ADVANCES IN OUT UNDERSTANDING OF THE NUTRITION OF PET BIRDS

Pet birds are widely kept as companion animals throughout the world. N utritional deficiencies are the most common cause of disease primarily due to a lack of understanding on the part of pet bird owners of thei r nutritional needs. In this paper we review the known information on the nutritional requirements of the different species of companion bir ds particularly in relation to those nutrients that are most commonly observed as the cause of deficiencies. In addition we discuss the prob lems that can occur in extrapolating data from poultry studies due to different objectives in maintaining pet birds. In conclusion it is cle ar that further work on the needs of these particular species are need ed but it is encouraging to see the expansion of research effort in th is area in more recent years.