Pain and distress in birds: Review of literature and practical application in field with evaluation's tables

Recognition of pain and distress in birds is a broad topic, which is still poorly investigated. The aim of the study is to combine both literature and practical experience, in order to combine theory and practice. This dissertation first tries to review different approaches in recognizing pain and distress in birds. In the second part gives an overview of data collected in the field during my practical activity at the rescue centre in Lazise (Lazise CRAS -Verona). Data collected regards three different birds’ families: Passeriformes, Birds of prey and Waterfowl, which are the bigger families hosted at the rehabilitation centre. Predetermined evaluation tables are used: containing a set of adjectives and features on birds' body to look for when approaching a bird in a situation of pain and stress. Since multiple species of birds arrive at the centre and they come from different situation (some may be poisoned, others are injured or orphaned), the parameters have an individual variable. Some considerations are then made, according to first data collected at the birds' time of arrival and the outcome after medical treatment and rehabilitation.