When we think of nutrition, we typically picture diet, whilst diet is a very important factor in avian health, this type of nutrition is not gained from eating food items. The concept of ‘cognitive nutrition’ in this case means feeding a Bird’s mind & sensory systems through engaging, positive, varied & life enhancing stimuli.
When a Bird is under stimulated mentally, or their sensory systems don’t receive the correct input, the Bird then becomes malnourished, rather than lacking nutrients they lack sensory input & mental stimulation. This ‘cognitive malnutrition’ is a condition I see very often in my rescue flock members when they come to me. There are a set of symptoms that I observe regularly in these Birds, some of which are listed here:
SYMPTOMS OF PSYCOLOGICAL MALNUTRITION
- Withdrawn
- Feather destructive behavior (FDB)
- Poor social skills with humans &/or conspecifics
- Lethargic/depressed
- Anxiety
- Shyness
- Stereotypic behavior
- Neophobia & much more.
SYMPTOMS OF SENSORY MALNUTRITION
- Nervous
- Jumpy
- Angry
- Over reaction to sensory stimuli (e.g. wind on feathers)
- Fear of swings
- Feather destructive behavior (FDB)
- Fear of flight
- Extreme caution when taking a step, climbing etc.
- Extreme reactions to certain food textures & much more.
I have Birds who suffer with both deprived cognition & sensory systems, but also Birds who suffer from just 1 of the above categories. All my flock, from the tiniest Finch to the largest Parrot are on a cognitive nutrition program, regardless of their background & weather they have suffered deprivation in these areas before. Those who have suffered sensory or cognitive malnutrition are introduced to the programme in a very careful controlled way tailored to the individual to help them through their particular needs & challenges. I strive for all my angels to be cognitively nourished & for them to reach their full potential. My Finches receive the exact same level of care, attention & stimulation as the larger angels because they are just as intelligent. I vow to always honor the space in which each Bird exists & allow them to feel truly seen, nurtured & encouraged to achieve the unimaginable. Below are some examples of the way I offer both sensory & psychological nutrition.
PSYCOLOGICAL NUTRITION
- Exposure to different languages & the chance to enjoy the variation of spoken word from different parts of the world
- Exposure to different types of music (not just within the caregiver’s taste range) Birds are encouraged to form their own tastes, relationships with music & expressions of joy
- Enrichment & foraging activities that work on natural puzzle solving & discovery
- My flock are spoken to all the time, they are included in everyday conversation, asked for their opinions & given the chance to express their feelings. Each Bird also has access to at least 1 other Bird of the same species, communication with conspecifics is essential as well.
- Connection, my flock are not stuck in the corner & told to shut up when the TV is on. They are the center of attention & every attempt to connect or verbally express themselves is met with encouragement, love & understanding.
- Novelty, enrichment activities are always new creations to bring novelty into the environment in a non- threatening way. New Bird safe textures & materials engage inquisitive minds & inspire them to think & problem solve.
SENSORY NUTRITION
- Natural branches of different shapes, sizes & widths to constantly work on their muscle tone & sense of balance without them even noticing it
- Swings, swinging perches & moving toys
- Sensory experiences such as gentle breeze on feathers during warm summer days
- Natural sunlight to allow full vision
- Different Bird safe natural textures such as pebbles, Bird sand or shredded paper to give sensory input
- Exercise, including flight for Birds who can fly. Climbing, swinging, pulling & flying help to integrate a Bird’s sensory systems & help them know where they are in space by giving adequate proprioceptive input
- Natural branches with bark to strip, peel & chew, a deep-rooted natural instinct that offers vital sensory input, tones muscles & keeps beaks trim
- Natural non- toxic browse, seeding grass, buds, flowers & branches that engage & stimulate senses whilst utilizing natural foraging abilities & preventing boredom. Experiencing an activity with so much of the mind & body is a wonderful aid in redirecting behavior cycles such as stereotypic behavior, boredom related problem behaviors & feather destructive behavior.
This is only a brief window into cognitive nutrition & the elements of a cognitive nutrition programme. I have seen cognitive nutrition activities transform Birds’ lives & allow a new found confidence to blossom when there was once thought to be no hope left. It may not be the entire answer, but it’s certainly an ingredient in the lives of happy, healthy & thriving Birds.
No matter what background a Bird has, weather they are old or young, big or small, tame or shy, sick or well, disabled or able bodied, there is something in cognitive & sensory nutrition for everyone. That is about it for this article, thank you for reading so far. There is just 1 question left to ask,
What have you done today to make sure your Bird’s sensory system & cognition has been nourished?