Integratve Journal of Veterinary Biosciences Volume 4 Issue 3 Research Open Integr J Vet Biosci, Volume 4(3): 1–4, 2020 Introduction Free-living wild birds are birds with unrestricted migratory potentials and move independently. Tese birds have over time developed abilities to survive in their natural habitat which involves moving from one location to the other in search for food as well as suitable environment for reproduction. Due to their free-living nature, these wilds tend to play signifcant roles in the spread of diseases. Tis can be evident from studies where antigens of and antibodies against disease causing agents have been detected in some free-living wild birds. Te mode of infection of these birds could only be speculated from their migration to locations where the infectious agents are present. Some of these infectious agents could cause clinical signs in other domestic animals but not in the free-living wild birds [1]; Fagbohun et al. [2-4]. Te signifcant roles that these wild birds play in the epidemiology of diseases would only be better understood from using them in experimental studies, thus requiring putting them in captivity. Outcome of such experimental studies might be afected by alteration in the natural instincts of the birds and could lead to severe consequences. Hence, this article is focused on some free-living wild birds and factors infuencing their survival in captivity. Some Free-Living Wild Birds Laughing Dove Te laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is a slim pigeon belonging to the order Columbiforme and family Columbidae [5]. It Research Article Free-Living Wild Birds and Factors Infuencing Their Survival in Captivity: A Synopsis Ochuko Orakpoghenor 1 *, Sunday Blessing Oladele 1 , Paul Ayuba Abdu 2 and Collins Chimezie Udechukwu 2 1 Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria 2 Department of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria *Corresponding author: Ochuko Orakpoghenor, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Tel: +2347067522037; E-mail: ochuko.orakpoghenor@gmail.com Received: December 22, 2020; Accepted: December 28, 2020; Published: December 30, 2020 is distinguished from other doves by its call which sounds like human laughter [6], and a rufous and black chequered necklace gives it a distinctive pattern [5]. It is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent [7]. Tis small long-tailed dove is found in dry scrub and semi-desert habitats [8]. Te laughing dove is primarily an inhabitant of woodland and savanna, but is also found around human habitations, in farmland, villages and towns [5]. It feeds primarily on seeds, but it also eats other vegetable matter, such as fruit, as well as small insects, particularly termites [8,9]. Te laughing dove typically occurs individually or in pairs but might also gather in focks [10] at watering points, roosting spots, or in area of food abundance [11]. Laughing doves are mostly sedentary but some populations may however exhibit migratory potentials [5]. Tis is evidenced by recovery of the birds, originally ringed in Gujarat 200 km north in Pakistan and landing of exhausted birds on ships in the Arabian Sea [12]. Birds that landed on ships might have been introduced to new regions [5,13]. Speckled Pigeon Te Speckled pigeon (Columba guinea) or (African) rock pigeon is a large pigeon belonging to the order columbiforme and family columbidae [14]. It has rufous on the back and wings with white spots heavily spotted on the wings. It is a resident breeder in most parts of Africa south of the Sahara [15]. Abstract Free-living wild birds are adapted to the natural unrestricted existence but their roles in the epidemiology of avian diseases and zoonosis have necessitated using them in experimental studies. Some of these free-living wild birds include Laughing doves, Speckled pigeons, Catle egrets, Village weavers and African silver bills. The use of these birds in experimental studies therefore requires capture and transportation of the birds followed by creation of an artifcial environment to mimic their natural habitat. This new created habitat no mater how conducive it seems to be would have impact on the survival of these birds ranging from psychological to physical. The outcome of these impacts on the other hand could be falsely interpreted to result from the experimental study and this could be misleading. Survival of several wild birds in captivity ranged from 4% for captive-bred birds to 41% for captured wild birds over a 2-month period with annual post-release survival of 89%. Also, due to the survival mechanisms developed by wild birds in terms of feeding diversity, reproduction and disease tolerance in the wild, captivity would have efects on these instincts leading to lethal consequences. Hence in this article, some free-living wild birds and the factors afecting their survival in captivity, though not limited to these, are being discussed. Keywords: Wild birds, Habitat, Impact, Captivity, Survival