Birds need activities to keep them entertained during avian flu lockdowns, according to a study published in the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
A team of researchers from the University of Exeter, UK, studied a flock of Chilean flamingos kept indoors at Banham Zoo in Norfolk, UK, due to a government order to stop the spread of bird flu. Flamingos were forced to be inactive during the lockdown period and displayed some unusual behavior.
“This project started because keepers noticed the birds performing an unusual behaviour – dropping their heads as if filter-feeding when they weren’t in the water,” said Dr Paul Rose, from the University of Exeter. “Chilean flamingos perform this sweeping action to filter-feed in water, and they had access to a pool while kept indoors, but for some reason, they were making this motion on dry land. We can’t say exactly why they did this, but it shows that birds need a variety of foraging and bathing opportunities to allow them to perform their natural behaviours.”
Animals continued exhibiting this strange feeding behavior for a while, even when they were finally allowed outside again, suggesting that it takes time for natural behavior to return. The authors suggested that unusual behavior developed because the animals were constantly on high alert due to the proximity of humans. As the flock was kept inside, keepers had to be closer than normal to feed and care for the flamingos.
Curiously, the authors were surprised that plumage conditions improved when flamingos were inactive. This is likely to be explained by the fact that birds experienced less disturbance during lockdown, and their feathers were less ruffled.
“Our study shows the difficulty of trying to decipher animal wellbeing just by observing their behaviour. To assess birds’ welfare, it’s better to consider a range of information – including social behaviour, resting and plumage condition,” added Dr Rose. “Lockdowns prevent the spread of disease, but birds also have behavioural requirements. Know your animal. They are hard-wired to do certain things, so you should try to provide opportunities – whether that means roosting, feeding in certain ways, or whatever else they do.”
Collard, T.; Rose, P. Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order. J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5, 416-433. https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5030028