Effects of Fluorescent Lighting Versus Sunlight Exposure on Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Feather Destructive Behavior in Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis)

Low exposure to ultraviolet light, and resulting vitamin D deficiency, has recently been linked to autism spectrum disorder in people. Captive psittacine birds that exhibit feather destructive behavior share similarities with people affected by autism spectrum disorder, such as repetitive (stereotyp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of avian medicine and surgery 2019-09, Vol.33 (3), p.235-244
Main Authors: West, Jennifer A, Tully, Thomas N, Nevarez, Javier G, Stout, Rhett W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amazona
Amazona ventralis
Analysis
Animal husbandry
Animals
Anopheles
Autism
avian
avian vitamin D
Behavior
Behavior, Animal
Calcium - blood
feather destructive behavior
Feathers
Hispaniolan Amazon parrot
Lighting
ORIGINAL STUDIES
Original Study
Parrots
Pets
Sunlight
Ultraviolet radiation
UVB light
Vitamin D
Vitamin D - blood
Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamins
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Summary:Low exposure to ultraviolet light, and resulting vitamin D deficiency, has recently been linked to autism spectrum disorder in people. Captive psittacine birds that exhibit feather destructive behavior share similarities with people affected by autism spectrum disorder, such as repetitive (stereotypies) and self-harming behaviors. The metabolic and psychological effects of housing pet parrots indoors without ultraviolet B lighting are not typically considered in animal husbandry or veterinary care. Calcifediol (serum vitamin D), ionized calcium, and ionized magnesium levels were compared between 10 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) housed indoors and 10 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots historically housed outdoors. Although ionized calcium and magnesium levels were not significantly different, calcifediol levels were significantly greater in the colony of birds housed outdoors. Further, these 2 research colonies of individually housed birds were feather scored. Subjectively, the birds that were housed indoors had greater self-inflicted feather damage than did those housed outdoors; however, the difference was not statistically significant.
ISSN:1082-6742
1938-2871
DOI:10.1647/2018-378