grow in again and allow him the freedom to come and go out of his pen as he pleases. It 96 Parrot Family Birds w If your dog is a sociable fellow, he will find that he has a new companion who will share his kennel — and his food. A strong attachment may be formed between the two. The Crow is more of a thief than a Magpie. If anything, they are bolder, have an infinite capacity for avoiding danger and are very intelligent, more so than many dogs. I observed the actions of the common House Crow in India, which is related to the European Jackdaw. It is the best known bird in that country. It was comical watching the common native dog known as a Pariah Dog trying to eat a piece of meat or other refuse with an interested audience of House Crows around him. One after another would sidle in close till the dog made a snarling charge, whereupon a couple of the Crows would make a fast grab for part of the morsel or the whole swag. In the end, the dog either lost his smelly tidbit to the Crows or carried it off in disgust to a more secluded spot. Another incident with Crows in India occurred when my Talking Hill Mynah was sunning itself on top of my tent after bathing. Hearing a commotion, I ran outside in time to see my pet Hill Mynah being carried off in the talons of a Pariah Kite (a large Hawk common in India). About a dozen Crows flew right behind it cawing loudly although futily, as the Kite didn't drop my Mynah. The whole gang eventually flew out of sight. Crows are very communal in their habits, and if something happens to one of them as for instance, being shot — the others fly high and erratically, cawing loudly in protest. This happens even if they just see one of their own dead. I really believe the Indian Crow mourns its dead.
Crows subsist on exactly the same diet as was given in another chapter for Magpies, which are in the Corvidae Family also. Crow Family 97  They will bathe in a big pan on a sunny day. A minimum size cage for them would be 3 to 4 feet long x 2 feet wide and high. A large perch may be placed on each end near the bottom, and far enough from the sides to accommodate the tail. One perch may be thicker than the other, and place them low as Crows like to walk on the ground also. If you have the space in your backyard, an 8 to 12 foot long enclosure is preferable to allow the bird some exercise. They may be left outdoors the year around in a spot sheltered from winds and dampness. They may be allowed freedom to go in or out after they are well tamed.
Crows may be induced to nest by making a foot square box with a four inch diameter entrance hole. A supply of twigs, feathers, wool, etc., is acceptable to them for nest building. Notes on a few Crow species are here given: EUROPEAN RAVEN (Corvus corax corax). Europe. W
ESTERN RAVEN or MEXICAN RAVEN (Corvus corax sinuatus). Habitat: Western United States and Mexico. SHQW TONITE 50 EHOfiUS fiUUS V,  ■HE
A talking Raven, which starred in the movie "Bill and Coo." These birds are inexpensive, easy to care for, and although they are thieves, do have amusing ways. 98 Parrot Family Birds  NORTHERN RAVEN (Corvus corax principalis). Habitat: Northern United States and Canada.
Ravens are rare in Eastern North America, though found generally throughout the northern hemisphere. Noted for its sagacity, the Raven is able to survive in all but thickly settled areas, where its size makes it a conspicuous target. They are glossy black, intelligent and hardy. The young have dull black plumage with grey eyes. In the European species the inside of the mouth of the young is pink instead of black as in the adults. They lay from 4 to 7 eggs. These birds are known as distinct talkers. The Mexican Raven is sold very reasonably.
JACKDAWS — These birds aren't found at all in the Western Hemisphere. They are black birds with a grey neck. Their eyes are pearly white, giving them a cunning look. Young Jackdaws have bluish-grey eyes instead of white. The young are easy to rear and have been popular, amusing pets in Europe. They become so tame that they may be allowed to fly around your place. In Europe, white Jackdaws with pale blue eyes have been seen at times, and were mutations which occur among these birds. They lay three to five blue European Starling 99 e The Indian House Crow is sometimes confused with the Jackdaw but, although the same size, it has dark eyes, longer bill and glossier plumage. They have been popular in England and Europe as talking birds. ROOK — This Crow Family relative inhabits Europe, and winters in North Africa and Northwest India. Rooks are a glossy purplish-black in color, and the adults hava white bare skin faces. The sexes are alike, and the young have feathered faces till one year old, after which the face gradually becomes bald. When tamed, Rooks make comical pets and will learn how to talk. They lay 4-5 dark green eggs with brown spots. Like the Jackdaw, one brood is raised in a season. In England, young Rooks just out of the nest have been made into a Crow pie, as they were good eating, which is unusual for Crows. EUROPEAN STARLING The Latin name for this species is Sturnus vulgaris. It inhabits Great Britain and Europe, ranging eastward as far as Central Siberia. European Starlings have been introduced in New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The United States introduction occurred in 1890, through 60 birds being liberated in Central Park, New York City. There are several races, but they are all subspecies of the European Starling. One species is more heavily spangled and has green ear-coverts. Adults are glossy black with purple reflections mixed in with green and violet. The light cream colored fringes on the body feathers give it a spangled appearance. Cocks lose some of this spangling in summer; and their bill is then yellow, while in winter it is black. The hen is similar, but duller in coloring and in bill. In the summer she doesn't lose her spots as completely as the cocks
COMMON EUROPEAN STARLING The hens have the most spangling. The cocks are more glossy purple and green, with their bill yellow in summer, turning black in winter. Starlings (Sturnidae), except for this introduced species, do not exist in the Americas. The various species are found mostly in the Indian and African regions. do. Young Starlings are quite different from either parent, being a drab brown without markings or gloss, and they have black bills. They attain their adult gloss and spangling at the first moult. TALKING AND FEEDING European Starlings may be taught to say some words or short phrases. They are good mimics of other birds and can whistle fairly well. Like all birds trained for talking, you should obtain a young tamed bird. As tame pets they are very friendly, showing no fear. The young are easily hand-reared. European Starlings are softbill omnivorous birds, and may be fed the same diet as was given for Hill Mynahs, with the addition of 6-8 mealworms per day, as they are partly insectivorous. Beetles, grubs, ant eggs, caterpillars, etc., may be supplied instead of mealworms. Diseases and Health Problems 101 NESTING These Starlings are so common that the fancier probably wouldn't breed them. If you do, they require a closed nest box 9 inches square, with a three-inch-diameter entrance hole. The usual 6-inch alighting perch may be affixed near this hole. The box should be hung up as high as possible. They are social breeders, and a few pairs may be bred in one enclosure. Four to six pale blue glossy eggs are laid around the end of April. Usually only one brood is produced, although sometimes another clutch is laid later in the season. Starlings greatly enjoy bathing every sunny day, when they can afterwards preen themselves in the sun.
The best way of controlling disease is by keeping your bird cages and bird premises clean at all times, free of dampness, out of strong winds or drafts, and where the sun can reach in part of the day. A proper diet combining all essential vitamins and minerals maintains vitality, hardiness and longevity. Feed dishes and especially water receptacles should have any sliminess or dirt scoured out daily with hot water and washing soda. For soft food or nectar feeders, make a fresh supply every day and don't place the food dish in the sun where it will sour or dry out. Newly purchased birds added to your collection should be quarantined for 3-4 weeks before introducing in your stock.
If your bird is ill in any way, before giving it any other remedy, the best treatment for it is heat at 85 to 90 degrees, maintained day and especially at night, till your bird is bright-eyed and active again. To accomplish this, you will have to make or buy a hospital cage. This is nothing more than a wooden box large enough for the bird, and lined on the 102 Parrot Family Birds i The only ventilation will come through half-inch holes (about 8), which you will drill in the top of the box at the opposite half, away from the light connection. The electric bulb (about 100 Watts or more if necessary), will supply the required heat to maintain 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit inside the box when the outside room temperature is at 60 to 65 degrees. It is better to put in a stronger light bulb than necessary rather than a weaker one. This treatment is worthless if less than 85 degrees is maintained. If the temperature in the hospital cage goes up too much above 90 degrees, it may be controlled if you have put in a "Dim-a-Light" connection in the bulb when inserted. This connection permits you to decrease the temperature by hand by reducing the voltage in the bulb, or to increase it. The bright glare of the bulb should be eliminated by your placing it at the bottom end of the box as heat rises. Attach a piece of sheet metal or asbestos two inches away from the bulb. It is advisable also to place a section of 1/2 inch wire netting around the bulb if the bird you put in the cage is wild or nervous. The above manner of maintaining heat is used by most fanciers, although they don't use the "Dim-a-Light" connection, just the bulb alone. A much better method of controlling heat in an asbestos lined box is by placing a short lead-covered heating cable with a thermostat, which you may set to automatically maintain the temperature you desire, 85-90°. Cover the cable with an inch of sand. A sick bird will benefit more this way by being directly over the heat. If too ill, it may lay right on the warm sand. Long heating cables are used in greenhouses and coldframes. You would require a smaller one, for which consult your poultry appliance dealer or hardware store. Diseases and Health Problems 103 P Whichever heating system you install, your hospital cage will require a one-inch-high sheet metal pan which may be slid in and out for cleaning. The main treatment your bird will need is first heat 85-90°, secondly quiet, rest and clean quarters. This is the first adjunct to treating any ills. BROKEN LEG A broken or factured leg requires three or four weeks to heal. In a small bird the leg may be set with a large enough quill split on one side. With a pair of tweezers, put a few shreds of cotton inside the quill as padding. A small piece of Scotch tape will hold it firmly. If you are all thumbs, cut the quill in half and do the job the same way. After much experimentation, I've found out that Scotch tape makes the best binder for bandages and splints. It is almost invisible to the bird, not attracting its attention, and is so thin, binding so closely, that a fussy bird cannot pick it off as it would adhesive tape, thread or string. Be careful not to get the Scotch tape wet, however, when you wish to remove it, dip a piece of cotton in alcohol, applying it as you unwind it. It is rare that the larger Parrots or Cockatoos break a leg. If one does, a splint may be made of sheet metal cut and bent to fit around the leg without cutting off circulation. A plastic splint may be made if you first soften the plastic in boiling water or by placing it in an oven. When heated it is pliable. If you are inexperienced, it is much more advisable to bring your valuable Parrot to a veterinarian who will do a skilled setting of the leg or wing. Treating a large Psitta-cine will be a three-man job to hold it, unless skillfully anesthetized. When the leg is set in a splint remove all perches for three weeks. 104 Parrot Family Birds B  ROKEN WINGS
A broken wing sometimes heals itself properly without treatment, if it just droops normally. If it hangs at an awkward angle, fold it against the bird's side and hold it in place by placing a strip of Scotch tape twice around the body, leaving the other wing free. Scotch tape may be removed easily with a piece of cotton dipped in alcohol. LICE AND MITES If you followed the advice given in the first part of this book by giving your bird a monthly once-over, and dusting insect powder close to the body, it will never have lice. A five per cent D. D. T. powder is safe, but don't leave a residue on top of the feathers. Perch ends, cage, and aviary corners should be cleaned every week or two with hot water and a disinfectant or else touch these up with a brush dipped in kerosene or creosote, removing the birds till dry. For scaly-leg mites which are noticeable when your bird's legs and feet have rough-looking growth scales on them, apply either olive oil or mineral oil on the affected parts for three days. The old scales will loosen off and the mites will be killed by the oil. Psittacine Birds are rarely affected with scaly-leg mite as they clamber about a good deal. Passerine Birds such as Canaries, Thrushes, etc., have legs more susceptible to attack by this mite.
A tiny lymphogranuloma or rickettsia virus causes this specific pneumonitis among all birds, and was first discovered among newly imported Parrots. When it occurs in birds outside of the Parrot Family as in Chickens or Pigeons it is known as Ornithosis. The symptoms in birds are fever, thirst, fast breathing and brownish droppings which may turn green or bloody just before death. The bird eventually becomes emaciated and weak. This disease requires treatment by a veterinarian, because the new drugs now available to treat it require a prescription. Diseases and Health Problems 105 B CHLOROMYCETIN: This other new antibiotic, announced in 1949, has been isolated and experimented with by the Army Medical Center, Washington, D. C. I. D. Fagin and J. N. Vanderberg, published a paper, "Psittacosis Treated with Penicillin and Chloromycetin," in the Journal of the Michigan Medical Society (49:182, 1950). These men reported a full recovery of a patient with psittacosis after instituting Chloromycetin treatment. PENICILLIN: The infectious agent which causes psittacosis originally was considered a virus, but recently has been classified among the Rickettsia. Neither the Rickettsia nor the viruses respond to penicillin, and this drug has not proved effective for the treatment of psittacosis. TERRAMYCIN (Pfizer) There is reason to suppose that this drug will also control this infection. AUREOMYCIN: This antibiotic is the effective human treatment against psittacosis. It was discovered and has been under constant tests since 1947 by a research group at Lederle Laboratories. The medical references published on investi-gational work using Aureomycin in relation to psittacosis are: Manire, G. P. and Meyer, K. F.: The Toxins of the Psit-tacosis-Lymphogranuloma Group of Agents: II. Effect of Aureomycin and Penicillin upon the Toxins of Psittacosis Viruses. J. Infect. Dis. 86; 233 (May-June) 1950. Wagner, J. C: Aureomycin Studies. I. Effect of Aureomycin on Ten Strains of Virus in the Psittacosis-LGV Group. (Abstract) J. Clin. Investigation 28: 1049 (Sept.) 1949. Wells, E. B. and Finland, M.: Comparative Effect of Aureomycin and Chloramphenicol on Psittacosis Infection in Chick Embryos. Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. 72: 365 (Nov.) 1949. 106 Parrot Family Birds W FRENCH MOULT This is a disease first discovered in the middle eighties, which seems to be confined to Shell Parrakeets, and almost entirely to young birds. It causes them to drop their flight and tail feathers either before or immediately after leaving the nest. Some birds eventually grow them again, but more never do. The body feathering also is usually defective with continual moulting, and the birds are undersized. These afflicted birds are also called "runners," as being unable to fly, they always run along the bottom of the cage and clamber along the netting. This disease is said to be hereditary, although diet deficiencies predispose towards it also. Affected birds should not be used for breeding, and when purchasing Shell Parrakeets, inquire into the past history of the birds regarding French Moult. Some authorities consider it a sex-linked affliction, because when mated among themselves or with a normally feathered mate, some of the young will be afflicted while another brood will be normal. Much remains to be known about this disease, and no cure is known. Feed your birds a complete diet as recommended with a daily pinch of vitamin-mineral powder feed supplement, especially 2-3 months before and during the breeding season. The poor diet factor will at least be eliminated. SEPTIC ENTERITIS This is a highly contagious intestinal disease caused by over-crowding and filthy unsanitary quarters, perches, and water receptacles. This applies to newly imported birds in a shipment as well as to a fancier's collection. Symptoms exist when birds are inactive and quiet, with ruffled up feathers. The bird eats but is emaciated, and feels light when picked up. When thus discovered, the bird should be immediately placed in a hospital cage with 85-90° temperature day and Diseases and Health Problems 107 n |
ower bill, black. Hen: 
ill give you great amusement with its antics. Young Crows only cost about $10.
ggs with brown spots, raising one brood a season. The sexes are alike in these birds.
nside with 1/2 inch asbestos board all around. A six-foot electric cord is required, together with an electric light bulb connection installed at one end of the box. At the opposite end put in a thermometer that will be visible from the outside through a glass window installed in the wall next to it. This window will permit observation of the bird also.
ecause of the harmful publicity given this disease, countries like the United States and England have regulations limiting the importation of Psittacine Birds.
ight. The cage or aviary should be sprayed or washed down with a strong solution of disinfectant. Feed and water receptacles should be washed daily in hot water and washing soda. A pinch of either Epsom salts or sodium perborate may be given in the drinking water for 2-3 days. If you have a large breeding collection, your veterinarian may provide you with whichever of the sulfa drugs will treat this illness. Use a lye solution when cleaning your pens, replacing the birds only when thoroughly dry. This disease is another reason why you should quarantine newly purchased birds 3-4 weeks before placing them in your collection.