Birds are widely used in behavioural and biological research. Their welfare needs — including social housing, natural light cycles, and species-appropriate enrichment — require specific attention in laboratory settings.
Avian welfare in research settings has historically received less attention than mammalian species, yet birds are cognitively sophisticated animals with significant welfare requirements. Social species such as zebra finches kept in isolation show persistent stress indicators. Artificial lighting with inappropriate spectra or constant illumination disrupts circadian rhythms fundamental to bird physiology. Beak trimming — used to prevent feather pecking in crowded research flocks — causes acute and potentially chronic neuropathic pain. Research facilities must apply the 3Rs framework rigorously to bird research: replacing birds with in vitro or computational models where possible, reducing numbers, and refining husbandry through social housing, appropriate lighting, environmental enrichment, and positive reinforcement training that reduces handling stress and produces more valid behavioural data.