Influência da alimentação no bem-estar de papagaios (Amazona aestiva Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves, Psittacidae) em gaiolas.

Abstract

Behavioral problems are very common in parrots kept as pets due to stress caused by malnutrition and the deprivation of natural behaviors such as foraging. The aim of this study was to verify if varied and balanced diet, with or without foraging enrichment, provides an improvement in the welfare of Turquoise - fronted parrot ( Amazona aestiva ) in cages, which have abnormal behaviors resulting from chronic stress. Sixteen adult parrots presented with at least one abnormal behavior were used. The parrots were kept in individual cages and were subjected to three experimental diets , with five weeks each: A, poor diet, and offering unbalanced sunflower seed basis; B, varied an d balanced diet based on extruded feed, fruits and vegetables; and C, balanced and varied diet associated with foraging enrichment. Behavioral observations during four hours were held twice a week, recording the time spent with each activity. Data were ana lyzed for normality test by D'Agostino. The percentage of time spent on each category of behavior was compared by variance analysis and post hoc Tukey ( a = 0.01) for parametric data, and the Kruskal - Wallis test and post hoc Dunn ( a = 0.05) for non - parametr ic data. A significant reduction of abno rmal behavior was observed from Diet A to Diet B and C, from 34.08% to 18.53% and 9.87%, respectively; and significant increase in foraging behaviors (A - 26.41%, B - 37.44%, C - 42.9%) and locomotory behaviors (A - 1.61 %, B - 3.00%; C - 4.36%) in Diet B and C compared to Diet A. The time spent on the maintenance behavior, vocalization and "others" showed no significant difference among the three diets . It was concluded that a balanced and varied diet, regardless of the use of foraging enrichment, is effective to reduce abnormal behaviors in parrots kept in cages. This diet, when associated with foraging enrichment, promotes improved even more significant.