Title: Explain how to maintain a healthy pet bird.
Course: Small Animal Care I (18102-36) > Section: Caring for and Managing Birds

Explanation should include

- components of a wellness check
- a list of the signs, treatments, and prevention of the most common diseases and ailments of pet birds
- methods for providing environmental enrichment.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What special care should be taken when choosing, placing, and equipping a cage for a parrot? A canary?
- How can parrots, mynah birds, cockatiels, and other so-called "talking birds" be trained to talk?
- What are the most common parasites and diseases associated with pet birds? How can these be prevented? How are they treated?
- What zoonotic diseases are carried by birds? What practices should be implemented when handling birds to prevent or reduce infection?
- What nutritional problems can occur in birds? What are the symptoms and treatments?
- What can be done to alleviate problems posed by overgrown claws? By feather plucking?
- Why is it important to trim a bird's claws and beak?
- How can careful observation of fecal material provide insight into a bird’s state of health?
- How is a bird’s weight measured?