old age in finches

[kathmcm]

I ran across an article in a journal about the study of aging in birds. It states:

"as they age birds contract a broad
variety of cancers and are subject to diabetes, arthritis, cataracts,
and congestive heart failure, and some species are even
prone to atherosclerosis"

So, while it is true that our finches are subject to accidents, stress, infections, etc, sometimes it is just natural causes in the end.

I couldn't attach the pdf but if anyone is interested PM me.

[cindy]

Thank you, I p'md you. As with dogs and cats our little feathered companions can have complications as they get older, especially the larger birds. The information will be helpful especially as our birds age, we can look for signs of possible issues.

[kathmcm]

Hi, I sent the article to you. It is actually more about aging research in zebra finches and other birds, rather than bird care.

There is also very interesting research on learning being done with zebra finches. Finches have REM sleep and it is believed that they practice new songs in their dreams, and that that is how they develop new and more complicated songs.

I've noticed my GS pair sleep very soundly - if I have to go in their room after the lights have been out for a few hours they stay with their heads tucked even if I turn on the lights and walk up to their flight. Normally they'd start flitting about.

If there is interest in the subject I'll followup sometime about finch sleep research.

[cindy]

I noticed when going through articles and papers the zebra finch is usued in quiet a bit of research. They are an interesting little bird.

My Green singers are very quiet during lights out. My Zebras seem to sitr a bit during the night, I can hear them a little from time to time right around 4, they quiet down until light on or the sun is up (which means we slept in)

Thank you for the article....it will make good reading.