Pet Bird Survey

UC Davis, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital

Co-Investigators: Laurie Bergman, VMD and Lori Gaskins, DVM


Contact Information

Name: Dr. Lori Gaskins
Address: UC Davis VMTH One Shields Ave Davis, CA 95616
Voice: 530-752-1393
Email: lagaskins@vmth.ucdavis.edu


1. 		 

Psittacine Pet Bird Survey Information
   
[Top] [Survey information] [Owner information] [Veterinarian information] [Bird information] [Bird care and housing] [Training] [Medical] [Thank you] [Submit]
   
Thank you for taking the time to answer this survey. It is limited to psittacine pet birds (see question 2.1 for a list of these birds) and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. I am gathering information on psittacine birds and their lives as pets. The information gathered will be analyzed and made available to anyone who cares for birds. The personal information you provide will not be identifiable with you. Ultimately, pet birds will benefit from the knowledge gained by this survey. On behalf of pet psittacine birds everywhere, thank you for participating.



2. 		 

Owner information
   
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2.1.  
What species of birds do you currently own? Check all that apply.
 
   
    African Grey parrot
   
    Amazon parrot
   
    Budgie
   
    Caique
   
    Cockatiel
   
    Cockatoo
   
    Conure
   
    Eclectus
   
    Lorie
   
    Lovebird
   
    Macaw
   
    Mini Macaw
   
    Grey cheek parakeet
   
    Parrotlets
   
    Pionus
   
    Senegal or Myers
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

2.2.  
How many birds do you currently own?
 
   
    One
   
    2 to 3
   
    4 to 5
   
    6 to 7
   
    8 to 9
   
    more than 10

 
   

2.3.  
How long have you owned pet birds?
 
   
    0-2 years
   
    3-5 years
   
    6-10 years
   
    11-15 years
   
    more than 16 years

 
   

2.4.  
What is your age?
 
   
    less than 18 years
   
    18-29 years
   
    30-45 years
   
    46-60 years
   
    over 60 years

 
   

2.5.  
What is your gender?
 
   
    Male
   
    Female

 
   

2.6.  
Where is your primary residence with your bird(s)?     



3. 		 

Veterinarian information
   
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3.1.  
What is the gender of the primary veterinarian that cares for your birds? If your bird is seen by numerous veterinarians, please chose the gender of the one that sees your bird the most often.
 
   
    Male
   
    Female

 
   

3.2.  
Where is your veterinarian's practice located?     

 
   

3.3.  
Does your veterinarian see other types of animals in addition to birds?
 
   
  Yes   No
   



4. 		 

Psittacine pet bird information
   
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PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS SURVEY IS LIMITED TO PSITTACINE BIRDS. SEE QUESTION 2.1 OR 4.5 FOR A LIST OF PSITTACINES.

 
   

4.1.  
Please complete ONE survey for each bird you own. If you will be completing this survey more than once, please supply the first 3 (three) letters of your street address on EVERY survey. Example: Mad for Madison Avenue.
 
   
 
   
 
  I am only answering the survey once.


 
   

4.2.  
What is the name of the bird your are filling out the survey for? Please fill out ONE survey for each bird you own.
 
   
 

 
   

4.3.  
What is the gender of this bird?
 
   
    Male
   
    Female
   
    Unknown

 
   

4.4.  
If you know the gender of this bird, how was it determined?
 
   
    Surgically sexed
   
    Sexually dimorphic (example: eye color or feather color of male and females are different)
   
    DNA testing
   
    She laid eggs
   
    Previous sexual behavior with bird of opposite sex
   
    Gender of bird is unknown
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

4.5.  
What type of bird is this?     

 
   

4.6.  
If you checked "other" in the previous question, please specify the type of bird.
 
   
 
   
 
  Not Applicable


 
   

4.7.  
Was your bird:
 
   
    Hand raised?
   
    Parent reared?
   
    Fostered? (raised by a bird that was not its parent)
   
    Combination of hand raised and parent reared/fostered?
   
    I don't know.

 
   

4.8.  
Was your bird:
 
   
    Captive bred?
   
    Wild caught?
   
    I don't know.

 
   

4.9.  
What is the age of your bird now?     

 
   

4.10.  
How do you know the age of your bird?
 
   
    I bred/hatched bird
   
    I estimated age by size of bird
   
    I estimated age by feathering
   
    Person I obtained bird from estimated age for me
   
    Person I obtained bird from supplied actual hatch date
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

4.11.  
What was the age of your bird when you acquired it?     

 
   

4.12.  
Where did you get this bird?
 
   
    Breeder
   
    Bred by you
   
    Pet store
   
    Rescued/ rescue group
   
    Found/stray
   
    Friend/private owner
   
    Family member
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

4.13.  
What was your MAIN reason for getting this bird? Check only one.
 
   
    Companion to human
   
    Companion to another bird
   
    Companion to another animal (not another bird)
   
    Size of bird appealed to you
   
    Long life span
   
    Short life span
   
    Breeding purposes
   
    Talking ability
   
    Color of bird
   
    Intelligence of bird
   
    Felt sorry for bird
   
    Needed a home/rescued
   
    Wanted a pet, but couldn't have a dog, cat or rabbit
   
    Was a gift
   
    Brings me attention
   
    Family tradition
   
    Owned parent bird who had chicks, and I kept one
   
   
Other, please specify:  



5. 		 

Bird care and housing
   
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5.1.  
Who is the primary caregiver of this bird?     

 
   

5.2.  
What is the housing situation of this bird?
 
   
    Individual cage, no access to other animals
   
    Individual cage in same room with other birds
   
    Individual cage in same room with other animals
   
    Individual cage in same room with other birds AND other animals
   
    Group cage with birds of different species
   
    Group cage with ONLY birds of same species
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

5.3.  
During the day, where is your bird's cage located?
 
   
    Inside the house, go to question 5.4
   
    Outside the house, go to question 5.6

 
   

5.4.  
Where in the house is the bird's primary day time cage located?     

 
   

5.5.  
If you answered "Other" in the previous question, please specify where inside the house the bird is housed.
 
   
 
   
 
  Not Applicable


 
   

5.6.  
Where outside the house is the bird's primary day time cage located?     

 
   

5.7.  
If you answered "Other" in the previous question, please specify where outside the house your bird is housed.
 
   
 
   
 
  Not Applicable


 
   

5.8.  
Do you cover your bird's cage at night?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

5.9.  
Where does your bird sleep at night?
 
   
    In the day time cage in same location
   
    In the day time cage in a different location
   
    In a different cage in a different location

 
   

5.10.  
If you answered either "in the day time cage in a different location" or "in a different cage in a different location" for the previous question, please specify the location.     

 
   

5.11.  
What is the average number hours each day that your bird spends outside of its cage?
 
   
    My bird spends no time outside its cage.
   
    15 minutes - 1 hour
   
    2-4 hours
   
    5-8 hours
   
    more than 9 hours

 
   

5.12.  
What is the average number of hours each day that your bird spends interacting with people in the household? (Interacting means things such as taking the bird out of cage and talking to it, teaching it things or practicing tricks, carrying it around with you, etc)
 
   
    No such interactions occur with this bird
   
    15 minutes - 1 hour
   
    2-4 hours
   
    5-8 hours
   
    more than 9 hours



6. 		 

Training
   
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6.1.  
Does your bird know how to "step up" or "step down" off your finger or perch on command?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.2.  
Have you ever taken your bird to training classes?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.3.  
Have you taught your bird to be comfortable wrapped in a towel?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.4.  
Have you taught your bird any tricks?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.5.  
What tricks have you taught your bird? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Whistle
   
    Wave with foot
   
    Flap wings
   
    Talk
   
    Lie on it's back
   
    Flip/Spin
   
    Ring bell
   
    Pick up items/play catch
   
    Dance
   
    Fetch/retrieve items
   
    Come when called
   
    Target training
   
   
Other, please specify:  
   
    I have not taught my bird any tricks.


 
   

6.6.  
Does your bird do any of the following things? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Chronic egg laying
   
    Chewing/biting/tearing its own skin
   
    Lunging at/biting owner
   
    Lunging at/biting other members of household
   
    Lunging at/biting unfamiliar people
   
    Lunging at/biting cage mate
   
    Lunging at/biting other household birds
   
    Lunging at/biting other animals in household
   
    Lunging at/biting inanimate objects
   
    Screaming
   
    Other vocalizations
   
    Destructive chewing
   
    Rubbing cloaca/vent on objects or people
   
    Regurgitation
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from owner
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other members of household
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from unfamiliar people
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from cage mate
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other household birds
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other animals in household
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from inanimate objects
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from certain locations
   
    Feather picking
   
    Repetitive behaviors, such as somersaulting or weaving
   
    No, my bird does not perform any of these behaviors. Skip to section 7.
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

6.7.  
If your bird performs any of the behaviors listed in the previous question, do you consider this to be a problem?
 
   
    Yes
   
    No, I don't consider the behavior to be a problem. PLEASE GO TO SECTION 7, DO NOT ANSWER THE REST OF SECTION 6.
   
    My bird does not perfom any of the behaviors listed in previous question. PLEASE GO TO SECTION 7, DO NOT ANSWER THE REST OF SECTION 6.

 
   

6.8.  
IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN THE REMAINDER OF SECTION 6. IF YOU DID NOT ANSWER YES TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, SKIP TO SECTION 7. Please check the ONE behavior you find the most problematic.
 
   
    Chronic egg laying
   
    Chewing/biting/tearing its own skin
   
    Lunging at/biting owner
   
    Lunging at/biting other members of household
   
    Lunging at/biting unfamiliar people
   
    Lunging at/biting cage mate
   
    Lunging at/biting other household birds
   
    Lunging at/biting other animals in household
   
    Lunging at/biting inanimate objects
   
    Screaming
   
    Other vocalizations
   
    Destructive chewing
   
    Rubbing cloaca/vent on objects or people
   
    Regurgitation
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from owner
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other members of household
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from unfamiliar people
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from cage mate
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other household birds
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from other animals in household
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from inanimate objects
   
    Hiding/trembling/trying to get away from certain locations
   
    Feather picking
   
    Repetitive behaviors, such as somersaulting or weaving
   
    My bird does none of the behaviors listed. Skip to section 7.

 
   

6.9.  
What have you done to try to change the ONE behavior (checked in the previous question) that you find most problematic? Check all that apply
 
   
    Ignore bird
   
    Soothe/comfort
   
    Give treats
   
    Spray with water
   
    Give more toys
   
    Yell "no"/"stop"/birds name etc.
   
    Throw object at bird
   
    Hit/spank
   
    Shake cage
   
    Withhold food or water
   
    Provide more perches
   
    Get bird a companion
   
    Provide more sleep time
   
    Move cage permanently (not to temporarily isolate)
   
    Isolate bird (time out, leave room, move bird's cage temporarily)
   
    Cover cage
   
    Clicker train
   
    Blow on bird
   
    Repeatedly expose bird to things its lunging at or trying to get away from.
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

6.10.  
At what age did the ONE behavior problem you find most problematic first occur in your bird?     

 
   

6.11.  
Have you sought help to change ANY behavior that your bird displays?
 
   
    Yes
   
    No. PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER THE REST OF SECTION 6. SKIP TO SECTION 7.

 
   

6.12.  
If you answered yes to the previous question, where have you turned for answers regarding your bird's behavior? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Books/magazines
   
    Internet
   
    Family/friends
   
    Pet store personnel
   
    Trainers
   
    Breeder
   
    Veterinarians
   
    I have not sought help for my bird's behavior problem. PLEASE DO NOT ANSWER THE REST OF SECTION 6. SKIP TO SECTION 7.
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

6.13.  
If you did not ask your veterinarian for advice concerning your bird's behavior, why not?
 
   
    I'm too busy to make an appointment.
   
    I didn't think my veterinarian could help.
   
    The appointment is too expensive.
   
    I got free advice elsewhere.
   
    The behavior isn't that bad.
   
    I have never taken my bird to a veterinarian.
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

6.14.  
If you asked your veterinarian for advice regarding your bird's behavior, continue with questions in this section. IF YOU DID NOT ASK YOUR VETERINARIAN FOR ADVICE, PLEASE SKIP TO SECTION 7. Did you seek help elsewhere before consulting your veterinarian?
 
   
  Yes   No
   
   
 
  I did not ask my veterinarian for advice. SKIP TO SECTION 7.


 
   

6.15.  
Did your veterinarian provide recommendations for treating the problem?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.16.  
If your veterinarian made recommendations, what were they? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Medical workup-lab tests and/or x-rays
   
    Drug therapy-hormones
   
    Drug therapy-antidepressants or antianxiety medications
   
    Drug therapy-antibiotics
   
    Housing recommendations-change cage location, cover cage, etc.
   
    Specific behavior modification plans-training or leadership exercises
   
    Nutrition-changes in diet
   
    Get another bird for companionship
   
    Referral-advised you to see someone better prepared to handle problem
   
    Environmental enrichment-more toys, food finding games, etc
   
    My veterinarian made no recommendations regarding my bird's behavior
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

6.17.  
How were the recommendations provided? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Verbal recommendations
   
    Personalized/customized written instructions
   
    Prepared handouts not written by your veterinarian
   
    Prepared handouts written by your veterinarian
   
    Websites
   
    Books
   
    Videos
   
    No recommendations were made
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

6.18.  
If you implemented the recommendations made by your veterinarian, how satisfied were you with the outcome?
 
   
    Extremely satisfied
   
    Mostly satisfied
   
    Satisfied
   
    Mostly dissatisfied
   
    Extremely dissatisfied
   
    I did not implement the recommendations.
   
    No recommendations were made


 
   

6.19.  
If you implemented the recommendations made by your veterinarian, do you think your bird's behavior improved?
 
   
    Yes
   
    No
   
    I did not implement the recommendations.
   
    No recommendations were made.


 
   

6.20.  
In your opinion, how much did your bird's behavior improve?
 
   
    No improvement
   
    Less than 25% improvement
   
    25% to 50% improvement
   
    51% to 75% improvement
   
    Greater than 75% improved but not cured.
   
    Behavior problem was completely cured.

 
   

6.21.  
Was a referral to someone else offered by your veterinarian?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.22.  
If a referral was offered by your veterinarian, to whom were you referred?
 
   
    Another veterinarian in the same practice with an interest in behavior
   
    Staff member in the same practice with an interest in behavior
   
    Veterinarian in a different practice with an interest in behavior
   
    Lay person interested in behavior (ex. parrot behaviorist)
   
    PhD behaviorist
   
    Veterinary behaviorist-ACVB diplomat
   
    A referral was not offered
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

6.23.  
If you implemented the recommendations made by the person you were referred to, how satisfied were you with the outcome?
 
   
    Extremely satisfied
   
    Mostly satisfied
   
    Satisfied
   
    Mostly dissatisfied
   
    Extremely dissatisfied
   
    I did not implement the recommendations.
   
    No recommendations were made.
   
    I was not referred.

 
   

6.24.  
In your opinion, did your bird's behavior improve after the referral?
 
   
  Yes   No
   
   
 
  I was not referred.


 
   

6.25.  
In your opinion, how much improvement in your bird's behavior was apparent after the referral?
 
   
    No improvement
   
    Less than 25% improvement
   
    25% to 50% improvement
   
    51% to 75% improvement
   
    Greater than 75% improved but not cured
   
    Behavior problem was completely cured
   
    I was not referred.

 
   

6.26.  
Have you considered relinguishing/rehoming your bird due to its behavior?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

6.27.  
Have you considered euthanizing your bird due to its behavior?
 
   
  Yes   No
   



7. 		 

Medical care
   
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7.1.  
How often did your bird visit the veterinarian in the last 12 months?
 
   
    Once
   
    Twice
   
    More than twice
   
    My bird did not go to the veterinarian in the last 12 months.

 
   

7.2.  
Do you routinely have your bird's wings clipped?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

7.3.  
Do you routinely have your bird's nails trimmed?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

7.4.  
Has your bird ever had surgery?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

7.5.  
If your bird has had surgery in the past, was it performed by your bird's regular veterinarian or was it done by another veterinarian?
 
   
    My bird has never had surgery.
   
    The surgery was performed by my bird's regular veterinarian.
   
    The surgery was performed by another veterinarian.

 
   

7.6.  
What does your bird's diet consist of? Check all that apply.
 
   
    Seeds /sprouted seeds
   
    Fresh fruits and/or vegetables
   
    Frozen fruits and/or vegetables
   
    Dried fruits and/or vegetables
   
    Pelleted bird food (ex Harrison's, Kaytee, Pretty Bird)
   
    Nuts
   
    Protein (ex. cheese, meats)
   
    Crackers/bread/cereal
   
    Treats made for birds
   
   
Other, please specify:  

 
   

7.7.  
Has your bird ever required veterinary care for a broken blood feather?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

7.8.  
Does your bird get routine baths/showers/misting? If so, how often?
 
   
    No, my bird doesn't take routine baths/ showers/misting.
   
    Bird gets bath/shower/misted daily.
   
    Bird gets bath/shower/misted weekly.
   
    Bird gets bath/shower/misted monthly.
   
    Bird gets bath/shower/misted yearly.

 
   

7.9.  
What is the size of your bird's primary cage? Please round to the nearest foot. Example: 2 feet wide X 2 feet deep X 4 feet tall.
 
   
 

 
   

7.10.  
If your bird sleeps in a different cage at night, please list the dimensions of this nighttime cage. Please round to the nearest foot. Example: 2 feet wide X 2 feet deep X 4 feet tall.
 
   
 
   
 
  Not Applicable




8. 		 

Thank you
   
[Top] [Survey information] [Owner information] [Veterinarian information] [Bird information] [Bird care and housing] [Training] [Medical] [Thank you] [Submit]
   

 
   

8.1.  
Thank you for answering this survey. I hope your time and mine will be instrumental in making recommendations to improve the lives of pet birds. As I go through the data collected, if further information is required may I contact you? If so, please leave an e-mail address.
 
   
 
   
 
  I do not want to be contacted.






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