Budgerigars Melopsittacus Research Articles

Evaluation of dexmedetomidine-midazolam sedation in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).

To evaluate the sedative effects of IM administration of a high or low dose of dexmedetomidine in combination with midazolam in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). 20 healthy adult budgerigars. In a prospective, randomized, blinded study, birds were sedated with a high dose (HD; 0.04 mg/kg, IM; n = 10) or low dose (LD; 0.01 mg/kg, IM; 10) of dexmedetomidine in combination with midazolam (3 mg/kg, IM). Twenty minutes later, atipamezole (0.4 mg/kg [HD group] or 0.1 mg/kg [LD group], IM) and flumazenil (0.1 mg/kg, IM) were administered for reversal of sedation. Times to first effect and to sternal recumbency after administration of the sedatives and times to standing and eating after administration of the antagonists did not differ between groups. Most birds (9/10 in the HD group and 7/10 in the LD group) lost the righting response by 10 minutes after sedative administration, and the peak effect for radiographic positioning was by 15 minutes. Although it was not clinically relevant, most birds showed mild resedation by 60 minutes after administration of the reversal agents. There was no significant cardiorespiratory compromise detected with either protocol. Dexmedetomidine-midazolam can safely and effectively provide a dose-dependent level of sedation in healthy budgerigars. The HD protocol is recommended for radiographic positioning, as it allows for a more reliable, deeper plane of sedation.

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) perceive the Müller-Lyer illusion.

A Müller-Lyer figure consists only of a line and arrowheads located at both ends of the line. Many comparative studies have reported that animals perceive Müller-Lyer illusion as humans, but few have used appropriate experimental designs to verify whether animal subjects actually respond to line length alone. The present study investigated whether budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) can perceive the Müller-Lyer illusion by using a method that addresses this problem. Four budgerigars were trained to select a long or short line (counterbalanced across subjects) from two horizontal lines. Next, the same task was conducted using two lines, one of which was situated between arrowheads pointing either right (>>) or left (<<). In the final training phase, the arrowheads were replaced with those pointing inward (><) or outward (<>). The performance of each subject toward each stimulus set of these trainings suggested that they did not determine the length of the line by including the arrowheads. In the test phase, response tendencies to the four figures were compared. Results suggested that budgerigars perceive the Müller-Lyer illusion in the same direction as humans; however, its magnitude is larger than that of humans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of Sperm Viability and Computer-Assisted Motility Analysis in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): Effect of Several In Vitro Processing Conditions.

In order to preserve endangered psittacine species, more basic and applied research in reproductive biology is required. Assisted reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination play an important role in parrots species conservation programs to overcome the problem of infertile eggs and male infertility. The aim of this study was to define an effective in vitro protocol in order to standardize the sperm quality evaluation in psittacines, studying Melopsittacus undulatus as model species. Semen was collected from twenty adult males by massage technique from May to June. Sperm concentration was measured by the spectrophotometric method. Sperm quality (sperm membrane integrity (SMI), motility, and kinetic parameters) was assessed on fresh semen. Three different experimental protocols were performed to compare the effects of various processing conditions on SMI, motility, and kinetic parameters. In protocol 1, test was performed by Lake extender with three different pH, 7.4 versus 8.2 versus 8.4, and two different equilibration temperatures after dilution of fresh semen (4°C versus 25°C). In protocol 2, two dilution rates of semen after collection were valuated, 1 : 3 versus 1 : 4, as well as three different semen storage temperatures (4°C versus 25°C versus 38°C) before sperm motility analysis with the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). In protocol 3, two different Makler chamber temperatures (38 versus 41°C) during motility analysis were tested. A significant progressive improvement in spermatozoa motility and kinetic parameters was registered with pH 8.4. Progressive motility and all kinetic parameters were higher at 4°C equilibration temperature. Straightness (STR) kinetic parameter was better with 1 : 4 dilution rate. Total motile sperm was higher in 41°C Makler chamber. In this study, for the first time, the effects of different processing protocols on psittacines seminal quality analysis were investigated. Significant differences conditioning the effectiveness of analysis protocols have been described.

Switching costs in stochastic environments drive the emergence of matching behaviour in animal decision-making through the promotion of reward learning strategies

A principle of choice in animal decision-making named probability matching (PM) has long been detected in animals, and can arise from different decision-making strategies. Little is known about how environmental stochasticity may influence the switching time of these different decision-making strategies. Here we address this problem using a combination of behavioral and theoretical approaches, and show, that although a simple Win-Stay-Loss-Shift (WSLS) strategy can generate PM in binary-choice tasks theoretically, budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates) actually apply a range of sub-tactics more often when they are expected to make more accurate decisions. Surprisingly, budgerigars did not get more rewards than would be predicted when adopting a WSLS strategy, and their decisions also exhibited PM. Instead, budgerigars followed a learning strategy based on reward history, which potentially benefits individuals indirectly from paying lower switching costs. Furthermore, our data suggest that more stochastic environments may promote reward learning through significantly less switching. We suggest that switching costs driven by the stochasticity of an environmental niche can potentially represent an important selection pressure associated with decision-making that may play a key role in driving the evolution of complex cognition in animals.

Brain Ependymoma in an African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus).

A 14-year-old unsexed African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) was presented with a 12-hour history of neurological signs and vomiting. The external physical examination of the patient revealed lethargy, moderate hypothermia, a head tilt, and horizontal nystagmus. Whole-body radiographic imaging and blood biochemistry parameters were unremarkable, and a serological test to detect bornavirus was negative. A computed tomography scan of the bird revealed a large cystic lesion located on the fourth ventricle of the brain. In spite of treatment (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic and antiparasitic therapy), the parrot's health continued to decline, and it was euthanatized 12 days after presentation. A complete postmortem examination was performed on the patient's brain. Histopathological interpretation of tissues submitted described a large neoformation composed of cells arranged in perivascular pseudorosettes. Hyperchromatic nuclei and marked anisokaryosis were suggestive of a malignant tumor. The tissue mass was associated with significant dilation of the fourth ventricle and a severe peripheral gliosis. The histopathological diagnosis of the neoformation was an ependymoma. Ependymomas are glial tumors of the ependymal cells that line the central canal and the ventricles of the brain and are rarely described in mammals. In birds, ependymomas were only described in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus). In human medicine, the recommended treatment is surgical removal of the tumor when possible, followed by radiotherapy.

Comparison of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid proteomes identifies gene products guiding adult neurogenesis and neural differentiation in birds

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins regulate neurogenesis, brain homeostasis and participate in signalling during neuroinflammation. Even though birds represent valuable models for constitutive adult neurogenesis, current proteomic studies of the avian CSF are limited to chicken embryos. Here we use liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) to explore the proteomic composition of CSF and plasma in adult chickens (Gallus gallus) and evolutionarily derived parrots: budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) and cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). Because cockatiel lacks a complete genome information, we compared the cross-species protein identifications using the reference proteomes of three model avian species: chicken, budgerigar and zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and found the highest identification rates when mapping against the phylogenetically closest species, the budgerigar. In total, we identified 483, 641 and 458 unique proteins consistently represented in the CSF and plasma of all chicken, budgerigar and cockatiel conspecifics, respectively. Comparative pathways analyses of CSF and blood plasma then indicated clusters of proteins involved in neurogenesis, neural development and neural differentiation overrepresented in CSF in each species. This study provides the first insight into the proteomics of adult avian CSF and plasma and brings novel evidence supporting the adult neurogenesis in birds.

Memory-specific correlated neuronal activity in higher-order auditory regions of a parrot

Male budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are open-ended learners that can learn to produce new vocalisations as adults. We investigated neuronal activation in male budgerigars using the expression of the protein products of the immediate early genes zenk and c-fos in response to exposure to conspecific contact calls (CCs: that of the mate or an unfamiliar female) in three subregions (CMM, dNCM and vNCM) of the caudomedial pallium, a higher order auditory region. Significant positive correlations of Zenk expression were found between these subregions after exposure to mate CCs. In contrast, exposure to CCs of unfamiliar females produced no such correlations. These results suggest the presence of a CC-specific association among the subregions involved in auditory memory. The caudomedial pallium of the male budgerigar may have functional subdivisions that cooperate in the neuronal representation of auditory memory.

Вікова динаміка анатомічних показників шлунку і кишечнику хвилястого папуги (Melopsittacus undulatus)

The object of research was the morphofunctional organization of the stomach and intestinal of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) in the postnatal period of ontogenesis. The aim of the work was to determine the age topography and anatomical structure characteristics of the stomach and intestines from the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). The material for morphological studies was selected from budgerigars of 9 groups: 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, 21-day-old, 1-, 2-, 6-month-old and 1-year-old (n = 5). The absolute bodyweight of parrots and their organs was determined using a ВЛКТ-500 balance and a «Techniprot Waga Torsyjna-WT 500» torsion balance. Linear indicators of organs were determined using a ruler (GOST 17485-72) and a calliper (GOST 166-89). According to the research results, it was found that the increase in body weight of parrots during the first year of life was uneven. In the first month, it was increased by 15.3 times, in the second month – by 1.1 times. During the first month, it was increased most intensively in the first week. Parrots reached the mass of an adult bird at the age of 2 months. During the first year of life, the greatest body weight was established at the age of 6 months, and the greatest absolute weight, linear indicators of the glandular and muscular parts of the stomach, as well as the intestines – at the age of 21 days. The glandular stomach of the budgerigar reached the highest relative weight indicators at the age of 3 days, and the muscular part of the stomach and intestines – at the age of 7 days. The length of the intestine increased most intensively in the first week of life. During the first year of life, the relative length of the budgerigars small intestine gradually decreased. The greatest indicators of the duodenal absolute length were established at the age of 60 days, lean – 60 days, ileum – 21 days. The greatest indicators of the duodenal relative length were established at the age of 30 days, jejunum – 7 days, ileum – 14 and 21 days. High linear indices, as well as indices of the stomach and intestines mass of budgerigars, indicated their key importance in providing the body with nutrients and biologically active substances during intensive growth.

Is consonance attractive to budgerigars? No evidence from a place preference study

Consonant tone combinations occur naturally in the overtone series of harmonic sounds. These include sounds that many non-human animals produce to communicate. As such, non-human animals may be attracted to consonant intervals, interpreting them, e.g., as a feature of important social stimuli. There is preliminary evidence of attraction to consonance in various bird species in the wild, but few experimental studies with birds. We tested budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) for attraction to consonant over dissonant intervals in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we tested humans and budgerigars using a place preference paradigm in which individuals could explore an environment with multiple sound sources. Both species were tested with consonant and dissonant versions of a previously studied piano melody, and we recorded time spent with each stimulus as a measure of attraction. Human females spent more time with consonant than dissonant stimuli in this experiment, but human males spent equal time with both consonant and dissonant stimuli. Neither male nor female budgerigars spent more time with either stimulus type. In Experiment 2, we tested budgerigars with more ecologically relevant stimuli comprised of sampled budgerigar vocalizations arranged into consonant or dissonant chords. These stimuli, however, also failed to produce any evidence of preference in budgerigar responses. We discuss these results in the context of ongoing research on the study of consonance as a potential general feature of auditory perception in animals with harmonic vocalizations, with respect to similarities and differences between human and budgerigar vocal behaviour, and future methodological directions.

Budgerigars adopt robust, but idiosyncratic flight paths

We have investigated the paths taken by Budgerigars while flying in a tunnel. The flight trajectories of nine Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) were reconstructed in 3D from high speed stereo videography of their flights in an obstacle-free tunnel. Individual birds displayed highly idiosyncratic flight trajectories that were consistent from flight to flight over the course of several months. We then investigated the robustness of each bird’s trajectory by interposing a disk-shaped obstacle in its preferred flight path. We found that each bird continued to fly along its preferred trajectory up to a point very close to the obstacle before veering over the obstacle rapidly, making a minimal deviation to avoid a collision, and subsequently returning to its original path. Thus, Budgerigars show a high propensity to stick to their individual, preferred flight paths even when confronted with a clearly visible obstacle, and do not adopt a substantially different, unobstructed route. The robust preference for idiosyncratic flight paths, and the tendency to pass obstacles by flying above them, provide new insights into the strategies that underpin obstacle avoidance in birds. We believe that this is the first carefully controlled study of the behaviour of birds in response to a newly introduced obstacle in their flight path. The insights from the study could also have implications for conservation efforts to mitigate collisions of birds with man-made obstacles.

Multicentric intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus): a case report

Cholangiocarcinoma or intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of biliary epithelium which occurs mainly in wild animals rather than domestic ones. An adult 4-year-old male budgerigar was referred with symptoms of lethargy, decreased activity, and vomiting with undigested food in feces. Supportive care was tried for 3 months, but the bird did not show any signs of recovery and was finally euthanized. Necropsy revealed hepatomegaly in one lobe of the liver while the other lobe was dwindled. The remaining large lobe had a multinodular appearance with white to gray, non-umbilicated foci ranging from 2 mm to 3 cm in diameter which was scattered throughout the parenchyma. The histopathological examination revealed multiple foci or masses of less differentiated cholangiocellular carcinoma. The large tumor masses had tubular, acinar, and solid arrangements with a center of necrosis. The masses were composed of neoplastic cells of biliary epithelium similar to the normal cuboidal ductal lining cells with moderate eosinophilic cytoplasm and round to oval vesicular nuclei. Multinuclear tumor giant cells were not seen; however, karyomegaly was rarely observed and infrequently in some foci. Based on histopathological characteristics, multicentric intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma was confirmed. It seems that the probable cause of the tumor in this bird was chronic exposure to toxins such as aflatoxins.

MiRNAome expression profiles in the gonads of adult Melopsittacus undulatus.

The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is one of the most widely studied parrot species, serving as an excellent animal model for behavior and neuroscience research. Until recently, it was unknown how sexual differences in the behavior, physiology, and development of organisms are regulated by differential gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous short non-coding RNA molecules that can post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and play a critical role in gonadal differentiation as well as early development of animals. However, very little is known about the role gonadal miRNAs play in the early development of birds. Research on the sex-biased expression of miRNAs in avian gonads are limited, and little is known about M. undulatus. In the current study, we sequenced two small non-coding RNA libraries made from the gonads of adult male and female budgerigars using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology. We obtained 254 known and 141 novel miRNAs, and randomly validated five miRNAs. Of these, three miRNAs were differentially expressed miRNAs and 18 miRNAs involved in sexual differentiation as determined by functional analysis with GO annotation and KEGG pathway analysis. In conclusion, this work is the first report of sex-biased miRNAs expression in the budgerigar, and provides additional sequences to the avian miRNAome database which will foster further functional genomic research.

Lateral asymmetry in the freely occurring behaviour of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and its relation to cognitive performance

ABSTRACTHemispheric laterality and its provision of potential fitness advantages to aves is a widespread topic of research in budgerigars and other parrot species [e.g., Magat, M. & Brown, C. (2009). Laterality enhances cognition in Australian parrots. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 276, 4155–4162]. In the current study, lateral preferences were tracked for 11 captive-reared budgerigars that subsequently underwent 2 cognitive problem-solving tests: a tool-use problem and a dig-discrimination task. Two significant individual-level lateral preferences (a leftward unipedal support preference and a rightward preening side preference) and 1 significant population-level preference (a right-side preening preference) were obtained. Lateral preening side preference indices for individual subjects correlated with various measures of performance on the dig task, such that right-side preening preferences and stronger lateral preferences irrespective of direction were associated with enhanced dig task performance. The data generally support the idea that laterality in aves serves as a good predictor of increased cognitive capability, while also offering new evidence for population-level lateral preferences in the species.

Occurrence of Ornithonyssus sylviarum in pet birds from the district of Setúbal, Portugal.

Ornithonyssus sylviarum is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of birds and the most serious pest in poultry farms in North America. Although the mites are typically adapted to temperate climates, information on this mite in Europe is sparse, and Dermanyssus gallinae is considered to be the only mite impacting the poultry industry. The present study reports the occurrence of O. sylviarum in pet birds in Portugal. Mites were collected directly from birds and with traps placed in cages and nests at 20 different sampling places belonging to 6 municipalities in the district of Setúbal. In a total of 217 birds, O. sylviarum was identified in 47 out of 147 (32.0%) canaries (Serinus canaria), 14 out of 21 (14.3%) estrildid finches, 1 out of 24 (4.2%) budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and 1 out of 15 (6.7%) lovebirds (Agapornis spp.). Mites of the genus Dermanyssus were identified in 8 canaries (5.4%), 8 estrildid finches (38.1%) and 1 lovebird (6.7%). No mites were found in 6 cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), 2 African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), 1 Bourke's parrot (Neophema bourkii) and 1 rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri). Considering the zoonotic potential and the risk of dissemination to poultry, the present findings underline the need for further monitoring of O. sylviarum in the wild and domestic avifauna in Portugal.

Primary poisoning risk for encapsulated sodium nitrite, a new tool for pest control

ABSTRACTAcute toxicity of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) was assessed in chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and domestic mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) by oral gavage and in free-feeding trials with chickens, domestic mallard ducks, pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica), budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates) and wētā (Family: Rhaphidophoridae). Free-feeding trials involved the presentation of toxic paste and pellet baits containing encapsulated NaNO2 developed for the control of common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) and feral pigs (Sus scrofa). The oral gavage LD50 value for NaNO2 in solution was approximately 68.50 mg/kg (95% CI 55.00–80.00 mg/kg) for both chickens and ducks. In feeding trials, six out of 12 chickens consumed toxic paste bait and four of these birds consumed a lethal dose. When chickens consumed toxic paste bait, the LD50 value was approximately 254.6 mg/kg (95% CI 249.1–260.2 mg/kg). Of the other three species of birds presented with toxic baits only one duck consumed a lethal dose of paste bait. There was no evidence of wētā feeding on toxic baits.

Prevalence and Genotyping of Cryptosporidium Infection in Pet Parrots in North China.

Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Cryptosporidium spp., sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in humans and animals. In the present study, 311 parrots, belonging to four species, namely, Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria), and Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), from Beijing and Weifang cities, were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Blood samples of each bird were examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal samples were examined by Sheather's sugar flotation technique. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection were 3.22% (10/311) and 0.64% (2/311) by ELISA and Sheather's sugar flotation technique, respectively. Seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in different breeds varied from 0 to 15.39%. Sequencing analysis showed that both positive samples from fecal samples belonged to Cryptosporidium avian genotype V. This is the first report of Cryptosporidium avian genotype V in Budgerigars. The results of the present study provided foundation-data for prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis in pet birds in China.

Investigation and control of an attaching and effacing Escherichia coli outbreak in a colony of captive budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus).

An increase in mortality in a captive flock of budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) coincided with the isolation of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli from postmortem samples. Common histologic lesions included hepatitis, enteritis, and in one case attaching and effacing lesions along the intestinal tract. Retrospective review of necropsy records and increased sampling led to the identification of several cases of E. coli with the attaching and effacing (eae) virulence gene. Factors such as environment, nutrition, and concomitant pathogens were thought to contribute to mortality in the flock. Although it is not clear whether E. coli was a primary pathogen during the period of increased mortality, the presence of the eae gene combined with associated histologic lesions supports the conclusion that this organism was a significant contributor to mortality. Manipulation of diet, environment, and the addition of probiotic supplementation resulted in a decline in mortality rate and decreased shedding of E. coli based on negative follow-up cultures of intestines, liver, and feces.

A case of cutaneous angiolipoleiomyoma (angiomyolipoma) in a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

We report a case of cutaneous angiolipoleiomyoma (angiomyolipoma) found on the anterior wall of the ventral part of the abdomen of a three-year-old female budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). Histologic examination of the well-circumscribed, surgically removed tumour (1.5 cm in diameter) showed a benign admixed proliferation of blood vessels of different size, smooth muscle bundles, and mature adipose tissue, without evidence of malignancy. Endothelial cells of the haemangioma component were positive for claudin-5 endothelium-specific immunohistochemical marker, and the leiomyoma component was positive for α-smooth muscle actin. The differentiated lipocytes showed S-100 protein positivity. The Ki-67 labelling index was 2 to 3%. The mesenchymal tumour was negative for HMB45 melanocytic immunhistochemical marker. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a cutaneous angiolipoleiomyoma in a budgerigar with histological and immunohistochemical analyses.

Temporal coherence in Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Auditory scene analysis has been suggested as a universal process that exists across all animals. Relative to humans, however, little work has been devoted to how animals isolate sound sources to create auditory objects. Frequency separation of sounds is arguably the most common parameter studied in auditory streaming, yet it is not the only factor. Elhilali et al. (2009) found that in humans, synchronous tones are heard as a single auditory stream, even at large frequency separations, compared to asynchronous tones with the same frequency separations, which are perceived as two sounds. These findings demonstrate how both timing and frequency separation of sounds are important for auditory scene analysis. It was unclear how animals, such as budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), would perceive synchronous and asynchronous sounds. Budgerigars were tested on the perception of synchronous, asynchronous, and partially overlapping pure tones and budgerigar contact calls. Budgerigars segregate partially overlapping sounds in a manner predicted by computational models of streaming. However, overlapping budgerigar contact calls are more likely to be segregated than pure tone stimuli with the same temporal overlap. These results emphasize the necessity of using complex communication signals when examining complex sound perception processes such as auditory scene analysis.

Effects of spatial and social restrictions on the presence of stereotypies in the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus): a pilot study

Parrots housed in inadequate environments can show behavioural patterns that they do not show in their biologically natural context, such as repetitive and nonfunctional activities, potentially indicators of poor welfare. In intensive breeding facilities, birds such as budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) are often pair-housed in cages of limited size for the reproductive period. In this study, the effects of spatial and social restrictions on the behaviour of 18 budgerigars housed in different conditions (pair-housed condition vs social-housed condition) were investigated. Our aim was to compare the presence of species-specific stereotyped behaviours (Oral, Locomotor and Object-Directed) and the time-budget of normal activities between the two experimental conditions. Data were recorded by using video-cameras and, subsequently, a focal sampling technique to score the behavioural repertoire of experimental subjects was adopted. Frequency and duration of stereotyped patterns were significantly higher in pair- than in social-housed condition individuals. A sex-related profile was also found, with “pacing” and “spot pecking” shown more often by males, whereas “wire chewing” and “incessant screaming” were performed at higher levels by females. Moreover, with regard to the time-budget of normal activities, pair-housed conditions showed significantly higher frequencies of locomotion and allo-grooming than social-housed conditions. These findings suggest that limited social and spatial opportunities influence the presence of stereotyped behaviours, as well as the normal activity of Melopsittacus undulatus, and cause a potential decrease of their life quality. Refinement of housing seems to have a direct role in improving the well-being of this species in intensive breeding facilities. Therefore, the dissemination of guidelines and recommendations on accommodation of this species is recommended to make it easier for traders and breeders to provide appropriate housing conditions for birds.