![]() ![]() At 5 ½ inches, it is quite large for a hummer. Of these, the sparkling violet-eared hummingbird ( Colibri coruscans) is perhaps the best known. Although none can be classified as simple to maintain, several species are well-established in private collections. Not surprisingly, serious aviculturists have long sought to keep these unique, brilliantly colored birds in captivity. Needing to consume at least half their weight in food each day, hummingbirds are always hungry and readily fed from nectar tubes that I held out to them. Anna’s hummingbirds were remarkable in this regard – approaching to within in a few inches of my face when I entered their exhibit, and very carefully travelling up and down my body from head to feet. With the ability to speed forward and backwards on wings that beat up to 78 times per second, hummingbirds seem to “know” that nothing can catch them. While captives do have very specific requirements, I soon found out that these dynamos were surprisingly hardy. When I began working with hummingbirds in zoos, I was quite fearful that I would not be up to the task of caring for such obviously delicate little birds. While most birders are aware that they can be lured to special feeders, it is less well-known that there is also great interest in keeping hummingbirds in captivity. Hummingbirds have provided some of my most memorable bird-watching and bird-keeping experiences. Image referenced from Wikipedia and orignally posted by snowmanradio. To learn more, please see my article Choosing the Proper Perches for Pet Birds. Perch selection is not quite as simple as it may first appear. This varies greatly among different types of birds – please bear in mind that the perches provided with a cage may not be suitable (in terms of width and composition) for the species you intend to house there. Prevention is simple – you must research the particular perching or substrate needs of each species that you keep. Eventually, the bacterial infection may spread to the bone, at which point amputation may be the only recourse.Īs afflicted birds may not limp or otherwise evidence discomfort for some time, it is important that you check your pets’ feet regularly, especially if they are house in small cages with a limited variety of perches. If left untreated, abscesses develop and opportunistic bacteria take hold. It is only when birds are forced to perch or walk upon certain substrates that the condition becomes common.īumblefoot first manifests itself as redness or swelling on the bottom of the feet. I have rarely if ever come across bumblefoot among wild birds or those housed in huge zoo exhibits with a variety of perches. However, inappropriate perches or, in the case of quail, waterfowl, pheasants and other ground-dwellers, rough substrates, are the usual culprits. In actuality, however, it is a very specific medical condition that strikes the underside (or plantar surface) of the foot.Ī number of factors, including poor nutrition and trauma, may contribute to the development of bumblefoot. The term “bumblefoot” is often applied to a variety of un-related ailments. ![]()
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