A study of free-ranging adult cockatoos that were studied for the annual Australian culling procedures were studied for normal heart parameters in order to reference future captive studies.1 Eighty-four birds were evaluated. Only a single bird had the heart and blood vessel changes seen in 98% of captive cockatoos sent to necropsy. The study of these birds was performed in Germany where almost 100% of the birds are fed seed diets. It was surmised that the bird with atherosclerosis was most likely a captive bird that had escaped.
In this reviewer’s opinion there are several important points for captive birds:
1. Do not feed captive birds a seed diet.
2. Supply captive birds with more exercise.
3. Supply captive birds with more natural sunlight.
Michael Stanford2 found in studies funded by HBD that African grey parrots fed seeds had elevated LDL cholesterol levels, which improved when the diet was changed to Harrison’s Bird Foods. The birds in the cockatoo study had an elevated LDL:HDL ratio.
1. Pees M, et al: Examination on heart size in healthy free-living cockatoos. Proc Euro Assoc Avian Vet, 2009, p 17.
2. Stanford M: Significance of cholesterol assays in the investigation of hepatic lipidosis and atherosclerosis in psittacines. Exotic DVM 7(3):28-34, 2005.
