Interested in avian nutrition? Here are some resources to get you started.
AZA Animal Care Manuals
The latest science based information about caring for these species in captive situations
Husbandry Manuals
Older guides that are currently being replaced by AZA Animal Care Manuals
Articles by topic (mostly from our conference proceedings):
Reproduction, hand-rearing, and general information on young, growing birds:
- Development of hand-rearing techniques for Roseate Spoonbills, Ajaia ajaja, at the Fort Worth Zoo
- Growth rates and nutrient intake of hand-rearing pink-backed pelicans (Pelecanus rufescens) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Growth curves and their implications in hand-rearing monk parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)
- Columbiform crop milk and crop milk replacer
- Comparative crop milk composition in grantivorous and frugivorous Columbidae
- Nutritional evaluation of a hand-rearing protocol for the San Clemente Island Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus mearnsi
- Are super dose concentrations of vitamin E really necessary for reproduction in birds?
- Effect of nutrition on the reproductive fitness of the endangered Attwater’s Prairie Chicken
Supplements –
Publications pertaining to avian vitamin and mineral nutrition
- Are super dose concentrations of vitamin E really necessary for reproduction in birds?
- FEED-RELATED HYPERVITAMINOSIS D IN A CAPTIVE FLOCK OF BUDGERIGARS (MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATAS): MORBIDITY, MORTALITIES AND PATHOLOGIC LESIONS
- Case report: enhancing the vitamin E status and coloration of a Southern lanner falcon (Falco biarmicus biarmicus)
- A retrospective study evaluating vitamin E supplementation in pelicans and plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in pelicans, storks, and flamingos
- Testing a vitamin supplement paste in Jackass Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)
- Analysis of nectar replacement products and a case of iron toxicosis in hummingbirds
- Plasma electrolyte concentration for African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and their relationship to habitat type and salt supplementation
- Dietary treatment of iron storage disease in captive birds of paradise (Paradisaea raggiana)
Research and diets for specific species or types of birds:
- Nutrient composition and dietary intake of captive horned guans (Oreophasis derbianus)
- Intake study of the lesser green broadbill (Calyptomena viridis) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Hornbill diets at San Diego Zoo Global: a review
- Obesity, weight management and dietary analysis in Micronesian kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina)
- Nutrition utilization by and diet preference of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) when offered diets of channel catfish and (or) grass carp
- Age Changes in Digestibility of Nutrients in Ostriches
- Voluntary intake by Hyacinth Macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus)
- The formulation of an artificial diet for captive kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)
- Kori bustard nutrition and dietary husbandry
- Energy metabolizability and nutrient digestibility in the magpie (Pica pica)
- Comparative protein requirements of three species of parrots with distinct dietary specializations
- Training, enrichment and sound animal nutrition can coexist the development of a multifaceted bird feeding program at the Philadelphia Zoo
- Modifying avian feeding strategies to provide foraging opportunity, allow for contrafreeloading and improve the health of collection birds
Other research or information that may be of interest:
- Energetics and food needs of free-ranging wild mammals, birds, and reptiles
- Differences in gut microflora between captive and wild birds: Are we getting the captive balance right?
- Feeding captive piscivorous animals: nutritional aspects of fish as food.
- Evaluating a Submersible Diet for Ducks and Other Species
- Feeding captive insectivorous animals: nutritional aspects of insects as food
- CD-ROM teaching unit on the digestive system of vertebrates
- Skepticism and Science: Responsibilities of the Comparative Nutritionist